2026/08/24 Daily Edition

August 24 marks the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, and it also marks four and a half years of conflict with Russia. As European leaders meet in Kyiv, the Coalition of the Willing is set to chair a meeting with Volodymr Zelensky to discuss ways to bolster support for Ukraine, which is facing an escalating bombing campaign from Moscow.

Dozens of coordinated arson attacks carried out across Thailand

US Southern Command says Sunday's strike targeted vessel operating along established narco-trafficking routes.

The Saudi crown prince and French President Emmanuel Macron are to chair on August 24 the first meeting of the Saudi-French strategic partnership council, and a number of agreements arer expected to be signed. Among them are a new Dragon-Ball themed amusement park deal in the Paris region and the sale of French military equipment to the kingdom. FRANCE 24's Philip Turle tells us more on what to know about the talks.

Iran's foreign ministry on Monday said France's decision to expel two of its diplomats was “illegal”. France's move came in retaliation for Tehran's decision not to allow two French diplomats to return to its territory.

Argentinian striker was targeted by fans while warming up and jeered again after coming on in the 66th minute.

Saudi Arabia, which founded the event, is spending billions to become a global gaming and esports power.

Global heating is an outrage, not a tragedy. We deserve the facts about the climate crisis – I choose the Guardian because it’s one of the few places left to share them honestly Climate campaign 2026: help us reach 30,000 acts of support Well, there’s no getting around it now. What many of us once feared has become a reality. The dangerous conditions climate scientists long warned of have become our common, if deeply unwelcome, experience, and season by season, our acquaintance with disorder and extremities deepens. In both hemispheres, wildfires rage right into our cities and incinerate entire neighbourhoods. Marine heatwaves are bleaching corals and cooking seagrasses on a global scale. This northern summer has brought temperatures most Europeans associate with the Australian desert. Heat events in Europe have paralysed whole countries, destroyed infrastructure and killed citizens in their thousands. Climate campaign 2026: help the Guardian reach 30,000 acts of support..

European leaders joined President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on August 24 for official celebrations marking Ukraine’s Independence Day as Russia pushes on with its four-year-old invasion of the country. Among the guests is new UK prime minister Andy Burnham, his first overseas trip since taking office in July. FRANCE 24's Emmanuelle Chaze tells us more from Kyiv.

Despite a ceasefire that has been in place since October 2025, violence continues in Gaza. On August 23, Israeli strikes left several people dead in the enclave, and a young boy was killed by the Israeli military in the West Bank, according to local authorities. Since the announcement of the truce, more than 1,280 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, while Israel has reported the launch of drones, balloons and kites towards its territory.

The president may disdain clean energy tech, but energy storage is also crucial for A.I. and defense — and China’s dominance in the sector has officials worried.

Nasa-funded project uses yeasts to recycle plastics and other waste into food shaped into biscuits by 3D printers Cookies produced from upcycled plastic may sound like something straight out of a dystopian sci-fi plot. But researchers say that they have succeeded in creating such a product as part of a Nasa-funded project aimed at feeding astronauts on future space missions. The technology uses specially designed yeasts to transform plastics and agricultural waste into edible proteins, fats and flavourings. The resulting slurry is pased through a 3D printer to create a disc-shaped “cookie”...

McLaren's reigning champion Lando Norris celebrates his second win in a row from pole position at Zandvoort.

Exerting maximum economic pressure on Tehran would risk blowback from Beijing.

Brazil's Alison Dos Santos beats world record holder Karsten Warholm in a thrilling 400m hurdles final at the meet.

Thousands of Argentines are flocking to a remote stretch of Patagonia, seeking work with only backpacks, tents and the hope that they and their country can turn around their fortunes.

US Treasury secretary to announce sanctions against Tehran at a press conference at 1pm EDT (6pm London time) Shein’s announcement was somewhat underwhelming. The online retailer, which built a fast-fashion empire on what seemed like impossibly low prices, has been forced to lower its own valuation after falling into the red earlier this year...

The move to call off the high-profile event was communicated in June, South Korea said. President Trump shortened another joint military exercise earlier this month.

The tech giant says it does not sell the devices in Russia, but they are widely available on resale markets. When purchased that way, they are virtually impossible to track.

In his first foreign trip since taking office, Prime Minister Andy Burnham affirmed support for Kyiv despite new warnings from Moscow of consequences for doing so.

Carbon capture and storage could make the Rosebank site compatible with UK net zero commitments – if its owners are willing to pay the price The British government must soon decide whether it should give consent to two oil and gasfields, Rosebank in the North Atlantic and Jackdaw in the North Sea. Amid both insecurity of energy supplies and deadly evidence of the climate crisis, the prime minister, Andy Burnham, is facing pressure from the oil and gas industry and unions on one side, and environmentalists on the other. Labour’s manifesto commitment not to approve new drilling licences offers little help, because the fields already have licences, granted by the previous Conservative government in 2022 and 2023. But last year, Edinburgh’s court of session ruled that the environmental impact assessments on which this decision relied were unlawful. The Conservative government had, the court ruled, failed to include the emissions generated when the oil and gas from the fields is burned. The court allowed work to continue on the fields, but a new assessment had to be done and approval sought again. Michael Jacobs is professor of political economy at the University of Sheffield and a former energy and climate change adviser to Gordon Brown when he was prime minister..

The “war on drugs” sought to reduce substance abuse by driving up prices and lowering demand. Today, street drugs are less expensive and more dangerous than ever.

An attack by what Ukrainian officials said was a Russian drone with an Nvidia chip presages a dystopian future of weaponry untethered to humans.

Companies have received tariff refunds. What about consumers? Some companies are providing refunds while others decline.

The religious figure faced various charges, including inciting violence and providing legitimacy to the al-Assad regime.

The settlement threatens Palestinian statehood. But it could help Israel's PM, other far-right leaders before elections.

Canada is vowing to impose fresh tariffs on US goods in retaliation for Trump administration taxes. The moves come after talks between the two trading partners broke down late last week.

China-based retailer swung to $99m loss in first quarter and faces scrutiny over its environmental footprint Business live – latest updates Shein, which built a fast-fashion empire on what seemed like impossibly low prices, has been forced to lower its own valuation in a cut-price stock market float, after falling into the red earlier this year. The online retailer will list on the Hong Kong stock exchange on 1 September at a valuation of close to $27bn (£19.8bn), significantly down from a near-$100bn private market peak four years ago...

One of the suspects is due in court on Monday to be charged with murder and attempted murder.

The fire has burned around 10,500 acres and is completely uncontained, officials say.

In recent weeks, the police have closed dozens of cafes, often citing laws that stipulate women must veil in public. Experts say the closures are part of an effort to control public space.

The victory of Adilet, founded earlier this year, is likely to consolidate the power of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

With military and diplomatic means to end the war with Iran stalling, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to explain a new round of economic pressure measures on Iran Monday.

With limited electricity and poor ventilation, many families in Nasirabad have little to shield them from temperatures of up to 50C As the first light reaches Nasirabad, a queue of men, women and children has already formed outside the town’s ice factory, with their buckets, sacks and plastic containers. Among those hoping to buy some ice to help their families endure another scorching day is 12-year-old Taimoor, in his school uniform. He says it is his most important task of the day. “If I do not bring the ice, how will we endure the heat at home?” he says. “And how will we drink water that feels as though it is boiling?”..

The Montagu Harrier successfully nested for the second year running in the same secret location.

Norway's King Harald remains in hospital receiving antibiotics for a bloodstream bacterial infection.

Pakistan says it can offer a channel between Tehran and Washington, but analysts differ over how much influence it has.

The devastated healthcare system cannot reach Gaza’s most vulnerable – those who live in displacement camps

EU crews and a Russian aircraft help Serbia fight major wildfires as extreme heat fuels fires across the Balkans.

At least 145 countries have reported increases in petrol prices since the attacks on Iran by the US and Israel began.

Just 8,383 jobs for people leaving university were advertised in July, says recruitment website Adzuna Business live – latest updates Graduate job vacancies in the UK have sunk to their lowest level since they started being tracked a decade ago, according to a recruiting website. Just 8,383 jobs for people leaving university were advertised in July, Adzuna reported on Monday, down 45% compared with the same point last year and the lowest since the company started gathering the data in 2016...

The unusual weather pattern and dried out peatlands, a kind of wetland, have been behind some of the country’s worst fire seasons. This year could be one.

'Coalition of the Willing' leaders to discuss air defence shortage as Ukraine and Russia trade drone attacks.

Wigan and Leeds tussle at the top but can all clubs come to an agreement over the investment the sport needs? Three rounds to go until the Super League playoffs begin, and it is difficult to know whether to keep your eyes fixed on the pitch or off it. Leeds sit top after their impressive win at York on Sunday afternoon ended Wigan’s 48-hour stay at the summit, but the Rhinos are embroiled in a two- or perhaps even three-way battle for the League Leaders’ Shield in 2026. The Rhinos and Wigan are level on points and have intriguing games against St Helens and Hull KR respectively this week. Should either or both slip up, Warrington could yet come into the picture for a top-two finish but you would be forgiven for your eyes already veering past this coming weekend’s fixtures and to the penultimate round on two fronts...

Salah started his first game for the Turkish Super Lig side, whom he joined on a free transfer earlier this month.

Gauff beat Pegula for her second Cincinnati Open trophy and Fils overcame Tiafoe for his first Masters 1000 title.

European football chief doesn't want to lose credibility over FIFA job but says Infantino will face a challenger.

Paris Saint-Germain snatched a draw away at Rennes (2-2) on the opening day of Ligue 1. Ferran Torres, Paris’s new signing, came on after the break and saved the day for PSG.

Using the carcinogen to preserve food is prohibited in China, the world's largest producer of cabbages.

Investors will hope Kevin Warsh offers ‘comfort blanket’ at annual meeting of central banks amid bond market anxiety The new US Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, faces a critical test this week amid anxiety in government bond markets over inflation and Donald Trump’s tax and spending plans. As the world’s most powerful central bank prepares for its annual Jackson Hole conference, analysts said bond traders would be looking for signals from Warsh over its commitment to fighting inflation...

Prime minister Christopher Luxon’s party to introduce bill seeking the ban, citing harm to a generation of children New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon has said his party will introduce a bill in parliament that ⁠seeks to ban children ⁠under ​16 from using social media, proposing fines of up to 10% of a platform’s global revenue for non-compliance. The bill would ⁠require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to verify users’ ages, including by utilising existing account information, facial technology and ⁠digital identity documents...

The Congress leader claimed that the Modi government has an "aggressive privatisation agenda" for the space programme just as it had for nuclear energy

Ukraine on Monday hosts a meeting of its key European backers to press for air-defence supplies and more pressure on Moscow, with Russian attacks killing more civilians than at any time since the first months of the invasion. The meeting of the Coalition of the Willing will be jointly chaired by the leaders of Britain, France and Germany. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

Poll also finds sizeable majorities who believe it should be easier to install air con in homes Given the choice, more people across five major European nations including the UK favour encouraging the adoption of air conditioning over keeping carbon emissions down, a survey has found. After four extreme heatwaves that have caused thousands of excess deaths across the continent, the survey showed between 30% and 52% of people in six countries had feared for their household’s health in temperatures close to or above 40C (104F)...

Study finds device brings significant fall in chest pain in 75% of patients, but further trials and NHS approval are needed “It’s an amazing relief, both physically and emotionally, to be able to live my life again normally, without feeling that I’m limited all the time in what I can do.” Cristian Jensen is describing the difference that an implant inserted in his chest – to reduce the symptoms of his debilitating angina – has had on his life...

Foundayo will be available on private prescription, with pharmacists warning of counterfeit GLP-1 problem A new daily pill that treats diabetes and helps with weight loss will be available in UK pharmacies from Monday. Pharmacists said the move would be welcome for people who cannot use weight-loss jabs, but also issued a warning over the growing problem of fake, unlicensed or counterfeit versions of GLP-1 tablets...

Footage filmed by a climber on Mont Blanc shows rocks cascading down the Goûter Couloir, known as ‘Death Pass’. The clim

Maradona’s 1986 World Cup ball sold for $3.35m. He used his hand to score against England, dubbing it the ‘Hand of God’.

Abbas Araghchi said new US sanctions, likely to be unveiled Monday, are like watching the 'same movie on repeat'.

“Drone debris fell on a private children’s centre in Krasnodar. Sadly, two children were killed,” Krasnodar regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev said in a Telegram message