News for August 31, 2026
New super flu vaccine rollout begins as NHS regroups from 'busiest summer'
Damn it: The NHS has begun rolling out a revised super flu vaccine. The updated jab includes tweaks to better counter the Super-K strain.
Damn it: Summer 2026 likely to be UK's hottest on record
Met Office figures due on Tuesday are expected to show the 2025 record has been broken. The summer has been marked by unprecedented, persistent heat.
Damn it: Beating the back-to-work blues after summer
Back-to-work after a summer holiday can be tricky. This piece offers a few simple tips to ease the transition.
Damn it: Russian finance minister draws objections at G-20 meeting
At the G-20 gathering, Anton Siluanov—invited by Trump—drew objections from attendees. As Moscow pressed its actions in Ukraine, one attendee called his appearance 'quite troubling.' U.S. officials urged continued dialogue on the issue.
Damn it: Orangutans in danger as wildfires blaze through Borneo
Wildfires in Indonesia have destroyed part of orangutans' natural habitat on Borneo. The damage threatens hundreds of individuals and risks the survival of the species.
Damn it: Government fast-tracks £110m to build more prison cells
The government says £110m has been fast-tracked from existing budgets to speed up the building of new prison cells. The move is aimed at easing overcrowding by expanding capacity.
Damn it: Hundreds remember Heaton Park synagogue attack victims at memorial event
Hundreds gathered to mark nearly a year since the Heaton Park synagogue attack. The Chief Rabbi and Angela Rayner were among the attendees.
Damn it: Kushner regrets World Cup sell-off plan
Joshua Kushner says he would not have gotten involved in FIFA president Gianni Infantino's scrapped World Cup stake-sale plan if he had anticipated the football world's reaction. He says the backlash influenced his decision not to participate.
Damn it: Nepal rescuers blast hillside to reach hydropower workers
Rescuers have used explosives to blast a hillside to reach trapped hydropower workers. The flood death toll has reached 939. Families are waiting for word as crews press on with the rescue.
Damn it: Victoria Beckham's label posts first profit after 18 years
The fashion and beauty business posted a £7.3m operating profit, its first in 18 years. The result ends a long stretch of losses for the brand.
Damn it: Messi announces retirement from Argentina's national team
Messi, the 2022 World Cup winner, announced his retirement from Argentina's national team in an Instagram post. He said there isn't much time left and that several chapters are ending, describing this as a painful moment.
Damn it: D4vd's celebrity lawyers withdraw from murder case
D4vd, the 21-year-old US singer, will be represented by a public defender in the murder case of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. He has pleaded not guilty.
Damn it: AI could cause global economic downturn, BoE chief warns
The Bank of England's governor warned that artificial intelligence could trigger volatility in the economy. He tied that volatility to energy-price shocks connected to the US-Iran conflict. The remarks suggest AI could have broader economic consequences.
Damn it: Iceland opposes EU membership talks as local concerns outweigh joining fears
Opponents say restarting EU accession talks would undermine Iceland’s control over fishing, farming and other top priorities. They argue national sovereignty should guide policies in these areas rather than ceding oversight to the bloc. The stance reflects domestic concern that EU rules could affect important industries.
Damn it: Notting Hill Carnival marks 60th anniversary
Notting Hill Carnival celebrated its 60th year. It is Europe’s biggest street party.
Damn it: Notting Hill Carnival marks 60th anniversary
Notting Hill Carnival marked its 60th anniversary with a three-day festival. Dancers wore extravagant outfits and paraded through west London streets to celebrate Caribbean arts and culture.
Damn it: Messi retires from international football
Messi announced his retirement from international football with Argentina. He described the decision as painful but said the time has come. The move ends his international career with the national team.
Damn it: Trump urges Apple to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America on maps
Trump is pressing Apple to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America on its mapping services. The push follows Google's switch for US-based users over the weekend. MapQuest said it will not change the name.
Damn it: Two children among 20 missing after ferry sinks off northern Cyprus
Ayten and Hayri Bicer's two children are among 20 people missing after a ferry sank off northern Cyprus. Eight people died in the incident.
Damn it: Iran's economy feels new U.S. pressure
After decades of sanctions by the United States and its allies, Iran's economy is feeling the pressure. Experts say the Trump administration's new sanctions are unlikely to yield concessions.
Damn it: Google names Lake America for U.S. users
Google has designated Lake America as the label for U.S. maps. Canada will continue to see Lake Ontario on Google’s maps. Users outside the U.S. and Canada will see both names.
Damn it: Griffith to replace Sir Mel Stride as shadow chancellor in Conservative reshuffle
Andrew Griffith will become the new shadow chancellor. The change is part of Kemi Badenoch's shadow cabinet reshuffle. Sir Mel Stride is being replaced in this role.
Damn it: Jurors face five verdict options in Lindsay Clancy case
Jurors have five verdict options in the Lindsay Clancy case. The former nurse is charged in the deaths of her three children. The jury must decide among those options as the trial proceeds.
Damn it: Once a village, now barren land - BBC in the valley devastated by floods
BBC reporters are in Sano Barkhu, a village overlooking Syfrubesi. Syfrubesi was destroyed by floods in Nepal.
Damn it: South African airline defends low-altitude aerial stunt over packed stadium
Airlink defends the stunt, saying two planes flew in close formation. The airline says the maneuver was carefully planned and executed with precision.
Damn it: Trump's Africa deals could slash U.S. health aid by more than half, analysis finds
Planned reductions would hit programs that combat deadly diseases. The reductions coincide with a push for developing nations to spend more on health. The article frames the move as part of a broader U.S. effort to shift costs to recipient countries.
Damn it: Dolly Parton laid to rest alongside husband in Nashville
Dolly Parton died on Tuesday at age 80. A private family funeral was held for the singer. She was laid to rest alongside her husband in Nashville.
Damn it: One dead, 15 missing after Grand Canyon flash flood
One person has died and at least 15 others are missing after a flash flood hit the Grand Canyon. The rush of water struck quickly on what had been a calm day. A hiker told the BBC that it began as a beautiful day before chaos and screams erupted.
Damn it: Early release scheme could still free dangerous criminals, Conservatives warn
Conservatives warn the prime minister's early release scheme could still free dangerous criminals. Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy told the BBC about the concern.
Damn it: Unification Church leader jailed for bribery in South Korea
Han Hak-ja, 83, the leader of the Unification Church, was jailed for two years for bribery offences. The court found she gave the former South Korean first lady two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace.
Damn it: Russian strikes wipe out 12 million books as Ukraine readies first week back at school.
Ukraine accuses Russia of deliberately attacking its culture after strikes on publishers and churches. Officials say about 12 million books were destroyed. The strikes come as Ukraine prepares for its first week back at school.
Damn it: Parents of seriously ill children deserve paid leave, says commissioner
Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza has backed calls for more support for parents and carers. Her position includes paid leave for parents of seriously ill children.
Damn it: Djokovic in tears after US Open first-round exit
Novak Djokovic was moved to tears after a first-round exit at the US Open. The 39-year-old's defeat fuels ongoing talk that age is catching up with him.
Damn it: Actor performs Beckett solo after Alzheimer's diagnosis
Peter Marinker, who was told he had Alzheimer's, is performing a one-man Beckett play in London. He is presenting one of Samuel Beckett's most famous plays as a solo production.
Like fighting a dinosaur: Sydney woman recalls punching a shark during the attack
Damn it — Leah Stewart, 34, was mauled by a great white shark during a morning swim at Coogee Beach in June. She says she punched the shark during the attack. The incident occurred at Coogee Beach.
Rabbi says Jewish community more vulnerable than after synagogue attack
Damn it: Rabbi Daniel Walker says the Jewish community is feeling increasingly vulnerable. He notes that this sense of insecurity is higher now than immediately after the synagogue attack.
The mystery of why so many Black Britons still can't swim
Damn it: For decades, swimming ability has been lower among Black Britons. The writer asks why this gap exists.