French students and police clash as school blockades turn violent 29. September 2026 (17:19) More than 200 arrested while teachers join protest over class sizes, exhausting timetables and staff shortagesFrench teenagers blockading their schools in protest at class sizes, teacher shortages and long timetables have clashed with police, as politicians traded verbal blows over how to respond.Demonstrations that began in Paris last week have escalated and spread across France, with the authorities reporting the arrests of 164 people on Monday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
National Rally’s Jordan Bardella rails at ‘war’ on party after antisemitism claims 29. September 2026 (17:16) President of Marine Le Pen’s far-right party faces calls to resign over comments he allegedly wrote as a teenagerJordan Bardella, the head of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN), has claimed a “total war” is being waged against his party as he faces a political storm after the publication of antisemitic comments he allegedly wrote as a young party member.Bardella, who is facing calls from political opponents to resign, said on Tuesday that the report by the investigative website Mediapart was false. To a standing ovation from his party’s lawmakers and senators at a meeting in parliament, he said the report was an attempt to damage his party as Le Pen tops the polls before the 2027 presidential election. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US senator blocks bill to ban Trump from demolishing Kennedy Center without Congress’s approval 29. September 2026 (17:04) Mike Lee objected to the safeguard against the demolition of any presidential memorial Congress designatesUS politics live – latest updatesA Republican senator has blocked a bipartisan bill that would have prevented Donald Trump from demolishing the Kennedy Center without the approval of Congress.Mike Lee, of Utah, objected on Monday night when the Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley asked the Senate to pass the Protecting Presidential Memorials Act by unanimous consent. The bill, co-written with the Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski, would have banned the demolition of any presidential memorial designated by Congress, including the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, unless lawmakers explicitly approved it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Body of newborn baby found on Welsh shoreline, prompting search for mother 29. September 2026 (17:03) Police and medics fear mother could be ‘extremely vulnerable’, after discovery in Bangor close to Menai strait on SundayPolice are searching for the mother of a newborn baby whose body was found on a Welsh shoreline, fearing she may be ill or vulnerable.A member of the public found the body of the child, whose age and sex have not been disclosed, close to the Menai strait in north Wales. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian government concedes no scientific consensus on social media harms for teenagers – but ‘credible risks’ justify ban 29. September 2026 (17:00) Commonwealth tells high court its proposed laws to let users opt out of algorithms would ultimately have the same effect as the banGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian government has conceded it implemented the “world-leading” under-16s social media ban before there was scientific consensus on the link between mental health harms and social media use, but argued the “credible risks” of issues such as addictive behaviours and anxiety justify the policy.In its defence against a high court challenge of the ban, the government has also argued its proposed digital duty of care legislation, allowing users to opt out of social media features such as algorithms, would ultimately have the same effect as the ban, if implemented. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Guardian Essential poll: Coalition’s primary vote sinks to lowest ever as majority support hardline immigration ideas 29. September 2026 (17:00) More than half of Australians want to see the country’s migrant intake lowered while One Nation’s primary vote climbs to 25%Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Coalition has failed to capitalise on growing criticism of Labor, with the opposition stuck at its lowest-ever primary vote in the Guardian Essential poll.The poll also shows more than half of all Australians want immigration cut and have voiced support for hardline enforcement, such as forced deportation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Blackmail, ‘mafia boys’ and rants from a Beirut bedroom – after 10 weeks of theatre what might Icac deliver? 29. September 2026 (17:00) You could be forgiven for thinking the inquiry has been a bit of a damp squib. But high-profile resignations are not the only measure of Icac’s successGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMany people watching the Independent Commission Against Corruption hearings in Sydney over the past two months have come to admire the forensic questioning of the counsel assisting the inquiry, Peggy Dwyer SC.As she set out the complicated allegations in detail on the opening day in July, Dwyer emphasised the central role of electoral donations laws, observing: “Money in politics, as in other spheres of life, has the potential to corrupt.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Senior Greens figures say new leadership must stop Labor approving fossil fuel projects ‘by whatever means’ 29. September 2026 (17:00) No excuses for next leader of party, Adam Bandt says, while Bob Brown warns they must also be able to take on Pauline Hanson and One NationGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former Greens leader Adam Bandt says the party’s new leadership team, which could be chosen as early as today, will face mounting pressure from grassroots members to block the Labor government from approving any new coal and gas projects “by whatever means”.He told Guardian Australia there would be no excuses for the new leader, likely to be elected at a two-day retreat in Sydney which begins today, to allow the Albanese government to approve any new fossil fuel development. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Soho House launches investigation after out-of-date food mislabelled in kitchen 29. September 2026 (16:58) Private members’ club apologises after former employee exposes issue at its Shoreditch House venueThe Soho House private members’ club has launched an investigation after out-of-date food was mislabelled in one of its kitchens.The club, which charges up to £4,500 a year for membership, has apologised after a former employee made a video on TikTok exposing the issue. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British broadcasters should merge into single platform to survive, says Jeremy Clarkson 29. September 2026 (16:47) Clarkson’s Farm star says broadcasters should make ‘bigger, fewer, better programmes’ in face of competition from streamers and digital platformsJeremy Clarkson has called on British broadcasters to merge into a single “Britflix” platform to survive, as he warned that senior producers were continuing to “drain away” from the cash-strapped TV industry.The former Top Gear presenter said that having just finished filming the sixth season of his Amazon Prime show Clarkson’s Farm, there were now many members of the crew wondering where they would find their next job. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
