Swedish teenager jailed for attempted murder, rape and assault committed online, with victims in Germany and Australia 18. September 2026 (17:00) Eighteen-year-old known as Chai was active in networks notorious for their sadistic exploitation of young peopleA Swedish teenager known as Chai has been sentenced to more than 10 years in jail for attempted murder, rape and aggravated assault – crimes committed via the internet, including against a teenage girl in Australia.The district court found that Chai, 18, was active in online networks notorious for their sadistic extortion of young and vulnerable people, coercing them to create sexually explicit material or engage in acts of violence – and for the youth of those involved.In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tech billionaires trying to live for ever? That’s a waste of time, says physicist 18. September 2026 (17:00) Exclusive: Prof Jim Al-Khalili says he will offer solution to ‘arrow of time’ problem in Royal Institution lecturesTech billionaires attempting to live for ever are, quite literally, wasting their time, a leading physicist has said.While some normal people are turning to unregulated peptide injections, cold plunges and supplements in an effort to defy ageing, the ultra-rich are aiming for immortality with even more drastic interventions: the tech chief executive Bryan Johnson has even tried injecting plasma from his 17-year-old son – although he later said he saw no benefit from it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Record fuel prices across EU prompt calls for bloc-wide windfall tax on firms 18. September 2026 (16:42) German minister says companies are ‘exploiting situation’ in Middle East, as sky-high prices become major domestic issue for leadersEuropean governments have discussed imposing a bloc-wide windfall tax on energy companies, as near-record fuel and gas prices pile pressure on leaders desperate to contain mounting public discontent and the challenge of the far right.With elections due next year in eight EU countries including France, Italy, Spain and Poland, leaders are scrambling to head off the potential fallout from what analysts have warned could be one of the continent’s biggest energy shocks in decades. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oxford United apologise for launching ‘United 93’ clothing range around 9/11 anniversary 18. September 2026 (16:18) ‘Campus Collection’ aimed to mark 1893 club foundingRange pulled from website two hours after launchOxford United have abandoned a new range of American style-sportswear after it inadvertently referenced the tragedy of September 11.The League One club launched their new “Campus Collection” on Friday morning but had removed it from sale by lunchtime, after clothing designs were revealed to bear the slogan “United 93”. The U’s immediately published an apology that admitted to a lack of understanding of “the historical context and associations” related to the branding and made “sincere apologies for this error and any offence caused”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Yemen’s anti-Houthi forces launch inquest into sudden military collapse 18. September 2026 (16:12) Rout raises questions about coordination and morale as some politicians claim billions of dollars were offered to persuade forces to abandon positionA bitter inquest is under way among Yemen’s anti-Houthi forces as to how what was being billed as a decisive assault on Sana’a, the Houthi-controlled capital, suddenly collapsed into a military rout.More than 15 brigades were defeated as the country’s entire west coast fell into Houthi hands. Efforts are now being made to reorganise the anti-Houthi forces representing the UN-recognised Yemeni government in order to capture the Kahbob mountains, a strategic point from which to restrict Houthi forces moving closer to the crucial Bab al-Mandab strait. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US veterans have greater levels of Pfas in their blood than civilians, new study finds 18. September 2026 (16:00) Soil and water around military bases show elevated levels of Pfas pollution due to chemicals used in firefighting foamMany US military veterans have much higher levels of Pfas “forever chemicals” in their blood than non-veterans, new peer-reviewed research finds, raising more questions about health risks the nation’s service members face after serving at polluted bases.Ground water, surface water and soil around military bases show among the highest levels of Pfas pollution in the US because the chemicals are used in firefighting foam deployed during training and emergencies. While the problem has been clear for over a decade, the new Brown University-led study is the first to compare levels in veterans’ blood with those in civilians. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British Sikh man granted bail in India nine years after arrest 18. September 2026 (15:02) Jagtar Singh Johal, from Scotland, was arrested after wedding in Punjab on alleged terrorism offencesJagtar Singh Johal, a British Sikh man who was arrested in India in 2017 in connection with alleged terrorism offences, has been granted bail by a Delhi court.Johal, from Scotland, was arrested for his alleged role in funding the Khalistan Liberation Force, which had carried out targeted killings in India’s Punjab region. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Early voting begins in midterms as campaign shifts focus to cost of living and Iran war – US politics live 18. September 2026 (14:38) Campaigning or control of Congress is expected to ramp up as some states open early votingSign up for the US Breaking News emailJD Vance is back on the midterm campaign trail today, slated to head to Iowa to speak at a rally in Council Bluffs.Republicans in the state are fighting to hold on to a Senate seat and the governorship, both of which appear too close for comfort. Vance will be joined at the rally by the Republican candidate for governor, Zach Lahn. The GOP’s Senate nominee, Ashley Hinson, has said she will not attend due to a previously scheduled commitment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Poorest countries hit hardest by UK aid cuts under Keir Starmer government, new figures reveal 18. September 2026 (14:01) Aid to lower-income countries fell by almost 7%, while higher-income countries saw their share of Britain’s aid budget increaseThe world’s poorest countries were worst hit by British aid cuts under Keir Starmer’s government, while higher-income countries saw their share of aid increase, new figures reveal.The latest figures released by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office show a 6.7% decrease in funding to the least-developed countries and low-income countries, amounting to cuts of £118m. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British woman who was kidnapped in Malawi rescued by police after shootout 18. September 2026 (13:21) Four of Nurat Osman’s alleged abductors were killed during rescue after she was taken from outside her home last weekA British woman kidnapped in Malawi last week has been rescued by police after a shootout in which four of her alleged abductors were killed.Nusrat Osman was abducted outside her home in the southern city of Blantyre on 11 September at about 12.30pm. Police had offered a reward of 30m Malawi kwacha (£12,950) for information leading to her rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
