US court sentences ex-Syrian official who ran notorious ‘punishment wing’ to 60 years 18. September 2026 (02:37) Samir Ousman al-Sheikh, part of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, was in charge of Adra prison where prisoners were torturedThis article contains descriptions of torture.A US federal court in Los Angeles sentenced a former Syrian government official who ran one of the country’s most infamous prisons to 60 years in prison on Thursday – the most significant punishment handed to an official of ousted president Bashar al-Assad’s regime by a foreign court and to a defendant present in person. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
LA woman charged with murder over bus crash that preceded deadly helicopter plunge 18. September 2026 (02:34) Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, accused of driving on wrong side of road to cause fatal crash NBC news helicopter was coveringA California woman was allegedly driving under the influence when she sped down the wrong side of the road, ran a red light and plowed her SUV into a Los Angeles metro bus on Tuesday, killing two passengers, prosecutors say, in a tragedy compounded when a news helicopter covering the crash plummeted from the sky, killing three.Bailee Lynn Rios, 36, has been charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of the two people on the bus, identified as Daniel Castillo, 46, and Gage Weida, 31. Rios was being held on $4.1m bail and is set to be arraigned on 18 September. Online court records did not list a lawyer who might speak on her behalf, and the public defender’s office did not immediately return a message about whether it was representing her. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Almost 50 dead in Nigeria after drinking alcohol suspected to contain methanol 18. September 2026 (02:23) Drinking locally made alcohol is common in Nigeria, especially in rural areas where it is more affordable and poorly regulatedAt least 48 people have died and about 100 others are receiving treatment in southern Nigeria after consuming a locally brewed alcoholic concoction suspected to contain methanol, officials said on Thursday.Banji Ajaka, Ondo state’s commissioner for health, said the cases had been reported in the Odigbo and Irele local government areas. A total of 182 people are believed to have been affected and some are being treated in the hospital, he said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Outright racist’ activist Daniel Thomas will face ‘full force of law’ over any crimes, says home secretary 18. September 2026 (01:01) Shabana Mahmood says she wants to distinguish between far-right extremism and legitimate local concerns over asylum sitesShabana Mahmood has described the anti-asylum activist Daniel Thomas as “a far-right and outright racist” who will feel “the full force of the law” if his organisation commits crimes near contested asylum sites such as Piddington.In an interview with the Guardian, the home secretary also “wanted to reassure” concerned villagers that asylum seekers due to move in to a neighbouring former defence site would not “put pressure” on local resources because they would be given “self-contained facilities”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Find a credible plan for British Steel, ministers told as ‘startling’ costs soar 18. September 2026 (01:01) Government spending watchdog warns of price of keeping publicly owned firm in businessLabour has been urged to lay out a credible plan for the future of British Steel, as the government spending watchdog warned of the “startling” costs of keeping the struggling manufacturer in business with no end in sight.British Steel was taken into public ownership in July to protect “the future of steel production”, 15 months after the government stepped in to prevent the closure of its steelworks in Scunthorpe and the loss of 4,000 jobs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man who sprayed Ilhan Omar with vinegar sentenced to 14 months 18. September 2026 (00:48) Anthony Kazmierczak agreed plea deal over January town-hall attack that came amid Minneapolis ICE crackdownThe man who sprayed vinegar at the Democratic US House member Ilhan Omar during a Minneapolis town hall was sentenced Thursday to 14 months in prison after reaching a deal with prosecutors.The sentencing of 56-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak came nearly eight months after the 27 January assault. At the time, Minneapolis was facing an immigration crackdown that led to angry protests, arrests and the killing of two US citizens by federal officers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
YouTube star Ms Rachel to match Macklemore’s $1m Palestine aid donation 18. September 2026 (00:39) Educator talks of ‘moral obligation’ and urges ‘every wealthy white celebrity’ to make similar donationYouTube star Ms Rachel has said she is matching rapper Macklemore’s $1m donation to organizations supporting Palestinians, calling on other public figures to follow suit.Macklemore, who was fired as the opening act on Ed Sheeran’s tour after saying “Free Palestine” on stage at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, pledged to donate the entirety of his earnings from Sheeran’s tour to several organizations focused on the Palestinian people. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia news live: Albanese to meet Apple heads in US after social media reform; medicinal cannabis driving laws pass in NSW 17. September 2026 (23:51) Follow the day’s news live.Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia needs to slow down its artificial intelligence use and create better security laws, the companies creating the technology have told the federal government.In a submission to an ongoing inquiry, OpenAI said national leaders had a responsibility to work with other countries to stop global security threats:Many of the most consequential risks will not stop at national borders, making international co-ordination increasingly important.Drivers deserve laws that are fair, clear and based on science. Police deserve laws that are workable and properly drafted. Patients deserve clarity about how their prescribed medication may affect their legal position. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Addison Lee founder owes £20.5m in tax after UK tribunal ruling 17. September 2026 (23:04) HMRC wins challenge over John Griffin’s claim to be non-dom despite having lived in England since childhoodThe founder of Addison Lee owes £20.5m in tax after a tribunal dismissed a claim that he should be treated as a nom-dom despite living in the UK since childhood.John Griffin had argued he should be treated as a nom-dom due to his connection to Ireland, saying: “I was and am besotted with Ireland, infatuated with Ireland. I believe that I have always been and am Irish.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New cat species identified for first time in more than a century in Bolivia 17. September 2026 (22:43) New species of wild feline was discovered in Bolivia’s Yungas forest that is smaller than the average domestic catA diminutive wild cat that inhabits Bolivia’s cloud forest has been identified as a previously unknown species, marking the first time a new living cat species has been formally named and described in more than a century.The cat, called tilcayo by local communities, is part of a group called tiger cats found across much of South America. It was found in Bolivia’s lush Yungas forest, a mountainous region where forests are often covered by clouds and surrounded by high humidity, according to researchers. It measures about 18in (46cm) long and weighs about 3lbs (1.4kg), making it smaller than the average domestic cat. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
