Greens urge Zack Polanski to take stance on proposed policy declaring ‘Zionism is racism’ 17. September 2026 (19:06) Exclusive: The Green leader has not spoken publicly about the motion, which is likely to be debated at the party’s conference in OctoberThe Greens are pushing Zack Polanski to take a stance on a potential party policy stating “Zionism is racism”, with some fearing it could alienate Jewish supporters if it was passed.Polanski, who leads the Greens in England and Wales, has not spoken publicly about the motion, which came top of a members’ vote of policy motions to be debated at the party conference in Brighton at the start of October, and is thus almost certain to feature. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sway, Mobo-winning British rapper, dies aged 44 17. September 2026 (18:35) Rapper won prestigious award as an unsigned artist before breaking UK Top 10 and nurturing artists including KSIThe British rapper Sway, who proved inspirational to a generation of Black British musicians thanks to his independence and frank, dextrous storytelling, has died aged 44.The news was announced by the Mobo awards, with whom Sway won best hip-hop act in 2005, the first unsigned act to do so. “Proud to have him as part of our history. Our love goes out to his family, loved ones and fans,” the statement read. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Human remains discovered in London parkland identified as missing woman Joanne Sheen 17. September 2026 (18:06) 56-year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder after discovery of woman reported missing in 2020A body found in an area of London shrubland that was partly cleared of foliage by a wildfire in August is that of a woman who disappeared from Hampshire nearly seven years ago, police have said.A man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder after the remains were identified as Joanne Sheen. She was reported missing in February 2020, having last been seen the previous December. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pennsylvania asks CDC for emergency help as measles outbreak spreads 17. September 2026 (18:01) State reportedly asks for Epi-Aid support unless federal agency recognizes four local measles-related deathsPennsylvania is seeking emergency assistance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a major measles outbreak spreads across the state. The state warned the request could be withdrawn unless the federal agency publicly recognizes four measles-associated deaths reported by the state.The Pennsylvania department of health has begun the process of requesting CDC emergency support known as an Epi-Aid, Reuters reported on Thursday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
All smiles in Strasbourg but uncertainty clouds Canada’s EU membership plan 17. September 2026 (17:46) Although Mark Carney welcomed offer to become bloc’s first associate member, no one seems to know what that meansEurope live – latest updates Mark Carney received a rapturous reception in the European parliament when he gave his speech on Thursday welcoming a proposal for Canada to become the EU’s first-ever associate member.Politicians queued to shake his hand and take selfies. One MEP leader described the speech as a historic moment. “Europe has extended a hand, and Canada has taken it,” said the German Green MEP Terry Reintke, who borrowed a Canadian ice hockey shirt for the occasion. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
House Republican releases campaign ad critical of Trump’s immigration policies 17. September 2026 (17:37) María Elvira Salazar says some enforcement has ‘gone too far’ as GOP seeks distance from Trump before midtermsA Republican congresswoman has released a campaign ad criticizing Donald Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement, in the latest sign that a key plank of the president’s 2024 re-election campaign has become a liability for his congressional allies ahead of November’s midterm elections.“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far,” Florida’s María Elvira Salazar says in a 30-second ad. “In July, 50% of the 50,000 people that were detained had no criminal record. Be careful what your advisers are telling you about immigration policy.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sweden’s PM resigns after centre-left bloc wins slim majority in election 17. September 2026 (17:28) Ulf Kristersson has stood down from his post, paving way for Social Democrats leader to form a governmentSweden’s centre-right prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, has stood down, clearing the way for Magdalena Andersson, the Social Democrats leader, to attempt to form a government.In a victory speech on Thursday, Andersson said the Swedish people had “voted for a new direction for our country, voted for unity and against division”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Amid claims of ‘mass migration’, Labor hopes a measured approach will take the hot air out of the debate 17. September 2026 (17:00) The country’s migration settings have become a source of discontent – but will Tony Burke’s approach be seen as the right mix?Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTony Burke has promised to make Labor’s existing migration policy work better rather than announcing a dramatic cut in numbers, arguing that populist promises to slash net overseas migration will “trash Australian services and trash the Australian economy”.The home affairs minister’s message was immediately endorsed by employer groups, who over recent days have made it clear that steps to arbitrarily slash migrant numbers would compound already severe skills shortages and hurt businesses, especially those in the regions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tony Burke rejects farmers’ claims that immigration changes will increase food prices 17. September 2026 (17:00) Farming lobby says shoppers will see emptier shelves and higher prices because of restrictions on backpackersGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastThe farming lobby’s claim that immigration rule changes will increase food prices for households is wrong, Tony Burke has said, describing moves to speed up processing of backpacker visas as a positive step for agriculture.Burke unveiled Labor’s long-awaited reforms at the National Press Club on Thursday, flagging that the plan was more limited than the government would like, due to a lack of support for wider legislation from the Coalition. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
As Charles refutes Earl Spencer’s claim about Diana, how royal statements give a glimpse behind palace doors 17. September 2026 (16:47) From ‘there were three of us in this marriage’ to ‘recollections may vary’, a lot can be conveyed with a carefully worded phraseAs denials go, King Charles’s response to Earl Spencer’s allegations that Charles said after Diana’s death, “We’ll forget her soon enough”, was a masterclass in the diplomatic royal rebuke.Rarely has Buckingham Palace responded to claims in countless books on royalty. But it was straight out of the block on this one. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
