‘Pretend I’m on the ticket’: Trump hits campaign trail in bid to boost Republican hopes 17. September 2026 (03:51) President stumps for Senate nominee Michael Whatley in North Carolina and urges voters to ‘crush the communists’Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail on Wednesday, imploring North Carolina voters to “pretend I’m on the ticket” and “crush the communists” in the November elections at a rally in support of the Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley.Despite Trump’s deep unpopularity, Republicans hope to once again turn the president’s loyal following into a political force as the party confronts an unforgiving midterm landscape. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fiji declares national HIV emergency as Pacific nation grapples with surge in cases 17. September 2026 (03:43) Government estimates that one in 60 adults in Fiji now living with HIV, as escalating use of methamphetamine fuels ‘epidemic’Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency amid a spike in infections as the Pacific nation grapples with a correlating rise in methamphetamine use.The country’s health and medical services minister, Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, said in a statement on social media that an outbreak-level response was no longer sufficient to address what he described an “epidemic”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump calls EU offer to Canada of associate membership ‘laughable’, while threatening tariffs 17. September 2026 (03:13) The US president call the move a ‘hostile act’, as Canada seeks to move closer to the EU and diversify its defence tiesDonald Trump has threatened the European Union with “serious tariffs” and a cut to trade after the bloc proposed to make Canada its first ever associate member, calling the idea “laughable”.Suggesting the move was a “hostile act”, the US president told reporters he could put “very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe”. He added: “If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labor backs down on veterans’ health services cap after furious backlash from Jacqui Lambie and ex-ADF members 17. September 2026 (02:52) Independent senator had denounced as ‘cruel’ the plan to impose a $5,000 cap on allied health services for veteransLabor has backdown on plans to impose a $5,000 cap on health services for defence veterans, caving to growing political pressure after weeks of criticism.The government announced it would no longer pursue the cap for allied health services, which had been to come into force on 1 July 2027, after a weeks-long campaign by the opposition, veterans groups and independent senator Jacqui Lambie. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Teenage boys charged with murder after alleged mistaken identity shooting of Sydney student 17. September 2026 (02:42) Boys aged 14 and 16 charged after Marco Tapia, 23, was killed inside his family’s home in Glen AlpineFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo teenage boys have been charged with murder after the shooting death of a university student in Sydney this month, which police say was a case of mistaken identity.Marco Tapia, 23, was shot inside his family’s home in Glen Alpine early on 1 September. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Peter Max, psychedelic pop artist who epitomized flower power, dies aged 88 17. September 2026 (02:21) The US artist, whose swirly, colorful, instantly recognizable designs became hugely commercially successful, died on MondayPeter Max, whose colorful, psychedelic pop art expressed the optimism of the “flower power” movement of the 1960s and graced everything from postage stamps to a cruise ship, has died at 88.Max died on Monday, his son, Adam Max, said in a written statement on Wednesday. No cause was given. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
IMF urges Australian government to cut spending as another interest rate hike looms 17. September 2026 (02:20) Warning comes as forecast for nation’s economic growth downgraded amid concerns over rising debt and inflationFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe International Monetary Fund has called on Australia’s federal and state governments to cut spending as it warns the Reserve Bank may have to hike interest rates further to get price pressures back under control.More disciplined budgets would rein in rising debt burdens and help solve Australia’s long-running inflation problem, the IMF said in a new report, as it downgraded its forecast for Australia’s economic growth in 2027. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Climate crisis likely behind devastating Nepal-Tibet floods that killed more than 1,300, first study finds 17. September 2026 (01:01) Scientists say global heating was a destabilising factor in collapse of 200,000 sq metre glacier in AugustClimate breakdown probably weakened the glacier that collapsed causing catastrophic floods and killing hundreds of people in Nepal and Tibet last month, the first scientific study of the disaster has found.Researchers identified unusually warm conditions before the glacier’s collapse, which sent an avalanche of 110m cubic metres (3,885 cu ft) of snow and ice into the valley below. This triggered flash floods on an almost unprecedented scale, hitting communities downstream without warning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US lawmakers pass bill giving Trump more power to sanction Russia and its enablers 17. September 2026 (00:41) Act divides Democrats and Republicans, with some saying it gives president power that could be turned against US alliesThe US Congress has passed a sweeping bill allowing Donald Trump to raise tariffs on top buyers of Russian energy and issue other punishing sanctions against the Kremlin following a pitched battle between lawmakers backing Ukraine and sceptics worried the bill gives the president too much power.The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 passed in a 262-159 vote on the last day before Congress goes on recess ahead of the midterm elections. Graham, who died earlier this year, co-authored and submitted the bill more than a year and a half ago. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Macklemore pledges his $1m Ed Sheeran tour salary to Palestine 16. September 2026 (23:26) Rapper, who was dropped from tour after his speech in support of Palestine, challenges Robert Kraft to do the sameMacklemore has announced that he will donate the $1m salary he was paid as an opening act for Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour to organizations working with Palestinian people and relief in Gaza, after being dropped from the tour following backlash to his onstage comments in support of Palestine.The rapper also challenged Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and prominent donor to Israel who refused to let Macklemore play at his Gillette Stadium outside Boston, to match his donation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
