Epstein survivors praise House committee for recommending Leon Black be held in contempt 16. September 2026 (17:32) Black has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and said he did not know of Epstein’s criminal activitiesMore than a dozen survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse praised the House oversight committee for unanimously voting to recommend that billionaire investor Leon Black be held in contempt for refusing to comply with subpoenas by the panel seeking his testimony and nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) as part of its investigation into Epstein.“We commend Chairman Comer for showing real resolve in pursuing accountability in the Epstein investigation,” the survivors said in a statement. They said that the 41-0 vote sends a “clear message that wealth and influence do not put anyone beyond the reach of congressional oversight”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Health officials in turmoil over 11th-hour backflip on aged care algorithm override powers, emails reveal 16. September 2026 (17:00) Ministers given emergency briefing about changes to algorithm decisions just three days before tool rolloutGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSenior department of health officials were in turmoil before the rollout of an algorithm to determine funding packages for older Australians, after discovering legislation had been drafted so rigidly that the tool could not legally be overridden by aged care assessors.Emails published under freedom of information (FoI) by the department of health, disability and ageing show that, despite assessors long receiving reassurance from the department that they would have powers to change incorrect algorithm decisions, officials realised at the 11th hour this would violate proposed regulations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labor seats get more than 90% of funding distributed under controversial multi-million dollar grants program 16. September 2026 (17:00) Guardian Australia analysis adds to concerns over the federal scheme, which is to be the subject of a Senate inquiryFederal Labor seats have received over 90% of funds already awarded in the first five months of a controversial multi-million dollar grants program, adding to concerns over the scheme’s selection process.The $568m community grants scheme will be the subject of a Senate inquiry after a report by the Centre for Public Integrity last week revealed the scheme favoured projects in notionally Labor-held electorates, including a $6m grant for a golf club in Anthony Albanese’s electorate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Godfather of AI’ says tech regulation is nearing Covid-style pivot moment 16. September 2026 (17:00) Safety crisis makes it more likely that governments will be spurred into action, says Yoshua BengioConcerns over AI safety are reaching a point where governments realise they must act to protect the public, similarly to in the Covid pandemic, according to one of the “godfathers” of the technology.Yoshua Bengio said recent events, including a “swarm” of OpenAI agents hacking a startup and tech insider warnings of an existential threat, were cutting through – making government action more likely. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US officials decide against backing Saudi Arabia in Yemen after meeting Houthi leaders 16. September 2026 (16:56) Armed group appears to reach agreement with Trump administration over safety of Red Sea shippingOfficials from the US met Houthi leaders over the weekend at the country’s embassy in Muscat, Oman, it has been confirmed, leading to the US decision not to intervene to help Saudi Arabia drive back a Houthi advance inside Yemen.The Houthis reassured the US that the ceasefire agreement between the two sides struck in 2025 still held and the movement had no intention of attacking US shipping in the Red Sea. Only Saudi-linked shipping was regarded as a target owing to its blockade of Yemen, the Houthis confirmed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Union claims victory as ministers agree to fully fund pay rise for teachers in England 16. September 2026 (16:49) National Education Union welcomes news that schools will not have to partly fund increase from their own budgetsThe UK’s biggest education union is claiming a significant victory after the government bowed to pressure and agreed to fully fund a forthcoming pay increase for teachers in England in a sudden U-turn.Members of the National Education Union (NEU) were due to vote in a ballot for strike action next month over the government’s recent pay offer which provided for a 3.5% increase from this month, with an additional 3% from next September. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EU moves closer to social media ban for under 13s 16. September 2026 (16:39) Ursula von der Leyen announces draft law to stop apps ‘depriving children of their childhood’The EU will move forward with plans for an under 13s social media ban, the head of the European Commission has confirmed.Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday that social media apps were “depriving children of their childhood” and big tech platforms needed to prove the safety of their products. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Previously unseen drawings by Moomins author Tove Jansson to go on show in London 16. September 2026 (16:08) Exclusive: Exhibition focussing on Finnish writer and artist’s illustrations will include original art from her first Moomins bookThe Moomin books about lovable trolls with hippopotamus snouts who live in harmony with nature are a global publishing phenomenon, having sold up to 30m copies since the Finnish artist and writer Tove Jansson wrote and illustrated them between 1945 and 1977.Now previously unseen drawings of her eccentric characters will be among more than 100 exhibits in a major exhibition that is being staged in London 25 years after her death. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bondi attacks prompt creation of new institute for emergency care of children in NSW 16. September 2026 (16:01) NSW Institute for Paediatric Trauma will help doctors, researchers and specialists prepare for trauma casesGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastA new institute dedicated to improving emergency medical care for severely injured children will be established in New South Wales following recent high-profile trauma events in the state.Based at the Sydney Children’s hospital in Randwick, the NSW Institute for Paediatric Trauma will bring together clinicians, researchers and specialists to deliver advanced training and simulations across the health system. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Kosovo’s former president jailed for 25 years over war crimes 16. September 2026 (15:09) Hashim Thaçi, 58, was convicted by The Hague for crimes committed while he was senior commander of the Kosovo Liberation ArmyEurope live – latest updatesHashim Thaçi, the former president of Kosovo, has been sentenced to 25 years by a tribunal in The Hague for war crimes, including dozens of murders, committed during his time as a senior commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army during the country’s war for independence from Serbia in the late 1990s.The European-backed Kosovo Specialist Chambers, convicted Thaci, 58, and three other former senior commanders of 96 murders, and counts of torture, cruel treatment and arbitrary detention directed at political opponents and civilians. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
