House committee recommends Leon Black be held in contempt of Congress over Epstein inquiry subpoenas 15. September 2026 (23:50) Financier refused to comply with subpoenas seeking his testimony for the investigation into the late sex offenderThe House oversight committee voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend that the House of Representatives hold Leon Black, the billionaire financier, in contempt of Congress, after he refused to comply with subpoenas seeking his testimony and nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) sought by the panel as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Black contends the subpoenas are “invalid” and he is suing to block them.“Subpoenas are not suggestions; they carry the force of law and require full compliance” the representative James Comer, who chairs the committee, said in the chamber on Tuesday afternoon before the voting began. “Mr Black’s testimony is crucial to our investigation because he maintained a close personal relationship with Epstein for years during the time when Epstein was engaged in sex trafficking. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran war cost US $38bn and significantly depleted missile stockpile, report finds 15. September 2026 (23:47) Damaging budget report estimates cost would grow $3bn per month and stockpile could take five years to rebuildThe war in Iran has cost the US at least $38bn and left its stockpile of defensive missiles so depleted it could take five years to rebuild, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found, in a damaging report less than two months before midterm elections where the war and the cost of living crisis will likely hurt Republicans at the polls.The economic report comes one day after the Pentagon’s inspector general finally released its own first review of the war, saying that the US spent $22.3bn on munitions alone through 30 June, put total spending at $33.4bn and found the fighting had “resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls and revealed industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
All supporting acts withdraw from Ed Sheeran’s tour in solidarity with Macklemore 15. September 2026 (23:47) Three openers and live band for Sheeran’s tour depart after removal of Macklemore over ‘free Palestine’ commentsAll four supporting acts for upcoming dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour have withdrawn in solidarity with fellow opening act Macklemore, as backlash grows to his removal from the tour over onstage comments in support of Palestine.Finneas, the singer who was scheduled to open for Sheeran on six South American dates in November, withdrew from the tour on Tuesday afternoon, hours after Sheeran posted his own lengthy statement to Instagram explaining pressure from venue owners to remove Macklemore for pro-Palestine comments made during two shows at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Search under way for three-year-old boy missing from Suffolk playground 15. September 2026 (23:36) More than 100 people reported to have joined search for Noah, who is autistic, non-verbal and has partial hearing lossPolice are urging people to check their gardens and sheds for a three-year-old boy who went missing on Tuesday during a visit to a playground near the Suffolk-Essex border.The boy, named Noah, was last seen at 3pm in Merriam Close in Brantham, near Manningtree, before being separated from a relative. Officers from Suffolk constabulary said Noah was reported to have run down an alleyway near the playground towards a housing estate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Air pollution linked to higher suicide risk, international research suggests 15. September 2026 (23:30) Analysis of 29 studies highlights potentially heightened danger from small particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide Air pollution is associated with an increased risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts, according to research.Environmental pollution is known to be associated with poorer mental health but its role in suicide risk is less well understood. Scientists at Queen’s University Belfast examined whether air, noise, light, and water pollution could influence the risk of death by suicide and suicidal behaviours. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pocock says Labor easing copyright protections for AI datacentre investment would throw creatives ‘under the bus’ 15. September 2026 (23:29) Proposals revealed as senior personnel from OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, met with Albanese ministersThe Albanese government is considering giving AI companies access to Australian creatives’ works by default as its pursues a compromise with American tech giants.The proposals were revealed as senior personnel from OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, met with Labor ministers and warned Australia’s copyright laws were preventing the company training models locally. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British bosses to be forced to meet with employees who request flexible working 15. September 2026 (21:33) Under new workers’ rights, employers will have to ‘properly consider’ proposed shift changes and explain decisionsCompany bosses will have to sit down with workers who request flexible working and justify their reasons for any refusals under new rights announced by Louise Haigh on Tuesday.The first secretary of state told the TUC conference that employers would have to “properly consider” requests for flexibility and offer a face-to-face meeting under new rights for workers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ferocious fight among Brazil’s supreme court erupts on eve of presidential election 15. September 2026 (21:14) Scandal explodes as country’s election campaign peaks, with polls suggesting dead heat between candidatesBrazil’s supreme court has been thrust into what experts consider the greatest crisis since the return of democracy in the 1980s, as two rival judges lock horns on the eve of the presidential election with unpredictable consequences for Latin America’s largest democracy.The politically charged dispute exploded into public view on Tuesday as judges traded insults and accusations during a heated supreme court hearing that was livestreamed into millions of Brazilian homes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Carney says Canada will pursue ‘unique economic alliance’ with EU amid US trade spat 15. September 2026 (21:08) Prime minister speaks of strengthening Canada’s economic and political ties to Europe at Canada Investment SummitMark Carney said Canada will pursue a “unique security and economic alliance” with Europe as he positions his country as a base to build in the “new global economic order”.Speaking to investors, company executives and government ministers at the inaugural Canada Investment Summit on Tuesday, the prime minister pitched Canada as a “safe harbour” and lucrative home for foreign capital as his government looks to reduce its reliance on trade with the United States. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
People from ethnic groups feel racial equality is worsening, UK study shows 15. September 2026 (21:04) Nearly half of ethnic minority respondents in a poll say they have faced prejudice over the past yearMany Britons feel inequality is worsening and that discrimination has become more common, according to a thinktank study.The report by British Future has found that people across ethnic groups believe racial equality is worsening in Britain. One in six people are from ethnic minority backgrounds. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
