Scientists find nine new sponge species in glimpse of Alaska’s deep-sea diversity 14. September 2026 (13:30) But their habitat is threatened by bottom trawling in the region and Trump’s plan to expand seafloor miningScientists have discovered nine new deep-sea sponge species off Alaska, offering new insights into the region’s largely unexplored marine biodiversity.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) announced the discovery on Thursday, saying the species were found in the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. The findings bring the total number of known sponge species in Alaska to 232. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK MPs and Lords call for new laws to tackle AI threat to human rights 14. September 2026 (13:07) Warning follows series of safety incidents, with committee saying threats include public face-scanning and deepfakesUK politics live – latest updatesBritish lawmakers are demanding more restrictions on the power of AI, warning the world is unprepared for the “potentially dire” consequences of the technology, in the latest sign of rising global concern.A new regulatory framework is needed for AI in the UK, including an independent oversight body and legislation to protect the public, according to the cross-party joint committee on human rights, comprising MPs and Lords. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats to train tens of thousands to monitor polls amid election interference fears 14. September 2026 (12:00) Project will prepare volunteers across US to monitor polls, encourage early voting and respond to disinformationThe Democrats intend to train tens of thousands of volunteers to monitor the polls and counter possible voter intimidation under a new plan to protect November’s US midterm elections from anticipated interference from Donald Trump and his allies.The nationwide initiative, dubbed the New Battlefield Project, will help state Democratic committees build up a vast coalition of volunteers to monitor the polls, push voters to cast their ballots early and create a network to respond to disinformation. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Swedish centre-left opposition widens lead to three seats with 95% of votes counted – Europe live 14. September 2026 (11:57) The parliament isn’t set to meet until late September to elect a new speaker, and then prime ministerPerhaps we should all just channel the Swedish PM, Ulf Kristersson, who essentially said this morning he was “going to take it pretty easy” until the final results are in.He says there are some conversations scheduled in the meantime – including with fellow coalition leaders this evening – but he essentially wants to see the final results show first. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Richard Tice accuses Labour of ‘trying to change rules retrospectively’ after Reform receive £72m in donations – UK politics live 14. September 2026 (11:51) Labour MPs and unions are pressuring the government to legislate for a stricter cap on political party donationsNigel Farage’s unfavourability rating has hit a 10-year high, polling from YouGov suggests.YouGov says this is the worst unfavourability rating it has recorded for Farage since it has been running this tracker.In the aftermath of Reform UK’s annual conference, which was partly overshadowed by further allegations surrounding donations to the party, almost seven in ten Britons (69%) say they have an unfavourable opinion of Nigel Farage. While this is within the margin of error of last month’s figure (67%), it is the highest figure recorded by our tracker for Farage in the 10 years it has run.This includes nearly six in ten Britons (57%) seeing Farage very unfavourably, relative to no more than 50% having a negative view – to any degree – of the other four major party leaders. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Weather tracker: Floods in eastern India and hurricane damage in California 14. September 2026 (11:28) Flooding in West Bengal has led to three deaths, while severe beach erosion has been witnessed in Orange countyFlooding around the city of Malda in the Indian state of West Bengal since Thursday has had a devastating effect. So far, three deaths have been recorded and many areas are still flooded, with numerous villages affected, along with the region of Bhutni. Erosion from the flooding, reported from Khaskol, led to a disruption in river flow which led to a more severe impact in Bhutni. More than 100 boats have been sent out for evacuation.At East Basudevpur, a 20ft (6-metre) embankment collapsed, reducing the channel from 550ft to under 150ft, which could lead to further flooding unless repaired. This flooding resulted after the Ganges River rose about 75cm above its “extreme danger” level owing to heavy rainfall. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Queen’s secret Whitlam correspondence inspires Sydney Theatre Company play in 2027 14. September 2026 (11:15) STC’s 2027 program also features Celeste Barber in Amy Sedaris and David Sedaris play, Tim Minchin as Scrooge and the return of The Picture of Dorian GraySix years after the Australian historian Jenny Hocking won her legal battle to release secret correspondence between Queen Elizabeth II, Malcolm Fraser and the governor general John Kerr, her fight to reveal the truth about Gough Whitlam’s dismissal is being adapted for the stage.The Palace Letters, announced on Monday as part of Sydney Theatre Company’s 2027 program, will have its world premiere at Sydney Opera House in April. It will star Georgie Parker as Hocking, with Jonathan Biggins playing Whitlam. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform declines to say if £72m donors returned to UK within 12-month limit 14. September 2026 (11:09) Richard Tice says contributions are legally compliant after author of review into overseas donations says rules will be applied retrospectivelyReform UK’s deputy leader has declined to say when two crypto billionaires who gave a combined £72m to the party returned to the UK, as the architect of a review into overseas donations said anyone here for less than 12 months would be subject to a limit on donations.Richard Tice said that while he was completely confident Reform had complied with all current and proposed laws on donations, he could not say when Ben Delo returned to the UK from Hong Kong, or how much time the Thailand-based Christopher Harborne spent in Britain. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK ministers urged to act after US flies out diplomat accused of possessing indecent images of children 14. September 2026 (11:06) US officials reportedly raided envoy’s London home and took him to American airbase without warning Met policeUK politics live – latest updatesBritish ministers face calls to act after US authorities secretly flew out of the UK a diplomat accused of possessing indecent images of children.US officials reportedly raided the diplomat’s London flat in August before taking him to an American airbase and flying him out of the country, without warning the Metropolitan police. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Indonesian police investigate deaths of Australian man and two children in Bali as suspected murder-suicide 14. September 2026 (10:44) Police in Bali believe the two young children died as a result of violence, while a 57-year-old man is believed to have taken his own life Indonesian police are investigating the deaths of three Australians who died in Bali over the weekend, with initial reports suggesting a father killed his two young children before taking his own life.The man, 57, and his two children, seven and four, who are also Indonesian citizens, were discovered deceased in a bungalow in Kuta on Sunday morning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
