Reform’s Robert Jenrick ‘very confident’ £72m donations are ‘perfectly legal’ – UK politics live 13. September 2026 (11:41) Party’s economic spokesperson says donations are a ‘breakthrough moment’ as Labour’s Angela Rayner warns of possible retrospective actionChristopher Harborne matches £36m Reform donation of Ben DeloAnalysis: Donations of £72m make Reform’s prospects both rosier and riskierOver on Sky, Conservative Tom Tugendhat was asked if the Tories were “rattled” by the money going into Reform.He says he “welcomes people supporting political activity” in a democracy- at this point, Sky’s Rachel Johnson cuts in – “even crypto billionaires who live in Thailand?” (referring to Harbourne). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Female asylum seekers report being sexually assaulted by British men 13. September 2026 (11:14) Women say they are too fearful to pursue criminal prosecution of rapes, for fear of having their claims refusedFemale asylum seekers are reporting rapes and sexual assaults by British men but many say they are too fearful to pursue criminal prosecutions.Their voices are rarely heard but some have spoken to the Guardian at a time when the far right is intensifying tropes about endemic rape of English women and girls by “fighting age” male asylum seekers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Really helpful’: the AI bootcamps aimed at addressing UK youth unemployment 13. September 2026 (11:00) Pilot project in Preston comes with apprenticeship offer for Neets at end of three-week courseIn a youth centre opposite Preston bus station, the UK government is trying to address two of the greatest challenges facing the national economy: AI and youth unemployment.The hope is that one will solve – rather than cause – the other. In a room at the recently opened Vault, a community hub in the Lancashire city, an “AI bootcamp” is under way – part of a trial in the north-west to give 16- to 24-year-olds AI training. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Religious Vance seeks to avoid Maga schism as he keeps the faith for 2028 13. September 2026 (11:00) Vice-president wears religion on his sleeve but winding spiritual path could alienate evangelicals and CatholicsUS vice-president JD Vance has worn his religion on his sleeve since converting to the Catholicism in 2019. He recently published a book, Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith, and memorably met the late Pope Francis at the Vatican on Easter Sunday in 2025, a day before the pontiff died.But his religious identity could take on new weight as he positions himself for a presidential run in 2028, in which a successful campaign would make him only the third Catholic president in US history. Vance’s winding spiritual path – combined with his avowed evangelical roots – have the potential to stymie him, as he seeks to retain the Christian nationalist voters that have sustained Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (Maga) movement while wooing fellow Catholics. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tesco alerts police as supermarket becomes latest victim of scam ‘endorsement’ ads 13. September 2026 (08:00) Exclusive: Supermarket joins line of firms and sports stars including Bellingham and Haaland to have their image hijacked via adsTesco has alerted City of London police after it became the latest in a string of companies and sports stars, including Barclays bank and Lewis Hamilton, to have its image hijacked in a “scam” by unlicensed casinos advertising via Facebook and Instagram.The supermarket chain is among several household-name businesses to have been targeted in an apparent effort by casinos that cannot legally operate in Britain to capitalise on their brand recognition. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Indonesian rescue crews searching for 140 people after ferry hit bad weather 13. September 2026 (07:10) More than 100 others on board were evacuated from the Virgo Transport 8 ship, including one who diedIndonesian rescuers were searching on Sunday for 140 people from a passenger ship that was earlier reported missing in the Java Sea after 103 others were evacuated, one of whom died, a search and rescue agency official said.A passenger ship carrying more than 240 people was reported missing after losing contact during bad weather in the Java Sea early on Sunday, the country’s search and rescue agency said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
First H5 bird flu death of endangered Australian sea lion recorded amid fears for small population 13. September 2026 (07:04) South Australian authorities say case discovered on Kangaroo Island is first for species of which less than 12,000 animals remainGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSouth Australia has recorded the first death of an endangered Australian sea lion from H5 bird flu.Experts say about 12,000 Australian sea lions remain – though a more recent estimate put the figure at less than 10,000. Most of the population are found in South Australia, with the remainder in Western Australia. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK government to offer clearer guidance on student loans after repayment row 13. September 2026 (07:01) Criticism of three-year threshold repayment freeze prompts update to guidance warning terms and conditions could changeUniversity students taking out student loans are to be warned that the terms and conditions could change so they are better informed about what they are signing up to, the government has said.In July, a report by MPs said slideshows that compared student loan repayments to the cost of a mobile phone contract, and YouTube videos that did not mention the fact that conditions could be altered amounted to mis-selling by the government. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham must understand Wales is ‘not a region in England’, says first minister 13. September 2026 (07:00) Rhun ap Iorwerth, the first non-Labour Senedd leader, questions Westminster’s willingness to relinquish powersAndy Burnham has to be serious about devolution and understand that Wales is a nation and “not a region in England”, according to the country’s first minister.Rhun ap Iorwerth, who is the first non-Labour leader of the Senedd since devolution, told the Guardian that while he was encouraged by initial discussions with the new UK prime minister, he was wary about Burnham being captured by a consensus Westminster view against relinquishing further powers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The battle to save the dying heart of rural France: the village bistro 13. September 2026 (06:00) Once central to rural life, cafe-bistros are closing in the face of depopulation and falling alcohol consumption, but campaigners are seeking new ways forwardIt is just past noon on a midweek day, and already every table at Au Bon Acceuil cafe-bistro in the northern Burgundy village of Saint-Martin-sur-Ouanne is taken.The three-course lunch menu today – including a choice of a hefty chunk of steak with chips or a meaty lasagne – is just €18, but villagers are not only here for the food. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
