US datacenters face further backlash over wastewater pollution 08. September 2026 (13:47) From rare bacteria to ‘forever chemicals’, a series of cases of violations or alleged pollution has prompted alarmWhen officials in Wyoming conducted a routine test on the water that was being discharged from a massive under-construction Meta datacenter, it was a shock to find it contained a rare and potentially hazardous bacterium.While the wastewater flushed into sewers in Cheyenne, Wyoming, was never destined for the public drinking supply, the presence of Cupriavidus gilardii bacterium in 801,000 gallons of water ejected by a contractor for the datacenter earlier this year was still unnerving. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Fourteen men go on trial in Paris over deadliest small-boat Channel crossing 08. September 2026 (13:02) Sinking of inflatable dinghy in 2021 resulted in 31 people dead or missing, including a seven-year-old childFourteen men will go on trial in Paris on Tuesday over the deaths of at least 31 people in the worst mass drowning from a small-boat crossing in the Channel on record.The accused men, alleged to be linked to people-smuggling networks, face charges including manslaughter and facilitating illegal immigration as part of an organised criminal group. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Oil price approaches $100 a barrel after Saudi oil facilities attacked; UK mortgage rates highest since June – business live 08. September 2026 (12:02) Saudi authorities said operations at some energy facilities have been attacked by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis Gas prices are rising this morning, putting pressure on European countries who need to stock up their storage levels before the winter.The month-ahead UK gas price is up around 1% at 184p a therm, close to yesterday’s highs when gas hit its highest since January 2023. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US police fear Meta smart glasses could be used to secretly record them 08. September 2026 (12:00) Exclusive: Documents show officers from Maine to California worry Meta’s camera-equipped glasses will be used either to secretly record them or aid acts of terrorismIn January, the New York Police Department’s counterterrorism unit sent out a memo warning police officers about a new potential “security and counterintelligence” threat: Ray-Ban Meta glasses.The memo directed officers to “conduct thorough inspections of all eyewear permitted within inmate cells” and cautioned that people who have been arrested could use these glasses, equipped with small cameras and microphones, to record inside police facilities. The memo cited two examples of such videos posted on social media. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hungary expels 10 Russian diplomats for ‘unacceptable’ activities - Europe live 08. September 2026 (11:51) Foreign minister says the decision ‘protects the security and sovereignty of Hungary’, as Moscow tells reporters it will respond to decision But the tone coming from Moscow is very different, as Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia was very confident that victory in its war against Ukraine is “very near.”“Yes, we are confident, and we are sure that victory is very near,” Peskov said in comments reported by Reuters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mother flagged faulty smoke alarms before house fire that killed father and five children, court hears 08. September 2026 (11:27) Pre-inquest conference into Queensland deaths hears witnesses did not hear any smoke alarms during 2023 fireGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA landlord was repeatedly warned about improperly installed smoke alarms before a house fire that killed a father and five children in Queensland in 2023, a coroner has heard.Deputy state coroner Donald MacKenzie held a pre-inquest conference into the Russell Island deaths on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Artworks stolen from Renoir Museum on French Riviera in latest heist 08. September 2026 (11:13) Thieves took four artworks but dropped one as they fled, says mayor of Cagnes-sur-MerTwo thieves have broken into a museum dedicated to the French impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir in southern France, stealing four artworks and dropping one as they fled.“This morning, two individuals broke into the Renoir Museum and stole four works of art,” said Bryan Masson, the mayor of Cagnes-sur-Mer. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Councils pay more than £125m a year placing vulnerable children in illegal care homes in England 08. September 2026 (11:00) Exclusive: Booming industry of businesses profit from shortage of beds for most at-risk childrenPrincess’s story: the case that highlights scourge of illegal care provisionCouncils are paying more than £125m a year of taxpayers’ money to place vulnerable children in illegal care homes across England, an investigation has found.The Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) have uncovered a booming industry of businesses profiting from a shortage of beds for the most at-risk children in Ofsted-inspected homes. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia to force social media platforms to allow users to opt out of algorithms 08. September 2026 (10:38) Draft legislation enforces digital duty of care including limiting children’s exposure to misogynistic and eating disorder contentAustralia will allow social media account holders to opt out of the powerful algorithms pushing dangerous and divisive content into users’ feeds, part of new laws designed to boost online safety.Users over 16 years of age will be given new tools to turn off algorithm-driven content, with platforms facing fines of more than A$100m for non-compliance. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Low turnout threatens Commons vote on assisted dying, say MPs 08. September 2026 (10:16) Backers seek support for second attempt to get law through House of Lords after ‘undemocratic’ rejection last yearMPs on both sides of the assisted dying debate have voiced fears about turnout affecting the vote on Friday, when the bill returns to the Commons for its second attempt to become law.Those who back the change in the law in England and Wales have been emphasising the “undemocratic” nature of the bill’s rejection by the House of Lords after it was talked out by a handful of peers after passing the House of Commons. The bill fell despite multiple days of debate from peers because of the number of amendments tabled in the Lords. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
