Female film-makers still being squeezed out of industry, London film festival director says 02. September 2026 (20:00) Over 40% of films in LFF programme are female-made, but only two of 21 gala films are directed by womenFemale film-makers are still being squeezed out of the industry as they progress beyond their debut films, the director of the London film festival has said, adding that “the dial does not seem to be moving”.Kristy Matheson’s comments came as LFF announced its full programme for this year’s event, which runs from 7 to 19 October. Of the 251 titles, 109 (43%) are made by female film-makers, but only two of the 21 gala films are directed by women. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
MMA fight in Florida condemned after fighter’s antisemitic comments 02. September 2026 (19:51) Paul Miller, an openly racist fighter, derided Ben Azoulay, and a spectator was ejected for waving a swastika flagDemocrats in Florida have condemned a professional mixed martial arts event in Orlando at which an openly racist fighter derided his beaten opponent as “a short little fucking Jew prick”, and a spectator was ejected for waving a giant swastika flag.Anna Eskamani, a Democratic state representative running to become the city’s mayor, said Saturday’s event, and the assertion by city officials that they were compelled to host it, were unacceptable. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Maltese tycoon found not guilty of involvement in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder 02. September 2026 (19:49) Yorgen Fenech cleared on both charges he faced over 2017 killing of journalist that prompted global outrageOne of Malta’s richest men has been found not guilty of involvement in the murder of the anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.The verdict, which is expected to be appealed against by the prosecution, will come as a blow not only to the victim’s family, but to the politicians and campaigners who regard the case as a landmark action in the fight to protect press freedom in Europe. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham beware, the bond markets will demand proper answers in the budget | Nils Pratley 02. September 2026 (19:14) Fair to say the current sell-off is international, but the PM has said little yet to make investors rethink the UK’s statusIt’s too soon to say the bond markets have turned on Andy Burnham. Tuesday’s spike in gilt yields, taking the UK’s 30-year borrowing costs to their highest level since 1998, was part of an international sell-off of government debt.The main contributors are well known. The Iran war, by increasing the cost of energy, has overturned the comforting start-of-the-year thesis of falling global inflation and interest rates. A plunging Japanese yen has kicked away another assumed source of financial stability. The US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, hasn’t calmed nerves with his solo, and so far futile, attempt to bring down US yields. Meanwhile, the early stage of the AI revolution is an exercise in issuing squillions of debt before long-term returns on capital can possibly be assessed meaningfully. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Leipzig airport attack fallout exposes Germany’s deepening divide over Russia 02. September 2026 (19:07) The government’s tougher stance towards the Kremlin is drawing attacks from both the far right and far left Even before the German government laid the blame this week on Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport, the topic of German ties to Moscow was high on the political agenda.But the timing of the unsurprising yet explosive Leipzig announcement – days before a key regional vote – has exposed the extent to which German politics is polarised on the issue. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The $1 Trump coin: legal tender, depending on what you mean by legal 02. September 2026 (18:50) Various laws and 250 years of tradition prevent the likeness of living people from appearing on currency. Donald Trump and Scott Bessent don’t want you to worry about thatThis was originally published in This Week in Trumpland. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every WednesdayTwo hallmarks of Donald Trump’s second-term: the president’s enthusiasm for putting his name and face on things, and his cavalier approach to established law.Today the president is once again combining both those interests, as the government releases a $1 coin bearing his image, an item of currency that scholars say should be illegal, but which is happening anyway. How many times have you heard that in the last 18 months? Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rupert Murdoch ‘very happy’ that Guy Pearce plays him in Fleet Street biopic Ink 02. September 2026 (18:07) Actor says the press baron’s daughter Elisabeth told him her father was pleased, ‘but he hadn’t seen the film at that point’Rupert Murdoch is “very happy” that he’s being portrayed by Guy Pearce in a new film about the origins of British tabloid the Sun, the Australian actor has said.Speaking at the Venice film festival ahead of the premiere of 28 Days Later director Danny Boyle’s Ink, Pearce said he had been messaging with the media tycoon’s daughter Elisabeth “and she did say ‘Dad’s very happy that you’re playing him’.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Uber drivers launch European class action over ‘soulless’ and ‘scary’ AI algorithm 02. September 2026 (17:37) Landmark lawsuit claims tech company’s pay-setting system has breached privacy laws and pushed down earningsUber drivers have launched a landmark legal action against the ride-hailing company claiming they live in “constant fear” of a “soulless” algorithm it uses to set pay and allocate jobs.Drivers from the UK, the Netherlands and other countries have joined the compensation claim that could run into billions of dollars. It alleges an AI-powered pay-setting system breaches data protection laws and pushes down their earnings. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Farage compares standards inquiry to investigations faced by fellow ‘outsider’ Trump 02. September 2026 (17:24) Reform UK leader dismisses criticism of his failure to register £5m gift as a sign of a ‘complainants’ society’Nigel Farage has compared his situation to that of Donald Trump being pursued by investigators for years, saying both of them are “outsiders” up against “the system”, as he admitted having become tetchy and aggrieved this summer.The Reform UK leader has been under huge scrutiny over his finances after failing to declare a £5m gift from the Thailand-based donor Christopher Harborne and further financial support from a friend, the fraudster George Cottrell, before the last election. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New York City to ban student AI use in public schools until high school 02. September 2026 (17:22) Teachers and parents have warned against AI use in schools over concerns of ‘cognitive surrender’New York City will ban students’ use of artificial intelligence in public schools through eighth grade, typically age 13 or 14. The prohibition is scheduled to be announced on Wednesday and will go into effect next week.The change is part of a sweeping overhaul of the use of technology in the US’s largest school district, which enrolls roughly 900,000 students a year. In another policy shift, classrooms will keep students off laptops or tablets through the third grade, age nine or 10. The city’s public school technology policies are closely watched by the rest of the United States. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
