Lib Dems use conference to set out £2bn plan to cut fuel duty 20. September 2026 (18:09) Ed Davey’s party made a series of proposals as concern grows among members that voters don’t know what its policies are or what it stands forThe Liberal Democrats have used their conference to unveil a £2bn plan to cut fuel duty, part of a series of policy proposals intended to tackle worries that not enough voters know what Ed Davey’s party stands for.The proposal to cut fuel duty by 10p a litre for a fixed three-month period came as polling showed Lib Dem policies are less well known than those of Restore Britain, which only launched as a political party in February and has one MP – Rupert Lowe – to their 71. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Victoria Starmer models clothes at London fashion week show 20. September 2026 (17:16) Wife of former PM takes part in designer Edeline Lee’s show inspired by the Greek myth of SisyphusVictoria Starmer has taken part in a London fashion week show, in one of her first public appearances since her husband, Keir Starmer, stepped down as prime minister.Lady Starmer appeared at Sunday’s Edeline Lee show. The London-based, Canadian British designer’s clothes are a favourite of the Princess of Wales, and have also been worn by celebrities including singer Taylor Swift and actor and screenwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One Nation-linked company built $56,000 shed on private property of Pauline Hanson’s right-hand man 20. September 2026 (17:00) Exclusive: James Ashby also drives new Ford Ranger given to party and is main pilot of plane donated by Gina Rinehart, which he says are not for personal useGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastPauline Hanson’s right-hand man, James Ashby, is enjoying generous benefits as a result of his role working for One Nation, with documents showing that a company linked to the party built a $56,000 shed on his central Queensland property.Guardian Australia understands that Ashby, formerly Hanson’s chief of staff and now the party’s national director, also drives a new Ford Ranger that was “personally” gifted to One Nation by Hancock Agriculture’s chief executive, Adam Giles, in April. Hanson said the vehicle would help the party’s campaign efforts and “provides us the presence we need in the lead-up to the next federal election”.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Adults with severe mental illness die 15 to 20 years earlier from diseases such as cancer 20. September 2026 (17:00) Exclusive: Stark health inequalities in terms of deaths before age of 75, NHS data revealsAdults with severe mental illness are nearly five times more likely than their peers to die from serious physical diseases before the age of 75, according to research.The analysis of NHS data by the Rethink Mental Illness charity reveals that people with severe mental health problems die 15-20 years earlier than the wider adult population, largely due to preventable physical conditions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Meta launches legal challenge against UK media regulator over Online Safety Act 20. September 2026 (16:24) Action against Ofcom comes as social media companies are being accused of using courts to slow down implementationMeta has launched a fresh legal challenge against Britain’s media regulator in the latest of a slew of actions by social media companies who are accused of using the courts to slow down implementation of the Online Safety Act.Lawyers for the parent company of Facebook served notice during the week in an appeal against placing WhatsApp and Instagram, which are also owned by Meta, in a category that subjects them to additional duties. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bear-y good neighbors: humans and animals are learning to live together in an expanding LA 20. September 2026 (16:00) People are increasingly crossing paths with the wild animals as homes ring the outskirts of forests, sparking a new era of coexistenceEvery year, as summer draws to a close and fall begins, California’s bears get hungry.Black bears have long roamed the state, hunting for acorns, ants and pine nuts by the bucketload to pack on calories before hibernation. But increasingly, for every berry and root, there’s an even greater temptation: our trash and the detritus of human existence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
