Ed Davey takes aim at Reform and Elon Musk as Lib Dem conference begins 19. September 2026 (23:37) Leader says party ‘won’t give up the fight’ to defeat ‘nasty populism’ in first-day speech to delegatesThe Liberal Democrats’ leader, Sir Ed Davey, took aim at Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Elon Musk on the first day of his party’s annual conference, saying that they “won’t give up the fight” to defeat “nasty populism” and the far-right party’s “£72m arsenal of hate and lies”.Speaking from the main stage at Brighton Centre, Davey called on the assembled delegates not to be deterred in the face of Reform’s hope “that the anger and the hatred and the lies will grind us down until eventually we just give up”, and praised earlier speakers for showing “why we care and why we fight”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israeli president pardons combat medic who shot dead wounded Palestinian attacker 19. September 2026 (22:32) Elor Azaria’s conviction in 2017 for manslaughter of man who stabbed soldier continues to divide countryIsrael’s president has pardoned a combat medic who shot dead a badly wounded Palestinian attacker who had stabbed a soldier in the occupied West Bank, in a case that divided the country a decade ago.Elor Azaria’s conviction in 2017 for manslaughter and his release after serving two-thirds of his 18-month sentence drew enormous attention in Israel, where military service is compulsory for most Jewish men. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
As tobacconist firebombings intensify in Melbourne, nearby stores are being denied insurance 19. September 2026 (22:00) Arson attacks related to illegal tobacco trade are also causing revenue and reputation problems for neighbouring businessesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSmall businesses located near tobacconists are being denied insurance or priced out of coverage as rising arson attacks turn neighbouring shops into collateral damage.The problem has intensified after a spate of firebombings, which includes a recent Melbourne blaze that destroyed a Richmond tobacco retailer and nearly a dozen neighbouring shops, requiring 80 firefighters to contain. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump to create ‘AI Force’ to monitor technology as fears over out-of-control agents grow 19. September 2026 (21:57) President had brushed away suggestions to slow down AI technology, even as his own party counseled cautionDonald Trump on Saturday said he would appoint an artificial intelligence czar and create an “AI Force” to help monitor the technology, though he gave almost no details about either plan.As global fears over AI have grown, especially in the past week in the face of multiple industry figures sounding the alarm about its dangers, the president has been critical of calls to slow down development of the fast-moving industry. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dutch riot police break up violent far-right protest in The Hague 19. September 2026 (21:43) Authorities ban anti-immigration march after fireworks and other projectiles thrown at officers in city centre parkDutch riot police dispersed several hundred far-right protesters in The Hague on Saturday after violence erupted and local authorities banned a planned march in the city against immigration and asylum policies.The Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that 24 people had been arrested, after some protesters threw fireworks and other projectiles at police. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Victorian Labor promises new offences to close domestic and family violence ‘loopholes’ 19. September 2026 (21:00) Premier Ben Carroll vows to legislate new form of manslaughter and increase maximum penalty for rape to life imprisonmentGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastA re-elected Victorian Labor government will create two new Australian-first offences aimed at closing “loopholes” it says have allowed perpetrators of family violence to escape punishment.On Sunday, the premier, Ben Carroll, will announce an election commitment to legislate a new form of manslaughter covering cases in which a person takes their own life as a result of family violence, as well as a new offence covering perpetrators abandoning a victim in need of medical care.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...(The Guardian)
California warns of measles exposure in six counties from unvaccinated train passenger 19. September 2026 (19:57) Health authorities work to notify people who were exposed to person who traveled through at least six countiesCalifornia public health officials are warning of a possible measles exposure spanning multiple counties after an infected and unvaccinated passenger traveled through the state via Amtrak trains and thruway buses.The warning comes as the US faces its largest measles resurgence in more than three decades, fueled largely by growing vaccine hesitancy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
