The Guardian

Big manufacturers planning to produce more of the forever chemicals to meet demand from datacentres Pfas companies are launching a “tidal wave” of forever chemicals production to meet demand from the AI industry, a campaign organisation has warned. Despite alarm over the chemicals, which have been linked to cancer, a survey of the 10 biggest manufacturers found most had plans to increase producti…

In today’s newsletter: As Labour MPs scramble to realign later today around a bill that could stop donations like this in their tracks, a look at new game-changing donations to a party engulfed in financial scandals Good morning. Nigel Farage has a confirmed talent for upending the laws of political gravity, and this weekend has been no exception, as he declared himself “humbled” by two donations…

Corruption inquiry turns its investigation to allegations Strathfield councillors may have engaged in blackmail or illegal surveillance Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast A Sydney mayor was allegedly threatened, followed and his children were secretly recorded after he refused to honour an agreement to step down, the…

‘Commonsense change’ looks to end current confusion and put ‘passengers first, not shareholders’ when services are disrupted Rail passengers whose trains are cancelled will have the immediate right to travel on other operators’ services to finish their journey without further charge, ministers have announced. The “commonsense change” will take effect from Sunday 20 September, ending the confusion…

Adolescence co-writer criticises government inaction and calls for laws banning secret use of AI to generate scripts Jack Thorne, one of Britain’s most successful screen and stage writers, has warned that some people in his profession are using AI “to cheat”, as he called for laws banning the secret use of the technology to generate scripts. Thorne, who co-wrote the hit Netflix drama Adolescence …

Attenders will be asked to take part in tests to see if they have become more open to views they do not agree with Festivalgoers sometimes report feeling they have a fresh perspective of the world when they make their weary way home after a stimulating cultural gathering. A new “festival of ideas” in Somerset is aiming to measure whether the beliefs and ideas of attenders and speakers really are …

Electoral Commission finds abuse, particularly of women, minority ethnic and disabled people, is affecting candidates’ behaviour Abuse and intimidation of election candidates is “a serious and growing concern”, the Electoral Commission has said, as a review of this year’s local and mayoral elections in England revealed a surge in threats to those who stood. More than half of the candidates for La…

Alleged victim tells court he froze and was ‘in disbelief’ after broadcaster kissed him on corner of his lips at public event A prominent athlete froze and was “shocked and embarrassed” when Alan Jones kissed him on the side of his mouth at a public event, the broadcaster’s trial at Sydney’s Downing Centre has heard. The witness said the kiss on the corner of his lips happened years after Jones s…

TGA issues alert after person was hospitalised after believing they were taking experimental weight loss drug retatrutide Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A patient who tore their oesophagus after taking a counterfeit version of an experimental weight loss drug has prompted Australia’s medicines regulator to warn o…

Miki Zohar accuses Oscar-winning directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor of ‘treason against the state’ ‘They know the house they are bombing is full of children’: NAZA’s directors on their devastating film about Israeli intelligence Israel’s culture minister has called for the Oscar-winning Israeli directors of NAZA , a documentary about the country’s mass killing of civilians in Gaza, to be str…

Coalition says potholes must be fixed ‘as a matter of urgency’ after 71-year-old crashed and died on the Western Highway at Trawalla, west of Ballarat, on Sunday Emergency services were called to Trawalla, west of Ballarat, shortly before 1pm on Sunday after reports a motorcycle had struck a pothole. The 71-year-old rider, from Ballarat, died at the scene after reportedly losing control on the We…

Craig Berg was hypothermic but alert when located on Isle Royale by Michigan police and officials during solo hike A 70-year-old hiker who had been missing for a week on a Michigan island was rescued on Saturday, according to the US Coast Guard. Craig Berg was located on Isle Royale with the help of backpackers, Michigan state police troopers and local officials. Even though Berg was found injure…

Follow the day’s news live Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast Australian households could save $5,000 a year by electrifying their homes and cars, AAP reports, and more than 30 organisations will call for incentives and stronger policies in Canberra as part of a national campaign. The campaign is linked to the international Electrify Now campaign, and follows a COP31 pus…

The 8ft statue, installed in Phoenix last week to mark one year since Kirk’s killing, was found painted red A newly unveiled statue of the rightwing activist Charlie Kirk was vandalized at the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona . The statue was found with red spray-paint. A nearby poster memorial in front of the statue was vandalized with red paint as well. Continue reading...

Police officer shared location of a woman with his relative who is accused of abusing woman A San Jose police officer was fired for using his department’s Flock license plate tracking system to share the location of a woman with the suspect accused of abusing her, Chief Paul Joseph told NBC Bay Area on Friday. The firing marks another in a growing number of cases of misuse of a controversial surv…