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Politics
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FastPasses, Mega Honey Deuces and $55 chopped cheese: welcome to the US Open in 2041
Craig Tiley says the US Open is going to become the ‘Disneyland of tennis’, and he means it aspirationally. Here’s what that might look like 15 years from now The year is 2041 and you’ve successfully made it through security and onto the grounds of the USTA Liquid Death National Tennis Center. Myla Rose and Leo Federer are hitting on Practice Court 23 ahead of their first-round match in the US Open Mixed Doubles sponsored by Botoxxify, the tournament’s official neuromodulator partner. Jake Paul, the 50th president of the United States, is a few hours from attending opening night with first lady Jutta Leerdam-Paul and labor secretary Dana White. Venus Williams has just accepted a wildcard into the women’s singles draw. You’re thisclose to paying off last year’s Honey Deuces on Klarna. Welcome to the Disneyland of tennis. Continue reading...
Tesco alerts police as supermarket becomes latest victim of scam ‘endorsement’ ads
Exclusive: Supermarket joins line of firms and sports stars including Bellingham and Haaland to have their image hijacked via ads Tesco has alerted City of London police after it became the latest in a string of companies and sports stars, including Barclays bank and Lewis Hamilton, to have its image hijacked in a “scam” by unlicensed casinos advertising via Facebook and Instagram. The supermarket chain is among several household-name businesses to have been targeted in an apparent effort by casinos that cannot legally operate in Britain to capitalise on their brand recognition. Continue reading...
‘I want Teófimo’: Ryan Garcia calls out rivals after two-round destruction of Conor Benn
Garcia stops Benn 1min 25sec into second round Champion floors challenger with concussive right López, Haney, Stevenson among possible fights Ryan Garcia needed less than four minutes to blow away Conor Benn before turning his sights on the rest of the welterweight division. The 28-year-old American demolished Benn inside two rounds on Saturday night to retain his World Boxing Council championship at 147lb, dropping the British challenger with a concussive right hand before the referee stepped in moments later at T-Mobile Arena. Then, with Teófimo López taunting him from ringside and threatening to storm the ring, Garcia made it clear he was ready to take on all comers. Continue reading...
Indonesian rescue crews searching for 140 people after ferry hit bad weather
More than 100 others on board were evacuated from the Virgo Transport 8 ship, including one who died Indonesian rescuers were searching on Sunday for 140 people from a passenger ship that was earlier reported missing in the Java Sea after 103 others were evacuated, one of whom died, a search and rescue agency official said. A passenger ship carrying more than 240 people was reported missing after losing contact during bad weather in the Java Sea early on Sunday, the country’s search and rescue agency said. Continue reading...
First H5 bird flu death of endangered Australian sea lion recorded amid fears for small population
South Australian authorities say case discovered on Kangaroo Island is first for species of which less than 12,000 animals remain Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast South Australia has recorded the first death of an endangered Australian sea lion from H5 bird flu. Experts say about 12,000 Australian sea lions remain – though a more recent estimate put the figure at less than 10,000. Most of the population are found in South Australia, with the remainder in Western Australia. Continue reading...
UK government to offer clearer guidance on student loans after repayment row
Criticism of three-year threshold repayment freeze prompts update to guidance warning terms and conditions could change University students taking out student loans are to be warned that the terms and conditions could change so they are better informed about what they are signing up to, the government has said. In July, a report by MPs said slideshows that compared student loan repayments to the cost of a mobile phone contract, and YouTube videos that did not mention the fact that conditions could be altered amounted to mis-selling by the government . Continue reading...
Burnham must understand Wales is ‘not a region in England’, says first minister
Rhun ap Iorwerth, the first non-Labour Senedd leader, questions Westminster’s willingness to relinquish powers Andy Burnham has to be serious about devolution and understand that Wales is a nation and “not a region in England”, according to the country’s first minister. Rhun ap Iorwerth, who is the first non-Labour leader of the Senedd since devolution, told the Guardian that while he was encouraged by initial discussions with the new UK prime minister, he was wary about Burnham being captured by a consensus Westminster view against relinquishing further powers. Continue reading...
The battle to save the dying heart of rural France: the village bistro
Once central to rural life, cafe-bistros are closing in the face of depopulation and falling alcohol consumption, but campaigners are seeking new ways forward It is just past noon on a midweek day, and already every table at Au Bon Acceuil cafe-bistro in the northern Burgundy village of Saint-Martin-sur-Ouanne is taken. The three-course lunch menu today – including a choice of a hefty chunk of steak with chips or a meaty lasagne – is just €18, but villagers are not only here for the food. Continue reading...
One dead and more than 30 missing after ferry sinks off Vanuatu coast in rough seas
Prime minister’s office tells families of those missing ‘the nation stands with you’ as search and rescue efforts continue One person has died and more than 30 are missing after a ferry sank off the coast of Vanuatu, the country’s government says. The vessel, MV Matui, had set sail with more than 40 passengers and crew on Friday from the island of Santo to Ambae island in very rough seas, but did not arrive. Continue reading...
NSW to put strict caps on screen time in classrooms while pushing for ‘pen and paper’ learning
Screen limits will become mandatory in NSW schools from 2028 as federal education minister says students may need a ‘digital detox’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast The New South Wales government has announced it will implement limits on screen time in public school classrooms and push for students to take part in daily “pen and paper” learning. The state’s new regulations follow a similar announcement from the Victorian government and suggestions by the federal education minister, Jason Clare, that students might need a “ digital detox ”. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...
Andrew Hastie vows to go ‘all the way’ in Pauline Hanson fight as Joyce denies ‘buyers’ remorse’ claim
Liberal MP says One Nation leader is ‘not the person I thought she was’ and he feels ‘sorry’ for Joyce Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast Andrew Hastie has vowed to go “all the way” in his fight with Pauline Hanson , as he suggested One Nation MPs Barnaby Joyce and David Farley were likely feeling buyers’ remorse for joining the party. The Liberal MP and former SAS captain repeated his accusation that Hanson was a “lying coward” on Sunday, after she continued to refuse to take down an animated cartoon that described Hastie as a “traitor”. This came after he was subpoenaed to give evidence during Ben Roberts-Smith’s failed defamation trial. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...
Ryan Garcia v Conor Benn: WBC welterweight championship – live updates
Garcia defends WBC welterweight title against Benn Rivals collide at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Send Bryan an email with your thoughts on the fight Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s his lookahead to tonight’s main event. Continue reading...
Houthis claim attack on Saudi base as fighting flares with Yemeni forces
Iran-allied Houthis say drones and missiles used in attack that targeted ‘weapons depots and command and control centres’ in southern Saudi Arabia Houthi fighters on Sunday said they used drones and missiles to attack a military base in southern Saudi Arabia as renewed fighting with Yemen’s government forces led growing numbers of civilians to flee . The attack at the southern Sharurah base targeted “weapons depots and command and control centres that are managing the aggression against our nation and people”, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree wrote on X. Continue reading...
Alaska drops cases against American Samoans who checked ‘US citizen’ on voter form
Group no longer faces voter misconduct case over wrongly marked box after appeals court throws out felony charges Alaska prosecutors are dropping voter misconduct cases against a group of residents born in American Samoa after a state appeals court threw out felony charges against a woman who wrongly checked a box saying she was a US citizen. The state’s department of law announced the decision on Friday, after a three-judge court of appeals panel ruled a week earlier that state law requires proof that defendants who erroneously filled out voter registration forms had a “consciousness of wrongdoing” and intended to break the law. Continue reading...
Australia news live: escalating Middle East conflict will see prices rise again, Chris Bowen says
The energy minister says Australia has 41 days’ worth on petrol in strategic reserve. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Two men have been restrained on a flight from Melbourne to Doha after being involved in a physical altercation, AAP has reported. Qatar Airways, which operated the flight, confirmed the men were handed over to local authorities on arrival. The man has been conveyed by St John WA to hospital with serious injuries. Police believe two males, dressed in all black clothing, were involved in the shooting. Significant police resources have been deployed and are conducting a thorough search of the area. Continue reading...
Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka to seal dramatic US Open title triumph
Rybakina wins 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 despite first-serve problems Overcomes top seed and two-time defending champion Even when long established as a grand slam champion and a conqueror of all surfaces, Elena Rybakina was always considered lesser than the most successful players of her era. She was one of the most devastating shotmakers in the world, a threat to everybody everywhere, but there were always a couple of more consistent and mentally tougher players above her. She leaves New York, finally, as the undisputed best tennis player on the planet, the new standard bearer of women’s tennis, after following up her snatching of the No 1 ranking from Aryna Sabalenka by succeeding her as the US Open champion. As she has done throughout this unforgettable week, the Kazakhstani showed her toughness in another spectacular tussle with her great rival, closing out her time at Flushing Meadows with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Sabalenka, the top seed and two-time defending champion. Continue reading...
OpenAI IPO will not happen in 2026 amid AI safety fears, Sam Altman says
OpenAI’s decision comes after dire warnings about rapidly progressing technology and lawmakers’ calls for new rules OpenAI will not go public in 2026, Sam Altman said in a Fortune interview published on Saturday, citing safety concerns over artificial intelligence . “I actually think that, given everything happening with safety, right now would be an ill-advised moment to go public, and we don’t feel pressure on that,” Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, told Fortune . Continue reading...
Fossilized 10,000-year-old mastodon tooth found by California scientist
Molar from large mammal that once lived in North America is in ‘immaculate condition’ after discovery in Bay Area A 10,000 year-old tooth in remarkable condition from an ancient Pacific mastodon, a large mammal that once inhabited North America, was recently discovered by a California scientist. Brigid Lynch, a geomorphologist, was working at a preserve in San Mateo county, when she stumbled across a peculiar rock. Continue reading...
USA survive Spain scare to set up Olympic final rematch with France at Fiba World Cup
Four-time defending champions beat Spain 76-66 Stewart scores 16 as USA pull away in fourth Americans to face France in rematch of Paris final The United States advanced to the Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup final for the fifth consecutive time, pulling away in the fourth quarter to beat Spain 76-66 on Saturday in Berlin. Breanna Stewart scored 16 points and Kahleah Copper added 13 for the four-time defending champions, who were tied at 58 entering the fourth quarter before finally taking control. Jackie Young added 12 points. Continue reading...
Do not call her a racist: anti-Pauline Hanson strategists tell campaigners character attacks won’t work in Victoria
Exclusive: strategic rethink urges progressive activists to respectfully steer one-on-one conversations with One Nation supporters towards economic concerns Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The message from strategists was blunt: do not, however tempting, personally attack Pauline Hanson or call her a racist. The request has been made to progressive campaigners and unionists who have been asked to start one-on-one conversations with One Nation supporters before the Victorian election in November. Continue reading...
Labor has had 12 years to fix Victorian roads. Turning to ‘pothole populism’ now may be too late
Potholed roads are ‘devastating political advertising’ for the Victorian government – but Ben Carrol’s made them the focus of his campaign Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast At a press conference to celebrate the sold-out NFL match played at Melbourne’s MCG on Friday, the Victorian premier, Ben Carroll, was heckled on one issue. “Fix the potholes,” a punter called out as they walked past the Victorian premier’s press conference. Continue reading...
NSW government paid for homeless man to be sent back to New Zealand instead of offering housing
Local council and state government attempting to move on residents living in an encampment by the river in Wagga Wagga Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The New South Wales government paid for a homeless man in Wagga Wagga to be sent back to New Zealand instead of offering him temporary accommodation, in an attempt to move on residents living in an encampment by a river. The local council and state government have been attempting to clear out the encampment for several months after a newborn baby died in May when its mother gave birth to twins in a tent. Continue reading...
‘Small price to pay’: The young homeowners welcoming falling house prices even as it hurts them
Some buyers say they are ready to absorb the fallout of housing weakness if it means boosting home ownership across the board Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Falling property prices have come at the worst possible time for Alex Hogan and his partner. They are now weighing up whether they can afford to have another child. Locked out of the established housing market, the Queensland couple resorted to buying a block of land to build a family home. Continue reading...
Ben Shelton faces date with destiny against Zverev in US Open final
Shelton will become the first Black American man to win the singles title at Flushing Meadow since Arthur Ashe if he can beat Zverez for the first time As Ben Shelton lapped up the explosion of joy and adoration from a full Arthur Ashe Stadium after reaching a grand slam final for the first time, one of his first thoughts was of his paternal grandmother, Regina Ann Shelton, who died this year. Shelton credited his grandmother with ensuring that his father, Bryan Shelton, made it as a top professional, becoming one of a small group of Black men on the tour. “My dad lost his mom earlier this year and she’s the reason he was able to play tennis,” he said. “Without her, there’s no Ben Shelton standing here today. So this one is for her.” Just a couple of generations on, Shelton now stands on the verge of history. On Sunday, he will attempt to become the first Black American man to win the US Open singles title since Arthur Ashe in 1968, a feat he will attempt inside the stadium named after Ashe. Shelton would also be the first black man to win any grand slam singles title since Yannick Noah at Roland Garros in 1983, and the third overall. He is also aiming to become the first American man to win a major singles title since Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003. Continue reading...