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Politics
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One Nation MP concedes party’s migration target ‘not too different’ from Labor’s once rural workforce included
David Farley says party wants 100,000 migrant rural workers in addition to the 130,000 migration target it considers the ‘true’ number Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast One Nation MP David Farley has conceded the minor party’s net migration target is “not too different” to Labor’s, echoing an earlier claim over which he was counselled by his party leader, Pauline Hanson. Appearing on the ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday morning, Farley argued skilled workers and backpackers were critical to keeping Australia fed, and argued they should be considered as a separate category to migration “in its true form”. Continue reading...
Sydney Marathon admits ‘unfortunate error’ as finishers medal depicts Munich stadium as race highlight
‘Landmarks’ side of the medal features the Allianz Arena in German city rather than Allianz Stadium in Sydney Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast In a week’s time, the proud runners finishing the Sydney Marathon will receive a medal showing the landmarks they have just sped past – plus one they definitely didn’t. In what organisers have admitted was an “unfortunate error”, a stadium in Munich, Germany, was erroneously etched on to the event’s participation medal instead of a local Sydney landmark. Continue reading...
Browns QB Deshaun Watson laments ‘disrespectful’ booing by team’s own fans
Player booed during team’s preseason loss to Bills QB has battled injuries during time in Cleveland Watson was suspended over sexual assault allegations Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has called the booing he heard from the team’s own fans during Saturday’s home loss to Buffalo “disrespectful” and “personal.” Watson, who has a complicated relationship with Cleveland fans because of injuries, off-field issues – including an NFL suspension in 2022 – and a massive, $230m contract, was booed repeatedly during the second half of the 31-7 loss to the Bills. Continue reading...
Fur seal‘s death marks first Australian mainland mammal fatality from spreading H5 bird flu strain
Seal found dead at Beachport in South Australia on Wednesday follows three mass mortality events in terns Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A long-nosed fur seal has died from H5 bird flu in South Australia, marking the first confirmed case in a mammal on the Australian mainland. The seal was found dead at Beachport on Wednesday on the state’s Limestone Coast. It marks a fresh escalation in the spread of the virus days after the South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, announced three mass mortality events on offshore islands involving more than 1,000 greater crested terns. The highly pathogenic strain of bird flu has killed millions of birds globally and crossed over into mammal species, including elephant seals . Long-nosed fur seals and the endangered Australian sea lion are among the mammal species the federal government has assessed as facing very high risk from the virus. The SA government has also confirmed a little penguin found at Kangaroo Island this week also tested positive for H5 bird flu. Continue reading...
Heathrow expansion ‘is threat to England’s largest surviving medieval barn’
Exclusive: campaigners warn 600-year-old New Barn at Harmondsworth could be ‘shaken to pieces’ by vibrations Six hundred years after it was built, England’s largest surviving medieval timber-framed barn could now be “shaken to pieces” by aircraft vibrations, campaigners warn. The public has until 1 September to submit objections to the Heathrow airport expansion, which could threaten the survival of the New Barn at Harmondsworth, considered a remarkable example of medieval architecture. Continue reading...
Australia news live: Victorian Liberals announce plan for new appeals court to ensure tougher sentences
New court of criminal appeal would give effect to new bail and sentencing laws, opposition leader says. Follow live A 46-year-old Melton man driving a stolen car has died following a fatal collision in East Melbourne overnight, according to Victoria police. The man was seen in the Richmond area of Melbourne on Saturday night “erratically” driving a stolen white Subaru, which was bearing false plates and had been stolen from Glen Iris on 20 August, police said in a statement early this morning. The Dark: an immersive exhibition created for children aged 4 – 12 years old. Developed in collaboration with creatives Kip Williams, Elizabeth Gadsby and Marg Horwell, The Dark is a bedroom, a crystal tunnel, a forest, and a gateway to a land of giants. It is magical with many things to be discovered one by one. Es Devlin: The Turning is an exhibition of 5 major works by British artist, Es Devlin whose genre-defying work ranges from sculpture to film, architecture, language and performance. Her work immerses audiences into atmospheric environments that draw on Earth’s vast biodiversity, maths and our collective imaginations. Overflow: A First Nations-led exhibition grounded in the living principles of Water Country, working with seven Aboriginal organisations to consider the importance and care of salt and freshwater systems throughout NSW. These stories are brought to life through the cinematic lens of acclaimed filmmaker and Kamilaroi man Ivan Sen. Task Eternal: will explore the intersection of design, innovation and technology and trace humanity’s quest to defy gravity, take flight and journey into the sky. The Mall: across two storeys, the exhibition examines the history, evolution and cultural significance of the shopping mall, exploring Australian and global innovation across architecture, design, technology, engineering, and fashion. Powerhouse Parramatta will redefine how museums connect with community, industry and learning. As Western Sydney’s first NSW cultural institution, it will be a place that celebrates the creativity, ambition and diversity of our communities, connecting local stories and knowledge with international innovation. These five foundational exhibitions place audiences at the heart of the museum, bringing to life stories of technology, creativity and excellence. Together, they reflect our ambition to create a museum that amplifies community, creates new opportunities and helps define the future. We are deeply grateful to our patrons for their visionary support and for joining us on the journey to create one of the world’s great new museums. We can’t wait to open the doors this November. Continue reading...
Arthur Fils blasts past Flavio Cobolli to reach first Masters final in landmark win
French youngster beats No 7 seed 6-3, 6-4 in Cincinnati Jessica Pegula battles past Swiatek to reach women’s final In the middle of a tense, erratic start to a rain-delayed semi-final day in Cincinnati, Arthur Fils found himself locked in defence and miles behind the baseline on his serve at 3-3. He scurried from sideline to sideline, lunging toward the ball at full stretch, seemingly with no real chance of turning things around. As Flavio Cobolli swept to the net with the intention of finishing Fils off, however, the Italian soon learned that his opponent had another gear to reach. From far wide of the court, Fils pulverised a forehand passing shot winner beyond his astounded opponent, drawing a roar from the crowd. That one point alone provided evidence of the athleticism, explosiveness and sheer audacity that have long marked Fils as such a rare, exciting talent, and it also set the tone for a monumental victory. From that moment onwards, Fils took control of the match and he marched into his first Masters 1000 final at the Cincinnati Open with a supreme performance, defeating Cobolli, the No 7 seed, 6-3, 6-4. Continue reading...
Tropical Storm Moke poised to slam into Hawaii just days after Hurricane Lala
Weather service warns of flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas strongly affected by previous storm Tropical Storm Moke is poised to slam into the south of Hawaii’s islands with forecasters predicting heavy rains and strong winds on Saturday evening, just days after the region was devastated by Hurricane Lala . The tropical storm is gathering strength as it advances west, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Continue reading...
Meghan Markle’s casting in The Gentlemen reportedly withdrawn after UK backlash
Duchess of Sussex was believed to have been under consideration for season three of Guy Ritchie’s crime caper Meghan Markle’s reported casting in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen has been withdrawn, it was reported. Tina Brown, the former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and the New Yorker, wrote on Saturday: “I learned this morning that the casting of Meghan Markle in season 3 of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen has been withdrawn. The backlash in the UK was so intense, it became untenable to go forward.” Continue reading...
Nancy Kassebaum Baker, former US senator from Kansas, dies aged 94
Kassebaum Baker became the first woman elected to the US Senate without following a spouse into office Nancy Kassebaum Baker, a Kansas governor’s daughter who became the first woman elected to the US Senate without following a spouse into office, has died. She was 94. Kassebaum Baker died on Friday of natural causes, according to her son, Bill Kassebaum. Continue reading...
Bills mourn ‘unthinkable tragedy’ after death of Ed Oliver’s two-year-old son
Toddler was found unresponsive in residential pool Player has been practicing with team since June tragedy Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane has expressed the organization’s condolences to Ed Oliver after the death of the player’s two-year-old son. “It’s an unthinkable tragedy for any parent. We will continue to support Ed and his family as we grieve this tragic loss,” Beane said before the Bills’ preseason game in Cleveland on Saturday. Continue reading...
Seventeen-year-old girl killed in sword attack at school in Sweden
Three other people wounded after 18-year-old man wielding sword assail students in Fagersta school A 17-year-old girl has been killed after a teenager brandishing a sword attacked students at a school in Sweden, police have confirmed. Three other people were wounded in the incident during classes in the central town of Fagersta on Friday afternoon, including two boys aged 12 and 17 who sustained minor injuries. Continue reading...
Free speech group calls foul play at prosecutors using Comey novel in case against him
PEN America condemns lawyers using passage from thriller to bolster claim ex-FBI director intended to harm Trump A leading US free-expression group has hit out at federal prosecutors’ use of a novel written by former FBI director James Comey in their case accusing him of threatening to kill Donald Trump . “Citing a novel to save an indictment that is constitutionally dubious is a desperate Hail Mary and should be rejected,” said a statement posted on Friday by Mara Gassmann, legal director of PEN America, using a term for a last-second heave in American football. Continue reading...
Badenoch says Reform defectors ‘some of the most dishonest people I have met’
Tory leader rules out coalition with Farage’s party and says ‘drama queens’ who left will not be welcomed back Kemi Badenoch has called defectors who left for Reform “some of the most dishonest people” she has ever met, as she ruled out allowing “drama queens” to return to the party. Speaking at the Edinburgh festival fringe, the Conservative party leader again ruled out any prospect of an election deal with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, insisting there would be no coalition between the parties. Continue reading...
Chemical suppression: why the UK is exploring libido control drugs to treat sex offenders
Treatment is already required by parole boards in several countries, but some feel the practice is unethical Thousands of sex offenders in England and Wales could get libido-suppressing drugs For some prisoners with problematic sexual arousal (PSA), “images of sex flood their minds” all of their waking hours, according to Prof Belinda Winder, a leading forensic psychologist who has evaluated the use of drugs to control libidos. “I remember talking to one guy a few weeks after he started taking the medication. He said: ‘It’s amazing. I followed a film plot. I wasn’t just looking for when I could see bra straps, when I could see nipples, when someone’s going to bend over so I could see their bum.” Continue reading...
Thousands of sex offenders in England and Wales could get libido-suppressing drugs
Voluntary use of sex drive-suppressing medication to expand to 20 prisons and expert says it could be rolled out widely by late 2028 Chemical suppression: why the UK is exploring libido control drugs to treat sex offenders Drugs that help control the libidos of people who have committed sexual offences could be rolled out for thousands of male prisoners in England and Wales from December 2028, an expert has said. Prof Belinda Winder, who has evaluated the use of sex drive-suppressing medication in prisons, said about one in four sex offenders – equating to 3,750 current prisoners – would be considered for the treatment. Continue reading...
40,000 bottles of eye drops across the US recalled over issues with sterility of product
Prestige Brand Holdings has voluntarily recalled a batch of its Clear Eyes eye drops after FDA alert Nearly 40,000 bottles of eye drops are being pulled from store shelves across the US over concerns about potential contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Prestige Brand Holdings, based in Tarrytown, New York , has voluntarily recalled 39,060 bottles of Clear Eyes Maximum Itchy Eye Relief eye drops because of a “lack of assurance of sterility”, an FDA enforcement report states. The FDA classified the action as a Class II recall, defined on the agency’s website as a moderate-risk situation “in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote”. Continue reading...
Indiana residents endure 11th day without power after storms topple power lines
33,124 residents still in the dark as utility company says it is working to restore power in north-west of state Thousands of residents of north-west Indiana on Saturday were headed for their 11th day without electric power after storms swept through the state, toppling trees and power lines, earlier in August. The powerless conditions have led to food lines, closed businesses, dead phones, no schools, spoiled food, dirty clothes, dry gas pumps and a multitude of other deleterious effects on life without energy. Continue reading...
Nebraska school district asks police to stop using shock gloves on students
Omaha police agreed to stop carrying electric shock gloves in the halls of state’s largest public school district Omaha police recently agreed to stop carrying gloves that can deliver electric shocks to students in the halls of Nebraska ’s largest public school district. The decision affecting most Omaha middle and high schools came after the Associated Press first revealed Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE )’s plan to give officers the “Gloves” – or “generated low output voltage emitters”. The devices have also been used in recent years by some jails. Continue reading...
Abusers coercing or duping women to post explicit OnlyFans content, UK court cases reveal
Separate criminal convictions come as domestic violence charities warn of tech-facilitated abuse and coercion Two men have been convicted this week in separate criminal cases that revealed they had posted explicit content on OnlyFans without the full consent of the women whose images were uploaded. In the first case, Alexander Tang, 37, took and uploaded 47 intimate images and four videos of a woman to OnlyFans without her consent, and was paid money for the material he posted to the website. Continue reading...
Man leaves young son on Mount Fuji before ascending Japan’s highest peak
Boy, seven, had complained of feeling tired so father left him with snacks and a soft drink and continued his climb A man who abandoned his seven-year-old son on Mount Fuji in Japan after the boy complained of feeling tired while on a family hike has been reprimanded by local police. A worker on Japan’s highest mountain discovered the child sitting alone on a bench near the sixth station of the Fujinomiya trail at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres (6,500 feet) on Thursday. Continue reading...
Andy Burnham says he wants to bring men’s World Cup back to UK in 2042
PM tells regional mayors he is keen for tournament to be played in British Isles for first time since 1966 Andy Burnham has said he wants to bring the men’s World Cup to the UK in 2042, returning the tournament to Britain for the first time in almost eight decades. At a meeting in No 10 North in Manchester on Friday, the prime minister told regional mayors he was keen for the tournament to be played in the British Isles. Continue reading...
It’s a miracle: Natalie Harp has turned Republicans into feminists | Arwa Mahdawi
A Democrat’s remarks have resulted in impassioned defenses of the Trump aide. The right has discovered misogyny Jon Ossoff is quite the miracle worker. Perhaps the Democratic senator can’t turn water into wine, but he has managed to turn whining conservatives into impassioned feminists. During a rally last Sunday, the Georgia senator delivered a takedown of Donald Trump, which included a reference to his aide Natalie Harp. “He doesn’t want to do the job,” Ossoff said of the president. “He wants to build his ballroom and travel with Natalie on their apparently defenseless flying palace gifted by the Emir of Qatar.” Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
A mosque in Ohio was attacked for the third time. Members doubt Trump’s FBI will call it a hate crime
Latest attack happened amid Islamophobic blowback against Arab and Muslim Americans running for office Nashid Shakir describes how assailants used wire cutters to break into the Westwood Islamic Community Center in the early hours of 3 August. “They cut the wire and broke the window to get in. They broke into the office, too. It was total disarray,” says Shakir, a board member, and member, at the community center since the 1960s. Continue reading...