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Politics
Policy, power, and the news of the day.
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Social media users could opt out of the algorithm if Australian government has its way – but that’s a big if
Even if the legislation passes, tech companies may still find ways to frustrate its intent and keep Australians hooked on their feed Social media could become a “choose your own adventure” between the doom-scrolling status quo, or just the feed of the friends you want to see, if the government’s planned digital duty of care legislation passes, and the tech companies don’t muck around on compliance. But that’s a big if. Continue reading...
‘It breaks my heart’: far-right’s big election victory sparks dismay in German state capital
Fears expressed for immigrants and for country’s future after AfD vote hits historic high in Saxony-Anhalt Maryam and her best friend were ambling through Magdeburg toward the railway station, talking over the dramatic events of the previous evening and the surge by the far-right Alternative für Deutschland to a historically high vote in the Saxony-Anhalt elections . “Don’t laugh at me,” she said, “but I wish we could go back to the days of Angela Merkel, when things were OK in Germany”. Continue reading...
Tuesday briefing: What happens next after Germany’s far-right breakthrough?
In today’s newsletter: The AfD’s local election triumph has shocked Europe, and raised questions about how to counter the rising far right Good morning. Across Germany – and Europe more widely – there has been a palpable sense of shock and disbelief after the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) swept to a historic state election victory in the early hours of Monday. It was, according to France’s European affairs minister, Benjamin Haddad, “a very grave moment for Europe”. The resonance was stark in the UK too: as the results came in, hundreds of black-clad activists intent on blocking migrant arrivals were battling with police for a second night along England’s south coast. UK news | Batons and synthetic pepper spray were used to repel hundreds of masked, black-clad vigilantes in Portsmouth on Sunday, it has emerged , as the policing minister said officers had been injured as they repelled organised “aggression”. Israel | Ed Miliband will announce what he has described as a broad reset of the UK’s relations with Israel on Tuesday, promising the government will take a more active approach in supporting the Palestinian cause. US | The Trump administration has raised “serious concerns” over Downing Street’s plan to force digital platforms to hand more prominence to established broadcasters, warning the move risks “facilitating censorship”. Climate crisis | Nepal is demanding $20m in climate compensation for the recent devastating floods, as a senior minister called on the world’s most polluting countries to “wake up” and accept shared responsibility. UK politics | There is little appetite for cuts to disability benefits even among Conservative and Reform voters, and proposals to reduce spending could prove politically risky, according to an authoritative national survey . Continue reading...
Tokyo tourist hotspot bans short-term rentals amid surge in complaints
Shinjuku ward targets accommodation in residential areas and near cultural sites as locals complain visitors disposing of rubbish improperly and being too noisy A neighbourhood in Tokyo popular with foreign tourists will ban visitors from using thousands of short-term rental accommodations after a slew of complaints about behaviour. In the latest sign that Japan’s patience with mass tourism is wearing thin, Shinjuku ward – home to the notorious Kabukicho nightlife district and the world’s busiest railway station – will prevent visitors from using private lodgings in residential areas and near schools and important cultural sites, Japanese media reported this week. Continue reading...
Andrew Hastie threatens One Nation with ‘costly’ fight over claims he is a ‘traitor’ to Australia
Liberal MP says One Nation is trying to unseat him because he gave evidence against Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith Andrew Hastie has threatened Pauline Hanson and One Nation strategist James Ashby with a “costly” fight over claims he is a traitor to Australia, labelling his critics “cowards” who don’t believe in the rule of law. In some of the Liberal MP’s strongest comments yet about attacks from Hanson and her insurgent party, the Liberal MP said One Nation was trying to unseat him at the next election because he gave evidence against Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith in a failed defamation case against the Nine newspapers. Continue reading...
The byelection here in Holborn and St Pancras is Labour’s to lose. But lose it might | Polly Toynbee
The Greens appeal to young and progressive voters here on defence, rent controls and North Sea oil. The Burnham bounce may be about to hit an obstacle You might think a byelection showdown between two progressive parties is unimportant when the deep struggle for the national heart is between the right bloc and the left – but the result in Holborn and St Pancras matters. It matters for Andy Burnham and Labour because this is a test of the Burnham bounce: he saw off the right in Makerfield – can he win over the left too? Can he show he has enthusiastic approval from voters in southern constituencies as well as those in the north? For the Greens it matters almost existentially because failing here could send them and their leader, Zack Polanski, back to the political fringes. Holborn and St Pancras, neighbouring Westminster, was vacated (vengefully) by Keir Starmer last week. This plum forever-Labour constituency has attracted 96 Labour applications for selection day on Wednesday, though not, it seems, nationally recognised names. Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
UK retailers to create 100,000 placements for young people out of work
In partnership with DWP, firms such as John Lewis and M&S plan to offer 18- to 24-year-olds placements of two to four weeks UK retailers plan to create up to 100,000 short-term placements for young people not in employment, education or training (Neet) over the next three years to give them a first step on the ladder to paid work. In partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), more than 40 retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Pets at Home, Asda and the John Lewis Partnership, will offer Neets aged 18-24 placements of two to four weeks to gain “the skills and confidence needed to take their first step into work”. Continue reading...
Ban on neo-Nazi White Australia party is ‘authoritarian’ and breaches constitution, high court hears
Lawyers also argue commonwealth does not have the power to ban a political party, as the high court ruled in 1951 over attempt to ban the Communist party Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Lawyers for an outlawed neo-Nazi political party have argued anti-hate laws passed after the Bondi terror attack rely on the opinion of a politician and are “authoritarian in nature”. The White Australia party, formerly known as the National Socialist Network (NSN), was designated as an illegal hate group in May after the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation passed on its recommendation to the home affairs minister, Tony Burke. Continue reading...
Witness told Alan Jones he was ‘the greatest broadcaster ever’ while labelling SMH reporter ‘evil’
Former 2GB and 2UE radio host has denied 22 indecent assault and sexual touching charges A friend of Alan Jones who has denied witnessing an alleged assault in a Mosman restaurant has agreed in court that he sent the broadcaster a text message saying “if you need me to refute any lies, I of course will”. Under cross-examination by prosecutor Georgina Wright, the witness agreed he was a loyal and “very good friend” to Jones and the two men shared an “unbreakable bond”. Continue reading...
Australia to force social media giants to allow users to opt out of algorithm
Draft legislation enforces digital duty of care including limiting children’s exposure to misogynistic and eating disorder content Australia will allow social media account holders to opt out of the powerful algorithms pushing dangerous and divisive content into users’ feeds, part of new laws designed to boost online safety. Users over 16 years of age will be given new tools to turn off algorithm-driven content, with platforms facing fines of more than $100m for non-compliance. Continue reading...
Coco Gauff dismantles Iva Jovic to reach quarter-finals in confident US Open run
Gauff defeats Jovic 6-1, 6-4 in 80 minutes American has yet to drop a set in New York Andreeva awaits in anticipated quarter-final Coco Gauff continued her serene march through the US Open women’s draw with her most complete performance yet on Monday night, seeing off fellow American Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-4 to reach the last eight in New York for the first time since winning it all in her grand slam breakthrough three years ago. The fourth-seeded Gauff overwhelmed Jovic with the depth of her returns and an assured blend of aggression and defense, finishing with twice as many winners (18 to nine) and half as many unforced errors (15 to 30). The 1hr 20min clinic was the latest statement in a late-summer win streak that has transformed her from a player searching for answers this time last year into perhaps the most dangerous woman remaining in the field. Continue reading...
Hijacking pirates exploit regional chaos to return to seas off Somalia
US-Israel war on Iran and political instability in Somalia lead to pirates targeting cargo ships off Horn of Africa The scourge of Somali piracy targeting cargo ships and smaller dhows off the Horn of Africa has returned to levels not seen in a decade, driven by a convergence of factors including disruptions to the shipping industry caused by the US-Israeli war against Iran and a resurgence of political instability in Somalia. Since late April there have been eight hijackings by Somali pirates, including two within the space of a fortnight in August : one targeting an oil tanker with ties to Iran, the other a Cameroon-flagged vessel, the Lutuf, carrying military equipment for Turkey. Continue reading...
Majority of Tory and Reform voters do not back cuts to disability benefits, survey finds
Nearly half of respondents say spending on personal independence payments should be increased There is little appetite for cuts to disability benefits even among Conservative and Reform voters, and proposals to reduce spending could prove politically risky, according to an authoritative national survey. The British Social Attitudes (BSA) report found that while support for welfare spending as a whole had dipped sharply in recent years, just 7% of respondents backed cuts to disability benefits – and 49% said they should be increased. Continue reading...
H.R. 10312: SBA Spanish Resource Report Act
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.R. 10322: Data Center Fair Share Act
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.R. 10325: To increase the mandatory contribution amount of Federal Home Loan Banks to the Affordable Housing Program, and for other purposes.
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.Res. 1514: Recognizing suicide as a serious public health problem, expressing support for the designation of September 8, 2026, as “988 Day” and the role of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and for other purposes.
Bill Text: This resolution's text is now available.
H.Res. 1519: Supporting the designation of September 17, 2026, as “National Physician Suicide Awareness Day” to raise awareness of, and promote a national discussion about, physician suicide and to reduce the stigma of mental health conditions, and for o
Bill Text: This resolution's text is now available.
H.Res. 1516: Expressing support for the designation of September 9 as “National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness (NAIRHHA) Day”.
Bill Text: This resolution's text is now available.
H.R. 10304: Drone Safety Statement Modernization Act
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.R. 10311: Health Care Accountability Mission Act of 2026
Bill Text: This bill's text is now available.
H.Res. 1517: Expressing support for the recognition of September 7, 2026, as “Liturgical Dance Day” and the International Dance Commission, and for other purposes.
Bill Text: This resolution's text is now available.
H.R. 5634: Veterans Flight Training Responsibility Act of 2026
Bill Text: This bill's text for status (Sept. 8, 2026) is now available.
H.R. 7972: Taxpayer Workforce Modernization Act
Bill Text: This bill's text for status (Sept. 8, 2026) is now available.