Alarm bells sound in Brussels as EU sales of Chinese hybrid cars rocket 24. September 2026 (10:34) Explosive growth in imported vehicles omitted from EV tariffs fuels concern for future of European carmakersEU imports three times more from China than bloc exports thereBusiness news – live updatesSales of Chinese hybrid cars have rocketed in the EU in the past four and a half years, new data shows, underlining growing concerns in Brussels over the future of the European car industry.In 2022, just 659 Chinese-made fully hybrid cars (vehicles in which the petrol or diesel engine charge the motor and battery) were sold in the EU. However, after Brussels imposed anti-subsidy tariffs on fully electric cars from China in 2024, sales of hybrids have shot up to 160,662 in the first seven months of this year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver defiant UN speech while facing protests and political isolation 24. September 2026 (10:00) Prime minister will ‘highlight Israel’s achievements’ as he heads towards his toughest re-election challengeWhen he takes the stage at the UN on Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu will deliver a familiar message of defiance even as protests and international condemnation leave the Israeli leader in growing isolation.Netanyahu is facing his toughest re-election challenge in a political career spanning decades with three ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, and a growing campaign of violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dance Monkey v the NRL: did Tones and I really turn down $90,000 a minute because she hates her own song? 24. September 2026 (09:01) For the first time in recent history there’ll be no pre-game entertainment at the NRL grand final. But everyone has a different story about what actually went downEmma, the NRL and Tones and I seem to be at war – but I can’t make sense of what’s going on.I’ll try to catch you up. The Dance Monkey singer made headlines this week after it was leaked she’d turned down an offer to perform at next weekend’s NRL grand final. The rugby league boss Peter V’landys said negotiations broke down due to “artistic differences”, and some claimed it was because the Aria award-winning artist didn’t want to play her biggest hit. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Diesel prices across Australia could surge beyond $3 a litre as Trump eyes cut to US fuel exports 24. September 2026 (08:18) Fuel costs have risen to levels not seen since early April, adding to risk of inflation and interest rate hikeFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian diesel prices could surge above $3 a litre if Donald Trump cuts off US diesel exports amid floundering negotiations with Iran.Fuel costs have risen to levels not seen since early April, adding to inflation risks and making another hike in interest rates all but certain. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australians ‘scrambling’ for second jobs to deal with rising mortgage repayments and cost of living 24. September 2026 (08:12) Latest data also shows unemployment at highest level since the pandemic, which analysts doubt will stop RBA hiking interest ratesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians are “scrambling” to find more work to cover soaring living expenses and prepare for higher mortgage costs, economists say, after new data showed unemployment ticked up to it’s highest rate since the pandemic.The key jobless figure lifted to 4.6% in August, from 4.5% the month before, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Greek PM: deal to return Parthenon marbles could still be reached with ‘political will and courage’ 24. September 2026 (08:00) But Kyriakos Mitsotakis says he cannot accept any arrangement that recognises British Museum’s ownership of the sculpturesKyriakos Mitsotakis: Britain would not cut up the Bayeux tapestry. So seize this moment and reunite the Parthenon sculptures in GreeceThe Greek prime minister has said a deal can still be reached to return the Parthenon marbles with “political will” but his country will not accept a loan in the style of the Bayeux tapestry’s visit from France.Writing for the Guardian, Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece “cannot accept any arrangement that would require it to recognise the British Museum’s ownership of the sculptures, or a scheme that would mean we ‘borrow’ parts of our own monument”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Cash to trash’ levy on house developers too low to offset damage to Norfolk Broads, say critics 24. September 2026 (08:00) Exclusive: Levy that allows almost 16,000 houses to be built on Norfolk Broads will not cover cost of mitigating environmental damage, critics sayA new levy on developers to allow almost 16,000 homes to be built in the environmentally protected Norfolk Broads has been cut by tens of thousands of pounds per house, the Guardian can reveal.Ministers say the government’s environmental delivery plans (EDPs) were created to unblock housing growth across the country and are a “win-win” for development and nature. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Judge orders Trump White House to restore access to CNN, MS Now and Politico 24. September 2026 (07:25) US district judge orders temporary lifting of Trump’s ban on the three media outlets, saying it was likely unconstitutionalA federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to temporarily restore White House access to journalists from CNN, MS Now and Politico, saying his ban on the three media outlets was likely unconstitutional.US district judge Tim Kelly issued his order in a lawsuit that the news organizations filed contesting the ban that the president announced on 18 September. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Israel facing water shortages caused by destruction of Gaza’s treatment plants 24. September 2026 (07:00) Five desalination plants shut down for days, while Gaza remains in grip of severe water and sanitation crisisIsrael is facing weeks of water shortages after an exceptional algae bloom crippled much of its desalination capacity, in a crisis scientists say was triggered when Israeli attacks destroyed much of Gaza’s wastewater infrastructure, causing a massive discharge of untreated sewage.“Pollution does not recognise political borders,” said the Zalul Environmental Association, an Israeli NGO dedicated to protecting the country’s seas and shores. “The discharge of untreated sewage from the Gaza Strip into the sea is contributing to the worsening crisis affecting the Israeli desalination facilities. The wastewater contains nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which feed microalgae and cyanobacteria and may intensify their blooms.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Are pubs and pups a good mix? Dog owners delight as Victoria looks to follow Europe’s lead 24. September 2026 (06:41) ‘Pubs have been pet friendly for years’ in other countries, premier says, as Labor moves to overturn ban on dogs in venuesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastFor Steph and her partner Paul, there’s something special about a pub in the British winter.“It’s really lovely – in wintertime, you go with your dog, there’s a fire, it’s really cozy,” she said.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...(The Guardian)
