Republican seeking to implicate Abdul El-Sayed over 9/11 voted twice against benefits for first responders 10. September 2026 (16:17) Mike Rogers has also helped kill other bills that would have provided healthcare to responders and survivorsMike Rogers, a Michigan Republican US Senate candidate, has sought in recent weeks to create controversy over old tweets his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed posted about 9/11. He has for example, falsely suggested El-Sayed, who is Muslim, said the US deserved the attack.But, as critics have noted, Rogers has twice voted against healthcare and other benefits for 9/11 first responders and survivors, congressional records show. He has also helped kill other bills that would have provided benefits and healthcare to first responders nationwide. Rogers, a former member of Congress, is vying for Michigan’s open US Senate seat in a tight race that could decide control of Congress during the next session. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
English winemakers expect ‘vintage year’ after record-breaking summer heat 10. September 2026 (16:00) Hot weather means sweeter grapes, but outlook gloomier for beermakers, as drought diminishes barley harvestEnglish sparkling winemakers expect their earliest grape harvest and a “vintage year” after a scorching summer quickly ripened grapes.However, beer sellers have warned of a potential shortage after record-breaking temperatures and a drought hitting much of England has caused poor yields of barley. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Much of Europe already levies a tourist tax – a nice little earner for Italian hotspots 10. September 2026 (15:57) While England makes its first foray into unfamiliar territory, it’s proved a boon for Italy’s cash-strapped municipalities A nightly tourist tax may be unfamiliar territory in the UK, but countries in continental Europe have been cashing in on these kinds of levies for decades.Tourists usually need to pay the tax on the day they check out of a hotel or holiday let, and are often surprised by an extra fee on top of their accommodation costs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Vance appears to walk back Trump’s offer of $5,000 ‘dividend’ if Republicans win midterms – US politics live 10. September 2026 (15:01) Vice-president suggests payment would not go to all and would be paid for by tariff revenues despite supreme court rulings against much of Trump’s programUS citizens will receive $5,000 if Republicans win midterms, Trump claims Sign up for the US Breaking News emailBoth before and during Republicans’ midterm convention yesterday, President Trump predicted that the war in Iran that he helped launch would end immediately after the midterm elections (assuming that his party held onto its majority in Congress).But a new report from the Wall Street Journal, published Wednesday evening, indicates that, behind closed doors, Trump’s top advisors have given him less optimistic forecasts. The paper reports that top officials – including JD Vance, Trump’s vice president, and Marco Rubio, the secretary of state – have warned that Iran could very well hold out against US pressure through the remainder of Trump’s second term. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ralph Lauren proves the American dream still sells at New York fashion week 10. September 2026 (14:59) Designer mixes burnt-out velvet and shredded denim with a mythology that keeps getting more profitableThe opening show of fashion’s month of catwalks was not on the official schedule, but Viola Davis and Cynthia Erivo were snuggled on to celebrity-packed benches in a cathedral-sized marble hall where tapestry-hung walls and a gilded coffered ceiling framed a view over lower Manhattan.Ralph Lauren, who is 86, took his bow at the end of this show casually dressed in a varsity jacket spelling out New York. In an industry obsessed with youth and novelty, Lauren is more relevant than ever in his ninth decade. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Japan seeks change to new UN world map over Russia 'misconception' 10. September 2026 (14:55) The new ‘true-scale’ map shrinks Europe and North America while enlarging Africa – and depicts the disputed Kuril islands as ruled by MoscowJapan has asked for the revision of a new world map adopted by the UN because it said it made the disputed Kuril islands appear to belong to Russia.The UN general assembly voted on Friday to adopt the new map, which makes the African continent larger while also shrinking North America and Europe, drawing condemnation from the US. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Chemical companies reach $455m settlement with North Carolina over ‘forever chemicals’ claims 10. September 2026 (14:50) Chemours, DuPont and Corteva reach settlement after lawsuits accuse companies of polluting drinking water Chemours, DuPont and Corteva on Thursday reached a $455m settlement with North Carolina and 11 local entities over Pfas contamination claims tied to Chemours’ Fayetteville Works plant and other historical discharges.Lawsuits accusing major chemical companies of polluting U.S. drinking water with toxic Pfas chemicals – a group of pollutants referred to as “forever chemicals” – have led to settlements worth billions of dollars, including one struck by the three companies in New Jersey last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Elon Musk attacks film-maker behind documentary about him 10. September 2026 (14:29) Tech mogul calls director Alex Gibney a ‘bitter old man’ who has ‘zero integrity’ in series of posts on XElon Musk has issued an angry tirade at the film-maker behind a four-hour documentary about his life and influence, labelling director Alex Gibney a “bitter old man” who has “zero integrity”.Gibney, who has previously made films about the collapse of Enron, WikiLeaks and Vladimir Putin, premiered his Musk documentary at the Venice film festival this week. He said he believed the world’s richest man was “extremely dangerous”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
OpenAI not on track to reduce risk of ‘catastrophic’ loss of control, says board member 10. September 2026 (14:23) US government adviser Paul Christiano warns of risks to AI industry as he joins OpenAI’s non-profit foundationOpenAI is not on track to reduce risks of “catastrophic” loss of control to an acceptable level, a member of its non-profit board has warned, amid spreading public and political concern that super-advanced AIs could one day wipe out humanity.Paul Christiano, a US government technology adviser, said “there is a meaningful risk that rapid acceleration in AI capabilities leads to catastrophic and irreversible loss of control in the very near term.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Malta warned of corruption crisis after ‘utter disbelief’ over Daphne Caruana Galizia verdict 10. September 2026 (14:17) Labour peer tells Council of Europe inquiry failure to implement legal protections still putting journalists at riskEurope live – latest updatesMalta is vulnerable to “repeated instances of high-level corruption” unless it strengthens the rule of law and protections for journalists, the Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti said at the opening of an inquiry into judicial failures following the death of Daphne Caruana Galizia.Chakrabarti, a member of the House of Lords and former director of the human rights group Liberty, has been named special rapporteur for a Council of Europe investigation into the fallout from the assassination of the anti-corruption journalist, who died in a car bombing in October 2017. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
