US labor unions saw membership gains in 2025, mostly in states with bargaining protections 07. September 2026 (13:00) Uptick in US union membership coincides with high public approval ratings of unionsAfter years of decline, union membership in the US increased by 411,000 members in 2025, the largest increase since 2008, according to a new report.The report makes clear the impact that “right to work” laws can have on union membership: most gains were concentrated in states that protect collective bargaining. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former Louisiana mayor completes 90-day jail term for raping 16-year-old boy 07. September 2026 (12:38) Judge admits he made mistake in sentencing Misty Roberts, who faced up to 17 years in prison after convictionThe former Louisiana mayor Misty Roberts has completed the 90-day jail sentence she received for raping a 16-year-old boy while still in elected office and been released from custody, according to state corrections records.The 44-year-old finished her jail term on Monday, the Labor Day holiday in the US, one week after the judge who presided over her case rejected a request from prosecutors to force her to serve a harsher sentence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Far-right AfD celebrate ‘dream result’ in key German state as Merz reportedly holds crisis talks – Europe live 07. September 2026 (11:58) Group fail to secure majority in Saxony-Anhalt state parliament leaving uncertainty over next stepsFar-right AfD wins key German state election but falls just short of majorityAfD’s Chrupalla continues in this vein, saying the German public wants to see a change in direction, and specifically saying the electorate is “fed up” as the government keeps “transferring billions of our tax money to Ukraine … instead of using it for our own population.”He says the party has “a clear mandate” to rule in Saxony-Anhalt and will hold discussions with others about what can be done. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia and North Korea open first road bridge across their shared border 07. September 2026 (11:53) Connection across Tumen River is further sign of closer ties between the two countries since start of war in UkraineRussia and North Korea have opened the first road bridge across their shared border, in the latest sign of the rapidly deepening ties between the two countries since the start of the war in Ukraine.The one-kilometre bridge spans the Tumen River between Khasan in Russia’s far east and Tumangang in North Korea, along a remote and sparsely populated stretch of the countries’ shared border just a few miles from the coast. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Radiohead announce 2027 tour with shows in Australia and Japan 07. September 2026 (11:44) UK band will play 16 shows across Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, as well as five shows in SaitamaRadiohead will return to Australia to play 16 shows across three cities next year, marking the band’s first tour of the country in 15 years.On Monday afternoon, the British rock band unveiled the itinerary for its May 2027 tour, which also includes five shows in Japan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jaguar Land Rover confirms plan to cut 4,000 jobs over two years 07. September 2026 (11:37) Carmaker, which is battling Trump tariffs and fallout from cyber-attack, wants to reduce 34,000-strong UK workforceBusiness live – latest updatesJaguar Land Rover has announced thousands of job cuts as it grapples with tough conditions in the car market, Donald Trump’s tariff wars and the fallout from a cyber-attack.Britain’s largest carmaker, which is owned by the Indian conglomerate Tata, on Monday confirmed the anticipated cuts, saying it wants to reduce its 34,000-strong UK workforce by about 4,000 over two years, as part of an effort to save £1.7bn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia’s top bureaucrats want to block sharing of clips from parliament on social media to save them from ‘ridicule’ 07. September 2026 (11:05) Secretaries board concerned material posted without proper context as Greens warn ban could result in lack of transparencyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe nation’s top bureaucrats want the Albanese government to ban video footage from parliamentary hearings being edited and shared on social media, in an extraordinary attempt to stop online ridicule and abuse.
But the Greens say highly paid public service chiefs shouldn’t be allowed to control footage from open parliamentary hearings, warning the proposed controls would limit a key tool of government transparency.The secretaries board – made up of the heads of government departments and chaired by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet boss, Steven Kennedy – said they were concerned about material from hearings being presented online without proper context. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour’s new powers for water customers are a ‘stitch-up’, say campaigners 07. September 2026 (10:36) Exclusive: Documents reveal water firms have been allowed to advise on how they wish to be held to accountLabour’s new powers for customers to hold water companies to account are a “stitch-up”, campaigners have said, as utilities firms have been advising on how to implement it.The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) is creating what the government referred to as “powerful consumer panels” so the public can question the executives of their local water company and get redress for problems they face from sewage and water companies in England and Wales. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK’s biggest private hospital firm Spire agrees £1bn takeover by hedge fund 07. September 2026 (10:33) Toscafund, founded by City figure known as ‘the Rottweiler’, signs deal amid fears over creeping privatisation of NHSBusiness live – latest updatesBritain’s biggest private hospital operator has agreed to a £1bn takeover by a hedge fund manager known as “the Rottweiler” for his aggressive business tactics.Spire Healthcare, which owns the Claremont hospital in Sheffield and St Anthony’s hospital in south London, has agreed to a 250p a share offer by an investor group led by Toscafund Asset Management, which values the business at £1.03bn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK house prices fall for first time in nearly three years, says Lloyds 07. September 2026 (08:55) Average property cost £298,468 in August, down by 0.4% year on year owing to interest rates and uncertaintyBusiness live – latest updatesUK house prices have fallen for the first time in almost three years, as prospective buyers were squeezed by higher mortgage rates, geopolitical uncertainty and stretched affordability.Prices have dropped by 0.4% compared with a year ago, the first year-on-year decrease since November 2023, according to the lender Lloyds. That came in below expectations of a 0.2% annual rise, according to a poll of economists by Reuters. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
