The Guardian

Coalition plan to cut tobacco excise by 80% ‘will kill people’ Labor says amid public health alarm

Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan claim drastic cut to price of cigarettes and moves to legalise vapes will combat illicit tobacco tradeLeading public health experts, the Australian Medical Association and Labor have rejected Angus Taylor’s plan to cut tobacco excise by 80%, labelling the move to curb soaring illegal cigarette sales as a backward step on tobacco control.Taylor and Nationals leader Matt Canavan on Thursday announced plans for an 80% cut to excise, as well as moves to legalise and reg

general  Sep 3, 2026

The Guardian

From ‘psyops’ to ‘hysterical hysteria’: how GB News and Talk TV lost their cool in the heatwaves

Thousands of heat-related deaths in record-breaking temperatures appeared to only intensify hosts’ climate denialsAs the first heatwave of the record-breaking summer arrived on 23 May, GB News host Cristo Foufas was not happy: “I am sick to death of the naysayers saying firstly that we’re all going to die and that we have to put out heat alerts, because, you know, just drink some water and drink a bit less rosé in the sunshine.”“We used to call it Darwinism,” replied co-host Renée Hoenderkamp. S

general  Sep 3, 2026

The Guardian

London’s first self-driving taxis for hire hit the streets

Wayve robotaxis added to Uber app and will have human in front ready to take over if needed – but only 15 cars licensedLondoners are now able to hire self-driving taxis for the first time, after rides in Wayve’s autonomous vehicles were added to the Uber app on Thursday.The chances of landing a robotaxi on request immediately are slim, with only 15 vehicles so far licensed. That contrasts with the more than 100,000 private hire vehicles in the capital – roughly the same number of Uber customers

general  Sep 3, 2026

BBC World

Channel smuggling gangs resort to 'mega-dinghies' as crackdown limits small boat supply

Once-rival criminal groups are being forced to work together because of a shortage of small boats, a BBC investigation has found. 

general  Sep 3, 2026

The Guardian

Gang violence is not ‘out of control’ in Sydney, police minister says after two shootings in two days

Yasmin Catley says ‘we will not be surrendering our streets’ after as many as six suspected mistaken identity shootings since the start of last yearThe New South Wales police minister denies that gang violence is out of control in the state, despite two people being shot dead in suspected cases of mistaken identity in as many days.The police minister, Yasmin Catley, told a media conference on Thursday that while the recent deaths were unacceptable, the force had the resources they needed to tack

general  Sep 3, 2026

The Guardian

Proportion of secondary school students in England placed in ‘internal exclusion’ almost triples in three years

Exclusive: new data shows poorer pupils and those with Send are disproportionately affected by the measureThe proportion of secondary school students in England removed from class and placed in “internal exclusion” as a disciplinary measure has almost trebled in three years, according to new data.The data shows the proportion of secondary pupils removed from normal lessons went up from 5% in the 2022/2023 academic year to 13% in 2025/26 – a 160% increase. Continue reading...

general  Sep 3, 2026

The Guardian

‘I was never taught Welsh history’: Michael Sheen on reclaiming rebel leader Owain Glyndŵr

Actor will play 15th-century hero in sweeping production about Welsh rebellion against English crownThere are myriad films, plays and books focusing on heroes of English, Scottish and Irish history but far fewer that tell the stories of the great figures of Wales.A major new play about the Welsh nobleman Owain Glyndŵr’s early 15th-century rebellion against the English crown will help redress the balance this autumn. Continue reading...

general  Sep 3, 2026

NY Times World

Syrians Want Justice for Assad-Era Killings and Torture

Hundreds of thousands were killed and tortured. But prosecuting everyone involved in atrocities could be impractical and risk renewed civil strife.

general  Sep 3, 2026

BBC World

Trump $1 coin makes him first living president on US currency in a century

The US Mint special edition is stamped with a portrait of Trump alongside the words "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST"

general  Sep 3, 2026

The Guardian

Six-year-old boy died from scurvy despite long term concerns over diet, Queensland coroner finds

Coroner says death likely triggered by vitamin C deficiency and so‑called “sailor’s disease” common in convict era Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA six-year-old boy died from scurvy, the so‑called “sailor’s disease” common in the convict era, a coroner has found.Brisbane boy Connor Dean died after a cardiac arrest under general anaesthetic at Queensland children’s hospital in 2024. Continue reading...

general  Sep 3, 2026

The Guardian

Australia’s new environmental protection agency approves coal project, angering climate groups

Queensland open-cut Saraji mine will be able to keep digging until 2055 as Anthony Albanese denies tensions with Pacific leaders over fossil fuelsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s new national agency for environmental protection has approved its first coal project, allowing a Queensland open-cut mine to keep digging until 2055 while clearing threatened woodland and koala habitat.The confirmation of the ext

general  Sep 3, 2026

The Guardian

Molly Ticehurst’s father tells DV murderer he hopes daughter’s screams will haunt him forever

Tony Ticehurst confronts Daniel Billings during sentence hearing in regional NSW, stating: ‘When she died, part of me died with her’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe family of Molly Ticehurst, who was murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend Daniel Billings in her home in central western New South Wales in 2024, has come face-to-face with her killer.Tony Ticehurst on Thursday described his 28-year-old daughter as big-

general  Sep 3, 2026

WSJ World News

Chinese Warships Are Cruising Too Close for Comfort Off Japan’s Shores

“It’s a provocation for sure” as Japan faces its most severe security environment since World War II.

general  Sep 3, 2026

WSJ World News

Hegseth Extends Mideast Deployments Into 2027, Escalating Strain on Troops

The move is part of an open-ended military strategy designed to give President Trump options in the Iran war.

general  Sep 3, 2026

BBC World

'The crowd shouted that we'd stolen someone's genitals' - deadly rumours spread on social media

More than 80 people have been killed in the mob violence, the BBC finds after gathering data from six African nations.

general  Sep 3, 2026

BBC World

Why Nepal floods should worry India

The disaster comes as a warning as climate change raises shared Himalayan risks.

general  Sep 3, 2026

BBC World

Chasing a perfect sleep score? You could be making it worse

The things you're doing to make your sleep better could actually be making your sleep worse.

general  Sep 3, 2026

BBC World

Sydney police investigate second possible mistaken identity killing in two days

Wednesday's fatal shooting of a man in his 40s comes after a university student was gunned down on Tuesday.

general  Sep 3, 2026

Washington Post World

Maduro seeks to fend off narco-terrorism trial, arguing he has immunity

Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro launched a sweeping attack on the U.S. criminal case against him, urging a judge to dismiss the charges as an an unlawful effort to prosecute a foreign head of state.

general  Sep 3, 2026

BBC World

Sharpeville massacre survivors start legal fight for justice in South Africa

At least 69 people were shot dead in 1960 but no-one has been prosecuted and victims want restitution.

general  Sep 3, 2026