-
The Scottish government has confirmed Glasgow as the host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Australia's Victoria state withdrew due to rising costs. The event will feature a scaled-down format with 10 sports and will be funded primarily through compensation from Victoria, ensuring minimal public expenditure.
-
Instagram is launching new 'teen accounts' for users under 18, defaulting to private settings and limiting interactions. This move comes amid increasing regulatory pressure and aims to enhance safety for young users. Parents will gain more control over their children's accounts, including time limits and messaging oversight.
-
The Ormiston Academies Trust is phasing out smartphone access for 35,000 pupils across its schools due to concerns over mental health and learning disruptions. This initiative reflects a growing trend in the UK and internationally to limit children's smartphone use during school hours, with various schools adopting similar policies.
-
Recent developments in cancer treatment include a £42 million UK screening trial for prostate cancer and promising results from Moderna's mRNA-4359 jab for advanced cancers. These initiatives aim to improve early detection and treatment efficacy, potentially transforming patient outcomes.
-
With Jos Buttler sidelined due to injury, Harry Brook steps up as captain for England's ODI series against Australia. Alongside interim coach Marcus Trescothick, Brook aims to implement Brendon McCullum's aggressive style of play, marking a significant shift in England's approach to one-day cricket.
-
Hvaldimir, a beluga whale suspected of being trained by Russia for espionage, was found dead in Norway's Risavika Bay on September 1, 2024. The whale, first spotted in 2019 with a harness labeled 'Equipment St. Petersburg,' had become a local celebrity. The cause of death remains unknown, pending a necropsy.
-
At the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga, leaders expressed urgent demands for stronger climate action from Australia and other developed nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the existential threat of rising sea levels, urging immediate measures to combat climate change. The forum underscores the intersection of climate issues and geopolitical tensions in the region.
-
Australia is experiencing record-breaking winter temperatures, with Yampi Sound reaching 41.6°C, the hottest August temperature ever recorded. This extreme heat is attributed to climate change and ongoing weather variability, raising concerns about future heat extremes and their impacts as warmer weather trends continue into spring.
-
Australia will limit international student enrollments to 270,000 in 2025, a significant reduction from over 400,000 in 2023. This policy aims to address public concerns over housing costs and manage record migration levels, particularly affecting students from China, India, and Nepal.
-
A new report reveals that over half of Australia's major tourism sites are at high risk from climate change impacts, including rising temperatures and extreme weather. By 2050, this could escalate to 68%, threatening jobs and the economy. Airports and natural attractions are particularly vulnerable.
-
At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Great Britain faced mixed results, including a wheelchair rugby defeat to the USA and a bronze medal in table tennis for 14-year-old Bly Twomey. The team aims to build on past successes amid heightened competition as they prepare for upcoming events.
-
Teenage swimmer Poppy Maskill and Tully Kearney secured Great Britain's first gold medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Maskill set a new world record in the S14 100m butterfly, while Kearney won the S5 200m freestyle, marking a significant start for Team GB in the Games.
-
Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, was arrested in France for allegedly failing to moderate illegal content on the platform. His detention has raised questions about the accountability of tech executives for user-generated content and the balance between free speech and regulation. Durov criticized the charges as misguided and pledged to enhance moderation efforts.
-
Linda Sun, a former deputy chief of staff to New York Governors Kathy Hochul and Andrew Cuomo, was arrested and charged with acting as an undisclosed agent for the Chinese government. Prosecutors allege she blocked Taiwanese officials from accessing state resources and received millions in kickbacks, including luxury gifts and real estate, in exchange for promoting Chinese interests.
-
Kate Moss' half-sister revealed severe health issues after using Ozempic for weight loss. During her podcast, she described experiencing nausea and a seizure due to dehydration, ultimately calling her decision to use the drug 'the worst decision I ever made.' This incident raises concerns about the safety of off-label drug use for weight loss.
-
Recent research suggests that the San people of South Africa may have depicted extinct animals in their rock art, specifically a creature resembling a dicynodont. This finding, published in PLOS ONE, indicates a sophisticated understanding of paleontology predating Western science. The study highlights the significance of indigenous knowledge in interpreting fossils.
-
On September 6, 2024, China announced the termination of its international adoption program, limiting adoptions to only blood relatives. This decision affects hundreds of families in the U.S. currently in the adoption process, raising concerns about pending cases and the future of international adoptions from China.
-
On the second anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death, King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended a poignant service at Crathie Kirk. The royal couple was joined by well-wishers and paid tribute to the late monarch, who died peacefully at Balmoral in 2022. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also honored her legacy.
-
Andrew Flintoff has been appointed head coach of the England Lions, overseeing tours and series against South Africa, Australia, India A, and Zimbabwe. This follows his return to cricket after serious injuries sustained in a car crash while filming Top Gear in 2022.
-
Aryna Sabalenka claimed her second US Open title by defeating Jessica Pegula in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5. This victory marks her third Grand Slam title overall and comes after a challenging year. Meanwhile, 15-year-old Mika Stojsavljevic won the girls' championship, marking a significant achievement for British tennis.
-
Violence in Papua New Guinea's Porgera Valley has resulted in an estimated 20 to 50 deaths amid ongoing tribal conflicts over mining rights. The United Nations reports that fighting continues, with security forces now deployed to the area. The situation follows a recent attack on landowners by unauthorized miners.
-
Princess Kate expressed her enthusiasm for working with Dwayne Fields, the new UK chief scout, in a message on X. Despite ongoing cancer treatment, she continues to engage with public life and appreciates the support she has received during her recovery.
-
Princess Kate has announced her return to public duties after completing chemotherapy for cancer. In a heartfelt video, she reflected on the challenges faced over the past nine months and expressed gratitude for support from her family and the public. She aims to undertake a light schedule of engagements in the coming months.
-
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to introduce legislation imposing age limits for social media access, likely between 14 and 16 years. This initiative aims to protect young people's mental health and will include an age verification trial. The legislation is expected to be introduced before the next election.
-
Jack Draper faced a challenging Davis Cup match against Argentina, losing to Francisco Cerundolo after Dan Evans' earlier defeat. This loss jeopardizes Britain's chances of advancing in the tournament, following Draper's recent US Open semi-final appearance.
-
King Charles will embark on a significant tour of Australia and Samoa from October 18-26, marking his first visit to a Commonwealth realm as monarch. This trip follows his recovery from cancer treatment and aims to strengthen support for the monarchy amid ongoing republican sentiments in Australia.
-
China's National People's Congress has approved a gradual increase in the retirement age, starting January 2025. Men will retire at 63, while women will retire at 55 or 58, depending on their job type. This policy aims to address pension fund pressures due to an aging population and declining birth rates.
-
On September 12, 2024, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the stripping of medals from up to nine commanders linked to war crimes in Afghanistan, as revealed in the Brereton Report. This decision has sparked controversy and concern over its impact on veterans' mental health.
-
Meta has announced plans to use UK users' public Facebook and Instagram posts to train its AI models, despite ongoing privacy concerns. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will monitor the initiative, which allows users to opt out of data usage. The plans remain paused in the EU due to regulatory issues.
-
Leaders of the Quad alliance—Japan, the US, Australia, and India—are set to announce joint coast guard patrols in the Indo-Pacific during a summit in Delaware on September 21. This initiative aims to combat illegal fishing and counter China's growing influence in the region.
-
The UK government is considering a private member's bill to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill individuals. A citizens' jury has shown overwhelming support for the change, with 20 out of 28 jurors in favor. However, political divisions remain, with key figures expressing differing opinions on the issue.
-
Elon Musk has criticized proposed Australian legislation aimed at combating misinformation on social media, labeling the government 'fascists.' The legislation would impose fines on platforms like X for failing to manage misinformation, prompting backlash from various politicians who defend the need for such regulations.
-
Elon Musk's social network X has resumed operations in Brazil after a three-week suspension, circumventing a Supreme Court order. This follows ongoing tensions between Musk and Brazilian regulators over content moderation and misinformation. Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Albanese has defended new legislation targeting misinformation, which Musk criticized as 'fascist.'
-
In a thrilling T20 match at Cardiff, England chased down 194 runs to defeat Australia by three wickets, tying the series at 1-1. Liam Livingstone starred with 87 runs, while Adil Rashid secured the winning single. The match showcased impressive performances from both teams, setting the stage for the final game at Kia Oval this weekend.
-
Researchers have developed innovative methods to make skin and muscle tissues transparent using a food dye called tartrazine. This reversible technique could significantly improve medical diagnostics, including cancer detection and monitoring of internal organs. The findings were published in the journal Science on September 12, 2024.
-
As the Federal Reserve prepares for a likely interest rate cut on September 18, 2024, optimism is rising in the commercial real estate sector. Lower rates could stabilize property values and increase transaction volumes, particularly in struggling office markets and emerging living sectors like student housing and co-living spaces.
-
Instagram has launched new 'Teen Accounts' with stricter privacy settings for users under 18. These accounts will be private by default, limit messaging to known contacts, and include features like sleep mode to mute notifications overnight. The changes aim to enhance online safety amid growing concerns over social media's impact on youth.
-
Authorities worldwide have infiltrated the encrypted messaging platform Ghost, leading to the arrest of 51 individuals, including 38 in Australia. The operation, which involved multiple countries, aimed to dismantle organized crime networks using the app for drug trafficking and other criminal activities. Jay Je Yoon Jung, the app's alleged creator, faces serious charges.