France braces for weeks more of protests as unrest spreads to Italy – Europe live 19. October 2026 (11:37) Gilets jaunes movement calls for further demonstrations in France as Giorgia Meloni schedules crisis talks after looting in Italian citiesMacron criticises ‘unbridled violence’ after 2,400 arrests across Francein RomeItalian prime minister Giorgia Meloni will hold a crisis meeting with top security officials on Monday after two days of ransacking and looting in Milan allegedly perpetrated by gangs of hooded youths. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pregnant women face workplace hostility and ‘sham redundancies’, Australian human rights report finds 19. October 2026 (11:30) Sex discrimination commissioner says too often ‘it’s the woman who has the burden of bringing a complaint’ in parental discrimination casesGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastWomen are being forced out of employment through “sham redundancies”, losing shifts and facing hostile work environments after having a baby, according to a report by the Australian Human Rights Commission, which warns parental discrimination remains a major barrier to gender equality.The commission’s report suggests pregnancy discrimination is more prominent for vulnerable groups, including immigrant and First Nations women, people with disability and LGBTQ+ people. The commission held roundtables with dozens of parents, legal and community advocates when compiling the report.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China’s economy grows faster than forecast after AI boom boosts exports 19. October 2026 (11:27) Third-quarter GDP up by 4.5% compared with last year as industrial output is buoyed by electronics demandBusiness live – latest updatesRoaring exports lifted China’s economic growth in the third quarter of this year, with factory output growing much faster than consumer spending.China’s GDP grew by 4.5% year-on-year between July and September, the National Bureau of Statistics of China reported on Monday. The figures were better than economists had expected and up from the second quarter’s growth rate of 4.3%. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Prince Harry defamation claim lodged by Sentebale is paused amid charity's financial woes