‘So surreal’: woman gives birth while stuck in heavy San Francisco traffic 21. September 2026 (16:17) Doula stopped to assist couple with birth while first responders were also stuck in traffic and arrived on footA woman stuck in heavy traffic in San Francisco went into labor and gave birth to a healthy baby girl, local authorities have said.The San Francisco fire department said in a statement that a couple had been snarled in heavy congestion near the city’s Golden Gate Park when they were forced to pull over due to the imminent birth. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Planetary boundaries’ necessary for flourishing of life have been massively breached, scientists warn 21. September 2026 (16:00) New report shows key indicators of Earth’s health are ‘outside the safe operating space’ as climate disaster loomsThe planetary life support systems relied upon by humans have deteriorated to their worst levels ever recorded amid ongoing pollution and habitat destruction, according to a key yet grim annual update by scientists.Of the nine “planetary boundaries” that help determine whether life can flourish on Earth, seven are being breached at their highest ever levels of transgression, according to the latest planetary health check, a process that was established in 2009. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Putin consolidates grip on Russia as 49 Ukraine war veterans elected to parliament 21. September 2026 (15:40) United Russia party’s record victory in tightly controlled vote likely to be used as evidence of support for war against UkraineRussia’s new parliament will include 49 deputies who have taken part in the war against Ukraine, officials have said after a landslide victory by the ruling United Russia party in widely criticised elections.The pro-Kremlin party won a record 355 seats in the country’s 450-seat Duma lower house of parliament, according to preliminary figures. The result further consolidates Vladimir Putin’s grip on power and gives United Russia a super-majority bigger than its previous 2016 record of 343 seats. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
