Nato head: Britain must show ‘credible path’ of annual defence budget increases 17. September 2026 (21:29) Mark Rutte said Britain will need to steadily increase defence spending to meet Nato target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035Britain needs to show “a credible path” of annual increases in its defence budgets to meet a Nato target of spending nearly £30bn more on the military by the middle of the next decade, the head of the alliance said on Thursday.Mark Rutte, Nato’s secretary general, said that Britain could not wait until just before 2035 to lift defence spending to 3.5% of GDP, in an unusually pointed intervention a day after he met prime minister Andy Burnham. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Accused Oregon killer indicted in connection with death of sixth woman 17. September 2026 (21:00) Grand jury indicts Jesse Calhoun, 41, on charge of first-degree manslaughter in the death of Elizabeth GibsonAn Oregon man accused of killing five women has been indicted in connection with the death of a sixth woman, officials announced this week.Jesse Calhoun was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of first-degree manslaughter in the death of Elizabeth “Libby” Gibson, said the Multnomah county district attorney on Wednesday. Calhoun is accused of causing Gibson’s death and acting “unlawfully and recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Outcry as Michigan high school asks girls to share details of menstrual cycles 17. September 2026 (20:53) Students required to disclose information if they wish to make up swimming days lost because of their periodsA Michigan high school is facing scrutiny after parents raised concerns over a gym class policy requiring female students to disclose information about their menstrual cycles if they want to make up swimming days missed because of their periods.Under the policy, which appears in a Lakeview high school gym syllabus, female students who miss swimming because of their periods must have a parent submit a written note or email identifying the length of their menstrual cycle before they can make up the missed days. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Charles sounded 'giddily elated' after Diana’s death, claims Earl Spencer 17. September 2026 (20:47) In latest extracts from upcoming memoir, Diana’s brother suggests some in Buckingham Palace were ‘relieved’ at her deathThe brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, has claimed in published extracts of his new memoir that King Charles sounded “giddily elated – like a lottery winner” in a phone call to him immediately after her death.Earl Spencer also says he believed Buckingham Palace wanted William and Harry and himself to walk behind Diana’s coffin because the then Prince Charles was “adamant” he was going to walk and palace officials feared “members of the public might shout abuse at him”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘I’m genuinely sorry’: Australian Hyrox athlete who soiled herself apologises to China and rivals 17. September 2026 (20:30) Joanna Wietrzyk ‘regrets’ decision to keep racing She forfeits points from her win in the Beijing raceGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian athlete who caused a storm by winning a Hyrox event in China despite soiling herself during the race has apologised to the “people of China” and rival athletes in a statement online.Posting on Instagram, Joanna Wietrzyk, said she offered a “sincere apology” to the “people of China, my fellow competitors, the spectators and the Hyrox organizers for what happened during the race in Beijing”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
