Elizabeth Struhs’ child protection case not ‘prioritised’ due to high workload, inquest hears 16. October 2026 (09:20) Eight-year-old Queensland girl died in 2022 after being denied insulin by her religious parentsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastElizabeth Struhs’ child protection case was not “prioritised” or worked intensively because the staff member assigned to her case was “very busy”, a coroner has heard.The Queensland coroner’s court also heard the case worker may have been “overly influenced” by the presentation of Struhs’ “upper class home”, putting cases believed to involve a more immediate risk ahead of Elizabeth’s. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
One Nation proposes $2,000 baby subsidy in Victoria but says it won’t touch state abortion laws 16. October 2026 (09:03) Announcement comes a day after Liberal and Labor parties say they will cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion careGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastOne Nation has proposed a $2,000 baby bonus for new parents in Victoria – a day after the Labor and Liberal parties both agreed to cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion care.The deputy leader of One Nation in Victoria, Colleen Harkin, announced the plan on Friday to remove out-of-pocket costs for pregnant women in the public healthcare system and a $2,000 subsidy for those accessing private maternity care. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Revealed: VW, Ford and Tesla batteries linked to destructive deforestation of indigenous lands 16. October 2026 (09:00) Mines in supply chains of western carmakers linked to widespread deforestation of primary rainforest in nickel-rich lands inhabited by Tolaki people in IndonesiaVolkswagen, Ford and Tesla are among the electric carmakers whose batteries may contain nickel mined in indigenous woodlands plagued by deforestation, an analysis has found, highlighting the struggle to make vehicles that are free from environmental destruction.Corporate disclosures and trade flows from the last two years show mines in the battery supply chains of automotive giants are linked to the loss of trees in Sulawesi, a wildlife hotspot in Indonesia that houses the world’s largest nickel deposits. The metal is widely used in cathodes in car batteries because it boosts energy density and increases range. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK could quickly re-enter EU with ‘Switzerland plus’ deal, senior MEP says 16. October 2026 (09:00) Bernd Lange, who was involved in Brexit talks, says deal could be negotiated within months of any decision to deepen tiesThe UK could re-enter the EU in a “Switzerland plus” package that could be negotiated within months of any decision to deepen ties with the bloc, the head of a European parliament committee has said.Bernd Lange, who was heavily involved in Brexit negotiations, said: “I would love to see the UK back.” He said the EU missed the UK in decision-making because of its strong history of promoting open markets and democracy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK law could deny Fayed accusers recognition as victims of human trafficking 16. October 2026 (09:00) ‘Unfair’ immigration and asylum bill could fail to support sexual violence survivors, anti-slavery commissioner saysSurvivors of sexual violence could wrongly be denied recognition as victims of human trafficking under credibility tests in a new UK law, the independent anti-slavery commissioner has warned.Eleanor Lyons said the measures in the immigration and asylum bill were fundamentally unfair and could lead to many more victims of slavery and trafficking, including those allegedly abused by Mohamed Al Fayed, being denied support. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Dog owners will have to wash their pets' urine from trees under new rules in Vienna
Elon Musk unveils flying car: Crowd screams as new Tesla with rocket thrusters takes off and flips mid-air