Weather tracker: Floods in eastern India and hurricane damage in California 14. September 2026 (11:28) Flooding in West Bengal has led to three deaths, while severe beach erosion has been witnessed in Orange countyFlooding around the city of Malda in the Indian state of West Bengal since Thursday has had a devastating effect. So far, three deaths have been recorded and many areas are still flooded, with numerous villages affected, along with the region of Bhutni. Erosion from the flooding, reported from Khaskol, led to a disruption in river flow which led to a more severe impact in Bhutni. More than 100 boats have been sent out for evacuation.At East Basudevpur, a 20ft (6-metre) embankment collapsed, reducing the channel from 550ft to under 150ft, which could lead to further flooding unless repaired. This flooding resulted after the Ganges River rose about 75cm above its “extreme danger” level owing to heavy rainfall. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Queen’s secret Whitlam correspondence inspires Sydney Theatre Company play in 2027 14. September 2026 (11:15) STC’s 2027 program also features Celeste Barber in Amy Sedaris and David Sedaris play, Tim Minchin as Scrooge and the return of The Picture of Dorian GraySix years after the Australian historian Jenny Hocking won her legal battle to release secret correspondence between Queen Elizabeth II, Malcolm Fraser and the governor general John Kerr, her fight to reveal the truth about Gough Whitlam’s dismissal is being adapted for the stage.The Palace Letters, announced on Monday as part of Sydney Theatre Company’s 2027 program, will have its world premiere at Sydney Opera House in April. It will star Georgie Parker as Hocking, with Jonathan Biggins playing Whitlam. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform declines to say if £72m donors returned to UK within 12-month limit 14. September 2026 (11:09) Richard Tice says contributions are legally compliant after author of review into overseas donations says rules will be applied retrospectivelyReform UK’s deputy leader has declined to say when two crypto billionaires who gave a combined £72m to the party returned to the UK, as the architect of a review into overseas donations said anyone here for less than 12 months would be subject to a limit on donations.Richard Tice said that while he was completely confident Reform had complied with all current and proposed laws on donations, he could not say when Ben Delo returned to the UK from Hong Kong, or how much time the Thailand-based Christopher Harborne spent in Britain. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK ministers urged to act after US flies out diplomat accused of possessing indecent images of children 14. September 2026 (11:06) US officials reportedly raided envoy’s London home and took him to American airbase without warning Met policeUK politics live – latest updatesBritish ministers face calls to act after US authorities secretly flew out of the UK a diplomat accused of possessing indecent images of children.US officials reportedly raided the diplomat’s London flat in August before taking him to an American airbase and flying him out of the country, without warning the Metropolitan police. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Indonesian police investigate deaths of Australian man and two children in Bali as suspected murder-suicide 14. September 2026 (10:44) Police in Bali believe the two young children died as a result of violence, while a 57-year-old man is believed to have taken his own life Indonesian police are investigating the deaths of three Australians who died in Bali over the weekend, with initial reports suggesting a father killed his two young children before taking his own life.The man, 57, and his two children, seven and four, who are also Indonesian citizens, were discovered deceased in a bungalow in Kuta on Sunday morning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
