‘Nakedly political’: US attempts to link trans support to authoritarianism in new health department report 07. September 2026 (13:00) HHS releases report linking ‘gender ideology’ to political violence – a study scientists say was poorly conductedThe US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released a report linking “gender ideology” to leftwing authoritarianism and political violence – a study scientists say was poorly conducted and “nakedly political”, likely leading to greater politicization of science and health.It follows attempts by the administration to limit access to gender-affirming care – including, on Friday, an agreement reached between the Department of Justice and a New York hospital to no longer offer pediatric gender-affirming care. Dozens of hospitals stopped offering gender-affirming care after the Trump administration began investigating them for offering the standard of care. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US labor unions saw membership gains in 2025, mostly in states with bargaining protections 07. September 2026 (13:00) Uptick in US union membership coincides with high public approval ratings of unionsAfter years of decline, union membership in the US increased by 411,000 members in 2025, the largest increase since 2008, according to a new report.The report makes clear the impact that “right to work” laws can have on union membership: most gains were concentrated in states that protect collective bargaining. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former Louisiana mayor completes 90-day jail term for raping 16-year-old boy 07. September 2026 (12:38) Judge admits he made mistake in sentencing Misty Roberts, who faced up to 17 years in prison after convictionThe former Louisiana mayor Misty Roberts has completed the 90-day jail sentence she received for raping a 16-year-old boy while still in elected office and been released from custody, according to state corrections records.The 44-year-old finished her jail term on Monday, the Labor Day holiday in the US, one week after the judge who presided over her case rejected a request from prosecutors to force her to serve a harsher sentence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
London hotelier fraudulently obtained £450,000 in Covid 'bounce back' loans 07. September 2026 (12:11) Richard Courtenay’s nine loan applications in May and June 2020 involved fraudulent declarations about the turnover of five companies and applying for multiple loans when businesses were only allowed one(London News)
Far-right AfD celebrate ‘dream result’ in key German state as Merz reportedly holds crisis talks – Europe live 07. September 2026 (11:58) Group fail to secure majority in Saxony-Anhalt state parliament leaving uncertainty over next stepsFar-right AfD wins key German state election but falls just short of majorityAfD’s Chrupalla continues in this vein, saying the German public wants to see a change in direction, and specifically saying the electorate is “fed up” as the government keeps “transferring billions of our tax money to Ukraine … instead of using it for our own population.”He says the party has “a clear mandate” to rule in Saxony-Anhalt and will hold discussions with others about what can be done. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia and North Korea open first road bridge across their shared border 07. September 2026 (11:53) Connection across Tumen River is further sign of closer ties between the two countries since start of war in UkraineRussia and North Korea have opened the first road bridge across their shared border, in the latest sign of the rapidly deepening ties between the two countries since the start of the war in Ukraine.The one-kilometre bridge spans the Tumen River between Khasan in Russia’s far east and Tumangang in North Korea, along a remote and sparsely populated stretch of the countries’ shared border just a few miles from the coast. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Radiohead announce 2027 tour with shows in Australia and Japan 07. September 2026 (11:44) UK band will play 16 shows across Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, as well as five shows in SaitamaRadiohead will return to Australia to play 16 shows across three cities next year, marking the band’s first tour of the country in 15 years.On Monday afternoon, the British rock band unveiled the itinerary for its May 2027 tour, which also includes five shows in Japan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
