UN expert Francesca Albanese calls for ‘true paradigm shift’ as Miliband resets policy on Israel 07. September 2026 (06:00) Exclusive: UN special rapporteur on occupied territories says ban on goods from settlements ‘important’ but must go further if it is to amount to more than a ‘press release’The UK’s planned ban on trade with unlawful Israeli settlements is a welcome, if overdue, first step and must be judged according to its practical impact, a UN expert has told the Guardian.The UK foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, has vowed to act more decisively against Israeli settlements, as well as continued restrictions of aid into Gaza, prompting the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, to claim on Saturday that Downing Street was motivated by “Jew hatred”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Designers should not fear being replaced by AI, industry leaders say 07. September 2026 (06:00) Firms are more likely to use technology as ‘the intern in the office’ than as a replacement for skilled staffProfessional designers should not feel “threatened” by the rapid growth of generative AI, according to business leaders, despite fears over job losses in the sector.With design and film production companies and manufacturers all adopting AI at an accelerating pace, industry bodies said the technology would be used to enhance the work of designers rather than replace them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Jean Nassif’s daughter tells court father ‘pressured’ her to falsify documents for $150m construction loan 07. September 2026 (05:28) Ashlyn Nassif, daughter of Toplace boss who fled Australia in 2022, has pleaded guilty to providing false or misleading information to obtain loan from WestpacFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe daughter of a fugitive property developer succumbed to pressure from her father when she falsified documents for a $150m construction loan, a Sydney court has heard.Ashlyn Nassif, the daughter of Jean Nassif, pleaded guilty in June to providing false or misleading information to obtain the loan from Westpac, which was used to construct three apartment towers in Sydney’s north-west in 2021. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than 200 people stood down at embattled housing developer Bathla amid $3.4bn debt 07. September 2026 (05:07) Sydney-headquartered group suspends work on some of its 45 construction sites affecting 60% of workforceFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than 200 workers at Sydney-headquartered Bathla Group have been stood down as administrators of the embattled property developer seek emergency funds to stave off a company-wide collapse.The insolvency advisory Teneo said on Monday that new short-term funding arrangements would only allow Bathla to continue construction on some of its 45 construction sites, though it did not identify which projects were being prioritised. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Germany’s far-right AfD thanks Elon Musk as France warns state election win a ‘serious moment’ 07. September 2026 (03:03) Lead candidate in Saxony-Anhalt welcomes further ‘strong’ cooperation with Musk as French minister says ‘we cannot forget our history’AfD wins key German state election but falls just short of majorityThe candidate who led the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party to a historic state election victory in Germany has thanked Elon Musk for his support, as one French minister warned that this was a “serious moment” for Europe.The AfD more than doubled its support in the Saxony-Anhalt region and appears to be on the brink of becoming the first far-right party to gain power in Germany at state level since the second world war. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Susan Sarandon says she is losing movie roles because of her support for Palestine 07. September 2026 (02:17) Oscar-winning actor says she and other outspoken critics of Israel have found it ‘impossible’ to get hired by major studiosThe Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon has said she is still losing work because of her outspoken support for Palestinians, despite what she described as a broader shift in public opinion against US support for Israel.Speaking at the Venice film festival, where she is promoting her latest movie The Echo Chamber, Sarandon said some parts of the film industry continued to shun her over her activism. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
