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Australian parties push wider AI use as workplace protections lag
Australian Labor and Coalition politicians are moving towards a shared push for greater AI adoption, despite declining public confidence and concerns about its effects. The authors argue that government should respond to practical harms already affecting workers, rather than focus on promoting AI’s benefits. They cite workplace surveillance that tracks workers through devices and software,…
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Comer alleges Omar’s husband’s winery sold investors empty barrels
House Oversight chairman James Comer has alleged that eStCru, a California winery co-owned by Ilhan Omar’s husband, sold investors empty wine barrels. He cited unspecified press reports but named no investor, transaction or document to support the claim; the allegation forms part of congressional scrutiny of the business and Omar’s financial disclosures. Separately, federal investigators…
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Rubio says Trump rejects claims of deliberately harming Ukraine or ending intelligence sharing
Marco Rubio said Donald Trump was frustrated by claims that he had deliberately harmed Ukraine or ordered intelligence sharing with Kyiv to stop. The comments came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met US envoys in Oslo, seeking to improve strained relations and put diplomatic efforts towards peace on a more constructive path. Zelensky has said…
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US orders civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek tools from devices
The US government has ordered agencies to stop using DeepSeek AI tools, citing the risk that sensitive information could be transferred to China. The move reflects growing security concerns as the US and China compete for influence in artificial intelligence. A Department of Homeland Security notice says DeepSeek products and third-party tools built with its…
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Trump’s inner circle scrambles to lawyer up with ‘target on their backs’ after elections as Democrats plot investigations avalanche
Trump administration officials, from Cabinet members to mid-level staff, are seeking independent lawyers ahead of November’s midterm elections. They are preparing for possible congressional investigations if Democrats regain control of either chamber, and want counsel focused on their individual interests. Democratic lawmakers have already sent letters to officials and people close to Trump, signalling possible…
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Thames Water creditors secure former Labour minister to drive rescue deal
Thames Water’s creditor consortium has chosen former Labour minister Lord John Hutton as its preferred independent chair if its proposed takeover of the company is approved. The appointment is part of efforts to secure government backing for a £10bn rescue of the debt-laden supplier, which serves 16 million people in southern England. Hutton held senior…
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UK scraps national digital ID scheme while developing related services
The UK Government has scrapped its proposed national digital ID scheme, but MPs have been told that related digital identity infrastructure is still being developed. Officials say GOV.UK One Login, a digital wallet and digital credentials are separate projects that predate the abandoned scheme, though the continuing work leaves questions about what the decision to…
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‘Taylor Swift tells us to take the lead!’ Could highly organised pop fans clinch victory for Brazil’s Lula?
More than 600 Brazilian pop music fan groups have joined an online campaign for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ahead of the 25 October runoff election. The campaign grew after right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro led the first round, and reflects efforts to reach younger voters through communities that already have large, active social media…
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New England home scheme offers first-time buyers 20% equity loan
The UK government has announced Your First Home, a scheme intended to help first-time buyers in England who earn a regular income but lack a large deposit or family financial support. It matters because it could reduce the upfront savings needed to buy a new-build home and lower monthly costs compared with some standard mortgages.…