Use of BNPL services to cover essential bills raises concerns as Albanese government prepares to consult on regulating the sector

As Queensland focuses on greenfield development to solve its housing crisis, critics say it won’t help the people most in need

Some members say the 100-year-old motto should be more ‘inclusive’ but others are opposed to change

Six men charged over deadly attack on girls, aged 15 and 17, of Dalit casteTwo sisters in Uttar Pradesh have been found raped, murdered and hanging from a tree in the latest incident of sexual violence to shock India.The bodies of the girls, aged 15 and 17, were found suspended from a tree by their shawls near their home in Lakhimpur district on Wednesday afternoon. They belonged to the Dalit caste, the lowest in India’s hierarchical and discriminatory Hindu caste system, which used to deem Dalits as “untouchables”. Continue reading...

Justices lift temporary hold on court order that requires Yeshiva University to recognize group, the YU Pride Alliance, as legal fight continuesThe US supreme court has cleared the way for an LGBTQ+ group to gain official recognition from a Jewish university in New York City, though that may not last.By a 5-4 vote on Wednesday, the justices lifted a temporary hold on a court order that requires Yeshiva University to recognize the group, the YU Pride Alliance, even as a legal fight continues. Continue reading...

Defence minister Richard Marles links the cutting-edge technology to Australia’s economic and trade success

Arch-provocateur’s collection split into three with looks for the daytime, the party and the after-partyTom Ford has closed New York fashion week with a collection that doubled down on the singular belief that has underpinned his entire career: few things sell clothes quite like sex.Nine months after cancelling his last show as a result of a Covid outbreak at his atelier, New York’s arch-provocateur turned a former trading floor just beyond the World Trade Center into a full-on disco assault. Hemlines were high, yet somehow the heels were even higher. Good news for fans of Ford glamorama; bad news for anyone hoping to wear the stuff. Continue reading...

Outlook ‘uniquely uncertain’, says Partnership as it announces cost of living support for staffThe John Lewis Partnership has warned its annual staff bonus is at risk this year after it slumped to a first half loss of £99m and said the outlook in the run-up to Christmas was “uniquely uncertain”.The group, which is staff-owned and includes the Waitrose supermarket chain, blamed soaring inflation for the loss in the 26 weeks to 30 July, which compared with a £29m loss before tax in the same period last year. Continue reading...

Inhulets River rises estimated 2.5 metres after cruise missiles strike dam, flooding streets of Kryvyi Rih

Senior constable says he has not heard officers use racist slurs but agrees unchecked frustration could lead to generalisations• Warning: This story contains offensive and racist slurs heard in court

As well as a sad occasion, the Westminster Abbey farewell will be a global spectacle, and a diplomatic opportunity for the UK

Position as counsellor of state under scrutiny as fresh reports about Jeffrey Epstein scandal emerge

Terms under discussion include increasing state’s holding to 50% as pressure on supplies continuesThe embattled gas importer Uniper has entered talks with the German government over a possible nationalisation, the company has said.The terms under discussion would increase the state’s holding in the faltering energy giant to 50%. Continue reading...

Families argued detention in Syria exposed the two women and their children to inhumane treatmentThe European court of human rights has condemned France over its refusal to repatriate French women who travelled to Syria with their partners to join Islamic State and are currently being held with their children at Kurdish-run prison camps.The ruling will be studied closely by other countries who still have citizens detained in camps in north-eastern Syria, including the UK. Continue reading...

Downing Street says companies will receive backdated payments if scheme is not in place by 1 OctoberBusinesses may face a delay of several weeks in accessing the financial support promised to them by Liz Truss to help ease the burden of spiralling energy bills this winter, Downing Street has admitted.Amid reports that the package for businesses would not be in place by 1 October, the prime minister’s spokesperson said there could be a “delay of weeks” but insisted companies would receive backdated payments. Continue reading...

Labour leader defends right to protest but says it should not ruin people’s chance to express their private thanks

Victoria’s health minister defends colleague who suggested Kylie Hennessy, who has a brain tumour, ‘roll with the punches’

Despite backlash from customers and calls for CEO Alan Joyce to resign, airline has ‘a lot of confidence’ for September school holidays

Exclusive: State’s sports minister says NSW is ‘the perfect place’ for major tournaments, with Greg Norman believed to be scouting Sydney courses

Up to 100 employees of Clarence House received notification they could lose job following accession to throne

CEO of Headspace Jason Trethowan has defended the organisation’s services, describing the paper as ‘biased’ and ‘misleading’

Hansard was amended to read ‘King Alfred’ after Matthew Guy said he ‘misspoke’ during his tribute to Elizabeth II and her royal history

People working with animals in Wide Bay area at greater risk of contracting disease that can cause severe flu-like illness

A third of the country is under water and a UN fund says almost 650,000 women in affected areas need maternity servicesCrying, vomiting and eight months pregnant, the young woman walked in labour pains for an hour in search of an ambulance.When Naseeba Ameerullah, 23, eventually found one, she had to beg the driver to take her. Pakistan’s floods had left the roads damaged and gridlocked, making what is usually a two-hour journey to the provincial capital of Quetta a punishing, 12-hour drive. Continue reading...

Inspectors will investigate deceptive property prices across state but buyers advocates say harsher penalties needed

Proposal to rename Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project the Elizabeth line sparks political slanging match

While all lawmakers offered condolences to the royal family, several also discussed the monarchy’s fraught and complex historyAs New Zealand’s parliament gathered to pay tribute to the Queen, honours and admiration were mixed with sharp criticism of a monarchy built on “stolen land, stolen resources, and stolen treasure”.On Tuesday, parliament held a special debate to allow politicians of all parties to acknowledge the monarch’s death. While all offered condolences to the royal family for their loss, a number of MPs also discussed the monarchy’s fraught and complex history. Continue reading...

The confidential settlement includes an apology after Nine News Queensland falsely accused the former Liberal National MP of taking an ‘upskirting’ photograph

Monarch to be accompanied by sons on walk from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall lying-in-state venueThe King will be joined by his sons the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex as they walk behind the Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to where she will lie in state.Charles, William and Harry – along with the Queen’s other children, Duke of York, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex – will follow the coffin on foot as it makes its journey to Westminster Hall on Wednesday afternoon. Continue reading...

Queen Elizabeth’s coffin will rest overnight in Bow Room as thousands lines London’s streetsIf you’re wondering why there’s such a fuss about the Queen’s death, our weekly science podcast published today might have some answers.Our science editor, Ian Sample, has been talking to Prof Michael Cholbi, chair in philosophy at Edinburgh University, about what grief is, how losing a public figure can have such a profound impact on our lives,​​ and why there’s value in grieving. Continue reading...

Escalation of hostilities between south Caucasus countries prompts Russia and US to call for restraintFighting on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan has killed about 100 troops as attacks on both sides fed fears of broader hostilities breaking out between the longtime adversaries.Armenia said at least 49 of its soldiers were killed; Azerbaijan said it lost 50. Continue reading...

Employees under provincial jurisdiction – the vast majority of Canadian workers – are not affected by the declarationJustin Trudeau has declared a federal holiday for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, granting a handful of employees across Canada a day off.But because most workers fall under provincial jurisdiction, much of the country was given little indication if they’re expected to show up to work Monday. Continue reading...

Geoffrey Berman, ex-prosecutor who led investigation in New York, claims team was given ‘run-around’ over bid to talk to dukeBritish authorities protected Prince Andrew from US prosecutors investigating his relationship with the financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a new book by a US attorney who led the investigation in New York.Geoffrey Berman was fired as US attorney for the southern district of New York (SDNY) in June 2020. He is now the author of Holding the Line: Inside the Nation’s Preeminent US Attorney’s Office and its Battle with the Trump Justice Department, a book published on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Coffin received by her family in a private ceremony ahead of official lying in state at Westminster HallQueen Elizabeth II made a final journey home to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday night as her coffin was received by her family in a small private ceremony ahead of being handed back to the nation for her official lying in state.Led by the King, her children, grandchildren, and their spouses, gathered inside the palace’s grand entrance as her cortege arrived. Those present included the Queen Consort, Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Continue reading...

Company had initially said that guests in middle of holiday would have to spend night elsewhere or go home earlyCenter Parcs has backtracked after facing accusations of “ruining people’s holidays”by announcing it would close its UK sites for 24 hours from Monday morning to mark the Queen’s funeral.Earlier on Tuesday the holiday company had announced that guests at its five UK parks would have to leave by 10am on Monday, even if they are in the middle of their stay, and will not be able to return until the same time on Tuesday morning. Continue reading...

Monarch had been signing visitor’s book in front of cameras at Hillsborough Castle near Belfast when pen malfunctionedKing Charles has been seen airing his frustration during a ceremony for the second time in four days while in Northern Ireland.The new monarch was shown signing a visitor’s book in front of cameras at Hillsborough Castle, near Belfast. He reacted after the pen he was using leaked on him. Continue reading...

Agustina Díaz was arrested reportedly after a forensic examination of Brenda Uliarte’s phone revealed messages regarding the attackA third suspect has been arrested over the attempted assassination of Argentina’s vice-president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, as investigators pursue suspicions that the attack was not the act of a lone gunman.Fernández was unharmed during the incident on 1 September, when Fernando Andrés Sabag Montiel, 35, pulled the trigger of his handgun inches away from her face. The gun failed to fire, and the vice-president’s supporters quickly subdued the would-be assassin. Continue reading...

Thousands of theatres, museums, retailers and even food banks will also be closed on Monday

IOPC launches inquiry into alleged firearms health and safety breaches by Devon and Cornwall police before mass shootingDevon and Cornwall police are facing a criminal investigation into alleged breaches of health and safety rules before the Plymouth mass shooting.Jake Davison, 22, killed his mother, Maxine, 51, after a row, before shooting dead four others in a 12-minute attack in the Keyham area of the city in August last year. Continue reading...

Analysts fear future reductions in agricultural land prices could have dire consequences for farmers on tight margins

Tens of thousands of people left NSW hospital EDs without finishing treatment last quarter, the highest number on record

Questions raised over legitimacy of Legalise Marijuana Party which has applied to register ahead of November state election

Infrastructure minister Catherine King previously accused Barnaby Joyce of showering Nationals seats in taxpayer-funded ‘largesse’

Fears move will pave way for more restrictions in country where terminations are widely acceptedHungarian women seeking an abortion will be obliged to “listen to the foetal heartbeat” before they can access the procedure, according to a new decree issued by the government of the far-right prime minister, Viktor Orbán.The new regulation is due to come into force on Thursday. Continue reading...

The 12-year-old’s life support was withdrawn after his parents failed to overturn a high court rulingThe life of Archie Battersbee, who was at the centre of a legal battle between his parents and the Royal London hospital, has been celebrated at a funeral service featuring videos of him singing and performing gymnastics.The 12-year-old’s life support was withdrawn on 6 August after his parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, failed to overturn a high court ruling that doctors could lawfully do so. Continue reading...

Woman has been pictured at North Korean leader’s side in recent months, often carrying a handbagOften spotted in an understated suit dress, glasses, and carrying a black handbag, there’s a new character in the inner circle of Kim Jong-un in nuclear-armed North Korea. But her identity, for now, remains a mystery.She was at Kim’s side last week during a massive outdoor concert and was also seen carrying folders at a speech to the country’s parliament, the Supreme People’s Assembly, in which Kim vowed never to give up nuclear weapons. Continue reading...

Ukrainian foreign minister accuses German government of ignoring requests for military hardware

Sir Tom Scholar’s removal from Treasury marks departure from classic Treasury view of the worldSir Tom Scholar’s removal as the Treasury’s top mandarin was a brutal statement of intent by Liz Truss’s new government. The message was clear: the days when Britain’s economic strategy would be determined by bean counters were over. From now on, growth rather than balancing the books would be the priority.That is the theory. In practice, removing what Truss sees as the “dead hand” of Treasury orthodoxy from the running of the economy is likely to prove difficult. The fact that all four deputy governors of the Bank of England are Treasury old boys is an example of its influence on the economic policy-making machinery. There have been attempts in the past to cut Whitehall’s most powerful department down to size. Sooner or later, all have failed. Continue reading...