In a significant legal development, veteran broadcaster and former Wallabies coach Alan Jones, 84, has pleaded not guilty to 27 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching. The charges stem from allegations that he assaulted nine men over two decades. During a court hearing on Thursday, prosecutors downgraded 11 of the most serious charges, which were related to alleged assaults on individuals under his authority, and dropped some charges entirely. The case, now set to be heard by a magistrate rather than a jury, will return to court next month. Deputy Chief Magistrate Sharon Freund noted that the case was restructured after two alleged victims withdrew, though no explanation was provided for their departure. Jones’ lawyer, Bryan Wrench, described the dropped charges as a ‘very big development’ and a ‘significant concession,’ emphasizing that there was no evidence of Jones having authority over the complainants. Police have indicated that some of the alleged victims knew Jones personally, with at least one having been employed by him. Others reportedly faced assault during their first encounter with him. Jones, a polarizing figure in Australian media, has consistently denied the allegations, calling them ‘baseless’ or ‘distortions of the truth.’ Known for his controversial remarks, Jones has faced multiple defamation lawsuits and advertiser boycotts throughout his career. The case continues to draw significant public attention as it unfolds.
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Europe struggles with chronic drug shortages, auditors warn
Europe continues to grapple with the risk of critical medicine shortages, including essential antibiotics and painkillers, according to a recent report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). The report, released on Wednesday, highlights the fragility of supply chains and the EU’s heavy reliance on manufacturers in Asia as primary causes of the ongoing crisis. The European Commission has identified these vulnerabilities as a significant threat to public health, particularly in the face of future health emergencies. In July, European crisis chief Hadja Lahbib announced plans to stockpile critical medical equipment and vaccines, alongside creating a network to enhance coordination among member states. However, the ECA cautioned that stockpiling in some countries could exacerbate shortages in others. Between January 2022 and October 2024, EU countries faced critical shortages of 136 medicines, with the situation peaking in 2023 and 2024. The ECA described the issue as a ‘chronic headache for the EU,’ emphasizing the lack of a robust system to address severe shortages. Auditors noted that the current framework to prevent drug shortages lacks a solid legal foundation and timely information sharing. The European Medicines Agency (EMA), the region’s drug regulator, has limited powers outside of health crises, further complicating the situation. Klaus Heiner Lehne, the ECA member leading the audit, warned that medicine shortages can have severe consequences for patients, compromise public health, and impose high costs on healthcare providers and countries. Regulatory barriers within the EU’s medicine market also hinder cross-border redistribution, exacerbating shortages and unequal access. The European Commission has proposed legal changes aimed at reducing reliance on countries like China and India, which, if implemented, could significantly improve the system.
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Katty Kay: Why America is at a dangerous crossroads following the Charlie Kirk shooting
The United States finds itself in a tumultuous period, grappling with a surge in political violence and deepening societal divisions. The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative figure, has only exacerbated the nation’s fractured state. Utah Governor Spencer Cox has called for calm, urging Americans to ‘log off, turn off, touch grass, hug a family member, go out and do good in the community.’ However, his plea for unity seems unlikely to be heeded, as the country’s political camps have already retreated to opposing narratives. The incentives driving American political life reward those who escalate tensions rather than those who seek to bridge divides. This dynamic is further fueled by social media, which amplifies extreme voices and stokes outrage. Governor Cox has pointedly criticized social media platforms, attributing them to the rise in political violence. ‘I believe that social media has played a direct role in every single assassination and assassination attempt that we have seen over the last five, six years,’ he stated. The situation is reminiscent of past eras of political violence, such as the 1960s and 1970s, but the current climate is uniquely shaped by the pervasive influence of digital platforms. Despite the grim outlook, some remain hopeful. Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, one of the country’s most senior black officials, condemned political violence but also highlighted the progress America has made on issues like race. ‘The story of any family is always more complicated than the stories we tell ourselves at the family reunion,’ he remarked. Yet, the path to reconciliation remains unclear. As historian Ken Burns noted, ‘History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.’ This moment of tension feels like it rhymes with so many other periods of discord in American history, but it isn’t quite repeating them. The United States’ internal divisions are not just a domestic issue; they are a national security concern. Former Defence Secretary Bob Gates once identified the three greatest threats to America’s national security as a rising China, a declining Russia, and the country’s own internal divisions. As America’s adversaries exploit these divisions online, the nation’s ability to heal and unite remains in question.
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Italy enacts AI law covering privacy, oversight and child access
Italy has become the first European Union nation to enact a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) law, aligning with the EU’s landmark AI Act. Approved by the Italian parliament on Wednesday, the legislation, championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, establishes human-centric, transparent, and safe AI use as its guiding principles. The law emphasizes innovation, cybersecurity, and privacy protections, setting a precedent for AI governance across the bloc.
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Boeing, Honeywell sued by Air India crash victim families
In a tragic incident that shook the aviation world, Air India Flight 171, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025. The disaster claimed the lives of 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 individuals on the ground. Only one passenger survived. The families of four victims have now filed a lawsuit against Boeing and Honeywell, alleging that faulty fuel cutoff switches were responsible for the crash. The lawsuit, filed in Delaware Superior Court, claims that the switches, manufactured by Honeywell, were defectively designed and positioned in a manner that made them susceptible to accidental activation during normal cockpit operations. The plaintiffs cite a 2018 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory that recommended inspections of the switches’ locking mechanisms to prevent inadvertent movement. However, Air India reportedly did not conduct these inspections. The preliminary investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found that the throttle control module, which includes the fuel switches, had been replaced in 2019 and 2023 on the ill-fated aircraft. The report also noted that all applicable airworthiness directives and alert service bulletins had been complied with. Despite this, the lawsuit argues that the switches’ design and placement ‘effectively guaranteed that normal cockpit activity could result in inadvertent fuel cutoff.’ Aviation safety experts, however, have expressed skepticism, stating that the switches’ location and design make accidental activation unlikely. Boeing has declined to comment, and Honeywell has not yet responded to requests for comment. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for the deaths of Kantaben Dhirubhai Paghadal, Naavya Chirag Paghadal, Kuberbhai Patel, and Babiben Patel. Legal experts suggest that targeting manufacturers like Boeing and Honeywell is a strategic move, as they do not enjoy the same liability limits as airlines. Additionally, U.S. courts are perceived as more favorable to plaintiffs compared to many foreign jurisdictions. This case marks the first lawsuit in the United States related to the Air India Flight 171 crash.
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Polish missile likely hit house during Russian drone incursion, says minister
In a recent development that underscores the escalating tensions in Eastern Europe, a house in the village of Wyryki-Wola, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland, was damaged by a missile likely fired by a Polish F-16 fighter jet. The incident occurred on September 10, 2025, during a night when 21 Russian drones violated Polish airspace. Initially, Polish authorities believed the damage was caused by one of these drones, but subsequent reports suggest that the missile was fired by a Polish aircraft with a malfunctioning guidance system. Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, responsible for Poland’s Special Services, confirmed this likelihood, stating that the missile was part of Poland’s defense efforts. Polish President Karol Nawrocki has called for a thorough investigation into the incident, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk has placed the blame squarely on Russia, accusing it of orchestrating a provocation. Russia, however, denies any intention to target Polish territory, with its U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia arguing that the drones used could not physically reach Poland. Poland has dismissed these claims, asserting that the drone incursions were a deliberate test of NATO’s response capabilities.
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Body found in car registered to D4vd identified as missing teen
A decomposing body discovered in a Tesla registered to singer D4vd has been identified as Celeste Rivas, a 15-year-old girl who had been missing since April 2024, according to US authorities. The remains were found in the trunk of the impounded vehicle on September 8 at a Hollywood tow yard in Los Angeles, following reports of a foul odor. The cause and time of death remain undetermined. Rivas, from Lake Elsinore, California, was last seen on April 5, 2024, when she was 13 years old, as per a missing person flyer cited by CBS. The Tesla, with Texas license plates, had been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills five days prior and was likely at the tow yard for several days before the discovery. The car is registered to David Anthony Burke, the legal name of singer D4vd. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner described the remains as belonging to a 5ft 2in (157cm) individual with wavy black hair, wearing a tube top and black leggings, and bearing a tattoo on the right index finger that reads ‘Shhh.’ Law enforcement sources cited by NBC News indicated the remains were not intact, suggesting the girl had been deceased for an extended period. D4vd, known for his viral hits ‘Here With Me’ and ‘Romantic Homicide,’ released his debut album in April and was on tour when the remains were found. His scheduled show in Seattle was subsequently canceled. Police confirmed that D4vd is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
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Controversial church leader denies bribing ex-South Korea first lady
Han Hak-ja, the 82-year-old leader of the controversial Unification Church, has vehemently denied allegations that her organization bribed South Korea’s former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, with luxury gifts in exchange for business favors. The accusations surfaced as Han emerged from a grueling nine-hour interrogation at the prosecutor’s office, where she was questioned about the alleged bribery. Supported by assistants due to her frail health, Han dismissed the claims, stating, ‘No… Why would I do that?’
The former first lady, wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, is accused of accepting two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace, collectively valued at 80 million won ($57,900), from the church. Kim, who was indicted last month on charges including bribery and stock manipulation, denies all allegations. Her arrest marks a historic moment in South Korea, as it is the first time both a former president and first lady have been jailed.
Yoon, detained in January, faces trial over a failed martial law bid last year that plunged the nation into chaos. Meanwhile, Han shifted blame to a former church official, claiming he acted independently in offering the gifts. The official has since been arrested. Han’s appearance followed her refusal to comply with three prior summonses, citing post-heart surgery pain. An ambulance was reportedly on standby during her interrogation.
In a related development, conservative lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly receiving 100 million won in bribes from the church. Kweon, once a close ally of Yoon, denies the charges.
The Unification Church, formally known as The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, was founded in the 1950s by Moon Sun-myung, who declared himself the messiah. The church is infamous for its mass weddings, often involving thousands of couples matched by the organization. Critics have labeled it as ‘cult-like,’ with accusations of coercing members, known as ‘Moonies,’ into donating substantial sums.
The church gained international attention following the assassination of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The alleged assassin blamed the group for his family’s financial ruin and held a grudge against Abe for allegedly promoting the church. The organization is banned in several countries, including Singapore and, more recently, Japan.
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Jimmy Kimmel taken off air over Charlie Kirk comments
In a dramatic turn of events, ABC has indefinitely suspended ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ following the host’s controversial remarks about the shooting of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. The decision, announced by the Disney-owned network, has sparked widespread debate over freedom of speech and the role of media in public discourse. Kimmel, known for his sharp political commentary, had criticized the ‘Maga gang’ for politicizing Kirk’s death and mocked President Donald Trump’s reaction to the tragedy. His comments, made during a monologue earlier this week, were deemed ‘offensive and insensitive’ by Nexstar Media, one of the largest TV station owners in the U.S., which also pulled the show from its lineup. President Trump celebrated the suspension, calling it ‘great news for America,’ while FCC Chair Brendan Carr praised Nexstar for ‘doing the right thing.’ However, the decision has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the Writers Guild of America and Sag-Aftra, which condemned it as a violation of free speech. Kimmel, who has not been fired, is expected to discuss his return with network executives. The suspension comes amid a broader shift in late-night television, with CBS recently announcing the end of ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ next year. As the industry grapples with changing viewer habits and political pressures, the future of traditional network programming remains uncertain.
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Air India crash victims’ families sue aerospace firms Boeing and Honeywell
The families of four victims from the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash in June have initiated legal action in the United States against aerospace giants Boeing and Honeywell. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, alleges that negligence on the part of these companies led to the catastrophic incident, which claimed the lives of 260 people. The plaintiffs argue that faulty fuel switches, a critical component of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, were the primary cause of the crash. According to the lawsuit, both Boeing and Honeywell were aware of the design risks but failed to take corrective measures. The preliminary investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that the fuel switch was inadvertently moved from the ‘run’ to the ‘cut-off’ position, resulting in a sudden loss of thrust. The families claim that this design flaw allowed for the accidental cutoff of fuel supply, leading to the disaster. The lawsuit also accuses the companies of not issuing adequate warnings or providing replacement parts to address the issue. Represented by the Texas-based Lanier Law Firm, the families are seeking accountability for what they describe as a preventable tragedy. A more comprehensive report on the crash is expected in 2026.