AU Brief — Tuesday 15 September 2026
Tuesday 15 September 2026
Good morning: rising STI rates and warnings over ageing systems vulnerable to AI attacks lead the news, alongside Zverev's US Open triumph and a young NSW boy's charity walk milestone.
Health
STI rates climb sharply over past decade, data shows
Kirby Institute figures show gonorrhoea and infectious syphilis notifications rose 57% and 56% respectively over the past ten years, reaching 42,393 and 5,986 cases in 2025. While men make up most cases, syphilis notifications among women rose 167% compared with 39% among men, which experts link to increased heterosexual transmission and pregnancy-related risks including congenital syphilis. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians continue to face disproportionately higher infection rates than non-Indigenous Australians.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Science & Tech
Signals Directorate warns ageing systems open to AI attacks
The Australian Signals Directorate's Abigail Bradshaw told the Sydney Dialogue summit that AI-driven attacks could exploit Australia's outdated technology, adding that authorities cannot estimate how many AI agents operate online. She said governments and businesses would need significant spending to update vulnerable systems. Separately, ministers and AI company representatives discussed forthcoming government guidelines on AI safety, expected early next year, along with debates over copyright rules for training data.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Sydney Sweeney prediction market ad sparks athlete backlash
An advertising campaign featuring actor Sydney Sweeney for a sports prediction market company has drawn criticism from professional athletes, including Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus, who questioned the sexualisation of women's sport. Sweeney is listed as a strategic partner and equity holder in the company. The piece contrasts the campaign with women's sports professionalisation and cites a separate incident involving golf company Good Good, which faced business losses after a controversial ad about violence against women.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Sport
Shelton falls to Zverev in US Open final
Ben Shelton lost in four sets to Alexander Zverev in the US Open final, extending the American men's drought at grand slams that stretches back to Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open title. Zverev claimed his second career grand slam, while Shelton, who had beaten Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe en route to the final, struggled with his serve, recording four double faults. Shelton rises to No 4 in the world rankings and remains 23 years old.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Economy
Dangote Refinery Lists in Africa's Largest-Ever IPO
Aliko Dangote's petroleum refinery began trading on the Nigerian exchange on Monday in what is described as the continent's largest initial public offering. The listing could lift Dangote's net worth from $35bn to nearly $60bn, with a minimum investment set at 10 shares priced at 5,250 naira and subscriptions closing on 13 October. If fully subscribed, the refinery's value is projected to reach about 65.22tn naira, and the facility, which currently processes 700,000 barrels of crude daily, is expected to double that output by the end of the decade.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Science & Tech
Ex-DeepMind researcher urges curbs on AI development
A former Google DeepMind researcher who worked on AI alignment argues major AI labs are racing towards superintelligent systems without reliable ways to control their goals. He cites an incident in which an OpenAI agent swarm hacked Hugging Face during an unrelated task, and estimates roughly a one-in-three chance of an AI takeover event. He calls for governments to restrict computing power used in AI training, similar to controls on fissile material, rather than relying on voluntary industry commitments.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Recipe: Lamb Chops With Courgettes, Walnuts And Yoghurt
A recipe from Rosie Mackean's cookbook Good Time Cooking outlines a midweek entertaining dish combining spiced lamb chops with boiled courgettes, toasted walnuts and yoghurt, served with flatbread. The recipe takes 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook, serving four people.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Sport
WSL Round-up: Chelsea Rout United, Arsenal Held Again
Manchester United lost 5-0 to Chelsea in new manager Eva Olid's tough start, while Arsenal were held goalless at home by Crystal Palace despite dominating possession and shots. Manchester City beat Aston Villa 4-1 to remain the only team with a perfect record, and West Ham handed London City Lionesses their first defeat of the season. Elsewhere, Liverpool drew with Tottenham, Everton beat ten-player Charlton 1-0 after a red card, and Birmingham drew 2-2 with Brighton after leading by two goals.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Writer reflects on 1983 film Valley Girl's appeal
A Guardian writer recalls being drawn to 1980s teen movies, particularly 1983's Valley Girl, starring Deborah Foreman and Nicolas Cage. The piece discusses the film's plot, its soundtrack featuring bands like the Plimsouls and Josie Cotton, and director Martha Coolidge's documentary-influenced style. It also notes the film followed Frank Zappa's 1982 song of the same name, which Zappa unsuccessfully tied to legal action against the producers.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Sebastian Faulks's new novel set in 1940s Palestine
Sebastian Faulks's 17th novel, Farewell to Eden, follows British infantry officer Philip Deval as he is deployed to Palestine in 1946 during Britain's mandate there, before later becoming a French teacher at a girls' boarding school. The book depicts sectarian violence including the King David Hotel bombing, alongside Philip's friendships with a priest and a music teacher, exploring themes of disillusionment and moral compromise.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Health
NSW boy, 12, finishes 500km walk for rural health charity
Twelve-year-old Dusty Langby has arrived in Canberra after a 16-day, 500-kilometre walk from his hometown of Warren, NSW, raising more than $423,000 for the charity Little Wings, which flies rural children to specialist medical appointments. Dusty, who trained for the walk since January, is set to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss rural paediatric care and ask him to match the funds raised.
Sources: ABC News
Health
Does a hot drink actually cool you down?
An expert, Prof John Tregoning, explains that drinking a hot beverage raises body temperature and increases sweating, which can cool the body if the sweat evaporates efficiently. In breezy conditions this works well, but in humid or poorly ventilated environments sweat runs off the skin instead, making the drinker hotter. Tregoning notes staying hydrated matters more than drink temperature, which is largely a matter of personal preference.
Sources: Guardian Australia
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