AU Brief — Saturday 26 September 2026
Saturday 26 September 2026
Good morning: the Pope weighs in on artificial intelligence, Brisbane eye a historic fourth straight AFL premiership, and tensions rise as Trump cautions Xi over Iran.
World
Pope Leo cautions on AI during France visit
During his first papal visit to France, Pope Leo told UNESCO that new technologies should serve people rather than become tools of domination and injustice. He warned that rapid tech advances without a shared ethical basis could hinder dialogue, and cautioned against AI creating what he called a paradise of machines at the cost of human dignity. He also touched on issues including war, nuclear arms, and international institutions during his four-day trip.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Sport
Brisbane Lions Eye Fourth Straight AFL Grand Final Win
The Brisbane Lions are preparing for their fourth consecutive AFL grand final under coach Chris Fagan, having remained competitive for seven years despite changes to the competition and rules. The team has shown defensive weaknesses this season, conceding large scores including a big loss to Carlton, but maintains an attacking, risk-embracing style. This is the first grand final in which Brisbane enters as favourites.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Science & Tech
Uncrewed Saildrone starts Antarctic circumnavigation for CO2 research
An uncrewed seven-metre Saildrone vessel has left Hobart on a roughly 22,000km solar- and wind-powered lap around Antarctica, expected to take seven to nine months. CSIRO scientists say it will collect data on wind, temperature, salinity and carbon dioxide levels to help understand how the Southern Ocean absorbs human emissions. It is the first of four such vessels planned for the Southern, Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Sport
Rugby World Cup 2027 Ticket Sales Enter Final Phase
With just over a year until the 2027 men's Rugby World Cup in Australia, organisers are preparing for the final ticket release, with Visa customers getting early access on Monday before general sale on Thursday. Tournament managing director Chris Stanley says some matches, particularly those involving the Wallabies, are likely to sell out quickly, though tickets remain available across all matches for now. Organisers expect 250,000 international visitors and a combined stadium attendance of 2.5 million, with one million tickets priced under $100 alongside premium seats reaching $1,950 for the final.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Politics
NSW rental ad flagged as AI-altered was genuine mural
The NSW government cited a Leichhardt rental listing as an example of an AI-doctored ad, but the agency IB Property says the image was unedited and shows a real $5,000 mural of Bondi beach in an internal courtyard. New laws set to start in early 2027 will fine real estate businesses up to $22,000 for not disclosing digitally altered or AI-generated property images. Industry figures and researchers say public trust in AI-generated real estate imagery remains low amid concerns about misleading 'housefishing' practices.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Politics
Trump warns Xi against aiding Iran, official says
A US official told CNBC that during White House talks, President Trump told Chinese leader Xi Jinping that any Chinese assistance to Iran—direct or indirect, including intelligence, parts or military equipment—would be unacceptable. US ambassador to China David Perdue said this message had first been conveyed weeks earlier and was repeated by Trump. The talks coincide with a new round of US secondary sanctions aimed at cutting Iran off from the global economy, though critics say the approach may fail without Chinese cooperation.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Politics
Burnham prepares first Labour conference speech as prime minister
Andy Burnham will address the Labour party conference in Liverpool as prime minister, a year after leaving the same event amid mockery over his criticism of the government's caution on bond markets. His political director, Hayden Munro, has set conference themes of renewed faith in Britain and government action on issues such as rough sleeping, social care and youth inactivity. Labour now leads in opinion polls for the first time since October 2024, with little appetite among members for conference rebellion, though activists are pushing for commitments on electoral reform.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Health
Guardian seeks long-term GLP-1 users' experiences
The Guardian is inviting people who have taken GLP-1 medications for a year or more to share how the resulting weight loss has affected their lives. The publication notes about 100 million people worldwide use these drugs, with many experiencing significant weight loss, and research suggesting women in particular report improved outcomes in dating and job searches. Responses can be submitted anonymously via an online form for a feature on the emotional adjustments tied to rapid weight loss.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Dating coaches gain popularity amid app fatigue
Dating coaches, who help clients build confidence and self-awareness rather than directly matching them with partners, are reportedly growing in popularity due to dissatisfaction with dating apps. Coaches such as Lucy Yarrow, who charges about £85 a session over an eight-to-12-week programme, work with clients to identify limiting beliefs and reframe how they approach dating. Unlike psychiatrists, dating coaches face no mandatory training or regulation, though experts note some are more effective than others.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Ace Combat 8 review praises story and aerial combat
A review of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve describes it as delivering the series' trademark high-energy dogfighting alongside a more compelling narrative than previous instalments. The reviewer highlights new features like environmental destruction, animated first-person story segments, and Top Gun: Maverick-inspired cinematography, while noting minor issues with visual clutter and clunky dialogue. The game's online multiplayer mode was not tested due to limited availability during the review period.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Atwood Donates C$1m For Bird Research Chair
Author Margaret Atwood has given C$1 million to Western University in Ontario, establishing a research position in avian biology named after her late partner Graeme Gibson. The funding, announced by the university, aims to support study into how birds navigate, adapt and behave amid environmental change. Atwood and Gibson had earlier co-founded a bird observatory on Pelee Island, which recently expanded with a new centre bearing both their names.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Review: Phil Wang's new stand-up tour Uh Oh
A review of comedian Phil Wang's latest tour, Uh Oh, notes his continued observational style covering topics like being British and Chinese, gentrification, and ageing as a millennial. The piece describes the show as gently self-mocking, with routines on language and everyday life, though not always consistently sharp. It concludes the show reflects on nostalgia and living in the moment, without being uniformly revelatory.
Sources: Guardian Australia
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