AU Brief — Sunday 27 September 2026
Sunday 27 September 2026
Good morning — today's news brings the Wallabies preparing to take on the Springboks in Perth, the Roosters into a third straight NRLW grand final, an Adelaide man fighting for life after a house fire, plus international developments including Trump's rejection of Iran's Hormuz proposal and a new study linking pesticide chemicals to breast cancer risk.
Sport
Wallabies face Springboks in Perth ahead of World Cup year
The Wallabies play South Africa in Perth on Sunday night, a year out from the home World Cup, in coach Les Kiss's first Test against a traditional rugby power. Kiss has moved Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to wing and loaded the bench with six forwards to counter South Africa's strong finishing group. Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has made 13 changes from the side that beat New Zealand 43-28 in Baltimore, recalling Handrè Pollard and naming André Esterhuizen as captain for the first time.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Sport
Roosters reach third straight NRLW grand final
The Sydney Roosters defeated the Canberra Raiders 20-10 in an NRLW preliminary final at Sydney Football Stadium, securing a spot in their third consecutive grand final. A late try from halfback Tarryn Aiken sealed the win after Canberra had narrowed the margin through Hollie-Mae Dodd. The Roosters, unbeaten through 11 regular season games, will face either Gold Coast or Brisbane in the October 4 decider.
Sources: ABC News
Health
Study links hundreds of US pesticide chemicals to breast cancer
A peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Health Perspectives has identified 485 chemicals in US pesticide products, including inert ingredients, associated with breast cancer risk. Researchers from the Silent Spring Institute say the EPA reviews chemicals individually rather than assessing combined exposure, and that only about 145 of the identified substances are registered as active ingredients. The report calls for expanded chemical warning requirements and greater scrutiny of so-called inert pesticide components.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Health
US drinking falls overall but rises among Gen X
A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that overall US alcohol consumption declined between 2022 and 2024, reversing a pandemic-era rise, except among adults aged 50 to 64, who kept drinking more. Heavy drinking rates in that age group rose from 5.6% in 2018 to 7.7% in 2024, even as younger adults under 40 cut back. Researchers noted this pattern is concerning given health risks such as cirrhosis and alcohol-related cancers, while some bars and venues are adjusting programming to attract older, less-drinking-averse patrons.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Health
Man credits Raye song with prompting mental health treatment
A man working in music describes how hearing Raye's song I Know You're Hurting led him to acknowledge two decades of struggling with his mental health. He subsequently began taking antidepressants prescribed by his GP and started music therapy, later getting a tattoo of the song's musical notes. He says the changes have improved his relationships with his family.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Politics
Democratic 2028 contenders diverge on AI regulation approach
Several potential Democratic presidential candidates, including Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, Josh Shapiro, Andy Beshear, Mark Kelly, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ro Khanna and Pete Buttigieg, have outlined differing positions on artificial intelligence oversight. Their stances range from state-level executive orders on datacentre safeguards to proposed federal legislation, worker protection funds, and calls for international agreements with China on AI safety standards. Some, like Ocasio-Cortez, have pushed for temporary bans on new datacentre construction, while others such as Khanna have opposed a full moratorium.
Sources: Guardian Australia
World
Trump Rejects Iran's Offer On Hormuz Reopening
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had proposed a plan, delivered via Qatar, under which the Strait of Hormuz would reopen after seven days if a week-long ceasefire across the Middle East was observed and conditions from a June memorandum were met. President Donald Trump said he rejected the proposal, and had earlier posted an image on Truth Social labelling the waterway 'Trump Strait'. Iran's president said the process could begin as soon as the US accepted the earlier June agreement.
Sources: ABC News
Culture
Musée d'Orsay exhibition revisits history of diplomatic gifts
A Musée d'Orsay exhibition running until January 2027 explores sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi's life, including his creation of the Statue of Liberty, gifted by France to the US in the 19th century. The show features 100 works and a virtual reality journey marking the 140th anniversary of the statue's inauguration and 250 years of American independence. The wider article examines the history of diplomatic gifts, from panda diplomacy between China and the US to North Korea's International Friendship Exhibition and various gifts exchanged between world leaders.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Athens sees a shift towards confident modern Greek cooking
A feature on Athens describes how the city's food scene has changed from simple, often tourist-oriented fare to a more varied and confident culinary culture. It traces the shift through economic booms, the 2009 crisis, and Covid, noting a return to seasonal, locally sourced cooking alongside new international influences and Michelin-starred restaurants. Chefs and writers quoted describe this as a renewed, evolving relationship with tradition rather than simple nostalgia.
Sources: Guardian Australia
Culture
Trespasses author Louise Kennedy discusses new novel and family history
Irish author Louise Kennedy, whose debut novel Trespasses was shortlisted for the 2023 Women's prize for fiction and adapted for Channel 4 starring Gillian Anderson, is preparing to release her second novel, Stations. Kennedy, a former chef of 30 years, discusses her Catholic family's experiences during the Troubles in Belfast, including a bomb injury to her grandmother and intimidation faced by her father, which informed the setting of Trespasses. She also reflects on nearly losing her Sligo home during Ireland's financial crisis before recently exiting negative equity.
Sources: Guardian Australia
News
Adelaide man critical after Marion house fire
A 40-year-old man was hospitalised in a life-threatening condition after a fire broke out in a home on George Street, Marion, in Adelaide's south-west, about 6.30am. Metropolitan Fire Service crews contained and extinguished the blaze, which was confined to the bathroom. Police say the fire is not believed to be suspicious, while investigators continue to examine its cause.
Sources: ABC News
Culture
Hockney's Stanley dog portrait heads to Christie's auction
Christie's will auction Dog Painting 17, David Hockney's depiction of his dachshund Stanley, on 14 October during Frieze Week, with an estimate of £1.5m-£2.5m. It is the first of Hockney's Dog Series, painted in 1994-95, to appear at auction, with only six of the works held privately. The painting will be on public display at Christie's in London from 8 October.
Sources: Guardian Australia
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