Gathering at the Vatican has triggered a political storm in Brazil as bishop denies undermining the government

The Prayer of Saint Francis welcomes worshipers to Adolfo Zon’s riverside cathedral in this far-flung Amazon outpost: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”

But when the 63-year-old bishop sets off from his Amazonian sanctuary this week and boards a plane for Rome, he will be travelling to the frontline of a smouldering political skirmish between a left-leaning, green-minded Argentine pope and Brazil’s far-right, climate skeptic president, Jair Bolsonaro.

Republican senator’s support for the conservative justice has Democrats confident they can beat her – and take the Senate

Senate candidate Betsy Sweet addressed a group of about 15 Democratic voters gathered in a circle, sitting on folding chairs in an office on Main Street in the small town of Topsham, Maine.

Related: Trump v California: president tries to turn 'resistance' into 2020 advantage

Attempt to ‘roll back the clock’ condemned as governments are urged to oppose UN support for reproductive rights

The US is understood to have written to UN member states urging them to join a “growing coalition” of countries rallying against abortion, in what seems to be the latest attempt by the Trump administration to rollback women’s rights.

A letter, seen by the Guardian, is believed to have been sent to governments deemed sympathetic to the administration’s view on reproductive health.

Prime minister refuses six times to be drawn on ties to Jennifer Arcuri, who received thousands in taxpayers’ money

Boris Johnson has repeatedly declined to comment on reported allegations he failed to declare close personal links to an American woman who received thousands of pounds in public business funding while he was mayor of London.

The prime minister, questioned by reporters on his plane en route to the UN general assembly (UNGA) in New York, refused to answer six questions about his links to Jennifer Arcuri, a US technology entrepreneur.

The value of tax refunds seized by Centrelink for robodebts and welfare overpayments doubled in 2018-19

Centrelink has dramatically ramped up its seizure of tax refunds to target past welfare recipients over robodebts and other welfare overpayments, new figures reveal.

In a response to a Senate question on notice, the Department of Human Services confirmed it recovered $63.4m in 2018-19 by asking the Australian Tax Office to reclaim a person’s tax refund to pay an outstanding debt.

In a secluded room in the Guardian offices, Julian Clary is letting me have a look at his ring. Oh, do behave, readers – it’s his wedding ring: black, ceramic, studded with a diamond and, as he gleefully points out, rather S&M-looking.

He wed his longtime partner, Ian Mackley, in 2016, although he is not here today to talk about that. The last time he did, telling Attitude magazine that he wasn’t sure if he liked married life, he got into heaps of trouble. “Yes, I did! So now my mind is always going: ‘Don’t say anything too harsh!’” he says, laughing. “All I can say, really, is that I’m highly amused by being married.”

Ideas for emoji include vine of leaves on heart and people clasping hands

To err is human, it is said, to forgive divine. And soon that noblest of human qualities will be available in emoji form, following a global effort to find the most appropriate icon.

A coalition of charitable and peace-building organisations in Finland are leading the quest to crowdsource an emoji to be added to the thousands available to smartphone users.

• United Nations hosts climate summit in New York on Monday
• New data shows 2014-19 warmest five-year period on record

The world may have hit a hopeful “turning point” in the struggle to tackle the climate crisis despite escalating greenhouse gas emissions and the recalcitrance of major emitters Brazil and the US, according to the United Nations secretary general.

Related: Trump to snub climate summit for religious freedom meeting at UN

En route to the UN general assembly in New York, prime minister raises possibility that the British military could become involved

The UK now believes Iran was responsible for a major attack earlier this month on Saudi Arabian oil facilities, Boris Johnson has said, also raising the possibility that the British military could become involved in helping secure the Saudis against future aggression.

Speaking to reporters on his plane en route to the UN general assembly (UNGA) in New York, the prime minister said there was “a very high degree of probability” that Iran was behind the drone and missile attack two major oil installation on 14 September.

Annastacia Palaszczuk won’t provide any details after accusing protesters of using devices ‘laced with traps’

The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has formally refused to provide any evidence to support her claims to parliament that climate change activists are using devices “laced with traps”.

Last month, Palaszczuk made the comments – along with social media posts saying protesters were using “sinister tactics” and intended to cause harm – as she announced new laws cracking down on escalating climate and anti-coal demonstrations in Queensland.

Supply fears after the Saudi attack are alarmist, the impact on Australian petrol prices marginal at most. But they also miss the point

The recent drone attack on Saudi Arabian oil refineries has raised fresh concerns that Australia is not meeting our obligation to the International Energy Agency to maintain oil stocks equal to 90 days of consumption. Among other things, it has been suggested that the defence forces might run out of fuel.

This all sounds alarming. But a moment’s thought raises more questions than answers. Why should the adequacy of our oil stocks be a matter of international concern? And why oil, rather than, say, essential medical supplies? Is a 90-day stock the right amount for Australia?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s comedy was the surprise victor while the final season of HBO’s fantasy drama picked up the most awards

It was a British invasion at the 71st Emmy awards, with Game of Thrones taking home the prize for best drama and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag sweeping most of the comedy awards in a night that saw numerous nods to stars from across the pond.

The biggest question heading into the night was whether Emmy voters would reward perennial juggernaut Game of Thrones for its divisive final season. The show was nominated for 32 awards – the most for any single season of television ever – and had already won 10 Creative Arts Emmys last week. Game of Thrones took home the night’s final prize for outstanding drama series and a best supporting actor nod for American star Peter Dinklage – bringing its total to 12 awards and breaking its own 2015 record for the most awards given to a series – but was otherwise shut out of the telecast.

French drug watchdog along with pharmaceutical firm Servier on trial over Mediator drug scandal

A landmark trial over one of France’s biggest healthcare scandals will begin on Monday after a weight-loss pill was believed to have killed up to 2,000 people and left many more injured for life.

The trial for manslaughter and deceit will attempt to lift the lid on France’s massive pharmaceuticals industry.