The fading of Japan’s Shōwa era – in pictures

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia is set to undergo a significant overhaul, with funding and support plans for participants to be generated by a computer program, drastically reducing human involvement in the decision-making process. This change was communicated to staff during a recent internal briefing and is expected to be implemented next year.

An industrial boom in Monterrey, Mexico, which has strong ties to the US, is leading to severe air pollution as factories emit toxic heavy metals, posing significant health risks to local residents. Research by The Guardian and Quinto Elemento Lab highlights the alarming situation in this manufacturing hub that primarily exports goods to the US.

The Guardian's picture editors have curated a selection of photographs capturing significant moments, including a fallen sculpture at Lychakiv Cemetery in Ukraine and a desert storm in the Tanami Desert, Australia. These images reflect the diverse and often contrasting elements of human experience and nature.

A documentary about Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's former prime minister, portrays her as a relatable and vulnerable leader, contrasting with typical political personas. The film highlights her humanity during her tenure from 2017 to 2023, showcasing moments that reveal her genuine character, including a candid exchange with her partner, Clarke Gayford.

The prevalence of 'nudify' apps among students has led to alarming incidents, including a case where a teenage boy used such an app to alter an image of a girl from a neighboring school, causing distress among peers. Reports indicate that many teachers have encountered similar instances, highlighting a growing trend in deepfake pornography within educational settings.

Twelve prisoners in England and Wales were mistakenly released from custody in the past month, as confirmed by Justice Secretary David Lammy. This brings the total number of such incidents to twelve, with two of the released individuals still at large. Lammy stated that despite these occurrences, the overall trend of errors in prisoner releases is declining due to system improvements.

Thousands of landfills across the UK and Europe are located in floodplains, raising concerns about the potential release of toxic waste into drinking water and ecosystems due to climate change-induced flooding. This situation has been highlighted in a continent-wide mapping initiative by The Guardian, Watershed Investigations, and Investigate Europe.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Labour's economic plan will take years to fully implement, following a challenging response to the recent budget announcement which included £26 billion in tax increases. Starmer defended Chancellor Rachel Reeves' decisions amidst criticism from political opponents regarding the budget's impact on the cost of living crisis.