Architect of British government’s AI strategy joins Anthropic

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Bishkek, calling for global institutions to be reformed to reflect modern geopolitical realities. • Guterres urged for stronger multilateralism and specifically demanded that the ceasefire in Gaza be respected to protect civilians.

• A recent disaster in Nepal has highlighted the practical advantages of maintaining strong diplomatic and strategic ties between Nepal, India, and China. • The event underscores how regional cooperation can provide critical support and resources during humanitarian crises, transcending political tensions.

• A series of global meetings and diplomatic shifts have highlighted a growing fracture in international geopolitics. • The instability is primarily attributed to unpredictability in U.S. foreign policy and leadership.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif gathered for a group photo at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. • During the event, PM Modi was observed briefly exchanging words with President Xi Jinping, marking a notable interaction between the two leaders.

• The Iranian regime is attempting to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz by projecting a perceived threat to passing vessels. • US officials reported to Axios on August 19 that CENTCOM campaigns have successfully degraded Iran's maritime surveillance, limiting their monitoring capabilities to a few radars and Fast Attack Craft (FAC).

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged member states at the SCO summit to combat state-backed terrorism and eliminate "double standards" in global security. • The summit resulted in the approval of regulations for the SCO Universal Centre for Countering Security and a 2026-2030 action plan for developing regional ports and logistics centers.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for diplomacy over conflict in West Asia, emphasizing that terrorism remains a critical global challenge. • Modi urged a shift away from "action-reaction" strategies, calling for a more comprehensive approach to dismantle the global terror ecosystem.

• Geopolitical shocks and global conflicts are severely undermining Africa's climate goals by triggering widespread economic and environmental disruption. • These distant crises drive up inflation and increase the cost of energy, diverting critical funding away from vital climate resilience projects.

• The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) concluded its summit with a strategic goal to position itself as a global powerhouse challenging Western dominance. • Representing nearly half of the world's population, the group aims to foster a multipolar future, though the summit highlighted significant internal disagreements and divergent national interests.

Hadley is giving evidence in trial of former 2GB rival Jones, 85, who has pleaded not guilty to 22 indecent assault and sexual touching charges Broadcaster Ray Hadley has told a Sydney court he used a homophobic slur and derogatory names when talking about his colleague Alan Jones, after 2GB withdrew a secret offer of a $4m contract to take over Jones’s coveted breakfast slot.Hadley agreed under cross-examination by defence barrister Gabrielle Bashir SC that he told police in 2019 that Jones had recruited colleagues at 2GB to “dig up some dirt” on him. Continue reading...

Decision marks a significant turning point in a case that sparked a national debate in Italy A British-Australian couple will be allowed to spend more time with their three children after the ⁠youngsters were removed from the family’s off-grid woodland home in central Italy last year, their lawyer said on Tuesday.The juvenile court ⁠of L’Aquila in Italy has ⁠approved a ​staged process under the supervision of social services that could ultimately allow the children to leave the residential care facility ⁠where they have been living since November. Continue reading...

Wong, 29, is accused of urging foreign powers to impose sanctions, blockades and other hostile measures against China Joshua Wong, one of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy activists, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to conspiring to seek foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and China, a national security charge that carries a maximum life sentence.Prosecutors have accused Wong, 29, of working with the exiled Hong Kong activist Nathan Law to urge foreign powers to impose sanctions, blockades or other hostile measures against China. Continue reading...