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• United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized global powers that violate international law while holding seats on the UN Security Council. • Guterres explicitly called for a redistribution of power to address current geopolitical divides. • This critique highlights a systemic tension where the bodies responsible for global security are composed of nations accused of breaking the rules they enforce.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the Security Council is paralyzed because some member powers violate international law. • Guterres called for the reform of the Security Council to be an "absolute priority" to ensure effective multilateral action. • This deadlock prevents the UN from taking decisive action on global conflicts and security threats due to geopolitical divides.

• Shafali Verma led the Indian women's cricket team to a victory over Japan on Friday to secure a spot in the Asian Games 2026 semifinals. • Verma contributed an unbeaten 40 runs and took two wickets to drive the win. • India will now compete against Bangladesh in the semifinal round for a chance to reach the finals.

• India defeated Japan by 8 wickets in the fourth and final quarterfinal match of the 2026 Asian Games. • Shafali Verma led the victory with an all-round performance, scoring 40 not out and taking 2 wickets. • This win secures India's position in the semifinals of the competition.

• The BRICS grouping adopted a joint declaration by consensus on September 12 after back-channel negotiations resolved disputes between Iran and the UAE. • The agreement overcame sharp divisions regarding the conflict in West Asia to reach a unified diplomatic position. • This consensus serves as a counterpoint to the current polarization of the UN Security Council, which has struggled to unite countries on major geopolitical crises.

• The US House of Representatives voted for the third time to limit President Donald Trump's authority to conduct military operations against Iran. • Seven Republicans joined Democrats in backing a resolution that directs the administration to withdraw US forces from hostilities. • This vote represents a legislative effort to restrict the executive branch's power to engage in foreign conflicts without congressional approval.

• The US House of Representatives voted for a third time to pass a war powers resolution aimed at ending the war with Iran and curbing President Trump's military authority. • Representative Mast supported the measure, stating that the ongoing threat to the United States has reached a point where "enough is enough." • The resolution responds to rising military casualties, increasing war costs, and higher gas prices affecting the domestic market.

Ministers given emergency briefing about changes to algorithm decisions just three days before tool rolloutGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSenior department of health officials were in turmoil before the rollout of an algorithm to determine funding packages for older Australians, after discovering legislation had been drafted so rigidly that the tool could not legally be overridden by aged care assessors.Emails published under freedom of information (FoI) by the department of health, disability and ageing show that, despite assessors long receiving reassurance from the department that they would have powers to change incorrect algorithm decisions, officials realised at the 11th hour this would violate proposed regulations. Continue reading...

Premier Ben Carroll adopts Coalition’s stance on Jack’s Law, which gives police and PSOs power to randomly search people for knives with metal detectorsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Victorian premier has made another policy backflip, announcing a re-elected Labor government would give police and protective services officers the power to stop and search people for knives using handheld metal detectors – despite experts warning of a lack of evidence that the measure reduces violent crime.Ben Carroll on Wednesday announced he would match a commitment made by the Coalition opposition last year to introduce Queensland’s Jack’s Law, named after 17-year-old Jack Beasley, who was fatally stabbed in Surfers Paradise in 2019. Continue reading...

• The Indian women’s hockey team defeated China 1-0 in Moqi on Sunday to win their third consecutive AHF Junior Asia Cup title. • Sanika Chandrakant Mane scored the only goal of the match in the 17th minute to secure the victory. • This win ensures India remains unbeaten for the tournament and officially qualifies the team for the junior World Cup.

• India defeated South Korea 5-1 on Saturday to advance to the final of the AHF Junior Women's Asia Cup 2026. • Drag-flick specialist Supriya scored a hat-trick, netting three goals from penalty corners to lead the victory. • This win allows the defending champions to continue their attempt to retain the tournament title.

The sector is concerned by reports that there won’t be a cap on the levy that can be imposed by mayorsGood morning. Last year Andy Burnham, who was then mayor of Greater Manchester, and his close friend and ally Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool city region, were urging the government to allow mayors in England to bring in what they called a visitor levy.Burnham and Rotheram were pushing at an open door. In May this year Keir Starmer included plans for an overnight visitor levy bill in the king’s speech. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Documents reveal water firms have been allowed to advise on how they wish to be held to accountLabour’s new powers for customers to hold water companies to account are a “stitch-up”, campaigners have said, as utilities firms have been advising on how to implement it.The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) is creating what the government referred to as “powerful consumer panels” so the public can question the executives of their local water company and get redress for problems they face from sewage and water companies in England and Wales. Continue reading...

• Smriti Mandhana set multiple records as India secured a spot in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 semifinals following a 137-run victory over Hong Kong in Dubai. • India dominated the match, leaving Hong Kong at 16 for 1 during the powerplay. • This victory confirms India's dominance in the regional tournament and advances the team to the knockout stages of the competition.

• Smriti Mandhana scored a record-breaking 124 runs off 64 balls to lead India Women to a total of 193/5 against Hong Kong Women. • The Group A match of the Women's Asia Cup 2026 took place on Thursday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. • Mandhana's dominant batting masterclass provides India with a significant advantage and momentum early in the tournament.

• India secured a spot in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 semi-finals after defeating Hong Kong in the 7th match of Group A on September 3, 2026. • Smriti Mandhana powered India's innings with a record-breaking century, surpassing Mithali Raj's record for the most international runs. • Hong Kong suffered a dramatic batting collapse, losing their final five wickets in just 11 deliveries to be bowled out for 56.

• On September 1, the European Union began exercising new regulatory powers by sending formal information requests to dozens of artificial intelligence companies. • The move follows a series of incidents over the summer that highlighted the potential risks and safety concerns associated with AI technology. • This action marks a significant step in the EU's effort to enforce AI regulations and ensure corporate transparency regarding system safety.

Changes include fewer seats in parliament and new rules on presidential candidates ahead of December electionsGuinea-Bissau voters have approved a new constitution significantly expanding presidential powers ahead of elections due in December.According to provisional results, 70% of voters approved sweeping changes in the tiny west African state’s first constitutional amendment since revisions that ended the one-party socialist state more than three decades ago. Continue reading...

Arthur Downing, author of Power and the People: A History of British Energy, says all-encompassing rapid transition will need a mutualised systemHave you ever wondered why it is that most houses in the UK are reliant on gas boilers? Not what’s stopping more people from replacing them with heat pumps, but instead why and how the gas boiler became so ubiquitous in the first place?Arthur Downing, the author of the new book Power and the People: A History of British Energy, can tell you exactly why. “We only have boilers in our houses because of a state-owned enterprise that went into everybody’s home and installed natural gas-suitable appliances at no direct cost,” he says. The nationalised gas industry of the 1940s to the 1980s, which oversaw this huge project, was for three decades one of the “most dynamic, innovative, efficient industries in Britain”, Downing says. Yet few of us would use these terms to describe it as such now. Continue reading...

• 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 gathering is significant as it brings together the leaders of four major powers amidst complex geopolitical tensions and diplomatic challenges.

• Justice Mehta has reported allegations of misused powers and the threatening of judges to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Kant regarding the acting chief of the Rajasthan High Court. • The report specifically targets Justice Sharma, leading Justice Mehta to call for Sharma's immediate transfer from the court. • To ensure judicial impartiality and resolve the current tension, Justice Mehta has recommended the appointment of an "out of state" chief justice.

• Mayor Andy Burnham is pushing for a devolution deal that would grant mayors the power to overrule local councils to either approve or block major housing developments. • Under this proposal, mayoral decisions must align with national policy and local planning rules, though government ministers will retain a backstop power to intervene. • Mayors would gain increased influence over the allocation of national housing funding from Homes England and the ability to charge development levies to finance infrastructure.

Move would allow mayors to greenlight large-scale developments and have more say on national housing fundingAndy Burnham is expected to give mayors new powers to take control of local planning decisions and greenlight large-scale developments in proposals to be presented next week.The move would allow mayors to “call in” the decisions and direct councils to take them forward or refuse them. Continue reading...

Vape shops in England and Wales to be subject to planning permission while betting shop law change will also apply in ScotlandCouncils are to be given powers to stop betting and vape shops taking over their high streets under new plans announced by Andy Burnham.Local authorities will be able to reject new betting shops and adult gaming centres, while vape shops will be subject to planning permission under plans Downing Street says could be in place from the start of next year. Continue reading...

Farms and rooftop panels contribute 14.4% to the grid – and figures reveal a surge in new installationsSolar energy supplied more power to Great Britain’s grid in July than in any previous month as households turned to rooftop panels to cut their energy bills.Solar farms and rooftop panels provided 14.4% of the country’s electricity after some parts of the UK recorded almost twice the average sunshine hours for the time of year. Continue reading...

Local leaders say plan will transform funding so English regions no longer rely on Whitehall handouts for projectsEngland’s regional mayors will be able to break out of the “death grip of the Treasury” by borrowing to invest in big projects under “transformational” plans to shift power out of Whitehall.For the first time, mayors will keep a share of income tax generated in their area from 2028, as well as business rates totalling tens of millions of pounds by April 2027. Continue reading...

• South Korea announced $950 billion in new AI initiatives involving major domestic conglomerates Samsung Electronics and SK Group, alongside various U.S. tech firms. • The massive investment aims to address the critical global shortage of high-speed chips required to power and develop more advanced AI systems. • This collaboration highlights South Korea's strategic position as a primary hardware provider for the global AI race, leveraging its dominance in semiconductor manufacturing.

• South Korea announced $950 billion in new AI initiatives involving Samsung Electronics, SK Group, and various U.S. tech firms on July 24. • The massive investment focuses on developing and securing faster chips to address the current global shortage of high-performance hardware. • These deals are critical as global AI leaders race to build and power more advanced systems to maintain a competitive edge in the industry.