1. UK Government Shake-Up
A major cabinet reshuffle unfolded after Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned on September 5, following an ethics investigation that found she underpaid £40,000 in stamp duty. In response, Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed:
- David Lammy as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary
- Yvette Cooper as Foreign Secretary
- Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary
Other key roles went to Steve Reed (Housing), Peter Kyle (Business), Liz Kendall (Science), Emma Reynolds (Environment), and Douglas Alexander (Scotland). Rachel Reeves remains Chancellor.
2. Trump Voices Pessimism on Ukraine War
Former U.S. President Trump said he’s “not optimistic” about a resolution to the Ukraine conflict. He also claimed Russia has lost ground to what he described as “deepest, darkest” China. Simultaneously, Russian President Putin invited Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to Moscow for peace talks—an offer Zelenskyy is unlikely to accept.
3. UN Issues Urgent Relief Warning
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher warned that lives are at risk following a recent earthquake affecting several countries including Afghanistan, occupied Palestinian territories, the DRC, and Haiti. Immediate international support is critical.
4. Earthquake in Afghanistan & Indo-Pak Border Damage
A 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan (approximately 110 km east of Kabul) on September 5—the fourth such quake since Sunday. Across the border in Punjab, flooding from the Ravi River destroyed about 30 km of iron fencing along the Indo-Pak border and breached multiple embankments, forcing Border Security Force posts to be evacuated.
5. Powerball Surges
The Powerball jackpot has soared to $1.8 billion, making it the second-largest in U.S. history.
6. Immigration Raid in Georgia
A large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai manufacturing plant in Georgia resulted in 475 people detained, according to U.S. Homeland Security officials.
7. Royal Milestone in Japan
Prince Hisahito of Japan has reached adulthood—the first male royal to do so in over 40 years—and may be the last due to Japan’s shrinking imperial family.
8. Gaza Hospital Attack Under Scrutiny
AP reports are raising questions about the Gaza hospital attack—specifically around how it occurred and Israel’s intentions. The coverage is stirring debate on the event’s circumstances.
9. Pentagon Rebranded?
An executive order has been signed aiming to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, sparking legal and legislative discussions around military naming and authority.
10. Italian Fashion Icon Passes Away
Italian fashion legend Giorgio Armani passed away, and hundreds—from ordinary citizens to VIPs—gathered to pay their final respects.