Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced an immediate removal of VAT from electricity bills, reducing them by £45 annually from October. The £850m cost will be funded by scrapping the digital ID scheme, though former chief secretary Darren Jones questioned the funding mechanism.
President Lee Jae Myung announced that the government will implement various supply and demand measures to stabilize the property market and eliminate speculative behavior, which he blamed for exacerbating inequality and undermining national unity. He also stated plans to revise the property tax system and lead a policy debate on Thursday.
Tripura DGP Anurag Dhankar was found dead in his Agartala office toilet on Monday. While police suspect suicide, a magisterial probe has been ordered, and opposition parties are demanding a judicial inquiry into the death of the senior IPS officer.
Defence Minister Ahn faces allegations of desertion due to a discrepancy in his military service record, showing 22 months instead of the usual 14. Ahn and the Ministry of National Defence deny the claims, attributing it to administrative errors.
South Korea's ruling Democratic Party and government agreed to use additional tax revenue from the semiconductor boom to create a future response fund, investing in young generations, regional development, and 'three megaprojects' including semiconductors and AI under next year's budget plan.
South Korea's government has recovered 72.9% (123 trillion won) of the 168.7 trillion won in public funds used to bail out troubled financial firms since the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, according to the Financial Services Commission.
Water UK warns the government that the UK lacks sufficient water for future datacentres, criticizing "fatally flawed" forecasts that exclude their high demand. This threatens AI growth plans, especially in water-stressed regions already facing hosepipe bans.
Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, a key aide to ex-PM Sheikh Hasina, who reportedly fled during the 2024 uprising. Kamal was sentenced to death in absentia for "crimes against humanity." Dhaka also expects India's cooperation regarding other fugitives, including Hasina.
Farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh marched towards Delhi to protest the proposed Indo-US Free Trade Agreement, fearing its impact on Indian agriculture and dairy. They were stopped by police barricades at the Shambhu border, leading to protests there.
Four Indian nationals were killed and one critically injured after the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo was attacked off Odesa, Ukraine. India condemned the strike, summoned a Russian diplomat, and is providing assistance to those affected.
Hong Kong's first-time lawmakers in the eighth Legislative Council have submitted fewer questions to the government compared to veterans but recorded higher attendance. Political observers suggest this reflects a balance between respecting the executive-led system and providing checks.
Andy Burnham has become the UK's sixth prime minister in a decade, appointing John Healey as Chancellor and outlining plans to cut energy bills and bus fares. He aims to repair Thatcher-era damage, invest in infrastructure, and address the cost of living, while facing market jitters over borrowing.
Papua New Guinea has closed Taiwan's economic office, a move swiftly welcomed by China as adherence to the one-China principle. Taiwan criticized the decision, stating it was not consulted and is reviewing bilateral economic ties, including LNG imports, while negotiating to keep its office open.
John Healey, who recently resigned as Sir Keir Starmer's defence secretary over concerns about defence investment, has been appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer in Andy Burnham's cabinet, replacing Rachel Reeves. His return to a vital government role is a surprise given his principled resignation.
Labor's Amanda Rishworth dismissed Israeli embassy concerns over the party's proposed Israel-Palestine platform. Barnaby Joyce's interview was interrupted by his dog while discussing Pauline Hanson's trip funding. Pat Conroy defended Australia's $4.2 million hotel reservation for a Fiji climate meeting, stating costs will be recovered.
The UK government announced an overnight social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds, defaulting apps like Instagram and TikTok to be unavailable from midnight to 6 AM, alongside disabling 'addictive' features. However, the measures face criticism for allowing teens to opt out, with campaigners and opposition figures calling them insufficient.
CuspAI, a Cambridge-based AI startup, secured $450m (£330m) in Series B funding from investors including Jeff Bezos and the UK government, valuing it at $2.6bn. The company aims to develop AI-powered software to discover new materials, reducing research times and reliance on rare metals for chipmakers and other industries.
A Thai restaurant owner in Mount Barker, SA, has launched a petition against the state government's $61.1 million plan to build a school on their leased site. Likening the situation to "The Castle," the owner has garnered significant public and international support, while developers also oppose the acquisition.
The UK government admitted its outsourced civil service pension scheme, run by Capita, failed, leaving thousands, including a 98-year-old and a young widow, in financial hardship. The Cabinet Office plans to bring the scheme back in-house due to "unacceptable" service levels and missed targets.
Protesters demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged exam irregularities, including paper leaks and technical glitches, clashed with police near Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The demonstration follows activist Sonam Wangchuk's hospitalization after a hunger strike.
The use of AI in medical prior authorization, intended to streamline approvals and reduce waste, is drawing significant criticism from physicians and patient advocates in the US. Concerns are rising over potential increases in wrongful denials and care delays, despite government and industry efforts to reform the process.
The New York Times filed a motion to quash Justice Department subpoenas targeting journalists who reported on security concerns with the new Air Force One. This action escalates a court battle over press freedom and the government's ability to compel reporters to reveal confidential sources in a leak investigation.
Incoming Prime Minister Burnham faces immediate policy challenges including easing the cost of living, funding a £4.7bn defense gap, deciding the future of Thames Water, addressing political funding reforms, finalizing an EU relations reset, and mending the US-UK relationship post-Iran war.
The UK government nationalized British Steel, previously owned by China's Jingye Group, 15 months after intervening to prevent its closure. China's Ministry of Commerce expressed strong dissatisfaction, stating the move severely undermines Chinese companies' confidence in UK investment and threatens legal action.
