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Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, will run as a candidate in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection. He wants to represent the area after Keir Starmer announced he would step down as an MP.
Key Facts
Zack Polanski is the leader of the Green Party in England and Wales.
He will stand in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection.
The seat became available because Keir Starmer is stepping down.
Polanski says he has lived and worked in the area for many years.
He already serves the area as a member of the London Assembly.
Holborn and St Pancras is usually a Labour Party seat but Greens have gained support recently.
Polanski believes the Greens can win and offers to fight for people struggling with bills.
He describes the election as mainly between Labour and the Greens.
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Three hurricanes—Lowell, Karina, and Marie—are active in the Pacific Ocean ahead of the Labor Day weekend. Lowell and Karina are strong Category 4 storms, while Marie is a Category 1 hurricane expected to strengthen before weakening later. None of the storms currently pose a direct threat to U.S. land, but they could cause dangerous ocean conditions.
Key Facts
Lowell has maximum sustained winds of 155 mph and is located about 440 miles south of Hilo, Hawaii.
Karina is about 1,325 miles east of Hilo with winds of 130 mph and is slowly weakening.
Marie is a Category 1 hurricane, about 375 miles southwest of Baja California, and is expected to strengthen before weakening.
No coastal watches or warnings are currently in effect for the U.S. mainland.
Swells from Lowell and Marie could cause dangerous surf and rip currents in Hawaii, parts of Mexico, and Southern California.
Lowell is moving west at 10 mph and expected to remain a major hurricane for several days.
Karina is moving west-northwest at 10 mph and will likely remain a hurricane through the weekend.
Marie is moving west-northwest at 10 mph, with its effects possibly reaching Southern California later in the weekend.
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A floating island in a reservoir in British Columbia, Canada, disappeared in July but was found about 20 miles away later. Satellite images confirmed its movement, and the reservoir managers initially thought the report was a fake.
Key Facts
The island is a floating landmass in a reservoir in British Columbia, Canada.
It vanished from its original location in July.
The island was later found 20 miles (32 kilometers) away from where it was last seen.
The reservoir management group first suspected the island's movement was a hoax.
BBC Verify used satellite images to track the island’s journey.
The story was reported by Jake Horton and produced by Krystal Campos with graphics by Sally Nicholls.
The case shows how natural floating islands can move unexpectedly across water bodies.
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Norwegian authorities seized a Russian ship near Svalbard in the Arctic to help Ukraine enforce a $4.22 billion arbitration award against Russia. The award stems from Russia’s illegal takeover of Crimea and Ukrainian energy assets in 2014, which Russia has refused to pay.
Key Facts
Norway took control of the Russian vessel Professor Molchanov at the request of Ukraine’s energy company, Naftogaz.
The $4.22 billion arbitration award was decided in 2023 by a tribunal in The Hague.
The award is compensation for Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and seizure of Ukrainian energy fields and pipelines.
Russia has not paid the award, leading Naftogaz to seek court orders worldwide to seize Russian assets.
The Nord-Troms district court in Norway ordered the ship’s seizure on August 31.
The vessel is currently held in Barentsburg, Svalbard, and is not allowed to leave.
The Professor Molchanov is used for commercial expedition cruises to places including Svalbard.
Naftogaz continues to pursue Russian assets globally to enforce the arbitration ruling.
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The Iranian Red Crescent has asked the International Criminal Court to investigate a U.S. missile strike on a wedding party in Kuhestak, Iran, which killed at least four people and injured dozens. The attack occurred during recent U.S. strikes on Iranian coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions.
Key Facts
A U.S. missile hit a wedding party in Kuhestak, southern Iran, killing at least four people and injuring 67 others.
The victims included two women and two children, aged 4 and 16, with many injured also being women and children.
The Iranian Red Crescent called for an independent investigation, saying the attack could be a war crime since civilians were targeted.
The U.S. Central Command denied targeting civilians, while Iran rejected this claim and cited past U.S. attacks on civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Neither the U.S. nor Iran are members of the International Criminal Court, but Iran might agree to ICC jurisdiction for attacks on its territory.
This strike took place amid a series of U.S. attacks accusing Iran of threatening military and commercial targets near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran reports at least 18 deaths and 142 injuries from the recent strikes, with over 3,500 killed in earlier phases of the ongoing conflict.
Iran’s UN envoy called for the UN Security Council to condemn the attack, labeling it a war crime under international humanitarian law.
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French President Emmanuel Macron visited Britain as part of efforts to strengthen European defense amid rising tensions with Russia and shifting US involvement. Macron and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham are leading a group of countries supporting Ukraine and seeking alternatives as NATO faces challenges.
Key Facts
Emmanuel Macron visited London to attend the first cross-Channel display of the Bayeux Tapestry, a historic cloth showing the Norman Conquest of England.
Macron met Britain’s King Charles III and Prime Minister Andy Burnham during this event in September 2026.
Europe faces security concerns due to a hostile Russia and the United States reducing its military role in the region.
France and the UK are working together to create a stronger European defense strategy.
Macron and Burnham lead a coalition of countries backing Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict there.
NATO is under pressure as some member countries show less unity or commitment.
Far-right populist politicians connected to Moscow and Washington are gaining influence in Europe.
Macron’s successor is expected to be decided in eight months, which may affect France’s future role in European defense.
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Punjab, Pakistan’s biggest province, passed a law allowing terrorism trials to happen in almost complete secrecy. Under this law, judges, prosecutors, witnesses, and others involved in the trial can stay anonymous, and accused people might not know who is judging or testifying against them.
Key Facts
The law was passed by Punjab’s Assembly on August 31, 2026, despite opposition protests.
Judges, prosecutors, witnesses, and defense lawyers in these trials must remain anonymous and use official titles or codes instead of real names.
The government can seal trial records, and appeals can be decided by judges who do not know about the original trial judges.
A senior government official, whose identity is secret and known only to the chief justice, decides which cases get special secret trial status.
The law allows trials to be held by video link, sometimes with altered voices to protect identities.
There is no clear limit on when the law will end, and the government may add more powers without new laws.
Supporters say the law is needed to protect those involved in terrorism trials because of rising threats from violent groups.
Critics warn that the law gives too much power to one official and could be used to target government critics or political opponents.
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Floods caused by a glacier collapse in Nepal have killed over 1,200 people and left thousands missing. Many survivors are living in relief camps, where food and basic supplies are provided, but some lack essential medicines and cash. In affected areas like Bidur town, people use temporary ziplines set up by the army to cross rivers after roads and bridges were destroyed.
Key Facts
The floods hit Nepal on August 26, caused by a glacier collapse.
At least 1,252 people died and more than 4,200 are missing.
Thousands of displaced people stay in temporary relief camps, some lacking essential medicines.
A survivor with a heart condition sold food relief items to buy his prescribed medicine.
Health camps with doctors and medicines have been set up at relief centers.
Authorities focus on hygiene to prevent disease outbreaks.
Roads, bridges, and other infrastructure were destroyed, cutting off many communities.
In Bidur town, soldiers installed a zipline to help people cross the Trishuli River safely.
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The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its crew arrived in Pattaya, Thailand, for a port visit after a long deployment in the Middle East lasting 286 days. The ship had been supporting U.S. operations against Iran and set a record with 264 days at sea without stopping before arriving in Thailand.
Key Facts
The USS Abraham Lincoln crew arrived in Pattaya, Thailand, on September 3, 2026.
The ship was deployed for 286 days in total, including 264 days continuously at sea.
The deployment supported U.S. military actions against Iran in the Middle East.
There were reports about crew mental health and food shortages during the deployment, but the Navy minimized these issues.
President Donald Trump stated that the deployment was “not nearly long enough.”
Several other ships from the Lincoln’s strike group are also docked in different Thai ports.
Local vendors in Pattaya sold souvenirs to the sailors during the port visit.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is very large, about as long as three American football fields.
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The Netherlands has moved some of its gold reserves from the United States and Canada to London because of worries about global tensions. Other countries like France and Germany have also moved their gold out of U.S. banks in recent years to keep more of their reserves closer to home.
Key Facts
The Dutch Central Bank moved 86 tons of gold from New York and Canada to London.
Before the move, the Netherlands stored about 31% of its gold in New York and 20% in Ottawa; now both cities hold 18.5% each.
London’s share of Dutch gold reserves increased from 18.1% to 32.1%, with almost 31% stored in the Netherlands itself.
France sold 129 tons of gold held in New York between 2025 and 2026 to buy compliant gold stored in Paris.
Germany completed moving 300 tons of gold from New York to Frankfurt in 2017.
Germany and Italy postponed repatriating about $245 billion worth of gold from New York despite pressures linked to U.S. policies.
The United States holds the largest gold reserves worldwide, about 8,133 tons.
Venezuela moved about 160 tons of gold back to Caracas by 2012 under President Hugo Chavez.
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A new musical called *Misfits Together* will open next autumn in Leicester and tells the story of Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller’s marriage during the 1950s. The show explores their personal struggles, their support for each other, and the political climate of the US during the “red scare” compared to today.
Key Facts
Marilyn Monroe married Arthur Miller in 1956; their relationship is the focus of the new musical.
The musical’s title comes from the film Miller wrote for Monroe, released after their 1961 divorce.
Dan Smith (from Bastille) and Ralph Pelleymounter (from To Kill a King) created the music, with Charlotte Bogard Macleod writing the story.
Monroe was often seen just as a sex symbol, though she had many achievements and supported Miller during political pressure.
Arthur Miller refused to name people accused of communism before the House Un-American Activities Committee, which cost him personally.
The musical compares America’s 1950s “red scare” to current political tensions and the use of fear in politics.
Laurence Olivier, Monroe’s co-star, is also a character, showing the pressures Monroe faced as an actress.
The production will be staged by Leicester Curve theatre’s artistic director, Nikolai Foster.
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China supports Iran but limits its involvement as the US increases pressure on Tehran through sanctions and military actions. While China opposes US moves against Iran, it balances its own relationships with many countries and focuses on economic ties without confronting the US directly.
Key Facts
China has economic ties with Iran, especially in energy trade.
China opposes US military and sanctions pressure on Iran but does not fully shield Iran.
Iran depends on China more than China depends on Iran.
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently met with Iranian leaders quietly while attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
China is Iran’s biggest oil buyer, taking about 90% of Iranian oil exports after the US and Israel started conflict in February.
Iranian oil makes up only about 2% of China’s total energy use.
Chinese state-owned companies avoid Iranian oil trade; smaller independent refiners handle most trade.
The US has sanctioned some Chinese companies related to Iran but not major banks linked to oil trade with Iran.
The US may target China’s financial system in future sanctions but wants to avoid escalating tensions before a planned meeting between President Trump and Xi Jinping.
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French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham are having their first official talks after meeting at the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition in London. They plan to discuss cooperation on stopping migrant boats crossing the English Channel and support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war.
Key Facts
Macron and Burnham met first at the British Museum to see the Bayeux Tapestry, a historic French embroidery displayed in London.
This is Burnham’s first time hosting a European Union leader at Downing Street.
They will talk about reducing migrant boat crossings in the English Channel, including new efforts against larger, faster boats called "mega dinghies".
A new team of 45 French officers will help patrol beaches to stop migrant boats from launching.
The UK has seen the fewest small boat crossings this summer since 2019, credited to cooperation with France.
Both leaders emphasize ongoing support for Ukraine’s war against Russia.
Macron’s visit comes near the end of his presidential term, which ends in May 2027.
The Bayeux Tapestry loan to London symbolizes improved relations after tensions caused by Brexit.
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European Union foreign ministers met in Ireland to discuss possible trade sanctions on Israeli goods from settlements in the occupied West Bank. Some EU countries support sanctions to pressure Israel over its settlements, while others oppose them to maintain relations with Israel.
Key Facts
EU foreign ministers met informally in Wicklow, Ireland, to talk about trade sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements.
Ireland, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands want EU-wide sanctions on goods from Israeli settlements.
Germany, Austria, Czechia, and Hungary oppose sanctions, fearing harm to diplomatic ties with Israel.
Ireland banned Israeli settlement goods and recognized a Palestinian state in 2024.
The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, with trade worth nearly $50 billion in 2024.
Trade with Israel has increased recently, with EU exports rising to about $32 billion in 2025.
EU trade sanctions decisions can often be made by majority vote, but major political decisions usually need unanimous approval.
Protesters near the meeting called for boycotts and sanctions against Israel.
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Charles Perrottet has denied taking payments from property developer Jean Nassif to influence political decisions. He also said he might have lied to friends and associates about his work but rejected claims that he was making false evidence during a corruption investigation in New South Wales.
Key Facts
Charles Perrottet is the brother of former New South Wales premier Dominic Perrottet.
Perrottet is being investigated by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) over allegations of receiving illegal donations from Jean Nassif’s company, Toplace.
The probe covers alleged payments totaling $2 million from 2020 to 2023 to obtain political favors and support party membership recruitment called branch stacking.
Branch stacking is the practice of enrolling members to influence party votes but is not illegal itself.
Perrottet admitted he may have lied to Nassif and his friend Christian Ellis about political work to sound supportive.
He could not explain a message from 2020 saying, “Charles fucked this whole thing,” related to a refused property development by Nassif.
Perrottet denied fabricating evidence for the Icac hearing.
Other figures involved in the investigation include Jeremy Greenwood and Christian Ellis, with Greenwood set to appear before Icac soon.
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Finland is holding the largest civil defense exercise in Europe since World War II, involving over 2,000 people. The exercise tests how to protect citizens and critical services in the city of Kuopio against threats like missile attacks and cyberattacks, with a focus on the risk from neighboring Russia.
Key Facts
The civil defense drill takes place in Kuopio, Finland, involving conscripts, volunteers, and students.
Participants practice using shelters designed to resist nuclear, biological, and chemical attacks.
The exercise scenario includes power and water disruptions caused by cyberattacks.
Finland’s border with Russia is over 830 miles long, from the Baltic Sea to the Arctic Circle.
Finland and Sweden joined NATO in 2024 after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
The drill reflects Finland’s strategy to involve ordinary citizens in national defense, supported by conscription.
Finnish defense officials say lessons are learned from the conflict in Ukraine.
The exercise also responds to concerns about Russian sabotage inside Europe, such as fires and drone attacks.
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A BBC investigation found that smuggling gangs moving migrants across the English Channel have fewer small boats available. Because of this, rival gangs are working together and using bigger boats called "mega-dinghies" to carry more people at once.
Key Facts
Small boat crossings in the English Channel are at their lowest in six years.
Smugglers have fewer small boats to use for crossings.
Rival gangs are cooperating to meet the demand for migrant crossings.
Larger vessels known as "mega-dinghies" were first seen last month.
More of these larger boats are reportedly being prepared for future crossings.
The change comes as efforts to crack down on small boat smuggling increase.
The situation affects migrants trying to reach the UK via the Channel.
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The United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warn that a very strong El Niño event is underway, causing extreme weather worldwide. This natural climate pattern is expected to last until at least early 2027, bringing droughts, heavy storms, and higher temperatures in many regions.
Key Facts
El Niño is a natural weather event caused by warming of Pacific Ocean waters and changes in wind patterns.
Current sea temperatures in the Pacific are much higher than usual, possibly making this the strongest El Niño since 1950.
El Niño leads to extreme weather like droughts in some areas and flooding or stronger storms in others.
This event adds to global temperature rises already caused by human-driven climate change.
The UN and WMO have increased alerts and early warning systems to help reduce harm to people and economies.
Australia expects serious effects including marine heatwaves which threaten marine life and fisheries.
The WMO forecasts this El Niño will impact weather and communities worldwide through 2027.
Efforts include medical preparedness and financial support for affected regions.
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A British man living in Sweden is at risk of being deported after his application to stay was rejected following Brexit. His wife is asking UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to help because they believe the deportation is unfair and breaks the rights promised in Brexit agreements.
Key Facts
Charles, a British man, was summoned by Swedish police and told he would be detained and deported within two weeks.
His Swedish wife, Lily, who is a lawyer, says there is an ongoing court appeal against the deportation order.
Charles applied to remain in Sweden before the Brexit deadline, but his application was rejected in 2022.
The couple has made six or seven appeals to fight the deportation over five years.
Swedish authorities called Charles to the police station without mentioning deportation and later detained him.
Lily urges UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to intervene and speak to the Swedish government.
Other British citizens in Sweden, including elderly and vulnerable people, are also facing deportation threats.
Sweden’s migration minister says the country is following rules and granting residency permits where justified.
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The United States recently carried out airstrikes on Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island, in response to Iran allegedly preparing to launch sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz using modified rockets. Iran has reportedly adapted its Fajr-5 rocket systems to deploy sea mines in this important shipping route, a method that would be new but has raised some doubts among experts.
Key Facts
The US struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island after suspecting Iran was ready to launch sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran apparently modified Fajr-5 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) to carry and launch sea mines.
Sea mines are underwater explosives that can damage or stop ships passing nearby.
Traditionally, Iran used small boats, submarines, or low-flying aircraft to place mines in the Strait.
Using rocket launchers to deploy mines is unusual and experts are uncertain about its effectiveness.
Iranian state TV reported on the Fajr-5 rocket system as a new tool for mining the Strait as early as January 2025.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial and busy waterway for global oil shipments.
The US views Iran’s new mine deployment method as a threat to maritime safety and freedom of navigation.
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