Uphold

The US Supreme Court has upheld state laws banning transgender girls from competing on girls' school sports teams. The ruling allows such bans, already passed in multiple states, to remain in effect and is a significant setback for advocates of transgender inclusion in school athletics, while supporters of the laws say it protects fairness in women's sports.

At the 2026 United Nations General Assembly, the European Union is presenting a platform centred on strengthening multilateralism, upholding international law, and reforming the UN. The bloc is positioning itself as a defender of the rules-based international order, with EU diplomatic messaging at the assembly emphasising institutional renewal at the world body.

An opinion piece argues that United Nations diplomacy is at a critical juncture as wars continue and prospects for peace remain uncertain. It contends the organisation's ability to mediate conflicts and uphold international stability is under strain, raising questions about the relevance and effectiveness of multilateral diplomacy in the current global climate.

Iran has put forward a six-point initiative aimed at upholding international law, presented during a United Nations meeting. The proposal was reported by Iranian state media, which framed it as a call for stronger adherence to legal norms in international affairs. Details of the six points and international reaction have not yet been widely reported.

A US appeals court has upheld the designation of AI company Anthropic as a supply chain risk, a ruling with implications for the Pentagon's ability to work with the firm. The decision, reported by CNBC, is drawing attention in technology and defense circles as it could affect federal contracting with major AI developers and raises questions about security scrutiny of leading AI companies.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide spoke at a meeting of the Hague Group, a coalition of states working to protect and uphold the rulings of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. During his address, Eide recounted his earlier work against apartheid in South Africa, drawing a parallel between that struggle and the group's current efforts to defend international law and court decisions.

A US appeals court has upheld the Pentagon's decision to designate AI company Anthropic as a risk, a ruling that keeps the defence department's assessment in place. The decision touches on how the US military evaluates artificial intelligence firms and their technologies. Reaction so far has focused on the implications for government oversight of leading AI developers and their work with national security institutions.

Federal courts have issued rulings upholding a gun ban, though judges relied on differing and conflicting legal theories to reach the same outcome. The split reasoning is drawing attention because it could create inconsistent legal standards for similar restrictions and may invite further appeals or review by a higher court.

Spain's Government has confirmed it will uphold its decrees and has challenged the opposition parties PP, Vox, and Junts to "show their true colors" in the upcoming vote in Congress. The move sets up a direct confrontation over the decrees' validation, with the governing coalition framing the vote as a test of whether the right-wing parties and Junts will back or block the measures.

The Supreme Court has upheld the demotion of a police officer who was disciplined for harassment, confirming the penalty handed down against him. The ruling settles the dispute over the punishment and reinforces that harassment within the force can justify career-level demotion. Reactions are likely to focus on accountability in law enforcement and the standards for disciplining officers over misconduct toward colleagues or the public.

A US appeals court has upheld the Pentagon's blacklisting of artificial intelligence company Anthropic. The ruling means the Defense Department's decision to restrict dealings with the AI firm stands, dealing a setback to Anthropic's efforts to challenge the designation. The move places one of America's leading AI developers at odds with the Pentagon, raising questions about the government's relationship with major technology companies working on advanced AI systems.

The Supreme Court has upheld the demotion of an officer found responsible for misconduct, confirming the disciplinary decision at the highest judicial level. The ruling settles the case in favor of the disciplinary authorities and sets a precedent for how similar misconduct cases within the service may be handled going forward.

A court has upheld its ruling on the contentious Drumcree parade in Portadown, Northern Ireland, after what was described as an unprecedented late-night hearing. The Drumcree dispute, involving Orange Order marches and the Parades Commission, has long been one of the region's most sensitive flashpoints. Details of the legal challenge and the court's reasoning remain limited in initial reporting.

South Korea's Supreme Court has upheld the demotion of a police officer, citing a confession the officer recorded in a personal sketchbook. The ruling confirms that the handwritten confession could be used to justify the disciplinary demotion. The decision settles the disciplinary case and offers guidance on how personal written records can factor into police misconduct proceedings.

A federal appeals court has sided with Hawaii, upholding the state's requirements that gun permit applicants complete the process within a set window and that authorities can inspect firearms registered to permit holders. The ruling keeps in place two of Hawaii's strict firearms provisions, which are among the toughest in the United States, as legal battles over the scope of Second Amendment protections continue across the country.

Brazil's electoral court has a majority to uphold restrictions on posts by Antonio Tabet, the coordinator of the Planalto's communications office (Secom), after Flávio Bolsonaro asked the TRE-DF to bar him from publishing about elections on social media. The case involved a Tabet post linking the senator to Our Lady of the apparitions, which the TSE judged to be fake news. Prosecutor Paulo Mendonça changed his vote to allow the post, and commentators called it a defeat for broad censorship efforts. Tabet must now refrain from election-related posts.

The United Nations is observing the International Day for Universal Access to Information on 28 September. The 2026 edition focuses on 'Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age,' highlighting the role of access to information in addressing misinformation and protecting reliable public information online. Observances draw attention to citizens' rights to government-held information and the challenges of maintaining trustworthy information ecosystems in an era of digital misinformation.

Thai authorities have dismissed a legal challenge concerning ballot secrecy and confirmed the results of the 2026 general election. The ruling means the electoral outcome stands as certified, with no recount or annulment resulting from the complaint. Details about who filed the challenge and on what specific grounds have not been widely reported.

A federal court has upheld Arizona's landmark campaign finance transparency law, a decision welcomed by the Campaign Legal Center, which had backed the measure. The ruling requires greater disclosure of money in state political campaigns. Supporters say it is a win for voters' right to know who funds political activity, while critics of such laws often argue they burden donors and political groups.

A judge has ruled in favor of Marshall County officials, upholding their decision to deny approval of a massive solar energy project. The ruling means the proposed development cannot move forward as planned. The case highlights ongoing tensions in rural communities between renewable energy developers and local governments weighing land use, agricultural concerns, and resident opposition.

The Montana Supreme Court has refused to grant a new trial to a man from Kila convicted of a 2022 murder in Martin City, upholding the original conviction. The ruling closes off one avenue of appeal for the defendant, and the decision is drawing attention in northwest Montana as the case moves toward final resolution.

Global Rights Compliance took part in the 4th Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia Summer Academy on Business and Human Rights. The academy brings together practitioners and experts from the region to discuss how companies and states can uphold human rights standards in business operations. Further details about GRC's specific role or contributions at the event were not provided.

An appellate court has upheld a capital murder conviction connected to a murder-for-hire plot. The ruling means the conviction and sentence stand after the appeal. No further details about the case, the parties involved, or the court's reasoning are available.

A federal judge has upheld an Idaho law that prohibits daycares from requiring vaccines or other medical treatments for the children in their care. The ruling leaves Idaho daycare providers unable to impose immunization requirements, keeping the state among the most permissive in the US on childhood vaccine rules. Supporters of the law view it as protecting parental choice, while public health advocates warn it could increase the risk of disease outbreaks in childcare settings.

Commentators in New Zealand are pressing political parties to state plainly, before coalition negotiations begin, which environmental protections they will uphold, what they intend to change, and how they will pay for delivery. The argument is that safeguarding the environment does not require sacrificing prosperity, and that voters deserve direct answers rather than vague positioning while government formation talks take shape.

A US Supreme Court case could determine whether Exxon and Suncor face climate-related liability suits brought by local governments. The litigation follows years of drought, wildfires that killed livestock, and smoke-damaged pastures in communities seeking damages from major fossil fuel producers. Oil companies argue the claims should be dismissed, while municipalities want their day in state court.

A New York appellate court has upheld a lower court ruling that voids rule changes made by the Brooklyn Democratic Party. The decision leaves the party's internal rules as they stood before the contested amendments, a blow to party leadership that had defended the changes. The ruling is being closely watched in local political circles ahead of upcoming primary contests in Brooklyn.

A US appeals court has upheld Thomson Reuters' landmark victory in a lawsuit over the use of its content to train artificial intelligence systems. The ruling is being closely watched as one of the first major judicial decisions on whether AI companies can use copyrighted material without permission, with potential consequences for ongoing disputes across the technology and media industries.

An appeal has been filed challenging a federal district court ruling that upheld Oregon's extended producer responsibility (EPR) law, which requires producers to fund the recycling of their packaging. Americans for Tax Reform highlighted the challenge, framing it as part of broader opposition to EPR mandates that critics say raise costs for businesses and consumers. Supporters of the law argue it shifts recycling burdens off taxpayers and onto manufacturers.

The Council of Europe presented an updated version of its Rule of Law Checklist to the European Parliament. The checklist is a practical tool used to assess how well states uphold the rule of law, covering areas such as independence of the judiciary and protection of fundamental rights. The presentation signals continued cooperation between the two institutions on rule-of-law monitoring.

Israel's Supreme Court has overturned a decision by the Central Elections Committee to bar Arab parties from running in the parliamentary election at the end of October. The ruling means Arab lists will appear on the ballot in what is seen as a pivotal vote, and the decision is drawing attention to the tensions between the judiciary and election officials over political participation.