ARM

Scientists are developing new methods to control mosquitoes as climate change lengthens mosquito season and expands the range of disease-carrying species. The mosquito kills more people than any other animal on earth, spreading diseases such as malaria and dengue, and longer warm seasons give the insects more time to transmit dangerous illnesses. Climate researchers warn the public health threat is growing.

The BBC reports that the UK military is jamming satellites belonging to other nations as a means of self-defence, according to sources it spoke to. The disclosure sheds light on British electronic warfare operations in orbit, an area usually kept secret, and raises questions about how such actions fit international rules on space and armed conflict. It is likely to fuel debate over escalating military activity in space.

Taylor Farms has recalled lettuce products distributed across 27 US states amid a cyclosporiasis outbreak, a foodborne illness caused by a parasite that causes intestinal symptoms. Consumers are being urged to check whether lettuce they purchased is affected and to discard or return it. The recall is drawing attention as health officials investigate the scope of the outbreak and warn of symptoms including diarrhea, stomach cramps and fatigue.

France's pharmacists' union is warning about an early spike in Covid cases and is calling on the government to move forward the vaccination campaign scheduled for mid-October. Hospital data shows emergency room visits jumping 67% among adults and 16% among children, fuelling concerns that the autumn wave has arrived sooner than expected and that current planning leaves people exposed in the meantime.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, laying out what Iran describes as its red lines on nuclear weapons, Israel and regional security. His speech touched on Tehran's position that it does not seek nuclear arms while pressing its grievances against Israel and outlining its stance on stability across the Middle East.

Bill Gates said reaching international agreement on artificial intelligence regulations will be more difficult than the nuclear arms negotiations of the Cold War era. His comments highlight the challenge of getting countries with competing interests to align on rules for a fast-moving technology. The remarks have drawn attention as governments worldwide debate how to oversee AI development.

Israeli forces shot dead one Palestinian and wounded seven others in what reports describe as fresh violations of the Gaza truce. The incident adds to a pattern of deadly breaches of the ceasefire agreement, raising questions about its durability. Israeli officials have previously said strikes respond to security threats, while Palestinian sources describe the actions as unprovoked.

Anthropic and OpenAI are publicly warning about AI safety risks while working to influence how the technology will be regulated and controlled. The two leading AI companies are sounding the alarm on potential dangers from advanced systems, but critics and observers are weighing their appeals for oversight against their commercial interest in setting the rules that govern their own industry.

Russia carried out large-scale strikes on Kyiv, with Russian claims saying the attacks targeted military hubs and 'NATO specialists' in the Ukrainian capital. The report, from Times Of India, says Putin's army burned Ukrainian military infrastructure in the barrage. No independent confirmation of casualties or of NATO personnel being present has been provided, and Ukraine has not responded to the specific claims in the report.

A new US intelligence assessment warns that Saudi Arabia may still choose to pursue nuclear weapons, despite ongoing diplomacy over a potential normalization deal with Israel that would include US civilian nuclear cooperation. The warning highlights persistent concern in Washington that Riyadh wants a nuclear option as a hedge against regional rival Iran, complicating negotiations.

PBS NewsHour reports on scientists developing new ways to control mosquito populations as rising global temperatures expand the habitats where the insects and the diseases they carry can spread. The segment examines research approaches to targeting mosquitoes as warming climate conditions push the public health threat into previously unaffected regions.

US intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia has kept the option of developing nuclear weapons on the table, while senators in Congress are moving to block or constrain a nuclear deal with Riyadh backed by Donald Trump. Critics argue the agreement lacks safeguards against Saudi enrichment, and the intelligence finding is intensifying bipartisan concern over arms proliferation in the Gulf region.

Saudi Arabia has indicated it would be open to possibly developing nuclear weapons, according to a New York Times report on US-Saudi politics. The statement marks a significant shift in the kingdom's stance on nuclear proliferation and is likely to intensify debate over arms races in the Middle East and Washington's nuclear cooperation talks with Riyadh.

Intelligence assessments indicate Saudi Arabia has not ruled out developing nuclear weapons. The finding underscores long-standing concerns that Riyadh could pursue a nuclear deterrent if regional rivals, particularly Iran, advance their own nuclear programmes, and it raises fresh questions about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and the future of any US-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement.

Ethiopia's military has pledged to show restraint as concerns grow that the country could slide back into civil war. The army's commitment to de-escalation comes amid rising tensions, and observers are watching closely for signs that political disputes could again turn into armed conflict in the region.

A former Ukrainian defense minister has announced an 'Army of Robots' initiative aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of autonomous weapons systems. The plan focuses on scaling robotic platforms to reduce risks to soldiers and speed up warfare capabilities amid the ongoing war with Russia.

The United States is accusing China of conducting secret nuclear weapons tests, escalating tensions between the two powers amid growing concern over a renewed arms race. The charge adds to friction over arms control, with Washington pressing Beijing to disclose its nuclear activities and engage in verification as both countries modernise their arsenals.

The Israeli military has published footage it says shows a Gaza militant using a child to transport weapons. The clip, circulated by the IDF, is presented as evidence of armed groups endangering minors in combat zones. The claim has not been independently verified, and Palestinian sources have not responded to the specific allegations in the video.

Sudan is effectively run by two rival authorities: the army-backed administration in Port Sudan controls the formal state, while the paramilitary RSF governs territory it holds. Washington has said neither qualifies as legitimate constitutional governance, deepening uncertainty over who can represent the country internationally as the war drags on.

A new survey finds that 8 in 10 people aged 16 to 34 say smartphone use harms their everyday life, according to Dutch news outlet NL Times. The finding highlights growing concern among young adults themselves about the impact of constant phone use on sleep, focus and social life, and feeds into wider debate over digital wellbeing and possible limits on screen time.

Politico reports that an unexpected figure has become influential in the growing battle over solar projects on agricultural land. Conflicts between renewable energy developers and farmers over land use continue to intensify across the United States, and new players are shaping how these disputes play out at the state and local levels.

The US Army deployed a registered dietitian to the Himalayan region, according to a Defense Department news item. The assignment is aimed at supporting soldiers operating at high altitude, where extreme cold, low oxygen and difficult logistics put unique demands on nutrition, hydration and overall performance in the field.

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Fedorov has announced the launch of an initiative called the 'Army of Robots'. Details remain limited, but the project is understood to focus on robotic systems, a field Ukraine has rapidly expanded since the Russian invasion. The announcement is drawing attention given Fedorov's previous role overseeing defense procurement and technology during the war.

The International Review of the Red Cross has published issue No. 932 examining mental health and armed conflict. It states there is substantial evidence that armed conflict raises the prevalence of mental health conditions, with long-lasting consequences for individuals, families and communities. Humanitarian and health observers are drawing attention to the findings as the wider toll of war on civilians gains renewed focus.

The UN arms embargo on Darfur is set to expire on Saturday and would need to be renewed by the UN Security Council. German outlets are highlighting the deadline amid ongoing conflict in Sudan, drawing attention to the Rapid Support Forces, the role of the United Arab Emirates, and the wider regional dimension stretching from Libya to Colombia and Puntland. Observers warn the outcome of the vote carries consequences for civilians in the war-torn region.

Platform trials, which test multiple treatments simultaneously against a shared control group, are transforming how clinical evidence is generated, especially in emergencies like pandemics. Regulators have been slower to update their frameworks to evaluate evidence from these adaptive, multi-arm designs. The debate centers on whether existing approval standards can accommodate faster, more flexible trial methods without compromising patient safety or scientific rigor.