New START

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree immediately increasing the size of the Russian armed forces to 2,441,630 personnel, including 1,550,500 military personnel. The decree replaces all previous ones on army size and is described as the seventh expansion of Russia's military staffing since the start of the war in Ukraine. Commentators see it as a continuation of Russia's gradual force buildup.

Iranian children are returning to school while the country remains under the shadow of war. The start of the academic year comes against the backdrop of ongoing regional conflict, raising questions about how students, families and teachers are coping with the situation and what conditions await pupils in classrooms this year.

Spain is recording a sharp rise in COVID-19, with estimated incidence climbing 69% in a week to 85 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, up from 50.4 the previous week. Test positivity for SARS-CoV-2 also rose steeply, from 19% to 25.8%. The figures point to a new wave of infections gaining momentum across the country.

India begin a one-day series against the West Indies as part of their build-up towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are absent, giving young pacers a chance to press their claims in the new-ball rotation. West Indies captain Shai Hope says his side are wary of the India challenge despite the missing stars, with fans in India, the UK, Canada and Australia following closely.

Meta is starting a new enterprise business, a move widely read as an effort to justify its enormous spending on artificial intelligence. The company has poured billions into AI infrastructure and models, and is now looking to businesses as customers to generate returns. Observers see it as a sign Meta wants its AI investments to pay off directly rather than only improve its advertising products.

The United Nations University argues that artificial intelligence regulation should be grounded in human rights rather than technology-specific rules. The piece contends that existing international human rights frameworks — covering privacy, non-discrimination and freedom of expression — already provide a basis for holding governments and companies accountable as AI systems spread into public services and daily life, and calls for these principles to anchor new governance efforts.

Andy Burnham said he will set the UK in a "new direction" ten years after the Brexit vote, speaking as the prime minister arrived in Liverpool for the Labour Party conference. The conference runs from Sunday to Wednesday, and Burnham's intervention is drawing attention amid speculation about his ambitions and the party's future direction.

SNAP benefit checks will increase starting October 1, giving food assistance recipients a modest cost-of-living bump. However, new rules being phased in may ultimately reduce benefits for some households, meaning the raise could be offset by stricter eligibility and work requirements ahead. Recipients and advocates are watching how the changes will affect monthly payments.

Major League Baseball's playoffs begin Tuesday with Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers chasing a third consecutive World Series championship. Despite the Dodgers' dominance, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are drawing much of the early spotlight as coverage of the postseason gets underway.

Meta has hired CJ Desai, the CEO of database company MongoDB, to lead a new enterprise AI business, according to a report by SiliconANGLE. The move signals Meta's intent to expand its artificial intelligence offerings beyond consumer products and into tools sold to corporate customers. Details about the unit's products, timeline and Desai's start date have not yet been disclosed.

Apple has started offering a lease program covering iPhones and other devices, according to Scripps News. The move would let customers pay monthly to use Apple hardware rather than buying it outright, adding a new option alongside existing installment plans and trade-in offers. Details on pricing, availability and lease terms have not been widely reported yet.

South Africa face Australia in a Rugby Championship Test in Perth, with Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus making 13 changes to his starting side. The sweeping rotation comes after South Africa's series win over New Zealand, and fans are debating whether the heavily reshaped team can beat the Wallabies away from home.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the central Atlantic, becoming the latest named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters are tracking the system as it develops, and the naming marks the storm's official upgrade from a tropical disturbance. Early reports give no details yet on its projected path, strength or any threat to land.

New York has filed a lawsuit against prediction market platform Polymarket, alleging it operates as illegal gambling. The legal action comes as online betting adoption surges: Bank of America consumer data shows platform usage rose 40% in July, with first-time use tripling since the start of the year. Regulators are increasingly scrutinising fast-growing betting and prediction platforms as mainstream consumer adoption accelerates.

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has started transmitting data to Earth ahead of the start of its regular science observations. The agency tested whether ground stations could handle the incoming data stream once the telescope begins full operations. The trials involved ground stations operated by three agencies, including Japan's JAXA. The telescope's early data transmissions mark a key step toward the start of its planned survey mission.

NextEra Energy and Entergy topped U.S. solar project starts in the fourth quarter, according to Industrial Info Resources. The ranking highlights which utility companies drove the most new solar construction activity at the end of the year, underscoring continued momentum in America's renewable energy build-out despite a challenging policy environment.

Golden State Warriors centre Kristaps Porziņģis will miss the start of the team's training camp due to what the club describes as a personal health issue, and he is considered out indefinitely. No timeline for his return has been given, leaving the Warriors short-handed in the frontcourt as camp opens.

A new opinion piece argues that an 'America First' foreign policy should start with an honest accounting of the real costs of American wars — financial and human — and asks who ultimately pays the price when the United States goes to war. The argument challenges policymakers to weigh the burden borne by service members and taxpayers before committing to future conflicts.

New research suggests magnetic fields may have played a key role in the formation of the solar system, potentially influencing how material in the early solar nebula collapsed and clumped into the sun and planets. The finding adds to ongoing debate among scientists about the physical processes that set planetary formation in motion more than 4.5 billion years ago.

China has started mass production of a new battery developed using space technology, according to CGTN reporting framed under its energy innovation coverage. The item highlights the transfer of aerospace-derived technology into civilian energy storage, though details on the battery's chemistry, capacity or intended applications have not been made clear. The announcement fits into ongoing Chinese efforts to showcase advances in energy technology and industrial self-reliance.

England's cricket team is set to start its winter tour following a turbulent summer marked by on-field struggles and off-field upheaval. Attention is on how the squad regroups away from home and whether new leadership can steady the side after months of disruption. The tour is being watched as an early test of where English cricket stands after a troubled few months.

Manchester United have made a poor start to the new season under manager Michael Carrick, and reports say the squad's attitude towards sacking him has now come to light. The story suggests players' views could be a factor in whether the club decides to change manager. United's form has put Carrick's position under scrutiny early in the campaign.

Readers are checking horoscope predictions for Capricorn for October 1. SB Belarus published a daily horoscope covering the sign, and search interest around 'Capricorn' is rising in Russia as people look up what the day holds for them. Daily zodiac forecasts remain a popular morning habit, and the start of a new month typically boosts attention to astrological predictions.

'Avengers: Endgame Encore' has returned to the top of the box office with $26 million, while new release 'Primetime' opened strongly with $19 million. The re-release outperforming fresh competition is drawing attention, with observers noting the enduring draw of the Marvel film and the solid start for the newcomer in a competitive weekend.

The New York Knicks held their media day with the team described as reigning NBA champions beginning preparations to defend their title. Players and coaches are meeting reporters as the new season gets underway, with attention on how the squad will handle the pressure that comes with entering a campaign as the team to beat.

A former Kentucky Wildcats standout has been traded, with the deal landing just days before NBA teams open preseason camp. The move reshapes both rosters involved ahead of training camp and gives the player a fresh start with a new team. Details of the trade terms have not been confirmed in the reports currently circulating.

Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porziņģis has been ruled out indefinitely due to what the team is calling a health issue, with the 2026-27 NBA season approaching. The Warriors provided no timetable for his return, leaving his availability for the start of the season in doubt. Fans and analysts are voicing concern over his durability and what the absence means for Golden State's frontcourt depth.