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Fresh attack comes after Iran’s supreme leader warned Washington would pay for ‘seeking to escalate’ the conflictTwo US troops killed and one missing in Jordan after Iranian attacksThe US military said it launched new airstrikes against Iran to “swiftly punish” the country’s Revolutionary Guard for an attack in Jordan that killed two American service members, left one missing and four requiring hospitalisation.Speaking to the New York Post, the US president, Donald Trump, described the deaths as a “shame”. “They did it because they don’t want to see Iran have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said of the troops. “And it just shows you how bad (the Iranians) are,” he added.The two US troop deaths on Friday were its first from direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X: “Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve.”Iran appeared to target Saudi Arabia as ​well as other US Gulf allies and Jordan on Saturday after US attacks on Iranian bridges, power facilities ‌and other infrastructure.Mojtaba Khamenei said US actions had shown that Trump’s signature was “utterly worthless and devoid of credibility”, warning of “even heavier costs and further humiliation” for ‌the US, in a statement carried by the ‌official social media accounts of Iran’s supreme leader and state media.The American deaths brought the number of US service members killed since the war began to 16, while more than 430 have been injured. Iran’s health ministry said on ‌Saturday that 50 people had been killed ​and more than 500 injured in US strikes ​on the country over the past three weeks.In Iraq, a base near Irbil of the Kurdistan Freedom party, an Iranian Kurdish dissident group, was struck by a drone early on Sunday, wounding eight of its members, according to a military official with the group.The most significant damage from Iranian strikes on Saturday occurred in Kuwait, where a water desalination plant and an oil facility were hit, according to the Kuwait authorities and the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. It was the second attack against a desalination plant in two days in the tiny nation that depends on desalination for 90% of its drinking water. Continue reading...

• Mira Murati has officially launched Thinking Machines Lab, introducing a new AI architecture called "Inkling." • TSMC is significantly scaling its U.S. presence with a massive $100 billion expansion of its facilities in Arizona. • OpenAI has entered the hardware market with its first branded physical device, a $230 developer control pad created in partnership with Work Louder.

• Chinese AI start-up Moonshot has launched Kimi K3, a new large language model designed to compete with top-tier US systems like Anthropic’s Claude. • The release of K3 highlights a narrowing performance gap between Chinese and American frontier AI capabilities, particularly in reasoning and complex task handling. • This development is significant as it demonstrates China's ability to innovate in high-end AI despite ongoing US export restrictions on advanced semiconductors.

• Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched the World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO), a new alliance headquartered in Shanghai. • The organization consists of 29 founding member countries, featuring a strong presence from Global South nations such as Brazil, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, Malaysia, Senegal, and Pakistan. • WAICO aims to foster international cooperation and establish global AI regulations to ensure the technology remains safe and beneficial for humanity.

• Wall Street is trending toward weekly losses on Friday as a continued sell-off of chipmakers and AI-related stocks drags down the broader markets. • In Asia, Taiwanese shares plummeted 6.5% following an announcement from TSMC, the world's largest contract chip manufacturer, to invest an additional $100 billion in U.S. fabrication plants. • Market volatility is further compounded by rising oil prices, triggered by the United States launching additional airstrikes against Iran.

US Central Command says attacks designed to ‘continue degrading Iranian military capabilities’The US military said it had launched a seventh consecutive night of strikes on Iran on Friday night as fighting escalated over the strait of Hormuz.US Central Command, in a post on X, said the strikes, which began at 7pm GMT, were designed to “continue degrading Iranian military capabilities”. Continue reading...

• U.S. forces have launched new strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure, specifically hitting bridges and a railway junction according to Iranian state media. • Iranian official Mohammad Ghalibaf has emphasized that Iran will maintain its claim to the Strait of Hormuz by force if necessary. • The situation highlights a strategic tension where Iran is simultaneously endorsing military resistance and leaving the door open for diplomatic negotiations.

US president accused China of meddling in his 2020 election defeat and said system was ‘catastrophically’ unfair. Plus Christopher Nolan’s epic take on The Odyssey hits the big screenGood morning. Donald Trump accused China of interfering with the 2020 election in a primetime televised address that laid bare his continuing obsession with his defeat to Joe Biden, but which opponents warned was a smokescreen for him to meddle in the forthcoming congressional midterms. Trump’s claims are unverified.In a 25-minute speech, the US president cast extraordinary doubts on the integrity of the US electoral process, saying it was “catastrophically” short of standards of fairness and trust, while vulnerable to trespassing by foreign powers. Democrats warned that Trump was trying to sow confusion, spread misinformation and lay the groundwork to challenge the results of the midterm elections.What was the aim of Trump’s address? In this analysis piece, Sam Levine explains how the president is using his office and US intelligence agencies to try to undermine confidence in elections. Instead of offering smoking-gun evidence, the release of new papers seemed to be a return to a classic Trump strategy of flooding the zone with information in an attempt to muddy the waters.What did US networks do about broadcasting Trump’s allegations? The US’s largest television stations split on whether to air Trump’s White House address, which was filled with unproven accusations. While CNN, ABC and NBC chose not to air the speech live, CBS, Fox News and MS Now (formerly MSNBC) aired at least large portions of the speech live.What did Rubio say? “They can call themselves anti-capitalist or anti-imperialist, communist, anarchist or Marxist. It’s always the same. It is a poisonous resentment cloaked in the language of equality and justice liberation – an overwhelming need to tear down, to wreck, what is beautiful and what is right on behalf of people who are only filled with ugliness,” he said. He called leftists “an encroaching darkness” and “the enemies of civilization”. Continue reading...

• Boehringer Ingelheim reported first-half 2026 net sales of EUR 15.8 billion for its Human Pharma division, fueled by strong U.S. demand and the performance of JARDIANCE®. • The company expanded its R&D pipeline to approximately 80 projects, advancing key assets including the cancer immunotherapy obrixtamig and the kidney disease drug apecotrep. • Research momentum remains high with five new compounds entering clinical trials, while the Animal Health sector focuses on new product launches and responding to disease outbreaks.

• The United States launched a series of rare daytime air strikes against Iran as part of an ongoing cycle of tit-for-tat military escalations. • In response, Iranian leadership accused Washington of attempting to overthrow the Islamic Republic, asserting that while Tehran does not seek war, it must remain prepared to fight. • This escalation highlights the volatile security situation between the two nations and the risk of a broader regional conflict.

• The White House has launched "Gold Eagle," a cybersecurity clearinghouse designed to help federal agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and AI developers patch security flaws identified by advanced AI models. • The initiative will utilize leading frontier models, including Mythos, and is the result of several months of collaborative design and conversation between the administration and industry leaders. • This effort matters as it leverages the power of AI to proactively identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.

• President Trump has ordered an additional round of military strikes against Iran while reiterating the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. • In a significant policy shift, Trump has reversed his previous announcement regarding a 20-percent tariff. • These escalations signal a heightened military and economic confrontation between the U.S. and Iran, further destabilizing regional tensions.

• OpenAI researcher Miles Wang is reportedly in talks to launch an AI-driven drug discovery startup with a projected valuation of $2 billion. • Venture capital firm Lightspeed is in discussions to lead the funding round, though Wang has disputed the specific valuation figures and company description. • The move highlights a surge in investor interest in life sciences, exemplified by Chai Discovery's recent announcement of $400 million in funding at a $3.8 billion valuation.

• The European Union has initiated negotiations to establish the legal framework and legislation required to introduce a digital euro. • The EU aims to finalize these regulatory rules by the end of 2026, paving the way for a pilot program involving approximately 40 banks and payment firms in 2027. • This initiative represents a strategic move toward digitizing the eurozone's currency, with a target for a full public rollout by 2029.

• The Eärendil-1 space mirror has been cleared for launch, marking the first step toward a massive proposed constellation of 50,000 satellites. • The system is designed to reflect sunlight, though the project has sparked significant concerns regarding increased light pollution and its impact on astronomy. • This initiative represents a major shift in orbital infrastructure, potentially altering how sunlight is managed or distributed from space.

• President Donald Trump announced the launch of "major combat operations" against Iran on February 28. • The offensive consists of massive joint airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel. • These operations represent a significant escalation in military conflict between the U.S.-Israeli alliance and the Iranian government.

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has officially launched India's campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028-29 term. • During the launch, Jaishankar met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss critical global developments, including the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. • The bid emphasizes the need for global equity and peace, positioning India as a stabilizing force amid geopolitical shifts and tensions involving Gaza and Iran.

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar officially launched India's bid for the single Asia-Pacific seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028–29 term. • The campaign, initiated at the UN Headquarters, involves New Delhi actively seeking international support to secure the position. • This move is coupled with India's renewed demand for comprehensive Security Council reforms to better reflect current global geopolitical realities.

• The U.S. has launched additional military strikes against Iran amid escalating tensions in the region. • President Trump reversed a previous decision to impose a 20% fee on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, opting instead for trade and investment deals with Gulf states. • Qatar's foreign ministry issued a statement on Monday calling for de-escalation and urging both parties to pursue diplomacy to avoid the consequences of "unjustified attacks."

• The European Union is preparing to implement a comprehensive ban on social media usage for children across all member states. • This move follows similar regulatory actions or proposals already established in other major global markets, including Australia, Britain, China, India, and the United States. • The initiative reflects a growing international effort to protect minors from the potential psychological and social harms associated with social media platforms.

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss critical global conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, and West Asia. • During the meeting, India officially launched its campaign to secure a seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028-29 term. • The campaign emphasizes India's commitment to "Shanti" (peace) and diplomacy, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance that the current era should be defined by dialogue rather than war.

• The FCC has granted Reflect Orbital permission to launch its first light-directing space mirror into orbit later this year. • This initial launch serves as a demonstration of the company's technology, which aims to provide a transformative and clean communication solution. • The project is highly scalable, with plans to potentially deploy tens of thousands of additional mirrors over the next 10 years.

US secretary of state claims the global tribunal is interfering with US military and law enforcement operationsMarco Rubio, the US secretary of state, launched a campaign to dismantle the International criminal court (ICC) on Monday, claiming that the global tribunal was interfering with US military and law enforcement operations at the risk of American sovereignty.Rubio invoked images of US Border Patrol agents and elected leaders being “dragged before an international court” and tried by judges from around the world in a lengthy op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal Monday. Continue reading...

American president says ships will be charged for safe passage through strait in apparent policy reversalMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesThe US has launched its third consecutive night of strikes on Iran hours after president Donald Trump said Washington would reinstate a maritime blockade on the country and, in an apparently policy reversal, charge ships for safe passage.“These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz,” the US military’s Central Command said. Continue reading...

• The Oxford Vaccine Group has launched the world's first Phase I clinical trial for a vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo ebolavirus. • The initiative is being supported by India's Serum Institute to develop a viable immunization strategy against this specific strain. • This trial is critical for expanding global preparedness against Ebola outbreaks and developing targeted vaccines for diverse virus variants.

• MFE MediaForEurope, the media group controlled by the family of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, plans to launch a unified streaming platform across its European markets. • This strategic move aims to consolidate its digital presence and compete more effectively within the fragmented European streaming landscape. • Separately, the IBC2026 conference has announced its Innovation Awards nominees and introduced the Future Tech Ignite program to support student engagement in media and technology.

US military says it hit dozens of Iranian sites in strikes on Monday while UN chief warns that a return to full-scale fighting would be ‘catastrophic’US launches new attack wave on Iran as Tehran says diplomacy has proven ‘futile’In a series of social media posts this morning, Oman’s interior ministry said sirens were being activated and urged residents to head to the nearest safe place and await further instructions.As we mentioned in the opening post, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said earlier that it had attacked radar systems in Oman as part of its counter strikes against the US. Continue reading...

• The United States launched a new series of military strikes on Sunday targeting Iran's coastal energy infrastructure, with explosions reported in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island. • In response, Tehran announced the closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz "until further notice" following the seizure of a cargo vessel and US accusations regarding an attack on a commercial ship near Oman. • This escalation marks a significant spike in Gulf tensions, severely undermining the prospects for renewed diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran.