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UNICEF is urging immediate measures to safeguard Iraq's rivers, linking the deteriorating state of the country's waterways to risks for children's health. The appeal highlights concerns over pollution and water scarcity affecting Iraqi communities, with the organization stressing that clean water is essential to protecting vulnerable children from disease.

An environmental group says a diesel price spike it links to Iran-related tensions has pushed fuel costs high enough that electric trucks are now cheaper to run than diesel trucks in several key EU markets. The claim is circulating widely through news outlets, framing the energy price shock as a potential turning point for freight electrification in Europe.

The Joy and Justice Tour concluded in Columbia, South Carolina, where advocates argued that period poverty — the lack of access to menstrual products — is taking a toll on girls' mental health. Speakers urged greater awareness and support for students who cannot afford basic hygiene items, linking the issue to anxiety, shame and missed school days.

State leaders are drawing attention to mental health resources available to active service members returning home. The push aims to make sure veterans and transitioning troops know where to find counseling, crisis support and other services as they rejoin civilian life. Officials are encouraging families and communities to share information about the programs.

Cuvo Health has released its 2026 state-by-state compliance report on virtual clinics, finding that 33 of 51 US jurisdictions restrict the corporate practice of medicine. The report maps how these rules affect telehealth companies operating across state lines, where business entities are often barred from employing physicians directly.

A new account of the Solar System's origins says the first planetary bodies formed in molten, fire-like conditions rather than from ice and cold material, as long assumed. The claim challenges the standard picture of early planet formation, in which icy building blocks beyond the frost line were thought to dominate. Details of the research and the reasoning behind it remain limited, and reactions from other scientists are not yet clear.

Australia's central bank is expected to resume lifting its key interest rate, with policymakers losing patience over persistent price pressures. Bloomberg reports the Reserve Bank of Australia is set to return to rate hikes after a pause, as inflation remains above target. Markets and economists are watching for confirmation at the next board meeting and what it signals for borrowing costs.

A multi-pronged plan has been announced to provide mental health resources for service members returning to Vermont. The initiative, covered by several regional news outlets, aims to expand support for veterans as they transition back to civilian life. Little detail beyond the announcement itself has been reported so far, and reactions from officials or veterans groups have not yet been widely shared.

NASA scientists are mapping vast hidden valleys buried beneath Greenland's ice sheet, using radar and other remote-sensing techniques to reveal the dramatic landscape below. The work helps researchers understand how meltwater drains under the ice and how this may influence ice sheet behaviour and sea-level rise. The findings highlight how much of Greenland's geography remains unseen beneath kilometres of ice.

The All-In Podcast's latest episode, presented by Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Friedberg and David Sacks, is drawing major attention with a wide-ranging discussion of the AI industry. The hosts weigh whether Anthropic's long-rumoured IPO could be in danger, Meta's newly launched Muse model, falling AI token prices, open source models gaining market share, and renewed concerns that AI alignment efforts are failing.

Wisconsin Community Services is speaking about the challenges people face when returning to society after time in jail, with a focus on the mental health effects of reentry. The discussion, featured by Spectrum News, examines how former inmates struggle with support systems and mental health care as they reintegrate into their communities.

Iraq has granted official licensing for SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service, according to IraqiNews. The move would allow the satellite broadband provider to operate legally in the country, potentially improving internet access in areas poorly served by terrestrial networks. Iraq's internet infrastructure has long been criticised for outages and slow speeds, so approval of satellite service is likely to draw attention from both consumers and regional telecom operators.

Discounts on the iPhone 17 are drying up as Apple's price increases spread across markets. Reports from Forbes and other outlets indicate retailers are pulling back promotional pricing, meaning buyers who waited for deals may now pay closer to full price. The story has been picked up widely, fuelling discussion about rising smartphone costs and whether consumers should buy now or hold off for future promotions.

South Korean chip developer Moblint is working with LG, Doosan and Daedong to build on-device AI semiconductors designed to run artificial intelligence directly inside robots and home appliances. The partnerships signal a push to bring AI processing off the cloud and into everyday consumer and industrial hardware across Korea's electronics and machinery sectors.

South Korea's internet-only banks are accelerating the rollout of multicurrency services, allowing customers to hold and manage foreign currencies alongside won. The push, reported by Korean business media, reflects intensifying competition among digital lenders to broaden overseas banking features as demand grows for foreign exchange access, travel spending and cross-border transactions.

Gold prices have dropped sharply as central bankers delivered speeches that shifted market expectations. The declines coincide with a busy economic calendar, with traders reacting to signals about the future path of interest rates. Analysts suggest comments from policymakers prompted investors to reduce safe-haven positions, moving money back toward rate-sensitive assets.

Traders believe India's central bank, the Reserve Bank of India, is intervening in currency markets to support the rupee. Pressure on the currency has mounted after stalled US-Iran negotiations pushed oil prices higher, threatening to widen India's import bill. The bank has not commented on the suspected intervention, which is a routine part of its currency management.

Japan's corporate services price inflation has climbed to its highest level in two years, according to a Reuters report. The reading signals that companies are passing on rising labour and input costs, a trend the Bank of Japan watches closely as it weighs further interest rate hikes. Markets are assessing what firmer service prices mean for the outlook for Japanese monetary policy.

Researchers at the International Center for Nanoarchitectonics report guiding quantum vortices using atomic-scale rails, a technique that could improve control over quantum phenomena in materials. The work suggests new ways to direct superconducting or superfluid vortex behavior at the nanoscale, with potential implications for quantum technologies. Details of the findings remain limited in early coverage.

British police used a robot to fire at vans near an airbase used by US forces, in what authorities are treating as a terror-related incident. The incident, captured on video, has drawn attention to both the security response at the base and the use of armed robots by police in counter-terrorism operations.

A nor'easter storm has knocked out internet service for thousands of residents across Connecticut, according to multiple local news outlets. The storm, which brought heavy wind and rain to the region, damaged infrastructure and left customers of internet providers offline. Residents have been reporting outages as crews work to assess the damage and restore connections.

New radar technology is being developed to improve naval operations in the Arctic, where melting ice is opening shipping routes and drawing growing strategic interest. As major powers expand their polar presence, advanced sensing systems capable of working in extreme cold, sea ice and harsh weather could change how navies monitor and operate in the region.

A report says European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde intervened to persuade Greek authorities not to grant Binance a licence to operate in the country. The revelation sheds light on how EU institutions have steered national decisions on the world's largest crypto exchange, which faces regulatory scrutiny across Europe.

Four people have been arrested in Limassol, Cyprus, in a case that has revealed a breach of security licensing rules. Authorities are investigating how individuals involved in security work were operating without the proper licences. The arrests have raised questions about oversight of the private security sector in the city and whether further violations may be uncovered.