China accuses US of ‘AI hegemonism,’ threatens countermeasures over potential probes

The United Kingdom is preparing for a fifth heatwave this summer, with temperatures projected to reach 36C and prompting the Met Office to consider issuing rare red weather alerts. The extreme heat poses severe risks of disruption across railway lines and power networks, whilst compounding growing concerns over drought and food security. Following a temporary drop in temperatures on Monday, heat levels across England and Wales are expected to climb rapidly. Sunday marked the 35th day in 2026 where British temperatures exceeded 30C, hitting a peak of 30.6C. Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan indicated that mid-30s temperatures will become widespread on Wednesday and Thursday, with Thursday currently tracking as the hottest day of the week and holding a small chance of exceeding 36C. The prolonged period of dry conditions has left half of England and Wales grappling with near-drought environments, and officials warn that further regions could soon be declared affected zones. Alongside potential infrastructure damage, authorities are highlighting risks to health and agricultural output. The Met Office confirmed that formal amber and red warnings are under active consideration as the situation develops. Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency has put yellow heat-health alerts in place across the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. These health advisories remain active through Tuesday evening, with potential extensions if extreme conditions persist.

The Pentagon has been criticised for delaying the public release of information about US military casualties during the ongoing conflict with Iran, with a CNN report claiming that injury figures have often been disclosed days or even weeks after incidents occurred. According to the report, US Central Command initially provided regular updates on troop injuries during the early stages of the conflict but has since stopped routinely announcing non fatal casualties. As a result, the Defence Casualty Analysis System has become the main official source for casualty information, although its updates have reportedly lagged behind events. A Pentagon official told CNN that documenting military injuries can take several days or even weeks because cases must go through medical evaluations and administrative reviews before being entered into official records. The official maintained that the casualty database is updated regularly despite the delays. The report said that since the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in mid June, the database initially recorded one new military death and 14 wounded personnel. The fatality was identified as Navy Commander Gabriel Edwards, a helicopter pilot who was lost at sea in the Arabian Sea on July 1. CNN reported that casualty figures appeared to be added in batches rather than immediately after incidents. One injured Air Force member was reportedly listed in a July 13 update, while another update on July 17 included 10 wounded soldiers and three injured sailors. After CNN published its report, the casualty database was updated again on July 20 with four additional military deaths and 20 more wounded service members. Despite those updates, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the official database still did not fully reflect the total number of injuries. In a statement posted on social media, he said nearly 100 US service members had been injured since July 7, adding that most suffered minor concussions. Parnell defended the Pentagon’s approach to releasing casualty information, arguing that providing immediate details about non fatal injuries could give valuable information to adversaries and potentially place more military personnel at risk. He also said the Pentagon and US Central Command have continued providing regular updates on military operations against Iran. According to Parnell, public statements by President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have also kept the public informed about the objectives and progress of the campaign. The report also highlighted several recent attacks involving US forces in the region. An Iranian missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan reportedly killed two American service members and left another missing. In a separate incident in northern Iraq, another US soldier died during the controlled destruction of a downed Iranian drone. US Central Command confirmed that one service member was injured during the Iraq operation. It also said four personnel who were treated in hospitals in Jordan following the airbase attack had been discharged after receiving medical care. Officials added that several other military personnel suffered minor injuries but were able to return to duty after medical evaluation. The latest report has renewed questions about the speed and transparency of casualty reporting during military operations, with critics arguing that delayed disclosures make it more difficult for the public to understand the human cost of the conflict.

China has strongly opposed a US decision to place several Chinese research institutions on a sanctions list. Beijing criticised the move on Wednesday. It accused Washington of using national security concerns to restrict scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce said Beijing would take necessary steps to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its research institutions. The spokesperson also said China wanted to maintain a stable environment for normal scientific exchanges and cooperation with international partners. Beijing accused the United States of repeatedly expanding the definition of national security. It said Washington had created discriminatory barriers against Chinese institutions. China also criticised what it described as the politicisation and weaponisation of scientific research. According to Beijing, such policies could damage cooperation between researchers and universities in both countries. The Chinese government said the US measures were against the broader global trend of international cooperation in science and technological innovation. Beijing urged Washington to withdraw what it called unjustified accusations against Chinese research institutions. China also called on the United States to correct its policies as soon as possible. It demanded fair, just and non-discriminatory treatment for Chinese research organisations. The dispute comes amid wider tensions between Washington and Beijing over technology, trade and national security. The United States has increasingly tightened restrictions on Chinese access to advanced technologies. Semiconductor manufacturing has become a major area of competition between the two countries. China is also working to expand its domestic semiconductor industry. Beijing aims to reduce its dependence on advanced foreign chips affected by US export restrictions. Last week, the US Department of Defence updated a list of foreign institutions it considers involved in “problematic activities”. The updated list included Chinese defence-related academies and several universities. Shanghai-based Fudan University was also among the institutions added to the list. The latest move is likely to add another point of tension to already strained US-China relations. Beijing has repeatedly opposed US measures targeting Chinese companies, universities and research organisations. Washington, meanwhile, has maintained that its restrictions are linked to national security and technology concerns.