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US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order aimed at streamlining regulations and strengthening the country’s commercial space sector. The order directs federal agencies, including the Departments of Transportation, Commerce, and Defense, as well as NASA, to expedite environmental reviews, eliminate redundant rules, and create a faster approval process for new space activities, Xinhua reported.

The measure also calls for a review of state compliance with the Coastal Zone Management Act to ensure spaceport development is not unnecessarily restricted. US media noted the move could particularly benefit SpaceX, whose Starship rocket testing has faced delays due to regulatory reviews. SpaceX currently leads the US in launch frequency, surpassing even NASA.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says over 70 chikungunya cases were reported in the first half of 2025—more than double last year—linked to travel to India, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius. The virus causes fever and joint pain but cannot spread as mosquitoes that causes the spread are not present in UK, BBC reported.

UKHSA also confirmed the first UK cases of Oropouche virus, spread by midges, causing fever, headache, and muscle pain. Pregnant travellers are advised to take extra precautions.

New research suggests that drug treatment for newly diagnosed ADHD patients can lower risks of substance misuse, suicidal behavior, traffic accidents, and criminality, BBC reported.

Affecting around 5 percent of children and 2.5 percent of adults globally, ADHD is linked to impulsivity, high energy, and difficulty concentrating. Diagnosis occurs only when symptoms significantly impact daily life.

Published in the British Medical Journal, the study highlights that stimulant medications may provide long-term behavioral benefits alongside managing everyday symptoms, helping patients make informed treatment decisions despite potential side effects, according to BBC.

Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has elected Edson Fachin as its next chief justice, succeeding Luis Roberto Barroso. Fachin won 10 of 11 votes in a symbolic ballot, while Alexandre de Moraes was chosen as his deputy with the same tally, in line with the tradition that justices do not vote for themselves, Xinhua reported.

Fachin, a court member since 2015, said he assumes the role with a “sense of mission” and a focus on dialogue. He will take office on Sept. 29 and also lead the National Council of Justice. Moraes, who has faced US sanctions under the Magnitsky Act, described his appointment as “an honor and a joy.”

India plans to allow private companies to mine, import, and process uranium, ending decades of state monopoly, Reuters reported. The move aims to attract investment and support the government’s goal to expand nuclear power capacity and its expansion twelvefold by 2047.

The government will still manage spent fuel reprocessing and plutonium waste. Private firms may also supply critical equipment for nuclear plants. Domestic uranium covers only about 25 percent of future demand, so imports and expanded processing are needed.

The policy, expected this fiscal year, requires changes to five laws, including mining, electricity, and foreign investment regulations. Experts call it a “major and bold” step, though legal and political challenges remain.

Several major Indian companies are already planning investments, according to Reuters.

Afghanistan’s interim government is preparing to celebrate Victory Day on August 15, marking its takeover of power in 2021 and the withdrawal of US-led troops from the country.

Main roads, including the route linking Kabul International Airport to the former US embassy, have been adorned with the administration’s white flags. Slogans such as “Afghans defeated the invaders” have been displayed on state buildings and traffic circles to commemorate the occasion, according to Xinhua.

The government has observed August 15 annually as Victory Day since the last US soldier left Afghanistan on August 31, 2021.

China has voiced support for Thailand and Cambodia in resolving their border dispute, offering assistance if both nations request it, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Yunnan, Wang urged the two countries to strengthen dialogue and rebuild mutual trust, according to Reuters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Thursday, ahead of US President Donald Trump’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, Reuters reported.

Zelenskiy, who attended a virtual meeting with Trump and European leaders on Wednesday, urged against concessions to Moscow and warned that Putin is “bluffing” about ending the war. Trump responded by threatening “severe consequences,” including possible sanctions, if Putin rejects peace terms.

Trump said the Alaska meeting aims to “set the table” for a follow-up involving both Zelenskiy and Putin. Britain, France and Germany — co-chairs of the “Coalition of the Willing” — outlined their ceasefire position after Wednesday’s talks, according to Reuters.