Trump to reinterpret 1987 missile treaty to sell heavy attack drones abroad
President Donald Trump plans to reinterpret the 1987 Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) so that heavy attack drones like the MQ-9 Reaper are treated as aircraft rather than missile systems, Reuters reported.
The change would relax decades-old restrictions and allow US companies, including General Atomics and Anduril, to expand drone sales abroad. Saudi Arabia is expected to buy more than 100 MQ-9s under a $142bn arms package, with other interested buyers in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, the Pacific, and potentially Ukraine.
Supporters argue the move will strengthen US competitiveness against rivals such as Israel, China, and Turkey, while boosting jobs at home. Critics warn that loosening export limits could fuel regional conflicts and undermine arms-control efforts.
According to Reuters, the reinterpretation comes as part of Trump’s broader push to speed up foreign military sales and expand the US defense industry’s global reach.
US senators pit Kennedy against Trump on vaccine policy
US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced tough questioning from senators over his vaccine policies, including the dismissal of CDC Director Susan Monarez and the cancellation of $500m in COVID vaccine contracts. Critics say these moves have limited public access to vaccines and undermined scientific standards, according to Reuters.
Kennedy defended his actions, claiming the CDC misled the public during the pandemic. Since Monarez’s removal, four CDC officials have resigned, citing concerns over misinformation and anti-vaccine policies. Over 1,000 health professionals and several senators have called for Kennedy’s resignation amid falling vaccination rates.
President Trump voiced support for Kennedy while noting their policy differences, highlighting the ongoing debate over the government’s public health direction, Reuters reported.
Finland joins declaration on two-state solution between Isarel, Palestinians
Finland has joined an international declaration supporting a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The initiative, launched at a July UN conference co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, aims to establish “tangible, timebound, and irreversible” steps toward two sovereign states, prioritizing an end to the nearly two-year conflict in Gaza, according to Reuters.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen called it the most significant global effort in recent years for peace. While Finland supports the initiative, it has not formally recognized Palestine, reflecting divisions within its government.
US deploying ten fighter jets to Puerto Rico for drug cartel fight
The United States is sending 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico to strengthen operations against drug cartels in the southern Caribbean. This deployment adds to the existing US presence of seven warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and over 4,500 personnel, Reuters reported.
The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s effort to curb drug trafficking into US. The jets, expected to arrive by late next week, will focus on designated narco-terrorist groups.
The escalation follows a US strike on a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, which left 11 dead. The Pentagon has labeled Venezuela’s government a “narco-trafficking cartel,” a claim denied by President Nicolas Maduro, further heightening regional tensions, according to Reuters.
