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Scientists make breakthrough discovery that could help protect food supply: ‘Game changer’

Scientists are celebrating a breakthrough discovery that could allow honeybees to get the nutrients they need to survive.

ScienceDaily recently reported on a University of Oxford study in which researchers engineered a food supplement for honeybees. The supplement mimics nutrients found in plant pollen and could help keep honeybees alive when their food supplies are low.

“We rely on honeybees to pollinate one in three bites of our food, yet bees face many stressors,” said Danielle Downey, executive director of honeybee research nonprofit Project Apis m., per ScienceDaily. “Good nutrition is one way to improve their resilience to these threats, and in landscapes with dwindling natural forage for bees, a more complete diet supplement could be a game changer.”

The supplement specifically imitates lipids (like fats) called sterols that are typically found in pollen. At the end of the study, scientists found that colonies that received the supplement had up to 15 times more larvae than those that did not.

There were also more robust bee populations in those colonies for the entire three-month feeding period. Populations that received the control diet usually stopped producing after about 90 days.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, honeybees pollinate up to $15 billion worth of crops annually. These include many different kinds of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. While these bees aren’t native to the U.S., they’re crucial for keeping our food supply chains running.

ScienceDaily said that scientists could replicate and tailor the supplement in the University of Oxford study for other pollinators. Additional trials will need to happen first for the supplement to be made available. Researchers hope the honeybee supplement will be available for use in the next two years.

This supplement could also be a good stepping stone while researchers find a way to strengthen our agriculture sector. The price of honey in places like Moldova has gone up because of severe weather events. While weather-resistant crops that grow in alignment with bees’ pollinating habits are in the works, a honeybee supplement could be life-saving.

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September 19, 2025
WBCSD and EY call for collective business action across major value chains to accelerate emissions reduction
- New report from WBCSD and EY outlines new value-chain approach to accelerate emissions reduction
- Report signals crucial role for AI in identifying and targeting emissions hotspots and interventions; and in speeding up emissions reduction
- Report comes in advance of WBCSD’s Emissions Reduction Accelerator launch and its action plan designed to help WBCSD members cut global emissions
Geneva, 19 September 2025: Global efforts to tackle greenhouse gas emissions must be stepped up – and there is an urgent need for collaboration across the business world in order to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, according to a new report from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and EY.

The report highlights the pivotal role that businesses can play in accelerating emissions reduction through collaboration across their value chains and highlights the challenges of decarbonizing across global value chains, to achieve vital goals.

The report was developed through a combination of data analysis, research and stakeholder engagement sessions. It looks at the action needed among the WBCSD’s member businesses – which together account for approximately 25% of both global corporate revenue and greenhouse gas emissions – and shows that current 2030 targets for emissions reduction fall short of the requirements set out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Paris Agreement.

Across this huge global sample of businesses – a bellwether for the entire business world – 89% of GHG emissions are Scope 3, meaning that they are emissions which come from a company’s value chain rather than direct from the company itself. This makes controlling the emissions even more challenging than would otherwise be the case.

The new report comes ahead of the launch of WBCSD’s Emissions Reduction Accelerator (ERA), at COP30, and an action plan designed to encourage vital collective action towards emissions reduction goals targeting all stages of a business’ value chain – the ‘value chain approach.’

Through this value chain approach – and tools and solutions developed by WBCSD and others – ERA is designed to identify hotspots for impactful interventions, harness AI-driven insights, and foster collaboration among industry, policy, finance, and innovation stakeholders. ERA is a response to the business need for solutions that unlock business value while accelerating emissions reduction.

The scale of the climate challenge is immense, but so is the opportunity. ERA’s approach to address emissions across entire value chains is exactly the kind of game-changing action the world needs to meet the moment. WBCSD has the unique opportunity to convene 250+ of the world’s leading companies to accelerate emissions reduction and improve business performance for all. The time for action is now.

– Dominic Waughray, Executive Vice President, WBCSD

If we’re going to find a way to address emissions among the world’s largest companies, collaboration is essential. Value chains contribute up to 80% of emissions for many big businesses, meaning there’s no option but to work together, to solve the problem. With the rapid development of AI, technology can play a huge role in helping to accelerate decarbonization and there’s no doubt that the commitment of WBCSD’s membership on this important initiative, provides a real boost to a crucial collective effort.

– Dr Matthew Bell, EY Global Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader

We are at a truly decisive moment in the battle to curb the business impacts of climate change, and emissions reduction is central to any chance of success. With a clear pathway to turn ambition into action, the world’s biggest businesses can have a significant impact. The best route to meaningful emissions reduction is for businesses to work closely with their value chains. And with emerging technology too, there are incredible opportunities to identify and target emissions hotspots wherever they may be.

– Velislava Ivanova, EY Global Strategy and Markets Leader, Climate Change and Sustainability Services
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September 19, 2025
Polygenic Risk and Exposure Severity Predict Trajectories of PTSD: A Prospective Cohort Study
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Islamabad moves to regularise 580 dengue workers

In a major development for health workers on the frontline of the dengue campaign, the District Health Office (DHO) has decided to regularise daily wage dengue workers serving in the federal capital.

According to officials, the DHO has forwarded the PC-4 to the Federal Ministry of Health for approval. Currently, 500 dengue workers are recruited on daily wages under the DHO office, while 80 other non-permanent project employees are also engaged in anti-dengue activities.

If approved, a total of 580 employees will be regularised, giving them long-term job security and benefits.

Officials said the move reflects recognition of the workers’ vital role in combating dengue outbreaks in Islamabad.

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central banks, bonds and the risks ahead

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Join Financial Times journalists and guests for a subscriber webinar on the resilience of the financial system and the risks facing it. With government bond yields rising, questions mounting over central bank independence and political shifts reshaping trade and monetary policy, what are the implications for investors, households and policymakers?

Our expert panel will explore:

How nervous should we be about government bond prices falling, pushing yields up significantly? Does this mean the so-called “bond vigilantes” are back and putting indebted governments under pressure?
Are the low interest rates that followed the global financial crisis now a thing of the past?
How is US monetary policy evolving under political pressure from President Trump — and what is it doing to the Federal Reserve’s credibility?
How are Trump administration tariff policies affecting other central banks, in terms of their monetary policy and financial stability mandates?
Are looser regulations and renewed hype around cryptocurrencies posing a new risk to financial stability?

Chris Giles, the FT’s economics commentator, who writes a fortnightly column and the weekly newsletter Chris Giles on Central Banks (sign up here)
Lael Brainard, vice-president and director at Brookings Global Economy and Development, former director of the US National Economic Council
Katie Martin, FT markets commentator
Claire Jones, US economics editor
Another guest to be confirmed

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Gulveer Singh, Annu Rani fail to progress past qualifying rounds

Asian champion Gulveer Singh missed a historic men’s 5000m final berth by just 0.19 seconds, while Annu Rani bowed out in the women’s javelin throw qualifiers at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo on Friday.

Running in Heat 2 of the 5000m, Gulveer clocked 13:42.34 to finish ninth, just behind Norway’s two-time Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who claimed the final qualifying spot in 13:42.15.

The 27-year-old Indian athlete kept himself in contention for most of the race. At 1000m, he sat third and was second at 2900m, just 0.10 seconds adrift of leader Grant Fisher of the USA.

However, a fading final lap dash cost him the chance to become the first Indian to reach a 5000m final at the Worlds.

Reflecting on the race, Gulveer admitted that the conditions played their part. “My training in USA was good but because of this weather my body hasn’t responded well here. In the last kilometre I was left short,” he said. “This was my first championships and I have learned a lot from all the big athletes here. Next time, I believe I will do better than this. Now I will focus on the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.”

At the Boston University Terrier DMR Challenge in February, Gulveer ran 12:59.77 to break both the Asian short track and Indian national record. He became the first Asian man under 13 minutes in the 5000m short track.

Gulveer also struck 5000m gold at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Gumi with a meet record of 13:24.77. Earlier in Tokyo, he finished 16th in the 10000m final with 29:13.33.

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NBA Birthdays: Players born on July 15

Damian Lillard is among NBA players born on July 15.

With over 5,000 players in NBA history, at least one player was born on every day of the calendar year – including four leap day ballers. Our day-by-day breakdown of the players born on each day of the year continues.

Below are the most notable NBA players born on July 15.

Damian Lillard (1990)

Damian Lillard has established himself as one of the best shooters in NBA history. Lillard was selected sixth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers out of Weber State. Lillard immediately became a star, taking down Rookie of the Year in his debut campaign. He followed that up with his first All-NBA (Third Team) and All-Star appearance in his sophomore season, making nine All-Star appearances throughout his 13-year career.

Lillard was top-ten in MVP voting five times while making seven All-NBA teams as well. The 2022-23 season with the Blazers was arguably his best, averaging a career-high 32.2 points with 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. He then spent two years with the Milwaukee Bucks before rejoining Portland ahead of the 2025-26 season. They’ll be adding a future Hall of Fame player, as Lillard holds averages of 25.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 6.7 apg and 1.0 spg throughout his 13-year career.

Tobias Harris (1992)

Tobias Harris has quietly been one of the most efficient players in the NBA over the last decade. After being selected 19th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats, a draft day trade sent him to the Milwaukee Bucks, but he found a home with the Magic midway through the 2012-13 season. Harris averaged 17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in a breakout campaign in 2014-15 with Orlando, which is why the Detroit Pistons acquired him the following season.

Harris spent two years in Detroit and then a year with the Los Angeles Clippers before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018-19, where he signed a long-term contract. He played the next five full seasons in Philly before going back to Detroit in 2024-25. Over his 14-year career, Harris is averaging 16.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.4 apg, 0.8 spg and 0.6 bpg across 970 outings.

Want to see every NBA player born on July 15? Here is the rest of the list in chronological order:

Lee Knorek (1921)
Archie Clark (1941)
Bill Dinwiddie (1943)
Allen Murphy (1952)
Norton Barnhill (1953)
Richard Washington (1955)
Ken Austin (1961)
Chris McNealy (1961)
John Crotty (1969)
Lorenzo Williams (1969)
Stephen Howard (1970)
Khalid Reeves (1972)
Chris Johnson (1985)
Anthony Randolph (1989)
Tyler Honeycutt (1990)
Damian Lillard (1990)
Troy Daniels (1991)
Derrick Favors (1991)
Tobias Harris (1992)
Luke Kornet (1995)
A.J. Lawson (2000)

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September 19, 2025

Attaullah Tarar condemns KPK CM’s notice to journalist Abdullah Momand

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ISLAMABAD, Sep 19 (APP): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar has expressed deep concern and regret over the notice sent to Dawn News journalist Abdullah Momand by Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur.

The minister, in a news statement, said serving a Rs. 1 billion notice to Abdullah Momand merely for asking a question is tantamount to an “attack on press freedom, and violation of democratic values, and a deviation from the constitution”.

“It is the duty of a journalist to ask questions,” he said, adding that serving a notice in response to a question is not only unconstitutional and illegal but also unethical.

“Such actions are intended to undermine democratic values and silence journalists especially by putting them under pressure,” the minister remarked.

He said democratic values demand that questions be answered with reason and clarification, not by harassing and intimidating journalists.

“Threatening journalists with defamation notices and cybercrime proceedings is unacceptable under any circumstances,” he stressed.

The minister described this behavior as an “abuse of state offices and powers”, noting that such actions harm Pakistan’s reputation not only domestically but also internationally.

He highlighted that media freedom and the protection of journalists are considered human rights globally, and incidents of this nature damage Pakistan’s positive image.

Tarar called it “extremely regrettable” that every action of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) goes against the country’s interests. He accused the party of habitually imposing restrictions on press freedom, ridiculing institutions, and attempting to defame public representatives.

“The government stands with the journalist community and will firmly oppose any action that attempts to suppress the media or violate democratic values,” he said.

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September 19, 2025

2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix FP2 report and highlights:

Lewis Hamilton led a Ferrari 1-2 in Free Practice 2 for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Lando Norris’ session came to an early end after hitting the barrier.

Hamilton’s 1m 41.293s left him 0.074s clear of Charles Leclerc in the final classification as the McLarens of Norris and Oscar Piastri struggled for performance throughout, finishing only 10th and 12th respectively.

Even in the opening minutes the Baku run-off areas were put into use, Liam Lawson running deep at the downhill left-hander of Turn 15, with Hamilton doing the same at Turn 7 as drivers explored the limits for the second one-hour session.

Having spent a large portion of the opening session in the garage while a power unit issue was rectified, Piastri hit the track almost immediately in FP2 with the soft Pirelli tyre, posting a 1m 43.307s on his first flying lap that put him to the top of the times initially.

But the times soon began to tumble as more rubber was put down on the circuit and drivers utilised the softest compound, with Norris’ leading lap from FP1 easily beaten inside the opening 10 minutes.

After the opening flurry Norris was left fastest with a 1m 42.199s, fractionally faster than Leclerc, the Ferrari driver having taken pole position for the last four editions of the Azerbaijan GP and showing his prowess again around the street circuit, becoming the first driver to dip below the 1m 42s mark with a 1m 41.786s.

Team mate Hamilton slotted into second less than two-tenths behind before jumping to the top with a 1m 41.543s on the 20-minute mark, both laps having been achieved on the medium rubber to give teams a possible tyre conundrum ahead of Qualifying on Saturday.

Norris’ session then unravelled at the halfway point, the McLaren driver striking the wall on the exit of Turn 4 which damaged his left-rear suspension, and although the Briton was able to recover back to the pits, he remained in the garage until the chequered flag.

Just minutes later, Drivers’ Championship leader Piastri joined his team mate in the pits having glanced the Tecpro barrier at Turn 15 before being sent on his way after precautionary checks.

Meanwhile, Leclerc moved back to the top of the times with a 1m 41.367s as the Ferraris engaged in their own personal duel, Hamilton going fastest on a 1m 41.293s on the softs with just over 10 minutes left for the fastest lap of the day.

Mercedes’ George Russell finished best of the rest, just under half a second behind Hamilton, and ahead of team mate Kimi Antonelli, Haas’ Ollie Bearman, Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Lawson (Racing Bulls).

Esteban Ocon completed a positive day for Haas in eighth from Alex Albon, Norris and the second Williams of Carlos Sainz.

Piastri finished 12th but was placed under investigation for a yellow flag infringement to be investigated after the session, from Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) and Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber).

The order was completed by Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber), the second Aston martin of Fernando Alonso and Franco Colapinto, the Alpine driver two seconds off the pace.

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September 19, 2025