Climate Action
(UN News) Tackling air pollution and climate change together can save millions of lives, reduce global warming and generate roughly $15 in economic benefits for every $1 spent, a new UN-backed report has revealed. The assessment by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) shows how coordinated action can improve public health, strengthen economies and accelerate progress on climate goals through 25 proven measures and policy reforms. These include using renewable energy, electric vehicles and clean fuel sources for cooking. It comes as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) also underlined the importance of coordinated action as increased pollution from wildfires and heatwaves threatens to undermine global efforts to improve air quality, – Coordinated action on clean air and climate change can net $15 for every dollar spent | UN News
Sudan
(Sudan) The ongoing war in Sudan took centre stage at the UN Human Rights Council on Monday where the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, led calls for an end to attacks on civilians in “markets, hospitals [and] fuel stations”. Key points: Türk calls for an immediate ceasefire and end to foreign involvement; civilians face growing attacks, including from long-range drones; SAF and RSF may have committed war crimes; Sudan’s healthcare system has suffered extensive damage. Now well into its fourth year, the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has created a massive humanitarian emergency, with more than six million people displaced internally and another 4.5 million forced to seek shelter across Sudan’s borders. In his appeal for an end to the violence, UN rights chief Mr. Türk warned about the deteriorating situation in Kordofan, Blue Nile, and North and West Darfur, stressing that civilians remain at “imminent” risk. – Human rights chief Türk renews call for end to spiralling Sudan war | UN News
Tech World, Cybersecurity, Surveillance
(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs) When a ransomware gang dumps nearly six terabytes of state administration files onto the dark web, ignoring them does not make the problem go away. The Rhysida ransomware group recently carried out this exact threat against Berlin after local authorities refused to pay a thirty Bitcoin ransom. At the end of August, Berlin’s state government confirmed it was dealing with an extortion attempt following an August cyberattack on the city-state’s administrative network, and officials have already refused the requested ransom. The ransomware group Rhysida claimed responsibility on its leak site August 28, posting an entry titled simply “Berlin, Germany” and claiming 5.79 terabytes of data across roughly 1.44 million files, with personal information on 12,076 individuals allegedly included. – Berlin Ransomware Leak Exposes State Secrets
(DigWatch) Argentina. A Bill on mandatory identification and labelling of AI-generated and AI-modified digital content, was introduced to the Chamber of Deputies. According to the bill’s text, the purpose of the proposal is to establish an identification system and mandatory labelling of AI‑generated or AI‑modified content in order to protect dignity, the right to information, identity, image, voice and labour rights, and to preserve the integrity of the democratic system and the Argentine cultural ecosystem. Congresswoman Carolina Basualdo explained her initiative in an interview with La Voz En Vivo, The Congresswoman stated that the proposal seeks to identify artificial‑intelligence products to ensure information transparency and protect a persons’ digital identity. She also stated that what is being proposed is to ensure that citizens and audiences can distinguish between what is real or a product of AI. Basualdo also cited a case of an influencer with a disability whose image was digitally altered without consent as an example of the risks of missing regulation. – Argentina proposes legislation on AI content labelling and digital identity | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) Belgian prosecutors have announced that they detained a Chinese-Belgian national in relation to the suspected leak of gallium nitride chip technology from the now bankrupt firm BelGaN to a China-based rival. The suspect, who held a senior research position at BelGaN, is alleged by prosecutors to have also been serving as a director of a Chinese company with similar manufacturing activities. This case adds to a broader investigation by Belgian authorities into BelGaN’s 2024 bankruptcy where, due to financial difficulties, the company had been partially acquired by Hong Kong-based Chinese investors in 2022. The same investors reportedly set up GaNkool, a similar semiconductor company, in China to which sensitive licences and technologies were allegedly transferred. As such, Belgian prosecutors are investigating the suspect on charges of espionage, participation in a criminal organisation, misuse of company assets and unlawful disclosure of trade secrets. – Belgium detains dual national on suspicion of semiconductor espionage | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) Google Research and Cathay Pacific are expanding trials of an AI-based system designed to help aircraft avoid atmospheric conditions in which persistent contrails are likely to form, extending the technology’s testing across Asia-Pacific and transpacific routes. The system combines AI predictions, satellite imagery, and weather data to identify cold and humid areas where warming contrails are likely to develop. Flight teams receive the information before departure, while updated forecasts can be delivered to pilots through Cathay Pacific’s in-flight connectivity and Electronic Flight Folder. Pilots can then make small planned altitude adjustments to avoid those areas while operating within existing safety requirements. – Google and Cathay Pacific expand AI trial to reduce aviation contrails | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) US Senator Josh Hawley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, has expanded an investigation into AI-enabled surveillance camera networks, requesting information from Motorola Solutions, Verkada, and Axon Enterprise about how their systems collect, retain, share, and allow customers to search personal data. In separate letters dated 2 September, Hawley said the investigation was examining the companies’ collection, retention, and dissemination of data generated by AI-enabled surveillance cameras. Similar letters were sent to Verkada and Axon. – US senator expands AI surveillance camera investigation to Motorola Solutions, Verkada and Axon | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) On 4 September 2026, the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (GGE on LAWS) brought its three-year mandate to a successful conclusion with a consensus-based adoption of its draft final report. Under the Chairmanship of H.E. Mr. Robert in den Bosch of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Group formulated a set of elements to constitute an instrument, without prejudging its nature, along with other measures to address emerging technologies in the area of LAWS. The elements specifically address: the characterisation of LAWS, the applicability of international law in armed conflict, including the principles and requirements of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack, control and human judgment to ensure compliance with applicable international humanitarian law and the measures that follow from it, and human responsibility and accountability that cannot be transferred to machines. – GGE LAWS mandate ends | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) Google DeepMind has selected 16 organisations across the Asia-Pacific region for a three-month accelerator focused on using artificial intelligence to address climate, biodiversity, agriculture, and carbon-related challenges. The selected projects span areas including biodiversity monitoring, environmental risk prediction, satellite-based crop and mangrove analysis, climate-resilient agriculture, energy optimisation, carbon measurement, and regenerative farming. Several combine AI with satellite data, remote sensing, bioacoustics, drones, or geospatial analysis. – Google backs 16 AI climate projects across Asia-Pacific | Digital Watch Observatory
(DigWatch) The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has opened a public consultation on draft rules for the protection of personal information by large personal information processors on 7 August 2026, with comments accepted until 7 September 2026. The draft would apply to organisations assessed against criteria including processing the personal information of more than 10 million people, providing important network services involving personal information, and having processing activities that could significantly affect national security, economic activity, social stability, or public health and safety. – China closes consultation on stricter rules for large data processors | Digital Watch Observatory
(UN News) UN human rights chief Volker Türk added his voice on Monday to growing calls for greater AI controls, warning that the revolutionary technology could become an “existential risk to humanity” if left unchecked. Without binding rules, independent oversight and clear limits, the technology could become impossible to control, the High Commissioner told the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Mr. Türk raised the prospect of AI systems becoming so powerful that their developers could no longer control them. “AI that escapes its testing environment, or blackmails developers to prevent itself from being turned off, is AI that is too powerful,” he said. “I am calling here, today, for an all-out effort to put cast iron guarantees in place around the safety and security of AI, before it is too late.” – AI: Türk urges action before it becomes an ‘existential risk to humanity’ | UN News
The Global Eye is in partnership with SIOI – Società Italiana per l’Organizzazione Internazionale
