UK News
View All 9Services at major London train station resume after fire
Rail services at London Paddington have been restored after a grass fire caused a "major disruption".Services between the Great Western Railway hub and Reading were suspended after the fire at Scrubs Lane in North Kensington caused an electricity supply failure.This resulted in all lines blocked between Paddington and Heathrow, National Rail said on Saturday afternoon.Photos of the fire showed a large plume of smoke rising from the Paddington area and into the skyline. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say In an update on Sunday morning, National Rail said disruption to the Elizabeth Line, Heathrow Express and Great Western Railway (GWR) had ended.Separately, National Rail said pre-planned engineering work between London Paddington and Burnham would close some lines on Sunday morning, with all lines between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway closed early in the morning.As a result of the works, Elizabeth line services will not run between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway until 7.40am.After 7.40am on Sunday, Elizabeth line trains to and from Maidenhead and Reading will run to an amended timetable.GWR services will also be impacted, with early morning trains rescheduled.London Fire Brigade (LFB) said six fire engines and around 40 crew members tackled the blaze near Scrubs Lane, North Kensington, where it was called at just after 4.10pm on Saturday.Around 380 passengers on an Elizabeth Line train were evacuated by the service and Transport for London (TfL).GWR reported "good service" on most of its network on Sunday morning.BRITAIN'S WILDFIRE SUMMER - READ MORE:Massive grassfire breaks out next to busy park in London as locals issued urgent warningDisposable BBQs banned for posing 'significant risk' as Andy Burnham issues 'clean energy' warningHeathrow hit by flight chaos as fire erupts and runway closes at UK's busiest airportSeparately on Saturday, Heathrow's southern runway was closed as a grass fire ignited on the airfield.At least two flights were diverted elsewhere while emergency services extinguished the blaze.Over two-thirds of England remains in drought conditions.Britons have been banned from more than 250,000 acres of woodland over a "risk of ignition" during a summer of record wildfires.Baroness Young, chair of the Forest Commission, said the ban order was necessary because signs enough could not stop blazes.On July 30, London Fire Brigade revealed it tackled a record 63 grass fires in the capital in just one day.And on August 4, the force noted there were 423 grass fires in a weekend.Fire services have repeatedly warned Britons to take extra care around green spaces. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
More than 60,000 arrested for 'communications offences' as trivial as 'viewing TikTok videos'
More than 60,000 people have been arrested for "communications offences" as trivial as watching offensive TikToks, according to a new report set to be published.Now a major free speech has broke out, with the findings described as "Orwellian".The report, by campaign group Big Brother Watch, also highlights the unbalanced implementation of rules on "malicious" messaging, with some forces making 14 times more arrests under the power than others.At least 62,199 people in Britain have been arrested for such offences in just the past five years - 18,150 were later charged and 12,292 convicted. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Campaigners admit some arrests are justifiable, such as intervening to stop threatening messages from abusive partners in domestic violence cases, but argue the broad scope of the law has resulted in police making unnecessary arrests.Lord Young, director of the Free Speech Union (FSU), wrote in the Mail on Sunday: "Why are the authorities spending so much time policing our tweets when they could be policing our streets?"Shoplifting, mobile phone theft and sexual offences are all on the rise, yet the police seem increasingly obsessed with catching thought criminals."The sheer number of people being arrested for online offences, even though only one in five end up being convicted, cannot help but have a chilling effect on free speech."Campaigners pointed to the case of West Midlands Police visiting the home of a teenage girl after she viewed a TikTok post containing a teacher's image with negative comments.The force later concluded the investigation as there was "insufficient evidence to prosecute anybody" in relation to the accusations.West Midlands Police also said the initial allegation was because "a fake social media account had been created in their name and had been used to send indecent messages".Last year, a Hertfordshire couple were arrested after they made complains about their daughter's primary school on a WhatsApp group chat.BRITAIN'S FREE SPEECH - READ MORE:White House slams Labour plan to force promotion of 'trustworthy' sources as 'censorship'Majority of Britons say free speech has deteriorated under Labour, bombshell new poll findsPolice 'bullies' turn up at Briton's door at 2am for interrogation over gender-critical blog postRosalind Levine and Maxie Allen were held for 11 hours under investigation for malicious communications and suspicion of harassment and later received £20,000 in damages.And Lucy Connolly was sentenced to 31 months after being charged for inciting racial hatred over a tweet made in the wake of the Southport murders in July 2024.Last month, author Bernadette Spofforth told GB News she had been held by police for 36 hours after she too posted on social media after the vicious attack by Axel Rudakabana."People up and down the country daren't say what they think about a whole range of issues for fear they'll get a knock on their door at four in the morning by a couple of plainclothes officers wearing rainbow lanyards," Lord Young added.And Big Brother Watch said the "the elasticity of vaguely defined speech offences" had resulted in huge divergences between arrest rates.While Cumbria Police arrested 25.7 people per 10,000 over five years – around 2.5 times the national average – neighbouring Northumbria did so for just 1.9 people per 10,000.Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, told the Mail on Sunday: "There is mounting concern among the public that speech policing is out of control in Britain and it's long overdue that the government takes action."Andy Burnham must now launch a free speech reset and order an independent review of our laws and police training around speech, in order to fix this Orwellian mess."Thousands of people are being arrested for controversial speech, online jokes and non-violent protest. People have even been arrested for holding blank pieces of paper, and urged to take 'online thinking skills' courses by police. Enough is enough." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
‘The first half of my 20s was hell’: Maisie Williams on her tough childhood and why she’s been having more fun since Game of Thrones
Maisie Williams: ‘I’m in love! That’s all I’ll say.’ All portraits: Mary Rozzi/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Maisie Williams: ‘I’m in love! That’s all I’ll say.’ All portraits: Mary Rozzi/The Guardian Interview ‘The first half of my 20s was hell’: Maisie Williams on her tough childhood and why she’s been having more fun since Game of Thrones Simran Hans After her role in the fantasy series, the actor felt lost. Now she’s getting relationship advice from Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, and following a Sex and the City star’s mantra: never be anywhere you aren’t enjoying yourself Maisie Williams has dabbled in witchcraft exactly once. The actor was getting ready to audition for a part in a film. “I wanted it so badly that I went on to Etsy, and I paid a witch to manifest me the role,” she says, poker-faced. “It didn’t work, and that was where my days of witchcraft ended,” she adds, breaking into an infectious cackle. The spell may not have worked that time, but Williams will soon try her own hand at witchcraft on screen in Practical Magic 2. The sequel to the beloved 1998 romcom, about two supernatural sisters played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, it features Williams as Antonia, the youngest daughter of Bullock’s Sally Owens. She never did get her money back from her Etsy witch. “It was maybe, like, £16.50? Which is not going to break the bank, but good for her. Good for her, to be making money doing nothing!” Williams laughs again. We meet on a sweltering afternoon at a posh pub in Belgravia in London where women in expensive-looking sundresses are drinking Aperol spritzes on the terrace. Williams arrives from a busy day of appointments. The pair were catching up and discussing Murray’s recent memoir, The Make-Believe, about her devastating experience with a wellness cult. The group promised spiritual healing through expensive, elaborate rituals; Murray experienced a psychotic episode and was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. “I knew something was going on, but I didn’t know it was that,” Williams says. “I felt really upset with myself for not asking sooner.” View image in fullscreen Maisie Williams as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones (above) and with Florence Pugh in The Falling (right). Photographs: Helen Sloan/HBO; AlamyView image in fullscreen Williams says she hasn’t always been a sceptic regarding magic. “I used to indulge in the whimsy of the patterns of the universe and think, ‘Oh, it’s a sign that everything’s going to work out.’” She says, taking a sip of Diet Coke.
Tupac trial spotlights decades of US police failures in solving the case
Tupac Shakur poses for a portrait on in Oakland, California. Photograph: Gary Reyes /Oakland Tribune Staff Archives via Getty View image in fullscreen Tupac Shakur poses for a portrait on in Oakland, California. Photograph: Gary Reyes /Oakland Tribune Staff Archives via Getty Tupac trial spotlights decades of US police failures in solving the case Police received information nearly immediately after the killing. It took Las Vegas police 27 years to make an arrest For years, US law enforcement officials blamed their failure to solve hip-hop star Tupac Shakur’s murder on the lack of cooperation from key witnesses, and on gang members’ “snitches get stitches” culture. But testimony in a much-delayed murder trial, which concluded this week, almost 30 years after Shakur’s death, highlighted just how much law enforcement officials knew about the shooting, and how early. On Monday, a Southside Compton Crips gang leader and drug dealer, Duane “Keffe D” Davis, was convicted for orchestrating Shakur’s killing. Davis told investigators in 2008 that it was his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, who pulled the trigger. Anderson died in an unrelated shooting in 1998. The lack of resolution in Shakur’s murder had resonated painfully not just with the artist’s own family and friends, but with many Black Americans. View image in fullscreen Fans, friends and family attend the posthumous unveiling ceremony of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles in 2023. And indeed, witnesses in the trial put a new spotlight on allegations of police corruption and incompetence, the mixed motivations of investigators, and law enforcement turf wars that went on for years behind the scenes of the homicide investigation. What the police knew, and when Though it would take Las Vegas police 27 years before they made their first arrest in Shakur’s murder, testimony at Davis’s trial revealed that police received information almost immediately about what prompted the killing, and who might be behind it. View image in fullscreen Chief deputy district attorney Marc DiGiacomo questions Jeffrey Scott, a senior crime scene analyst for the Las Vegas Metropolitan police department, during the trial for Duane Davis in Las Vegas on 25 August. Photograph: John Locher/Pool via ReutersSurveillance footage played at the trial showed Shakur, the Death Row Records founder, Marion “Suge” Knight, and their associates, some affiliated with the Mob Piru Bloods, assaulting Anderson at the MGM hotel in Las Vegas, an attack that Davis would later say prompted him and his nephew to seek revenge on Shakur.
World News
View All 10The Gaslighting of Hannah Pettey
When a young woman nearly dies from poisoning, investigators focus on the two people she trusted the most. "48 Hours" correspondent Anne-Marie Green reports.
Hungary begins hunt for corrupt regime's billions
https://p. dw. com/p/5LfmS In his election campaign, Peter Magyar promised to recover government funds that were stolen or diverted : Attila Kisbenedek/AFP Asset recovery — it sounds bureaucratic but behind this phrase is one of the most important campaign promises made by Hungary's new government. Hungary's new prime minister, Peter Magyar, and his Tisza party want to retrieve funds and assets that went — in some dubious ways — to the family of ousted Hungarian leader Viktor Orban or his allies, various oligarchs, or frontmen. The new government wants those funds back for state use, and it also plans to hold the beneficiaries accountable under law. Billions of euros were stolen or diverted and, if social media is to be believed, many Hungarians want to individuals responsible behind bars. Magyar has talked of a sum of around €60 billion ($70 billion), though other estimates suggest the real amount could be three times that much. Orban, allies lived lives of luxury Observers say the success or failure of the asset recovery will almost certainly influence the future of Magyar and the Tisza party. The huge sums of money are linked to images of decadent luxury under Orban. The former Hungarian prime minister's family, party members, and friendly oligarchs lived on luxury estates, flew in luxury jets, vacationed on luxury yachts, and repeatedly won billions worth of public contracts. Orban-affiliated entrepreneurs, artists, academics, and journalists were also generously supported with public funds for years. Often their main qualification was loyalty to the former prime minister. Former Prime Minister Viktor Orban has alleged that his successor has 'dismantled the rule of law' since coming to powerImage: Balint Szentgallay/NurPhoto/picture alliance Those lifestyles contrasted with the lives led , the image of neglected public infrastructure, poor conditions in schools and hospitals, and the exodus of many young Hungarians from the country, as well as a huge deficit in the state budget, some 7.5% of Hungary's national income. These contrasts explain why there is such a popular desire for justice. It's been almost four months since the new Magyar government took office and anti-corruption actions have officially started. At the end of July, the new government established the National Asset Recovery Authority, or NVVH — a sort of "super institution" with very broad powers and independence. Hungary hasn't had an authority like this in its modern history. The way state assets were privatized in the 1990s after communist rule was problematic, as it often was elsewhere in the former Soviet bloc. When Orban first came to power in 2010, there was a half-hearted attempt to address the corruption of the previous government under Ferenc Gyurcsany, but it came to nothing.
Flames burst from Qantas plane engine after New Zealand takeoff
A terrifying moment unfolded aboard a Qantas flight from Queenstown to Sydney when flames erupted from its left engine shortly after takeoff. The aircraft was diverted to Christchurch, where it landed safely. Videos capturing the flames were shared on social media.
Saxony-Anhalt: Far-right AfD eyes power in German state vote
Follow all the developments here. Skip next section Polls open in Saxony-Anhalt state election09/06/2026September 6, 2026Polls open in Saxony-Anhalt state election Polling stations have opened in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, where voters are choosing a new state parliament. Around 1.7 million people aged 18 and over are eligible to vote. Polling stations opened at 8 a. m. local time (0600 GMT/UTC) and will close at 6 p. m., when counting begins. Voters are electing the members of the new state parliament in Magdeburg. They can cast two votes: one for a direct constituency candidate and one for a political party. The new parliament will subsequently elect the state premier. The state returning officer expects a preliminary final result in the early hours of Monday morning. https://p. dw. com/p/5LgyK Skip next section ANALYSIS: Why is this election so closely watched?09/06/2026September 6, 2026ANALYSIS: Why is this election so closely watched? Matthew Moore Political correspondent I have not experienced a more polarizing election since Brexit or Trump vs. That is because the stakes are so high. For a number of reasons, the decision voters in Saxony-Anhalt reach today is being watched closely in Berlin and beyond: Watershed moment: Should the AfD secure an absolute majority, it would be the first time a right-wing populist party has won power in a state in Germany in the postwar era. Firewall: Should the AfD not secure an absolute majority, the focus will turn to the conservative CDU. Pressure will mount on the party to rethink its longstanding policy of not governing with or passing laws with the far-right AfD or far-left Left Party. Such a debate risks splitting the CDU. Chancellor: A dire result for the conservatives may lead to calls for the deeply unpopular Chancellor Friedrich Merz to be replaced. In CDU circles in Berlin, the talk is of an election that could 'change the republic.' https://p. dw. com/p/5KVnN Skip next section Saxony-Anhalt heads to the polls as coalition math takes center stage09/06/2026September 6, 2026Saxony-Anhalt heads to the polls as coalition math takes center stage Saxony-Anhalt, one of Germany's 16 federal states, boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage. Home to around 2.1 million people, it is one of Germany's most sparsely populated states. Only two cities, the state capital Magdeburg, and the city of Halle, have more than 200,000 inhabitants. Today, voters will elect a new state parliament. The center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has led the state government since 2002 as the leading party in governing coalitions.
Politics
View All 10Russia calls talks with US envoys “useful”
A Russian aide said talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and two United States envoys were “highly useful” as the Americans attempt to restart stalled peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Yuri Ushakov, a foreign-policy adviser to Putin, said that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner “outlined a number of ideas regarding possible avenues…
Trump admin ends $45M support for Namibia HIV program
The Trump administration announced it will be ending $45 million in support for Namibia’s HIV response program following two decades of annual payments. The U.S. will provide its final $45 million payment in the 2027 fiscal year as “this support will transition into a technical cooperation model,” according to a Friday joint statement from Namibia’s…
Jenrick seeks to get Reform back on track with tax pledge
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Masked protesters block Dover port roads
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Business
View All 10NZ’s National Vows to Ease Deposit Rules for First-Home Buyers
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Indonesia Halts Jakarta, Lampung Flights on Volcano Eruption
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‘Poverty doesn’t have to be my reality’: I thought I’d have to rely on Social Security. Then I taught myself how to invest.
“It always baffled me how some people managed to retire with significant wealth.”
Why does almost nobody want to befriend older people like me — except scammers?
“I’d rather leave my estate to people who spent time with me because they genuinely valued my company.”
Technology
View All 10Seattle Times and Newsday are the latest publications to sue OpenAI and Microsoft
In Brief Posted: PM PDT · September 5, 2026 : vectortatu (opens in a new window) / Anthony Ha Seattle Times and Newsday are the latest publications to sue OpenAI and Microsoft Two more news organizations are suing OpenAI and Microsoft over the supposed use of their journalism to train AI. A lawsuit filed , the journalism industry could become “broken beyond repair.” The lawsuit described generative AI as “a snake eating its own tail” that could “destroy the very organizations” that produce the content it’s trained on. “AI products like ChatGPT and CoPilot are touted as producers of content, but in fact they are rapacious consumers, devouring human-authored content and delivering back to the world copies and derivative imitations of that same original content they consumed to achieve their commercial objectives,” the lawsuit said. Back in 2023, The New York Times sued OpenAI and its partner/investor Microsoft over alleged copyright infringement; other publications have followed suit as the case continued. The Seattle Times’ lawsuit is particularly notable because Microsoft and OpenAI have funded some of the organization’s journalism projects and fellowships. A Microsoft spokesperson told GeekWire that the company is “surprised ” but is “always happy to sit down and explore solutions to this type of dispute.” Topics AI, Media & Entertainment, Microsoft, Newsday, OpenAI Don’t miss out. The startup community will gather to answer a pivotal question: How do you build sustainably in the AI era?
I Test Rode the Volkswagen-Licensed ‘World’s Safest E-Bike’ in Berlin
Gadgets I Test Rode the Volkswagen-Licensed ‘World’s Safest E-Bike’ in Berlin It costs several thousand dollars, and it’s a fun ride—even without a battery. 5, 2026, pm ET Reading time 4 minutes © Wes Davis / Gizmodo Read Later Read Later Comments (2) Electric bicycle maker N+ has partnered with Volkswagen to produce the N+ Volkswagen eBike, described in a press email to me as “the world’s safest e-bike.” The claim rests on a collection of tech that includes smart glasses with a heads-up display, a Bluetooth-connected helmet with integrated front and rear lights, a rear-facing camera, and a handlebar-integrated display. I was invited to test ride the bike while in Berlin at IFA 2026. Set up outside the mobility test track at IFA, N+ had brought the “Sport” model of its new bike. It features a typical-looking frame with a straight top tube, as opposed to the curved-down step-through frame of the “Crossover” the company also offers on its website. The e-bike sits on 27.5-inch wheels and features a middle-tier Shimano U4000 Cues 9-speed derailleur and Tektro brakes. © Wes Davis / Gizmodo One N+ representative told me the e-bike and its components are made with corrosion-resistant materials to withstand winters in places like Berlin, where salted roads after snow can easily corrode bicycle parts. You can tell it’s a Volkswagen-licensed bike , which light up in white and red, respectively, in addition to a separate brake light and headlight. There’s also a “Crossover” model that wasn’t present, but that is otherwise very similar, just with a step-through frame design. The e-bike itself uses a compact, 250W mid-drive Yamaha motor, with its battery integrated into the frame. According to the N+ website, it should be good for about 100 miles on a charge. Both e-bikes have built-in Find My support (Apple for now, but the rep I spoke with said N+ will add support for Android’s version of the same feature). © Wes Davis / Gizmodo That’s all pretty normal high-end e-bike stuff you might find on one of the nicer Aventon or Lectric bikes. What sets these apart is the tech I mentioned at the top. Unfortunately, when I showed up to test-ride the bike, multiple shipping delays meant N+ didn’t have the e-bikes’ battery packs, which go in the e-bike’s downtube (the slanted tube that connects the front of a bicycle to its bottom bracket). Despite that, the reps were able to give me a demo of the smart glasses, which it said weren’t yet ready for the test ride either way.
Gizmodo’s Best of IFA 2026 Awards: See the Winners
Other Gadgets Gizmodo’s Best of IFA 2026 Awards: Winners This is the tech that most impressed us at IFA 2026 in Berlin. Gizmodo Staff Published September 5, 2026, pm ET Reading time 1 minute © Gizmodo Read Later Read Later Comments (0) IFA 2026 was packed with gadgets galore. We expected the annual “Innovation For All” tech show in Berlin to have the usual abundance of smart home devices and home appliances, but companies big and small really pulled up in numbers with genuinely intriguing consumer devices. From a laptop with a screen that expands from 14 inches to 17 inches to a robot vacuum with a robot vacuum that has a smaller “head” to a bezel-less phone, IFA 2026 showed us a glimpse of the future. As we did last year, we’re awarding the very best products of the tech show in our Best of IFA 2026 Awards. Congrats to all the winners. Back to School: The Best Ways to Get Around Campus If you're looking for an easier (or more fun) way to get to and from class, we've got great recommendations whether you're looking to roll up on one wheel or two. Other Gadgets Ian Carlos Campbell Sep 1 Live Updates From IFA 2026 in Berlin 🔴 Follow along with the Gizmodo crew as we cover all the consumer electronics news announcements coming out of IFA 2026 in Berlin. Gadgets Kyle Barr, Wes Davis, Raymond Wong, James Pero, and Matt Wille Sep 6 I Test Rode the Volkswagen-Licensed ‘World’s Safest E-Bike’ in Berlin It costs several thousand dollars, and it’s a fun ride—even without a battery. Gadgets Wes Davis Sep 5 Segway’s Newest Navimow Robomower Has an Edge-Trimming Trapdoor The Navimow H5 Pro's unique approach to edge trimming is aimed at keeping grass trimmed evenly, all the way to the edge. Gadgets Wes Davis Sep 5 The US Robot Ban Is Screwing Us Out of the Good Robomowers Robot mowers with dedicated edge-trimming arms now exist, and we may not see them stateside for quite some time. Gadgets Wes Davis Sep 5 This Hiking Exoskeleton May Actually Help Your Bad Knees, Finally Hypershell Halo is doing a lot more than lifting your legs for you.
Hikers rescued after using Google Gemini for planning
In Brief Posted: PM PDT · September 5, 2026 : Christian Richards / EyeEm / Anthony Ha Hikers rescued after using Google Gemini for planning Three hikers were rescued from California’s Mount Shasta this week after using Google’s AI chatbot Gemini to plan their expedition, according to the Chicago Tribune. A report from the Siskiyou County sheriff’s office said that three young men set off on their hike at 3am and — although hikers are told to turn around if they haven’t reached the summit by noon — they made it to the top at 7pm. The trio then tried to descend in the dark, called the sheriff’s office to ask for directions, and spent the night in Mud Creek Canyon before being rescued the next morning . While it’s not clear whether Gemini can take all the blame for these bad decisions, the sheriff’s office said the hikers “were advised , especially when their planned 8-hour ascent became a multiday ordeal.” “It is always advisable to call the local USFS Mount Shasta ranger station ahead of your trip to ensure you have the most accurate information, and to never rely solely on AI for your trip planning,” the sheriff’s office said. Topics AI, gemini, Google Don’t miss out. The startup community will gather to answer a pivotal question: How do you build sustainably in the AI era?
Science
View All 10A mysterious signal around Earth could be dark matter
Scientists turned Earth into a giant dark matter detector and found several mysterious signals worth a closer look. Date: September 5, 2026 Source: Kyoto University Summary: Scientists used Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere as a planet-sized detector to search for some of the lightest proposed forms of dark matter. The approach dramatically improved limits on ultralight axions and uncovered several intriguing dark photon signals that still need to be explained. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY Researchers have developed a dark matter search that uses Earth itself as an enormous detector. Credit: AI/ScienceDaily. com Dark matter is one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in modern physics. Astronomers are highly confident that it exists and estimate that it accounts for about a quarter of the universe's total energy content, yet scientists still do not know what it is made of. Two leading possibilities are hypothetical particles known as ultralight axions and dark photons. In the mass range examined , these particles would be extraordinarily light, roughly 19 to 21 orders of magnitude lighter than an electron. Turning Earth Into a Giant Dark Matter Detector Many traditional axion experiments try to convert axions into photons . Even powerful lab magnets can only cover a relatively small region. Researchers from Kyoto University, Hiroshima University, and Nihon University saw a way around that limitation. Instead of relying only on laboratory equipment, they asked whether Earth's own magnetic environment could be used as part of the experiment. "We asked ourselves whether we could use the Earth itself as a giant detector in the search," says corresponding author Atsushi Taruya. "The Earth-ionosphere cavity acts as a natural resonator that amplifies electromagnetic waves right around the mass range we wanted to probe." The region between Earth's surface and the ionosphere can naturally resonate with electromagnetic waves, much like a large cavity. That made it especially useful for searching for signals associated with the ultralight particles the team wanted to investigate. Expanding the Search to Higher Frequencies One obstacle was that previous theory could only reliably describe frequencies below 1 Hz. That left much of the potentially useful frequency range unexplored. To solve this problem, the researchers developed a new theoretical framework that includes the electrical conductivity of the atmosphere. Their calculations showed that the Earth-ionosphere cavity can amplify signals near 8 Hz and allowed them to make reliable predictions up to about 30 Hz. The model also predicted an important difference between the two dark matter candidates.
Aviation faces hotter, stormier skies – and passengers might have to accept more disruption
ByTheo Leggett International business correspondent As the country sweltered through one of the many heatwaves of a baking summer in late June, towering thunderclouds were gathering over the south of England and across much of northern Europe. It was a Saturday, and with the holiday season getting under way, thousands of passengers were heading to London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports to catch flights abroad. It was always going to be a very busy day. What followed, however, was chaos for travellers. As air traffic controllers struggled to route aircraft around the storms, airspace became heavily congested and many planes due to fly were simply forced to wait on the ground. In the end, some 900 flights to and from both airports were delayed, some 11 hours. At airports across Europe, passengers expecting to fly into London also faced long waits and uncertainty. The weather in the UK may now have cooled, and passengers may soon forget their experiences. But some within the industry believe what happened in June should be seen as a warning. The timing in this case was clearly unlucky. But there are concerns that such incidents are only going to become more common as the effects of climate change mount up around the world and weather systems are likely to become increasingly unstable, making disruption more likely and adding to costs for airlines, airports and travellers. Tim Atkinson, an airline risk consultant and former pilot, says the very crowded skies over the UK and northern Europe mean the region is particularly exposed. He thinks there is a real risk, for example, that all of London's airports could be affected , potentially with major consequences in the air and on the ground. "What we're seeing now is very rapid climate change," he says. "We're going from the kind of weather activity which takes out an airport, and which the system kind of copes with… to a situation where, with very little predictability, it would be possible to lose all of the London airports from real-time operation quite swiftly and with little notice". Such a scenario, he thinks, would make the disruption for passengers caused – and could even put lives at risk. But how likely is it? Intense activity For controllers at National Air Traffic Services's (NATS) main control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire, thunderstorms are a major preoccupation. When I visit, it is a hot and humid day, there are ominous dark clouds in the sky, and heavy, thundery downpours are hitting the surrounding region.
Venus is disappearing from the evening sky — here's how to see it while you can
Since late March, Venus has been the unmistakable "Evening Star," gleaming shortly after sunset and stealing attention from nearly everything else in the twilight. In June, it helped stage a striking three-planet lineup after sundown, outshining both Jupiter and Mercury. Now the curtain is beginning to fall: Venus is sinking night a morning one before October is over. A familiar dance around the sun Venus moves to a remarkably regular beat. Our nearest planetary neighbor circles the sun in an almost perfect path, completing 13 orbits in 8 Earth years. From Earth, that rhythm makes Venus appear to trace five great loops across the sky in the same span. It is a long cycle noticed by skywatchers — and important to the ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations — and it gives each Venus year its own recognizable personality. In 2026, the pattern closely echoes 2018, differing . Key dates this month Venus is about to blaze at peak brilliance, but this farewell performance comes with a challenge. All month long, the planet will slide lower in the southwest after sunset, shortening the window for a good view. If the horizon is clear and the weather cooperates, these are the evenings to circle on your skywatching calendar. Sept. 7: On Labor Day, Venus sets about 1¼ hours after sunset. Sept. 14: Look low in the west-southwest 30 to 45 minutes after sunset, when a waxing crescent moon appears around 5½ degrees to the left of Venus. Sept. 18: Venus reaches greatest brilliancy, shining at a dazzling magnitude of -4.8 near the horizon. Late September: The planet slips quickly from view, setting just 35 minutes after sundown by month's end. Venus shines near a waxing crescent moon very low in the southwestern sky, 45 minutes after sunset on Sept. 14. ( Night Pro 8.0)Why this farewell is so low-key Ordinarily, the weeks between greatest elongation and greatest brilliancy are prime time for Venus watchers. For evening observers, this apparition has been more frustrating than triumphant, with Venus lingering low in the glow of twilight instead of climbing into a commanding position. The best views came back in June, when Venus lingered until around 11 p. m. Since then, it has been ducking out earlier each night. By Aug. 15, the evening of greatest elongation — when Venus reached its greatest apparent distance east of the sun — it was already setting just as evening twilight faded. For observers at mid-northern latitudes, the finale is especially low to the horizon. Around 40 degrees north latitude, Venus will stand only about 5½ degrees above the southwest horizon at sunset .
This Lego Star Wars UCS AT-ST set is cheaper than ever — I'll always love this chicken walker
Click for next article This Lego Star Wars AT-ST Walker 75417 is a seriously impressive display piece. Save $39 on this Lego Star Wars UCS AT-ST at Amazon. Like the rest of Lego's Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series, this Lego Star Wars AT-ST is a seriously detailed model. It has some interactive features, including rotating guns and an opening hatch, but at 14.5 inches tall, this is very much a display model. Want to expand your collection further? We've also rounded up the Best Lego Star Wars sets. Lego Star Wars AT-ST Walker: was $200 now $161 at AmazonSave $39 on this Lego Star Wars UCS AT-ST set, sure to look absolutely stunning on any shelf or table. Launching just last year, this buildable model has never been cheaper. NOTE: Make sure you tick the coupon box to get it at this price. View Deal Check out our rankings of the best telescopes, binoculars, star projectors, cameras, drones, Lego, streaming and more. This Lego Star Wars UCS AT-ST does have some interactive features but it's not intended for play. ()What's not to love about Star Wars' AT-ST? First glimpsed in The Empire Strikes Back and heavily featured in Return of the Jedi are typical of the Empire; designed to instil fear, but laughably impractical. I can just imagine the Emperor laughing.. "Yes.. yes.... more like a chicken!" as his engineering team roll their eyes. And now, thanks to Lego, you can own this super-detailed Lego Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series AT-ST. Made up of 1,513 pieces, it's for builders aged 18+ or over. It comes with an information plaque and a minifigure of an AT-ST driver. It is designed to be fun to build as well as looking striking as a display piece. It does include an AT-ST pilot minifigure but at 14.5 inches tall, it's much bigger than minifigure scale, which is why he'll stay perched next to the plaque. It's posable to a degree; you can move the cockpit and peek inside it, but the legs are fixed; this is not a play-friendly set. If you're buying for children, consider instead this Lego Star Wars Smart Play Attack on Endor set. Yes, the AT-ST is a hilariously impractical vehicle, easily foiled by a gang of teddy bears, but that's half of its appeal. Key features: 1,513 pieces, 14.5 × 8.5 × 8.5 in. / 37 × 22 × 22 cm, builders aged 18 or over. Product launched: August 2025 Price history: Launched last year, this is the cheapest this set has ever been.
Environment
View All 10How intense rains in the Grand Canyon turned into a deadly disaster
This story was originally published by The Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. A deadly flash flood in the Grand Canyon over the weekend was probably driven by a confluence of climate factors, including drought, wildfire scarring and warming temperatures in the Pacific Ocean that can supercharge storms. At least two people have died, nearly 80 people were rescued and one remained unaccounted for after a surge of water and debris swept through the immensely popular tourist destination on Saturday, fueled ’s Bright Angel Creek area. Flash floods are not uncommon in the region, especially during the monsoon season from June to September, when strong rains pummel the arid landscapes and can quickly fill narrow rock formations. Visiting the Grand Canyon — a crown jewel of the US national park system — can be particularly dangerous in the summer because of the risk of flash flooding, when clear days can give way quickly to thunderstorms and downpours. The steep, rocky nature of the canyon itself funnels water rapidly, transforming downpours into a charging wall of water. Debris from the Bright Angel flash flood event, as seen the morning of August 30, 2026. National Park Service But Saturday’s strong storm also hit part of the burn scar of the Dragon Bravo wildfire, a destructive and fast-moving blaze that swept across nearly 150,000 acres and consumed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge in July 2025. Runoff tends to flow more quickly in the aftermath of a fire, especially in hotter burns where slopes are left barren of vegetation. While it’s still unclear how directly long-term damage to the landscape from that fire played a role in last weekend’s disaster, federal models indicated a rise in the risks of debris flows in Bright Angel Creek. Teams with the Department of Interior charged with assessing post-fire threats to “life, property, and critical natural and cultural resources” found runoff risks would be between two and eight times greater upstream of Phantom Creek. “Hikers on the trails within or downslope from the burned area will experience frequent stabilization issues, especially hazardous rockfall for at least the first year,” the team wrote in a report on conditions. Park officials were reportedly concerned at the start of this summer that stronger storms could create dangerous conditions near the burned areas. Hikers who had to be evacuated creek turned black as it filled with runoff. Debris from the Bright Angel flash flood event, as seen the morning of August 30, 2026.
Reform continues to cast doubt on climate science. Do its supporters agree?
Climate scepticism is common at the Reform party conference, but many also criticise Labour for failing to protect Britons from hot weatherOn the second day of the Reform UK conference, in the wake of an undercover investigation alleging party officials plotted to evade the law on foreign donations, the deputy leader, Richard Tice, addressed the audience. Within minutes, a banner appeared behind him reading: “Collect £5m, burn the planet.”It was taken down promptly and Tice, who has repeatedly called on people to enjoy the summer’s five successive heatwaves and record drought, rolled on. As Reform members at the Birmingham venue applauded Tice, there was plenty of agreement with his views. “I enjoyed the heat this summer,” said Jeanette Bowden, of Bexley. “I don’t think people need telling to take care of themselves.” Her partner, James, added, without scientific backing: “Carbon dioxide was much higher in the past, it was 10 times higher than this during the ice ages. It’s not a human problem.” Continue reading...
As Extreme Weather Worsens, Black and Hispanic Homeowners Are Paying More for Insurance
Homeowners in Hispanic and Black communities nationwide are paying a disproportionate share of skyrocketing home insurance costs, according to a recent report. The disparities leave communities of color at greater risk as climate change increases the frequency of billion-dollar disasters. The report, released in July by the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit representing nearly […]
Error in a Recent BLM Lease Sale Has Wyoming Residents Concerned Over New Oil and Gas Rules
A mistake in the federal documents offering public land in Wyoming for oil and gas leases has Cowboy State residents and environmentalists questioning whether government agencies are prepared to handle President Donald Trump’s “energy dominance” agenda. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced in July that it was offering fossil fuel companies lease sales on […]
Weather
View All 6Today: Light Rain, Minimum Temperature: 15°C (59°F) Maximum Temperature: 24°C (75°F)
Search for a location Search Manchester - Weather warnings issued 14-day forecast Red Met Office Weather WarningsAmber Met Office Weather WarningsYellow Met Office Weather Warnings Forecast - Manchester Day Today , Light rain and a gentle breeze Light Rain Light Rain , High24° 75° Low15° 59° , Wind speed9 mph14 km/h S9 mph14 km/hsoutherly Light rain and a gentle breeze Monday 7th SeptemberMon 7th , Light cloud and a gentle breeze Light Cloud Light Cloud , High19° 67° Low11° 52° , Wind speed9 mph14 km/h W9 mph14 km/hwesterly Light cloud and a gentle breeze Tuesday 8th SeptemberTue 8th , Light rain showers and a moderate breeze Light Rain Showers Light Rain Showers , High17° 62° Low10° 50° , Wind speed14 mph22 km/h W14 mph22 km/hwesterly Light rain showers and a moderate breeze Wednesday 9th SeptemberWed 9th , Light rain and a gentle breeze Light Rain Light Rain , High17° 63° Low9° 49° , Wind speed10 mph16 km/h NW10 mph16 km/hnorth-westerly Light rain and a gentle breeze Thursday 10th SeptemberThu 10th , Light rain and light winds Light Rain Light Rain , High19° 67° Low13° 55° , Wind speed7 mph11 km/h S7 mph11 km/hsoutherly Light rain and light winds Friday 11th SeptemberFri 11th , Light rain showers and a gentle breeze Light Rain Showers Light Rain Showers , High19° 65° Low10° 50° , Wind speed10 mph16 km/h W10 mph16 km/hwesterly Light rain showers and a gentle breeze Saturday 12th SeptemberSat 12th , Light rain and a gentle breeze Light Rain Light Rain , High19° 66° Low12° 54° , Wind speed9 mph14 km/h W9 mph14 km/hwesterly Light rain and a gentle breeze Sunday 13th SeptemberSun 13th , Light rain showers and light winds Light Rain Showers Light Rain Showers , High19° 67° Low11° 51° , Wind speed6 mph10 km/h NW6 mph10 km/hnorth-westerly Light rain showers and light winds Monday 14th SeptemberMon 14th , Drizzle and light winds Drizzle Drizzle , High20° 68° Low12° 54° , Wind speed7 mph12 km/h SW7 mph12 km/hsouth-westerly Drizzle and light winds Tuesday 15th SeptemberTue 15th , Light rain and a gentle breeze Light Rain Light Rain , High19° 66° Low9° 49° , Wind speed9 mph14 km/h W9 mph14 km/hwesterly Light rain and a gentle breeze Wednesday 16th SeptemberWed 16th , Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze Sunny Intervals Sunny Intervals , High18° 65° Low11° 52° , Wind speed8 mph13 km/h NW8 mph13 km/hnorth-westerly Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze Thursday 17th SeptemberThu 17th , Light cloud and a gentle breeze Light Cloud Light Cloud , High19° 65° Low10° 51° , Wind speed8 mph13 km/h N8 mph13 km/hnortherly Light cloud and
Monday: Light Cloud, Minimum Temperature: 11°C (52°F) Maximum Temperature: 19°C (67°F)
Search for a location Search Manchester - Weather warnings issued 14-day forecast Red Met Office Weather WarningsAmber Met Office Weather WarningsYellow Met Office Weather Warnings Forecast - Manchester Day Today , Light rain and a gentle breeze Light Rain Light Rain , High24° 75° Low15° 59° , Wind speed9 mph14 km/h S9 mph14 km/hsoutherly Light rain and a gentle breeze Monday 7th SeptemberMon 7th , Light cloud and a gentle breeze Light Cloud Light Cloud , High19° 67° Low11° 52° , Wind speed9 mph14 km/h W9 mph14 km/hwesterly Light cloud and a gentle breeze Tuesday 8th SeptemberTue 8th , Light rain showers and a moderate breeze Light Rain Showers Light Rain Showers , High17° 62° Low10° 50° , Wind speed14 mph22 km/h W14 mph22 km/hwesterly Light rain showers and a moderate breeze Wednesday 9th SeptemberWed 9th , Light rain and a gentle breeze Light Rain Light Rain , High17° 63° Low9° 49° , Wind speed10 mph16 km/h NW10 mph16 km/hnorth-westerly Light rain and a gentle breeze Thursday 10th SeptemberThu 10th , Light rain and light winds Light Rain Light Rain , High19° 67° Low13° 55° , Wind speed7 mph11 km/h S7 mph11 km/hsoutherly Light rain and light winds Friday 11th SeptemberFri 11th , Light rain showers and a gentle breeze Light Rain Showers Light Rain Showers , High19° 65° Low10° 50° , Wind speed10 mph16 km/h W10 mph16 km/hwesterly Light rain showers and a gentle breeze Saturday 12th SeptemberSat 12th , Light rain and a gentle breeze Light Rain Light Rain , High19° 66° Low12° 54° , Wind speed9 mph14 km/h W9 mph14 km/hwesterly Light rain and a gentle breeze Sunday 13th SeptemberSun 13th , Light rain showers and light winds Light Rain Showers Light Rain Showers , High19° 67° Low11° 51° , Wind speed6 mph10 km/h NW6 mph10 km/hnorth-westerly Light rain showers and light winds Monday 14th SeptemberMon 14th , Drizzle and light winds Drizzle Drizzle , High20° 68° Low12° 54° , Wind speed7 mph12 km/h SW7 mph12 km/hsouth-westerly Drizzle and light winds Tuesday 15th SeptemberTue 15th , Light rain and a gentle breeze Light Rain Light Rain , High19° 66° Low9° 49° , Wind speed9 mph14 km/h W9 mph14 km/hwesterly Light rain and a gentle breeze Wednesday 16th SeptemberWed 16th , Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze Sunny Intervals Sunny Intervals , High18° 65° Low11° 52° , Wind speed8 mph13 km/h NW8 mph13 km/hnorth-westerly Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze Thursday 17th SeptemberThu 17th , Light cloud and a gentle breeze Light Cloud Light Cloud , High19° 65° Low10° 51° , Wind speed8 mph13 km/h N8 mph13 km/hnortherly Light cloud and
Record rainfall brings landslides and infrastructure disruption to Yakushima, Japan
Record rainfall associated with Typhoon No. 24 and an autumn-rain front affected Yakushima Town, Kagoshima Prefecture, from September 4 to September 5, 2026. Rainfall broke the all-time September record at Onoaida, reaching 490.5 mm (19.31 inches) by JST. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a Level 5 Landslide Disaster Special Warning at before replacing it with a Level 4 warning at JST, while authorities reported landslides, water outages affecting as many as 289 households, and large amounts of driftwood at Miyanoura Port. Onoaida recorded 403 mm (15.87 inches) of rain in 12 hours and 479.5 mm (18.88 inches) in 24 hours ending at JST on September 5, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Both totals established new all-time records for the station. JMA’s other station on Yakushima recorded 356 mm (14.02 inches) in 12 hours and 422 mm (16.61 inches) in 24 hours, setting September records. All-time rainfall records were also established at Nakatane on neighboring Tanegashima. The 24-hour total at Onoaida subsequently reached 490.5 mm (19.31 inches) by JST, according to MBC South Japan Broadcasting. Rainfall since the beginning of the episode had reached approximately 558 mm (21.97 inches), nearly twice the station’s normal rainfall for the entire month of September. Rainfall intensified during the evening of September 4, when radar analysis showed approximately 120 mm (4.72 inches) falling near Yakushima Town during the hour ending at JST. JMA issued record short-duration heavy-rain information in response. Successive linear precipitation zones developed over the Tanegashima–Yakushima area during the night and early morning, rapidly increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. The heavy rainfall occurred as Typhoon No. 24 and an autumn-rain front affected southern Japan. JMA issued a Level 5 Landslide Disaster Special Warning for Yakushima Town at JST on September 5, saying unprecedented rainfall was occurring and that the probability of a landslide disaster having already occurred was extremely high. The special warning corresponded to Alert Level 5 meteorological information and called for immediate action to protect life. It did not mean that Yakushima Town had issued a municipal Level 5 Emergency Safety Measure. At JST, JMA replaced the special warning with a Level 4 Landslide Disaster Danger Warning. Yakushima Town’s evacuation action remained a separate Level 4 Evacuation Order. Kagoshima Prefecture’s JST situation report listed the evacuation order as covering 3 574 households and 6 228 people. The order had been issued at JST on September 4, and the prefectural report did not list a cancellation time. Eleven evacuation shelters were listed as operating in Yakushima Town, although the prefecture did not provide a corresponding number of people staying in them. Heavy rain damaged part of the water-intake system serving the Nagamine district, cutting water service to as many as 289 households.
High-level eruption at Anak Krakatau ejects ash over 15 km (50 000 feet) a.s.l., Indonesia
A high-level eruption at Anak Krakatau, Indonesia, ejected volcanic ash up to 15 km (50 000 feet) above sea level at WIB on September 5, 2026 ( UTC on September 4). Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) later tracked the ash moving west at approximately 74 km/h (46 mph), while a second layer to about 5.5 km (18 000 feet) extended south. SIGMETs were issued for the Jakarta and Melbourne flight information regions. Aktivitas gunung anak krakatau selama 24 jam sebelum CCTV mati total Rip buat CCTV yang sudah bekerja siang malam memantau aktivitas tersebut. Dan semoga erupsi gn anak krakatau segera menurun pic. twitter. com/H9rvs9r0X6 — Sumatera Adil & Federal (@indepenSumatera) September 4, 2026 Darwin VAAC recorded a rapid increase in reported ash altitude late on September 4. Advisory 2026/163 placed ash at FL070, equivalent to approximately 2 km (7 000 feet) above sea level (a. s. l), at WIB ( UTC). Advisory 2026/164 identified a high-level eruption to approximately 14 km (45 000 feet) a. s. l., at WIB ( UTC). Ten minutes later, Advisory 2026/165 noted ash at approximately 15 km (48 000 feet), moving west at about 93 km/h (58 mph). SEMBURAN MAGMA DARI GUNUNG ANAK KRAKATAU SEMAKIN BESAR WAK. https://t. co/yM5g4TLhoM pic. twitter. com/wGSXuJdowT — Sumatera Adil & Federal (@indepenSumatera) September 4, 2026 Darwin VAAC said the high-level emission was continuing and based the altitude estimate on an infrared cloud-top temperature of −68°C (−90.4°F). Ash movement and subsequent forecasts were based on Himawari-9 satellite imagery and consensus model guidance. Advisory 2026/167, issued at UTC, identified two ash layers in satellite imagery at WIB on September 5 ( UTC on September 4). Ash extending from the surface to 15 km (48 000 feet) was moving west at approximately 74 km/h (46 mph), while a second layer extending to about 5.5 km (18 000 feet), was moving south at approximately 19 km/h (12 mph). As of UTC on September 4, official sources had not reported airport closures, flight cancellations or delays. The South Lampung Regency Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), citing a September 3 evaluation ’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, reported that Anak Krakatau remained at Level III (Siaga). The evaluation described shallow or near-surface magma dynamics as very high and maintained a 3 km (1.9 miles) exclusion zone around the active crater. During the August 22–31 monitoring period, the Geological Agency recorded eruption columns rising 50–400 m (164–1 312 feet) above the crater. Sulfur dioxide emissions ranged from 715 to 2 922 tonnes (788–3 221 short tons) per day. The monitoring network recorded 174 eruption earthquakes, 714 emission events, 336 low-frequency earthquakes, 32 harmonic events, 851 hybrid or multiphase earthquakes and 30 periods of continuous tremor. BPBD said potential hazards identified in the September 3 evaluation included incandescent ejecta and heavy ashfall near the volcano.
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