UK News
View All 9Local councils fork out millions in compensation over 'baffling' school injury claims
Local councils across England have forked out almost £4million in compensation over "baffling" school injury claims.Around 6,000 claims were settled over the past two years, according to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request.Among the more unusual payouts, Newcastle City Council awarded £4,000 to a pupil who burned their lip on a toasted marshmallow.West Northamptonshire Council paid £20,000 after a child tripped while running towards a bouncy castle. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Further five-figure sums were awarded over playground falls, PE lesson injuries and accidents involving hockey sticks and astroturf surfaces.One child also received compensation after being pushed off a slide.Campaigners have branded the trend a "growing scandal", warning it is changing how schools operate.Shimeon Lee, policy analyst at the TaxPayers' Alliance, told the Mail: "Serious negligence deserves compensation, but some of these pay-outs will leave taxpayers baffled. "Councils must prevent genuine safety failures without encouraging a compensation culture around ordinary accidents."Christopher McGovern, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, blamed what he described as "greedy" no-win, no-fee solicitors."The compensation culture in schools has become a runaway train," he said."These legal vultures advertise on the internet to pull in grievance-seeking parents. Schools and local authorities choose to settle out of court in order to avoid legal costs."TAXPAYER WASTE - READ MORE:London councils spend taxpayer cash paying staff parking fines while backing crackdown on motoristsTaxpayers across Britain face 'ticking time bomb' as council debt soars to record level'Seriously misleading!' Civil service 'covering up how many staff are actually working from home'He warned the trend was "ruining childhood by causing bans on playground games, climbing trees and apparatus or out-of-school trips".However, the figures also include cases involving serious injuries where compensation was awarded following significant failures in duty of care.Wirral Council made one of the largest payouts, awarding £67,000 to a child who suffered an eye injury caused by a door handle.A pupil in Islington received almost £22,000 after losing part of a finger, while Essex Council settled a £40,000 claim involving a child abused by a teacher.Haringey Council also paid £4,460 after a pupil fell from their wheelchair while being helped from a mobility vehicle.Guy Forster, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, said schools had a legal duty to protect children from avoidable harm."Compensation can only be claimed when there has been negligence by the school or the authority that runs it, not for simple accidents or mishaps which could never be foreseen," he said.A Local Government Association spokesman said: "Cases are assessed by individual councils, who will work with headteachers to thoroughly assess each individual case and react accordingly."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Donald Trump orders fresh strikes to 'swiftly punish' Iran after US troops killed in Jordan
Donald Trump ordered fresh strikes on Iran to "swiftly punish" Tehran after two US service members were killed in an attack on an American military base in Jordan.American forces carried out operations against the Islamic Republic for an eighth consecutive night on Saturday following the deadly missile and drone assault earlier in the week.US Central Command said the troops were killed on July 17 while defending the installation from Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.A third service member remains missing following the attack, while four others who sustained injuries have since been released from medical care. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The fatalities are the first American deaths caused by direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the conflict and bring the total number of US personnel killed in the war to 16.Secretary of War Pete Hegseth paid tribute to the fallen troops on social media, writing: "Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve."President Trump ordered fresh military action on Saturday evening to "swiftly punish" the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for the attack on American personnel.US Central Command said the operations concluded on Sunday morning.The strikes targeted Iranian coastal surveillance installations, air defence systems, maritime assets and storage facilities for missiles and drones.Iranian media reported that Sirik, a southern port close to the Strait of Hormuz, was among the locations hit.Tehran retaliated on Sunday morning by announcing drone attacks against two American military installations in Kuwait.Iran's military claimed responsibility for "large-scale attacks with kamikaze drones" targeting an ammunition storage facility at Camp Udairi.IRAN - READ THE LATEST:US strikes key Iranian targets as Tehran retaliates across Middle EastLiverpool man charged with allegedly assisting Iran's intelligence serviceIran shows off sick billboard of Donald Trump's entire family in coffinsIt also said Patriot radar equipment and air surveillance systems at Ali Al Salem Air Base had been attacked, according to state media.The latest escalation came after Mr Trump declared a temporary ceasefire arrangement between Washington and Tehran to be over.Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a rare public statement on Saturday accusing the US President of breaching a memorandum of understanding signed the previous month.The agreement had been intended to establish a framework for a permanent peace deal."The violation of the repeated promises of the Great Satan regarding the memorandum of understanding signed between the presidents of Iran and the United States once again proved to everyone the truth that the signature of the US president is worthless," Khamenei said, according to the Tasnim news agency.The agreement collapsed amid disagreements over control of the Strait of Hormuz.Tehran sought authority over navigation and passage fees for oil tankers, while Mr Trump insisted on unrestricted access through the strategically vital waterway.At least 8,000 people have been killed across the Middle East since fighting erupted in February, with tens of thousands more wounded.Lebanon and Iran have suffered the greatest number of casualties.Iranian missiles struck several Gulf states on Saturday, hitting targets in Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.Kuwait, which hosts seven American military facilities, said a water desalination plant had been attacked for a second consecutive day.Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Co-operation Council, accused Tehran of committing war crimes by striking the facility, which provides vital drinking water.Meanwhile, Lebanese President Aoun left Beirut for Washington on Saturday in the first visit by a Lebanese head of state since 2009.He is expected to discuss strengthening ceasefire arrangements and securing an Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
'Keep clutter under control' with 'sturdy' Home Bargains item in new £6 deal
Home Bargains says the item 'keeps your space tidy' and 'makes organising a breeze' Ethan Evans GAU Writer Take a look at this new deal at Home Bargains(Image: Home Bargains) Shoppers looking to bring some order to the chaos of clutter in their homes may be fans of an item on sale at Home Bargains. The discount retailer, which has over 600 stores nationwide, claims it "makes organising a breeze". Home Bargains is a firm favourite for high street shoppers who love affordable homeware and furnishings. The retailer has recently expanded its portfolio with a host of deals on garden accessories, beauty products, and organisers - and this offer in particular could steal the show. The Utility Paper Rope Storage Cube is available to buy in-store and online for £5.99. Available in grey and white, it measures a compact 30 x 30 x 30cm while still offering plenty of storage space for everyday household essentials. Describing the product, Home Bargains said: "Keep your space tidy with the Utility Paper Rope Storage Cube, crafted from sturdy woven paper rope with handy cut-out handles. Available in two colours, it’s perfect for stashing blankets, toys, or books in style. "It is here to keep your chaos under control and look good doing it! Woven from sturdy paper rope with a cool textured finish, this cube is perfect for tossing in blankets, toys, books, clothes - basically anything you want out of sight but still close at hand." View 2 Images The Utility Paper Rope Storage Cube at Home Bargains(Image: Home Bargains) They added: "It slots neatly into shelving units or works great on its own, so you can stash your stuff without cramping your style. Even better, you can choose from 2 colours to match your vibe. "Handy cut-out handles make grab-and-go organising a breeze, and its neat 30 x 30 x 30cm size means it fits just right without taking over the room." Article continues below Interested buyers are urged to visit the Home Bargains website for more information. Additional product images, dimensions and other details can be found online. Home Bargains offers UK mainland delivery for £3.95, with free shipping on orders over £100, and large items incurring an additional £10 charge. Orders typically arrive within four working days, with tracking available via email upon dispatch. Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.
How Nintendo will beat PlayStation and Xbox to win the console wars – Reader’s Feature
Arrow MORE: How to become a golden age arcade machine collector and repairman - Reader's Feature Arrow MORE: The Odyssey badly needs a big budget video game adaptation - Reader’s Feature Arrow MORE: I’m giving up on modern gaming and I know I’m not the only one - Reader’s Feature
World News
View All 10Nigerian children pay the price for the Iran war as malnutrition and poverty surge
Nigerian children pay the price for the Iran war as malnutrition and poverty surge Health workers in northern Nigeria say more children are relapsing into malnutrition and cite knock-on effects from the war in the Middle East ByOPE ADETAYO Associated Press July 19, 2026, AM SOKOTO, Nigeria -- Maryam Aminu was hardly surprised when the last of her six children was diagnosed with malnutrition in April for a second time. She was barely feeding the 18-month-old regularly, let alone with nutritious foods. Northern Nigeria, one of the world’s poorest regions, is already under pressure from an insurgency crisis. Now, the conflict in the Middle East has worsened food security for millions of people living in poverty, especially children. At the same time, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s vast economic reforms sparked high inflation after fuel subsidies were removed three years ago and the currency was devalued. A World Bank technical report this week stated that 139 million Nigerians are now poor or vulnerable to poverty. If the war in the Middle East continues, up to 23.4 million additional children could fall into monetary poverty — meaning a lack of income or consumption — , the United Nations children's agency UNICEF said in a report this week. It warned that at least 80% would be in Africa and Asia. “Children are paying the price for the escalating conflict in the Middle East, including children far beyond the region,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “The longer this continues, the worse the consequences will be.” Amid the Iran war, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas passed before the war — sent a ripple effect across the world. A worldwide fuel shock drove up the prices of everything from gas and groceries to fertilizer and airline tickets. In Nigeria, fuel pump prices jumped from 800 naira ($0.58) per liter in February to 1,400 naira ($1.02) in April, with a knock-on effect on the prices of food and necessities. President Donald Trump has been trying to force Iran to fully reopen the route for months, turning to everything from airstrikes and naval blockades to negotiations and threats. In Sokoto, where the soaring prices have brought more hardship for families, health workers told The Associated Press that they've been seeing more children returned to health facilities this year after falling back into malnutrition. At a hospital in Sokoto, records shared with AP show nearly 40 children previously treated for malnutrition since February are currently under treatment again, in addition to those not documented. “I am worried and sometimes angry about the increasing numbers we are seeing,” said health worker Halimah Muhammad.
A centuries-old festival in Japan brings Shinto traditions and towering floats to the streets
A centuries-old festival in Japan brings Shinto traditions and towering floats to the streets In Japan, the Gion Matsuri festival brings towering floats to the streets in Shinto religious processions that are rooted in rituals dating back more than 1,000 years and that were intended to ward off epidemics ByFRED MERY Associated Press and MARÍA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ Associated Press July 19, 2026, AM KYOTO, Japan -- There’s a special moment when Katsushi Horikawa feels closer to the gods. It comes as he rides atop one of the towering floats pulled through the streets in a centuries-old procession in Japan. This is the Gion Matsuri festival, born more than 1,000 years ago as a ritual to ward off epidemics and celebrated in the former imperial city of Kyoto throughout July. “I am conscious of them when I’m riding on top,” Horikawa said. “When we’re assembling it as well, but I think the main time is when I’m riding on it.” The parades — accompanied by dances, music and song — draw large crowds and tourists every year. The biggest floats can weigh up to 12 tons. Yet behind the festive atmosphere lies a tradition rooted in the worship of deities and rituals of protection. “Those performances are not meant primarily for the entertainment of people,” said Fabio Rambelli, a religious studies professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. “They are offerings to the gods.” The Gion Matsuri originated in the late 9th century as a ritual to appease spirits believed to cause epidemics and to pray for protection from disease. It takes its name from Kyoto’s Gion District and “matsuri,” the Japanese word for festival. At the heart of the celebration is Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine, a Shinto site whose principal deity has long been revered as a protector against calamities. To show evil forces and spirits that their god would confront them, devotees carried him around the city in processions that resembled those seen throughout Kyoto today. Japan’s government separated the two traditions of Shinto and Buddhism in 1868 during the Meiji era, effectively bringing Shinto shrines under state control and placing the emperor at the center of the new order. “Because the emperor was the direct descendant of the goddess of the sun, they purified the whole system creating what now we see as Shinto,” said Andrea De Antoni, professor of anthropology and religious studies at the University of Kyoto.
US bombs Iran for eighth-straight night
The US has launched a new wave of strikes on Iran after two American soldiers were killed . President Donald Trump called it ‘swift punishment’, as Al Jazeera’s Heidi Zhou-Castro reports.
Moment Iranian missiles hit airbase in Jordan killing US soldiers
A video captures the moment an Iranian missile struck Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Airbase, killing two US service members and injuring four others. At least 16 US service members have been killed since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran in February.
Politics
View All 10Can an ‘unelected’ prime minister succeed?
For help please visit help. ft. com. We apologise for any inconvenience. The following information can help our support team to resolve this issue.
Why ‘rightwing’ is no longer such a dirty word in Britain
For help please visit help. ft. com. We apologise for any inconvenience. The following information can help our support team to resolve this issue.
Taylor Farms expands lettuce recall to 27 states
Taylor Farms has expanded a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce that was distributed to 27 states after federal health officials linked the lettuce from its supplier in central Mexico to the spread of an “explosive diarrhea” parasite. Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked shredded iceberg lettuce from a single…
White House official defends Argentina’s use of Falklands banner
The White House’s World Cup task force head defended Argentina’s national soccer team after they displayed a banner asserting the country’s territorial claim to the Falkland Islands, long a source of tension with the United Kingdom, after their semi-final win over England. Executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force Andrew Giuliani said…
Business
View All 10India’s Private Lenders Bet on Corporate Loan Revival for Growth
To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot. Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy. For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.
Jingye Says It Reserves Legal Rights in UK Steel Nationalization
To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot. Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy. For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.
Xpeng says China close to building ‘killer’ rival to Tesla Model Y
Elon Musk’s SUV remains top-selling electric vehicle in many parts of the world as well as second most popular in China
Defence giants to maintain grip on weapons market despite drone boom
For help please visit help. ft. com. We apologise for any inconvenience. The following information can help our support team to resolve this issue.
Technology
View All 10Best Smart Speakers for 2026: Big Sound and So Much More
We tested smart speaker audio, voice assistants and sensors to find the best for your home. Our Experts Written by Tyler Lacoma Written by Ty Pendlebury Article updated on July 18, 2026 at PM PDT Tyler Lacoma Editor / Home Security and Smart Home Tyler has worked on, lived with and tested all types of smart home and security technology for over a dozen years, explaining the latest features, privacy tricks, and top recommendations. With degrees in Business Management, Literature and Technical Writing, Tyler takes every opportunity to play with the latest AI technology, push smart devices to their limits and occasionally throw cameras off his roof, all to find the best devices to trust in your life. He always checks with the renters (and pets) in his life to smart products can work for everyone, in every living situation. Living in beautiful Bend, Oregon gives Tyler plenty of opportunities to test the latest tech in every kind of weather and temperature. But when not at work, he can be found hiking the trails, trying out a new food recipe for his loved ones, keeping up on his favorite reading, or gaming with good friends. Expertise Smart home | Smart security | Home tech | Energy savings | A/V See full bio Ty Pendlebury Editor Ty Pendlebury is CNET's senior editor for TV and home audio, and author of the daily Insider . He has rigorously tested, reviewed and written about AV equipment for the company since 2006. He has a cat named after one of the best TVs ever made. Expertise Ty has worked for radio, print, and online publications, and has been writing about home entertainment since 2004. He is an avid record collector and streaming music enthusiast. Credentials Ty was nominated for Best New Journalist at the Australian IT Journalism awards, but he has only ever won one thing. As a youth, he was awarded a free session for the photography studio at a local supermarket. See full bio 30+ Years of Experience 35 Product Reviewers 15k Sq. Feet of Lab Space CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Reviews ethics statement How we test What is your budget for a smart speaker? Which voice assistant do you use, and what assistant do your smart devices support? What sort of space do you want to fill with sound?
‘My Soul Left My Body’: Amazon Accidentally Bills Users Billions of Times What They Owe
All products featured here are independently selected . If you buy something through links on our site, Gizmodo may earn an affiliate commission. Culture ‘My Soul Left My Body’: Amazon Accidentally Bills Users Billions of Times What They Owe If your AWS bill was $200 last month, and this month it's $1,499,659,180,107, that's probably an error. 18, 2026, pm ET Reading time 2 minutes © Photo / AFP Read Later Read Later Comments (18) Most of us sense we’re in an affordability crisis these days. If you’re like me, you’re helpless and complacent at the checkstand even when it feels like you’re being mugged. But being billed for billions—or even trillions—more than you owe on web hosting would snap anyone out of their affordability daze. Amazon Web Services users around the world have noticed one such glitch: I just saw $1.5 trillion on my AWS bill and my soul left my body https://t. co/EgfQKJTHVl pic. twitter. com/L0gXYbDio7 — Bharath (@Bharath_uwu) July 17, 2026 Bharath, an X user based in India, showed off what looks like a $1,499,659,180,107 cost statement and writes, “my soul left my body.” That statement says Bharath’s total is up by 744,728,201,771% this month, which means, , the previous month’s bill was about $200. According to the Guardian, a marketer named Dan Harvey, working for an educational nonprofit in the U. K. said he “almost had a heart attack” after seeing a bill climb from 43 cents last month to $7.8 billion this month—and the month wasn’t even over. Harvey added to the Guardian that he had to get on the phone with tech support and “have a real dig around,” to get to the bottom of things. Amazon did not apparently return the Guardian’s request for comment. This has been resolved, according to Amazon, which writes that on July 16 and 17, “customers received erroneous budget and cost anomaly detection alerts, and saw inflated estimated cost and usage data in the Billing and Cost Management Console and the Cost and Usage Reports.” The amounts are “inaccurate” and “did not affect customer invoices,” Amazon writes, but everything has apparently been restored to normal. An update Saturday on the AWS service health dashboard lays out what happened. Apparently on July 16, a faulty “configuration change” in the AWS billing system was implemented. “This system relies on unit conversion data to calculate line item charges,” AWS writes, but the change “caused updates to the unit conversion data to fail, resulting in inflated line item costs, which propagated to the Billing and Cost Management console and triggered the budget and cost anomaly alerts.” Logs on the health dashboard show AWS trying to roll out a solution for about two days before marking the issue as fully resolved.
‘Magic: The Gathering’ Will Embrace the Multiverse in 2027
Games ‘Magic: The Gathering’ Will Embrace the Multiverse in 2027 Mechs, monsters, the deep blue sea, and afrofantasy await 'Magic: The Gathering' players when next year rolls around. 18, 2026, pm ET Reading time 2 minutes © Wizards of the Coast Read Later Read Later Comments (2) Later this year, Magic: The Gathering takes its first step into new horizons with the mutliverse-heavy Reality Fracture set. Naturally, that’s just beginning of a longer jaunt through other worlds—or planes, in this case—that Wizards of the Coast plans to take players through in 2027, and possibly longer. On Friday, Wizards unveiled its roadmap for next year, which will comprise of the Magic Multiverse and in-person events across the globe. This all starts with Nauctis: The Sunken Realm due February 5, which will focus on the game’s first-ever set devoted to the water plane. “Rich with brine and opportunities for adventure,” Nauctis will focus on a group devoted to preventing war between two squabbling kingdoms, and creatures that dwell “far, far from the surface.” Then, June 4 brings Kamigawa: Titanbreach. Set in the neon, modern-day city of Towashi, things kick off with a chunk of the monster plane Ikoria raining down on the city. According to Wizards, this will be Magic: The Gathering “on a scale you’ve never seen before,” as the Kamigawans will be fighting Ikoria’s monsters with their own manmade mechs—so if you’ve ever wanted a card game for Pacific Rim, Godzilla, or Power Rangers, it sounds like this’ll be the set for you. Lastly, 2027’s final multiverse set will be Zhalfir. Where Kamigawa leaned toward Japanese culture and mythology, this one is based on Afrofuturism; now existing as its own plane (and having replaced the metal plane Mirrofin), Zhalfir is powered . With the return of chronomancer Teferi Akosa, newer players will unlock “innovative new forms of magic…and some especially mindbending cards.” With this set, the team hopes to “honor [Zhalfir’s] legacy in every aspect,” something players can experience for themselves when it releases on October 1. More details about the three sets will come closer to their individual releases. And between each one, Wizards will keep Magic: The Gathering with new, currently unannounced Universes Beyond sets—respectively launching April 9, August 6, and November 19—and four Magic Con events set in Detroit (February 26-28), Tokyo (May 14-16), Las Vegas (August 27-29), and Amsterdam (December 3-5). Before then, there’s the aforementioned Reality Fracture on October 2 and a The Hobbit set landing August 14.
Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for July 19, #1134
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for July 19, No. 1,134. Gael Cooper CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s." She's been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls. Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She's Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line. Expertise , entertainment, lifestyle, travel, food, shopping and deals, product reviews, money and finance, video games, pets, history, books, technology history, and generational studies Credentials Co-author of two Gen X pop-culture encyclopedia for Penguin Books. Won "Headline Writer of the Year" award for 2017, 2014 and 2013 from the American Copy Editors Society. Won first place in headline writing from the 2013 Society for Features Journalism. See full bio Gael Cooper July 18, 2026 p. m. PT 2 min read Read on for today's Connections answers. James Martin/CNET Looking for the most recent Connections answers? today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles. The blue group in today's NYT Connections puzzle made me laugh. Read on for clues and today's Connections answers. The Times has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out , including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak. : Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time Hints for today's Connections groups Here are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group. Yellow group hint: Home repair elements. Green group hint: Put together. Blue group hint: Think Ty D Bowl. Purple group hint: The front part of a head. Answers for today's Connections groups Yellow group: Circuit components.
Science
View All 10Common antidepressant may ease long COVID’s crushing fatigue
Date: July 18, 2026 Source: McMaster University Summary: A low-cost antidepressant may offer new hope for people struggling with long COVID fatigue. In a randomized clinical trial involving 399 adults, fluvoxamine significantly reduced fatigue and improved quality of life compared with a placebo, making it one of the first medications to show meaningful benefits for this disabling condition. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY A common antidepressant may become one of the first proven treatments for debilitating long COVID fatigue. Credit: Shutterstock A widely available antidepressant may provide meaningful relief for people experiencing persistent fatigue from long COVID, according to a global clinical trial co-led . Researchers found that fluvoxamine (sold under the brand name Luvox), an inexpensive medication already commonly used to treat depression and other conditions, reduced fatigue and improved quality of life in adults with long COVID. The randomized, placebo-controlled trial was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. A Potential Treatment for Long COVID Fatigue Fatigue is among the most frequent and disabling symptoms reported . For some, the exhaustion is severe enough to interfere with employment, family responsibilities, and everyday activities. Despite the scale of the problem, there are still few treatments supported . "This is an important step forward for patients who have been desperate for evidence-based options," says Edward Mills, senior author, professor in McMaster's Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, and co-principal investigator of the trial. "Fluvoxamine showed consistent and meaningful benefits, and because it's already widely used and well understood, it has clear potential for clinical use." Researchers from Canada, Brazil, and the United States jointly led the study. Clinical sites were located in Belo Horizonte and throughout Minas Gerais, Brazil. The REVIVE-TOGETHER trial brought together investigators from McMaster University, the University of British Columbia, Stanford University, the University of Pittsburgh, Duke University, Georgetown University, and several Brazilian institutions. Testing Fluvoxamine and Metformin The trial included 399 adults in Brazil who had experienced ongoing fatigue for at least 90 days after a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants were randomly placed into one of three groups and received fluvoxamine (sold under the brand name Luvox), metformin (a common diabetes medication), or a placebo for 60 days. "We wanted to test whether two existing, widely available, and affordable medications could help. Both had biological reasons to think they might work against long COVID fatigue, but neither had been rigorously tested for this purpose in a proper clinical trial," says Mills.
Trump threatens new Canada tariffs over fires sending 'filthy' air into US cities
Smoke from the massive wildfires has cast an orange haze over New York City US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on Canada after hundreds of wildfires have left much of the northern US covered by a blanket of smoke. The threat follows complaints 's premier Doug Ford asking the US to send support to fight the fires, rather than complain. "The United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air," Trump said, threatening to impose new levies over Canada's "willful negligence". As of Saturday, there were about 955 fires actively burning in Canada, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, external - with the majority burning out of control. More than 190 of those blazes are burning in Ontario, some out of control. Trump said in his post to Truth Social that he would call Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to demand an explanation over his country's "willful negligence," accusing the country of "not properly maintaining" their forests and brush. Fellow Republicans have used the issue to renew Trump's call to make Canada the 51st US state, a musing that has offended Canadians and prompted many to stop travelling to their southern neighbour in protest. Others online suggested a delay in opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a Canada-funded project that will connect Ontario to Michigan. Carney earlier noted that it was the responsibility of both countries to fight climate change. After Trump's remarks, Carney's emergency management cabinet minister said the two countries remain in constant contact and share a long history of working together on such disasters, citing a reciprocal fire-fighting agreement from 1982 and another assistance agreement from emerged from the 2025 G7 summit. Canada has worked to prevent wildfires and invested about C$12bn ($8.5bn; £6.4bn) in forests sustainability and fire prevention, MP Eleanor Olszewski said in the statement. "This is a challenge that knows no borders, and Canada is working with speed, collaboration and coordination to keep people safe," she added. Relations between the US and Canada have been tense at times over the last year, mostly due to trade. Last year, Trump imposed tariffs on Canada - a country that had enjoyed decades of free trade with the US - and both countries have still yet to reach a trade deal. What to know about Canadian and US wildfires The impact of wildfire smoke and how to protect yourself Canada fires prompt US air quality alerts This video can not be played Timelapse shows World Cup final stadium nearly vanish in smoky haze According to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, nearly 3 million hectares of land in Canada has already been destroyed .
Toronto, New York and Washington top list of most polluted cities as wildfires burn
Smokey air has been blowing through Washington DC Cities across north-eastern Canada and the US are continuing to suffer from intense smoke brought on . On Saturday, Toronto, New York and Washington DC recorded some of the worst air quality levels in the world, prompting health warnings from local authorities urging people to limit time outdoors because of the risks posed . Many of the wildfires remain out of control, forcing evacuations and destroying homes and infrastructure. The blazes left one tribal community completely decimated in northern Ontario, ripping through the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation with little warning. Canadian officials said on Saturday that fire activity in Ontario was beginning to ease, with air quality expected to improve in US cities later in the day. The smoke has also fuelled political tensions across the border. US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on Canada to offset what he described as the "incalculable" cost of the smoke's impact on his country. Poor air quality in the New York region is also prompting concerns for Sunday's World Cup Final in New Jersey. Canada wildfires leave train 'encased in flames' as smoke drifts towards US Smoke from Canadian wildfires extending across eastern North America on 17 July There are 955 wildfires actively burning across Canada - nearly 200 of those in Ontario - according to the latest numbers from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. More than a dozen wildfires are actively burning along the northern edge of the bordering US state of Minnesota, spanning more than 73,000 acres. Officials have called the situation in Minnesota "unprecedented" and an emergency declaration is in place to help mobilise suppression efforts. In Ontario, the fires are north of Lake Superior in more remote parts of the province, but within or close to national parks and First Nation communities. Officials said on Saturday that the fire activity in the province was beginning to slow. So far, six communities are under evacuation orders with reports of damage to properties. Matthew Hoppe, incident commander for the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, told the BBC that his community was devastated . Community members had to "self-evacuate" via small boats on Monday afternoon with the fire rapidly approaching, Hoppe said, adding that there were no deaths or direct injuries, he says, but the community has been "completely levelled". Wildfires are very common in Canada, but the number of outbreaks has rapidly increased in recent weeks. A sea of red indicating wildfires from earlier this week The National Interagency Fire Centre in the US and Natural Resources Canada predicted this was likely, external because of sustained hot weather at the end of June across northern Ontario, and below average rainfall, external.
Another reusable rocket? Japan launches, lands RV-X prototype (video)
The launch — or hop, considering its duration and distance — took place at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Noshiro test facility on July 11 and lasted about 40 seconds. The 24-foot-tall (7.3 meters) test vehicle, powered by a single engine, rose just over 33 feet (10 m) in the air and traveled a horizontal distance of approximately 50 feet (15 m) across the site's concrete pad before touching down softly on the side opposite its liftoff point. The short test flight went exactly as planned and puts JAXA and its partners one step closer to the development of a technological spaceflight achievement only ever accomplished by a small handful of orbital rockets — SpaceX's Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Starship, Blue Origin's New Glenn and, most recently, China's Long March 10B. Japan's RV-X reusable rocket prototype takes its first hop, on July 11, 2026. ()JAXA's RV-X is being developed and operated in conjunction with Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and is a precursor vehicle to a single-stage reusable flight experiment project called CALLISTO. CALLISTO is a joint venture involving JAXA, France's space agency CNES and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to design and build a single-stage rocket capable of vertical launch, landing, refurbishment and reuse. That vehicle will itself be a pathfinder rocket as JAXA seeks its own entry into the cost-saving playing field of reusable launch services. Japan's most advanced rocket in operation, the H3, was introduced in 2023 but wasn't designed for reusability. The H3 is more efficient and cost-effective than its H-2A predecessor, which was retired last year. But two of the new rocket's eight launches have not been fully successful, and it falls short in its cost-effectiveness compared to more advanced reusable rocket stages. So JAXA is hard at work on the H3's future replacement. "Reusable rockets require consideration of operational feasibility," JAXA's website says. ", operation, vehicle movement and launch pad setup using an actual experimental vehicle in preparation for flight tests, we were able to establish operational procedures that will contribute to the repeated operation of future rockets." The test, and the RV-X vehicle itself, slightly resemble a similar flight article from SpaceX's early Starship development days. The "Starhopper" Starship prototype was compared to a water tower during its first "hopper" test in 2019. The first time the stumpy, three-legged, steel Starhopper jumped off the ground at SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas, it flew about 65 feet (20 m) straight up and back down. Starhopper's success paved the way for higher jumps for longer durations as SpaceX honed Starship's early design, and the same is planned for RV-X.
Environment
View All 10‘It’s only going to get worse’: wildfires forcing firefighters to make impossible choices
Firefighters tackle the flames of the Vouzela wildfire in Cercosa in Mortagua, Portugal, in early July. Photograph: Paulo Cunha/EPA View image in fullscreen Firefighters tackle the flames of the Vouzela wildfire in Cercosa in Mortagua, Portugal, in early July. Photograph: Paulo Cunha/EPA ‘It’s only going to get worse’: wildfires forcing firefighters to make impossible choices As the climate crisis fuels more intense blazes, pushing them to new parts of the world, those tackling them are forced to ration resources and decide which to fight César Alcaraz had only just become a firefighter in the late 1990s when he found himself ambushed by a fast-moving blaze. Barely able to breathe and with no more water left in his truck, he and his colleagues fled an inferno ravaging Spain’s Montgó mountain region, wishing their bosses had sent more support. But nearly three decades on, as an officer with Alicante’s provincial firefighters, Alcaraz has more sympathy for the agonising choices that commanders have to make. When wildfires overwhelm an area, his job resembles that of a doctor in an emergency room with too few ventilators. It is a dilemma growing more onerous as wildfires worsen across the Mediterranean – and is beginning to confront countries as cold as the UK, where wildfires are invading cities, homes and gardens. View image in fullscreen Flames and smoke rise from a wildfire near the municipality of El Pocico in Almería, Spain, earlier in July. Photograph: Pablo Blázquez Domínguez/“It’s not just about having more fires to fight, it’s the risk of operational collapse,” said Alcaraz, who sits in the command centre and sees concurrent blazes occurring more often and earlier in the year. “When two or three fires break out simultaneously, we are forced to make immediate triage decisions.” Deadly wildfires have engulfed western Europe this month – the grim consequence of a trio of heatwaves that have turned lush vegetation into dry tinder – while separate blazes suffocate North America with cloying smoke. France, Portugal and Spain have each been torched by a record-breaking number of wildfires for this time of year, leaving an unprecedented area of France in flames and 13 people dead in Spain. The UK began the week with 19 separate wildfires that led experts to warn of a “firewave” more widespread than ever before. View image in fullscreen Fires in northern Ontario in Canada caused poor air quality in Toronto, which had the worst air quality of any major city in the world on Wednesday.
New York governor orders first statewide data center moratorium
This story was originally published by Stateline. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, issued an executive order Tuesday that puts a moratorium on the construction of large-scale data centers. The pause, which will last up to a year, is the nation’s first statewide ban on data centers, which have drawn increasing concern from lawmakers and citizens based on their impact on electricity prices and the energy grid. “As data center development threatens to hike up utility bills, deplete our natural resources, and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it’s my responsibility to take action and lead,” Hochul said in a statement. Technology companies have invested billions of dollars to build data centers all across the country, driven in part . To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist. Here's How In her executive order, Hochul directed the state Department of Public Service to issue no new permits for large-scale data centers for a year. During that period, the agency will conduct an environmental analysis on the impacts of data centers, along with a proceeding to “require data centers to either pay more for their energy or supply their own.” New York lawmakers passed a more extensive data center moratorium last month, but Hochul has not said whether she will sign the bill. Read Next Climate activists take on a new foe: Data centers Kate Yoder Maine Governor Janet Mills, also a Democrat, vetoed a measure earlier this year that would have been the first statewide data center ban. In a news release, Hochul also directed the state’s economic development agency to develop a framework that local communities can use to negotiate with tech companies that seek to construct data centers. That framework will focus on infrastructure improvements, child care investments, direct financial support, and labor and wage standards. To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist. Here's How She also announced plans for a fund that would require data centers to invest in New York’s grid infrastructure and clean energy supply. And she called on lawmakers to repeal the state’s sales tax exemptions for large data centers. Across the country, data centers have drawn vocal opposition at local public meetings and in state capitols. Several cities and counties will vote on ballot measures this year to restrict the development of new data centers.
Arizona teen hailed for helping save woman with dementia wandering in 103F heat
The Gilbert fire and rescue department administration in Arizona. Photograph: Google Earth View image in fullscreen The Gilbert fire and rescue department administration in Arizona. Photograph: Google Earth Arizona teen hailed for helping save woman with dementia wandering in 103F heat Fire crew in Gilbert to honor Royal Cothrun, 14, for helping elderly woman who became disoriented amid heatwave An Arizona fire department is formally honoring a 14-year-old boy who recently helped save an elderly woman with dementia after she wandered miles off course amid potentially lethal temperatures, saying the teenager demonstrated “heroism … quick thinking and compassion”. Royal Cothrun was riding his bicycle in June in the town of Gilbert when he encountered Theresa Morgan as she struggled to walk through 103F (39.4C) heat with a grocery bag dangling off one arm and a purse on the other, according to authorities as well as reporting . Cothrun later told KNXV that he slowed down to speak to Morgan because “she just looked like something was wrong”. “I knew it was hot,” Cothrun said to the outlet. “She was sweating.” It turned out that Morgan, who turned 76 in July, had just been diagnosed with dementia. She had become disoriented on her way home from visiting a grocery store, which constituted a serious emergency given that being in heat over 100F for an extended time can cause life-threatening illness. “I don’t think there’s any apartments around here – I can tell you that,” Cothrun could be heard saying in a video of the ensuing conversation with Morgan, which his smart glasses captured. “Yeah, I could look it up on my phone if you want me to.” Cothrun eventually accompanied Morgan to some shade, where he helped her remember her son’s telephone number. He then called her son, Jeff Morgan, and let him know about the situation with Theresa. The boy stayed with Theresa until Jeff and Gilbert’s fire and rescue department arrived to take over and get her to safety. The climate crisis-driven heatwave that scorched parts of the US with record temperatures in June through early July had played a role in the deaths of at least two dozen people, according to information released by officials.
Second half of summer to bring chances for rain but heatwave threat persists
The UK's weather may turn a little more changeable during the second half of summer with spells of rain featuring in some long-range forecasts. There is also a high chance that temperatures will remain largely above average during late July and August and further heatwaves cannot be ruled out. The season so far has been notable for its heat, with a number of records broken - including some which date back to the notorious summer of 1976. A lack of rain has also been a big part of summer with some places in southern England seeing no measurable rain for more than four weeks. Hosepipe bans are in force for millions of households and dry vegetation has provided fuel for wildfires to burn in a number of areas. Current trends suggest a chance of more changeable weather during the second half of summer. However, the signals from computer weather models are rather mixed meaning there is a lot of uncertainty. The latest sub-seasonal forecast from DTN - the BBC's weather data supplier - suggests that areas of low pressure will feature more prominently over the next couple of weeks, especially for Scotland and Northern Ireland. This would mean an increase in wet weather. However the Azores high, a semi-permanent large area of high pressure over the North Atlantic which can block weather fronts from reaching the UK, is likely to be close by. This will keep things drier further south, although not necessarily completely so. Temperatures are most likely to remain above the seasonal norm, especially in England and Wales where further hot spells or heatwaves are possible into early August. The latest Met Office long range forecast hints at similar conditions, suggesting that "the influence of high pressure may wane somewhat" during the final part of July. This would mean an increase in shower and thunderstorm activity, initially in the north of the UK but with rain eventually spreading southwards at times. The Met Office forecast also suggests a changeable start to August, but with above-average temperatures and the chance of further hot spells. Long-range forecasting is fraught with uncertainty. The behaviour of our chaotic atmosphere generally becomes harder to predict the further into the future you gaze. Forecasters are looking for overall trends rather than day-by-day detail and at the moment those trends look rather unclear. Whatever your plans for the rest of the summer, you can always keep up to date with the latest forecasts on the BBC Weather app.
Weather
View All 6Today: Sunny Intervals, Minimum Temperature: 11°C (53°F) Maximum Temperature: 23°C (73°F)
This video can not be played This morning will see areas of low cloud along with a few sunny breaks. In the afternoon, cloud will mostly dissipate to reveal plenty of sunshine and it will become warm. Tonight will remain dry and largely clear with just a few bands of high cloud pushing in from the north. Tomorrow will be dry and warm. Throughout the day, there will be a mixture of patchy cloud moving in from the north along with sunny spells. Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday Tuesday will start with a few patches of cloud and sunny spells. Plenty of sunshine will develop through the morning, but patchy cloud could return in the afternoon. Wednesday will see cloudy periods and the odd light shower. Thursday will start dry and mostly sunny, but cloudier in the afternoon, with the odd shower. Average wind speed 0 Miles per hour, Northerly0Average wind speed 0 Kilometres per hour, Northerly0 Humidity: Humidity: 87%,87% Visibility: Visibility: Excellent, Excellent Pressure: Pressure: 1025 millibars, Rising,1025mb, Rising Observation station: Rostherne no 2 (53.367° North, 2.383° West)Observation station: Rostherne no 2 (53.367° N, 2.383° W) Our favourite Weather Watchers photos nearby Report for Standish, Wigan OutnaboutReported , Tameside Razzamataz Reported , Bolton keithReported , Wigan Northern Rambler Reported
Monday: Sunny Intervals, Minimum Temperature: 13°C (55°F) Maximum Temperature: 24°C (76°F)
This video can not be played This morning will see areas of low cloud along with a few sunny breaks. In the afternoon, cloud will mostly dissipate to reveal plenty of sunshine and it will become warm. Tonight will remain dry and largely clear with just a few bands of high cloud pushing in from the north. Tomorrow will be dry and warm. Throughout the day, there will be a mixture of patchy cloud moving in from the north along with sunny spells. Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday Tuesday will start with a few patches of cloud and sunny spells. Plenty of sunshine will develop through the morning, but patchy cloud could return in the afternoon. Wednesday will see cloudy periods and the odd light shower. Thursday will start dry and mostly sunny, but cloudier in the afternoon, with the odd shower. Average wind speed 0 Miles per hour, Northerly0Average wind speed 0 Kilometres per hour, Northerly0 Humidity: Humidity: 87%,87% Visibility: Visibility: Excellent, Excellent Pressure: Pressure: 1025 millibars, Rising,1025mb, Rising Observation station: Rostherne no 2 (53.367° North, 2.383° West)Observation station: Rostherne no 2 (53.367° N, 2.383° W) Our favourite Weather Watchers photos nearby Report for Standish, Wigan OutnaboutReported , Tameside Razzamataz Reported , Bolton keithReported , Wigan Northern Rambler Reported
At least 5 killed as flash floods and landslides devastate Lai Châu and Lào Cai in northern Vietnam
People rescued from floods and landslide in Muo Than Commune on July 18, 2026 standing on the rubble left in the aftermath in Lai Chau, Vietnam. Credit: CSCD Lai Chau Ongoing heavy rainfall triggered deadly flash floods landslides between July 15-18. Severe damage to road foundations and pavements on multiple national and provincial roads in Lai Chau Province disrupted transportation at dozens of locations. At least 14 homes were destroyed, 11 sustained severe damage exceeding 70%, and another 15 were partially damaged. Flooding and landslides have claimed five lives, left four people missing, and injured seven others, most of them in Muong Than Commune. The People’s Committee of Lai Chau Province has declared a state of emergency. More than 238 ha (588 acres) of rice and other crops were damaged across four northern mountainous provinces since July 15. Floodwaters also washed away and killed livestock and poultry. National Highway 12 sustained major damage in Le Loi Commune after floodwaters washed out approximately 50 m (164 feet) of the road foundation and pavement on July 16. 18, construction crews had placed about 1 200 m3 (42 400 ft3) of rock fill, installed a temporary culvert, and continued reinforcing the roadbed. Authorities expect temporary traffic to resume during the afternoon of July 19. On National Highway 32 in Muong Than Commune, flooding washed away approximately 60 m (197 feet) of the road foundation and pavement, completely severing traffic. Project Management Unit No. 2 under Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction deployed heavy equipment and transported steel gabions and large rocks to the site, with temporary access planned after floodwaters recede. Along National Highway 4H, part of Vietnam’s border corridor road network, six landslides occurred in Muong Te Commune. Soil and rock from adjacent slopes buried sections of the highway between 25 and 50 m (82 and 164 feet) long. Cleanup operations removed the debris, allowing temporary traffic to resume 18. Provincial Road DT.133 experienced two separate failures. In Tan Uyen Commune, a 30 m (98 feet) slope collapse caused extensive cracking of the roadway and created a high risk of further failure. A separate landslide blocking the road in Nam Cuoi Commune was cleared, allowing traffic to resume at LT on July 18. Provincial Road DT.134 was affected , blocking sections between 55 and 150 m (180 and 492 feet) long. Repair crews continued working on July 18, with temporary access expected later the same day. Six additional landslides on DT.138 and DT.138C were also cleared, restoring traffic during the morning. In neighboring Lao Cai Province, the Road Maintenance Management Board reported that heavy rain triggered landslides at at least 11 locations, disrupting transportation. 18, authorities had reopened eight of the affected sites while repair work continued at the remaining three.
8 dead, 34 missing after landslide buries more than 10 buildings in Chongqing, China
Aerial view of the Chongqing, China on July 17, 2026. Credit: CCTV+ The collapse occurred at approximately local time (LT) in Qingyang Village in Taiyuan Town, located in the Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County, on the southeastern outskirts of Chongqing. About 18 000 m3 (635 600 ft3) of rock and debris detached from a mountain slope overlooking the Wujiang River, engulfing homes below, according to Chinese authorities. One of the largest boulders involved in the collapse was estimated at roughly 3 000 m3 (106 000 ft3), complicating rescue efforts. Rescuers had recovered eight bodies while 34 people remained unaccounted for as of July 18. Ten people were rescued alive and transported to hospitals, including two with serious injuries. Over 1 100 residents were evacuated from surrounding areas due to the risk of further collapse. More than 800 rescuers, including firefighters, emergency management personnel, police, medical teams, and geological experts, were deployed to the disaster zone. Drones, life-detection radar, search dogs, and heavy earth-moving equipment have been used to locate survivors. However, continuous rainfall and unstable rock masses have significantly slowed operations and increased risks for rescue crews. Authorities said engineers planned controlled drilling and blasting to remove several massive boulders blocking access to potential survival spaces beneath the debris. Residents reported hearing unusual cracking sounds and observing small rockfalls before the main collapse. Officials had issued evacuation notices to some households shortly before the mountainside failed, allowing several residents to escape. Water, electricity, and gas supplies were suspended within a 1 km (0.6 miles) radius around the disaster site to support emergency operations and reduce secondary hazards. The National Development and Reform Commission allocated 30 million yuan (approximately USD 4.2 million) for emergency recovery, including restoration of damaged infrastructure and public services. Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has called for all-out efforts to carry out search and rescue operations in a scientific manner after a landslide struck southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, while stressing the need to guard against secondary disasters. References: 1 8 dead, 34 missing after mountain collapse hits China’s Chongqing – Xinhua – July 17, 2026 2 China allocates 30 mln yuan for post-disaster recovery in Chongqing – Xinhua – July 18, 2026 Rishav Kothari I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
Live Discussion
LiveAbout NewsBin
Freedom of speech first. Comment anonymously on today's news. No accounts, no tracking, no censorship.
All content resets every 24 hours at midnight UTC.
No comments yet today.
Be the first to share your opinion!