UK News
View All 9US Navy warship visited by top admiral as 'sailors jump overboard'
A Navy warship in the Middle East has been visited by a top admiral amid reports of sailors jumping overboard.The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed for over 200 days since the outbreak of the Iran war.Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander in charge of the US's Middle East operation, admitted it was the "most operationally intense and consequential of the modern era".He visited the strategically important aircraft carrier just days after reports of a mental health crisis on the warship with over 5,000 troops aboard. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The US military said on Saturday Admiral Cooper finished a ten-day trip across the Middle East with a visit to the USS Lincoln,"During Cooper’s latest trip, he addressed the entire Lincoln team and thanked them for their tremendous dedication and courage," the military said in a statement.The Navy confirmed that at least one sailor had been recovered from the sea after it was revealed by CNN.The sailor was picked up by an air search and rescue helicopter, treated by the ship's medical department and transferred off ship for further care.Family members of sailors onboard the USS Lincoln have told military news outlets there were multiple attempts to jump from the ship, some of which had only been stopped thanks to the intervention of fellow troops.But Donald Trump has downplayed reports of a mental health crisis.Asked if the deployment had gone on for too long, he said: "No, not nearly long enough."And Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of War, said the situation had been "completely misrepresented" by the media.LATEST ON THE IRAN WAR:Donald Trump told to 'accept defeat' as Iran vows to enforce Strait of Hormuz blockadeIran strikes US military bases after being exposed on fitness tracking app StravaDonald Trump 'smuggled away in catering van' to escape assassination threat on Air Force One"We make sure every ship, every crew, every captain has everything we can provide them at every single moment," he said.Mr Trump said another warship would soon replace the USS Lincoln, adding that family members were not worried about the situation.Annabelle Loma, the wife of a serviceman, has directly appealed to Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao after her husband expressed fears he would receive a dishonourable discharge "just because he was burnt out", according to the Navy Times.Another military spouse told the Acting Secretary she received a message from her husband saying "he hopes he doesn't wake up tomorrow", according to military magazine Stars and Stripes.In a statement released on Friday, Mr Cao addressed the claims and said the aircraft carrier would soon "return home" after its sailors "crushed their deployment"."Sailors and marines are expected to dig deep - and they always do," he said.Mr Cao said the media was attempting to depict "our warriors as victims", but admitted a "small number" of mental health cases had been treated, meal plans had been adjusted and calls home were "limited".Democratic politicians have criticised Mr Hegseth for the situation aboard the warship.Senator Ruben Gallego, who served in Iraq, called for an "oversight investigation into this horrible situation".And Mike Levin, a Representative from California, said the warship had "mouldy showers, broken toilets, no hot water for weeks, meals that came down to half a cup of rice and two tortillas".A US Navy official said: "Based on information available to the command, we have not observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts aboard the ship. We take every service member’s wellbeing seriously and have religious, medical and mental-health professionals available to assess and address concerns as they arise." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
Major car brands issue urgent recall notice for 621,000 vehicles - Toyota, Honda, Tesla and more
Motorists are being warned that they may have serious issues with their vehicles that could impact their chances of being involved in an accident.Some of the best-selling car brands in the world, including the likes of Toyota and Tesla, have issued massive vehicle recall notices in response to vehicle errors that could put all road users at risk. GB News has rounded up the most important car recalls issued over recent weeks that motorists need to know about. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say ToyotaMore than 508,000 Toyota Camry Hybrid vehicles are being recalled over fears that an instrument cluster could fail to display critical safety information.Documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warned that this could lead to an increased risk of a crash or injury.The instrument cluster display may fail during vehicle start-up, potentially deactivating hazard lights, turn signals, seatbelt warning system and smart key reminders.With this issue, the vehicles from product years 2025 and 2026 could fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS).This would impact regulation 101 (Control and Displays), 108 (Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment), 114 (Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention) and 208 (Occupant Crash Protection).Dealers will update the display software for free, as is done with almost all remedies listed with the NHTSA.Owner notification letters are expected to be sent out to affected drivers on September 21, 2026.LATEST DEVELOPMENTSLabour accused of 'catastrophic own goal' over plans to slash electric car sales targetsPetrol and diesel cars to be banned by 2030 as Labour provides 'unwavering' update on phase-outDrivers face two years of delays as Brent Cross Flyover works impact busy travel route for thousandsTeslaThe Elon Musk-led brand has confirmed that it is recalling 20,349 Model 3 (2017-2023) and Model Y (2020-2023) vehicles.The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output, potentially reducing visibility for oncoming drivers and increasing the risk of a crash.As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS regulation number 108 (Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment).A remedy for the issue remains under development, although owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in mid-September.ChryslerDodge Hornet (2023-2025) and Alfa Romeo Tonale (2023-2026) models are being recalled as the rear outboard seat belts may become twisted and fail to retract properly.A total of 48,777 units are impacted by a recall, as a seat belt that does not retract may fail to restrain an occupant properly as intended, increasing the risk of injury.Dealers will replace the retractors for free, with drivers being able to search their Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in the recall on the NHTSA website.HondaAmerican Honda Motor Company has stated that 43,913 motorcycles are being recalled because the handlebar lock screw may loosen and detach.The recall impacts certain CMX500 (2017-2023, 2025), CMX300 (2017-2023, 2025-2026) and SCL500 (2025) motorcycles.Documents outline that a detached screw may lodge between the frame and stem, interfering with steering and increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
The weekend is 100 years old – but have ‘skiveday Fridays’ and hybrid working ruined it for everyone?
In 1926, Henry Ford gave his employees both Saturdays and Sundays off – and the two-day chunk of time to party, pray or simply do nothing was born. Now it’s changed beyond recognitionFor 11 years, from 1929 to 1940, the Soviet Union did not have weekends. Instead, to increase productivity citizens were allocated a day off in every seven at random. With 80% of the population at work on any given day, factories never had to power down.A letter from a disgruntled worker to Pravda newspaper, published soon after the implementation of this new working calendar, outlined the problems: “What is there for us to do at home if our wives are in the factory, our children at school, and nobody can visit us?” the letter-writer asked. “It is no holiday if you have to have it alone.” Parents found themselves at home while their children were at school, or with kids unsupervised while they were on shift. With no shared day off, extended family gatherings became impossible. The workforce became demoralised and listless, the projected spike in productivity never materialised, and the policy was first modified, then abandoned altogether. Continue reading...
Most US voters say they are worse off under Trump — FT poll
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World News
View All 10Colombia's new president asks Trump to suspend tariffs after deadly earthquake
Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella on Saturday called on US President Donald Trump to suspend tariffs on the South American nation as the country contiues to reel from a deadly earthquake. At least 300 people were killed in the quake that devastated the western Colombian cities of Cali and Pereira. What is this page? The website you are visiting is protected. For security reasons this page cannot be displayed.
Flood in rural northwestern Spain kills two, injures two babies
Two women were killed and two babies were injured when torrential rain sparked a flood and a landslide in rural northwestern Spain on Saturday, authorities said. The flood comes after weeks of heatwaves and wildfires in the country.
Indonesia’s magnitude 7.7 quake kills at least 51, displaces thousands
Rescuers search for victims in Maumere, Indonesia, on August 15, 2026, after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Flores Island, in East Nusa Tenggara province [Handout/National Search and Rescue Agency of Indonesia via EPA] , AFP, AP and Reuters Published On 16 Aug 202616 Aug 2026 A powerful earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia has killed at least 51 people and forced about 5,000 people to evacuate, as rescue teams work to clear roads blocked .
Russian strikes kill Ukrainian woman as NATO jet downs drone over Romania
Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian strike in Kyiv on August 16, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine [AFP] 16 Aug 202616 Aug 2026 Russian strikes on Ukraine have killed at least one person and wounded seven more while a Spanish jet has shot down a drone that entered Romanian airspace. Emergency services were deployed to sites where debris fell, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said, adding that three people were wounded. Ukraine has increasingly targeted military, industrial and logistical facilities deep inside Russia, arguing its strikes are a response to Moscow’s ongoing bombardment of Ukrainian towns and infrastructure.
Politics
View All 10Navy looking into warship redesigns as part of Trump requests
The United States Navy is potentially redesigning incoming aircraft vessels to better align with President Trump’s preferred aesthetic. The maritime branch is considering the shift on Ford-class ships to match the president’s preference for the new aircraft carriers to resemble the World War II-era, according to a Saturday report from the Washington Post. The changes…
Tiffany avoids answering question if Trump will campaign with him
Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) avoided questions Friday on whether he will receive President Trump’s help on the campaign trail in his bid to become Wisconsin’s governor. Appearing on Newsmax’s “Wake-Up America” host Sharla McBride asked the Republican nominee if he expected Trump to join him while campaigning like the president has done for other GOP…
Trump-appointed regulator OKs banking license for Trump-linked crypto firm
The decision would give new powers and federal credibility to a venture in which the president and his family retain a substantial financial interest.
BBC seeks to subpoena Trump family members in defamation suit
The British broadcaster says Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have relevant knowledge about the president’s actions on Jan. 6, 2021.
Business
View All 10China Plans to Speed Up New Energy Recycling, Waste Rules: CCTV
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European companies count the costs and gains of extreme heat
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Miner Ferrexpo caught up in dispute between oligarch and Kyiv
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China Revises Timing of July Economic Data Release, Briefing
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Technology
View All 10Woman claims her stepfather used Grok to transform childhood photo into explicit imagery
In Brief Posted: PM PDT · August 15, 2026 : Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto / Anthony Ha Woman claims her stepfather used Grok to transform childhood photo into explicit imagery A woman identified as Jane Doe 4 has joined a lawsuit filed ’s xAI over the role the company’s chatbot Grok allegedly played in creating child sexual abuse material. According to a report in The Washington Post, the woman alleged that her stepfather used Grok to manipulate a photo taken when she was 11 years old to create more than 7,000 explicit images of her. The woman also said that her stepfather was found dead of suicide two days after the images were uncovered in a law enforcement raid. “Limitless access to these tools is spreading so quickly,” said the woman. “It is taking everyday life and turning it into child sexual abuse.” The teenagers who’d filed lawsuit accused xAI (now part of SpaceX) of failing to take basic precautions to prevent Grok from being used to create explicit images of real people, including minors. (X was flooded with millions of Grok-generated sexualized images earlier this year.) They are seeking class action status for their suit. TechCrunch has reached out to xAI for comment. If you are in a crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Topics AI, Government & Policy, Grok, SpaceX, x. ai Scale faster. Grow your portfolio. Gain practical expertise. No matter your goal, Disrupt can empower you. Save up to $300 today! REGISTER NOW the industry’s biggest tech news Related AI SpaceXAI releases Grok 4.
Anthropic shares more details about how Claude’s new watermarks will work
Anthropic published a blog post Friday seeking to answer some basic questions about how it will watermark the text generated . Such as: How will the watermarking actually work? Can it be hidden with editing? And how does this affect code? Claude users have been debating the move since the company revealed earlier this week that it would be doing this watermarking to comply with the EU AI Act’s Transparency Code, which requires AI companies to use systems that make it possible to identify AI-generated content. On Reddit, for example, one poster characterized this as a conspiracy against innocent Claude users, while another claimed, “The only reason you wouldn’t want this is to lie to people.” And Business Insider reports that “dozens” of users on X have claimed to cancel their Claude subscriptions as a result. It also noted that watermarking is distinct from the AI detection approaches offered “tells” in the writing (like the construction “his isn’t [X], it’s [Y]”) to reveal AI usage: “Picking up on these patterns is fundamentally different from checking for a watermark.” Could someone just rewrite the text to hide the watermark? Anthropic said it’s possible, but “light editing probably won’t remove the watermark completely,” while “a complete rewrite where every word is replaced will.” “In the latter case, of course, it’s arguable whether the text can any longer be described as AI-generated,” the company said. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. Anthony Ha Anthony Ha is TechCrunch’s weekend editor. Previously, he worked as a tech reporter at Adweek, a senior editor at VentureBeat, a local government reporter at the Hollister Free Lance, and vice president of content at a VC firm. He lives in New York City. You can contact or verify outreach from Anthony . ha@techcrunch. com. No matter your goal, Disrupt can empower you.
Science
View All 10New record! SpaceX launches 2 Falcon 9 rockets just 38 minutes apart
Click for next article A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the classified USSF-366 mission for the U. Elon Musk's company launches far more frequently than any other outfit, and it operates the largest satellite constellation ever assembled — the Starlink broadband network, which consists of nearly 11,000 satellites (and counting). On Saturday evening (Aug. 15), SpaceX set another mark, for the shortest time between orbital flights: It launched two Falcon 9 rockets just 38 minutes apart, besting its old mark — set on Aug. 31, 2024 with two Starlink missions — by 27 minutes. Latest Videos FromSpace View more Watch full video here: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches eight satellites for the telecom company Globalstar from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Aug. 15, 2026. ()The first liftoff, from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, occurred Saturday at p. m. EDT (0112 GMT on Aug. 16) and carried eight satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO) for Louisiana-based telecom company Globalstar. All eight spacecraft were deployed successfully, separating over a six-minute span beginning 56.5 minutes after liftoff, SpaceX announced via social media. While that Falcon 9 was powering its way to LEO, another one launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, on California's central coast. That liftoff, at p. m. EDT ( p. m. local time; 0150 GMT on Aug. 16), kicked off a mission for the U. A Globalstar satellite deploys from the upper stage of its Falcon 9 rocket on Aug. 15, 2026. ()We know very little about USSF-366, which isn't surprising given its classified status. However, rocket watchers have made a few inferences from the limited available information. "It is possibly a batch of classified LEO satellites for a U. S. government entity based on SpaceX's Starshield satellite bus, based on locations of rocket stage drop zones being exact fits with previous Starlink Group 15 launches," NextSpaceflight. com wrote in its mission description. (Starshield is a SpaceX project that uses modified versions of Starlink craft to fly national security missions for the U. S. government.) It's unclear when and where the rocket's upper stage will deploy the USSF-366 payload(s); SpaceX's mission description doesn't reveal that information. And the company ended its livestream shortly after the first-stage landing, as is typical for national security flights. Both of Saturday's missions featured successful rocket landings. The Falcon 9 first stage that launched the Globalstar mission came back for a touchdown at Cape Canaveral about eight minutes after launch. It was the 14th flight for that particular booster. The USSF-366 Falcon 9 first stage, meanwhile, came back to Earth about 8.5 minutes after its launch, touching down in the Pacific Ocean on the SpaceX droneship "Of Course I Still Love You." That booster now has 18 missions under its belt.
Scientists detect a surprising shift in human blood as CO2 rises
Scientists detect a surprising shift in human blood as atmospheric CO2 rises Date: August 15, 2026 Source: The Kids Research Institute Australia Summary: Rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may be leaving a measurable imprint inside the human body. Researchers analyzing more than two decades of U. S. health data found that blood bicarbonate levels have climbed about 7% since 1999, while calcium and phosphorus have declined—changes that closely track increasing atmospheric CO2. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY Rising atmospheric CO2 may already be quietly altering human blood chemistry, with one key marker potentially nearing its healthy limit within decades. Credit: Shutterstock Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may already be influencing human biology. New research has identified long-term changes in blood chemistry that appear to track rising atmospheric CO2, raising concerns that an important blood marker could approach the upper end of its healthy range within the next several decades. The findings may be particularly important for children and teenagers. Because their bodies are still developing, younger generations are expected to experience the greatest lifetime exposure to elevated atmospheric CO2. Decades of Blood Data Reveal a Shift In a study published in Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health, scientists from The Kids Research Institute Australia, Curtin University and The Australian National University (ANU) examined more than 20 years of U. They found persistent changes in several measures of blood chemistry that closely followed the upward trend in atmospheric CO2. The researchers used information from the U. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), analyzing blood test results from roughly 7,000 people at two-year intervals between 1999 and 2020. Since 1999, average serum bicarbonate levels have increased by about 7 percent. Bicarbonate is a blood marker closely associated with carbon dioxide in the body. During the same period, average levels of calcium and phosphorus decreased. Those biological trends occurred as atmospheric CO2 climbed from about 369 parts per million (ppm) in 2000 to more than 420 ppm today. Study author Associate Professor Alexander Larcombe said the results indicate that the body may already be adjusting to changes in the composition of the atmosphere. "What we're seeing is a gradual shift in blood chemistry that mirrors the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is driving climate change," A/Prof Larcombe said. How the Body Responds to More CO2 Bicarbonate is essential for regulating the body's acid-base balance. As CO2 increases, the body can retain additional bicarbonate to help keep blood pH stable.
When gut microbes run low on fiber, they may start eating you
When fiber runs low, gut microbes may start feeding on your protective gut lining instead. Date: August 15, 2026 Source: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Summary: Gut microbes need something to eat, and when fiber is limited, they may begin consuming proteins from the mucus lining that protects the gut. Researchers found that fiber can suppress this process, while indigestible plant proteins help microbes produce more beneficial compounds. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY Plant foods may secretly reprogram gut bacteria—and an overlooked type of plant protein could be nearly as important as fiber. Credit: Shutterstock Plant based diets support health in several ways, including benefits for the gut, immune system, metabolism, and cardiovascular system. Part of that effect comes from encouraging a diverse population of bacteria in the intestines. Scientists have long known that dietary fiber contributes to these benefits because gut microbes help break it down. Plants also contain colorful "phytochemicals" that help protect them from environmental threats and may influence human health. Even so, researchers are still working to understand exactly how gut bacteria process the many components of plant foods and how those interactions produce beneficial effects. Two studies led 's Jenna AbuSalim and Director Joshua Rabinowitz offer new insight into that process. One appears in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, while the other was published in Nature Metabolism in June. The first study found that plant fiber and certain plant proteins can change microbial metabolism in ways that increase beneficial metabolites while reducing harmful ones. The second showed that several biologically important metabolites usually credited to gut microbes can also be produced in substantial amounts . "There's growing interest across medical disciplines in manipulating the human microbiome or using its metabolic products themselves for therapy," said Rabinowitz. "Diet holds great promise for controlling the microbiome and its outputs. But to devise effective therapeutic interventions, we need to understand what aspects of the diet control which microbial outputs." How Plant Foods Shift Gut Metabolites In the PNAS study, Rabinowitz, AbuSalim and their colleagues examined how plant based foods influence phenol metabolites. Gut bacteria create these compounds when they digest the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine, but the resulting metabolites can have very different effects on health. Phenylpropionate and hippuric acid are produced when bacteria process phenylalanine, and they are associated with gut health and healthy body weight. By contrast, p-cresol sulfate and phenol sulfate come from tyrosine and have been linked to worse outcomes in cancer patients as well as systemic toxicity in people with kidney disease. "Our studies showed that both the fiber and indigestible proteins from plants -- which we call 'proteins imitating fiber,' or Prif -- shift the balance of phenol metabolites from the harmful kind made from tyrosine to the healthful variety derived from phenylalanine," said AbuSalim.
On this day in space! Aug. 15, 1977: Mysterious 'Wow!' Signal boosts search for E.T.
Astronomer Jerry Ehman was using the telescope to scan a region in the constellation Sagittarius when it detected a weird, 72-second-long radio burst. The signal was too strong to be explained , and researchers determined that it was very unlikely that this signal came from anything on Earth. Despite their best efforts, astronomers have not been able to detect any other signals like it. The now-famous "Wow!" signal. ( domain)Why it mattered For as long as humans have existed, we have looked up and wondered, "Are we alone?" This question remains one of the biggest mysteries across not just science but for humanity as a whole. The "Wow" signal remains an iconic and important finding in the search for life out in the cosmos. Nearly 50 years since the "Wow!" signal, scientists have made incredible progress in the search for alien life. We have landed rovers on Mars that have found possible signs of life on the Red Planet, for example, and discovered thousands of exoplanets, or planets outside of our solar system. The "Wow!" signal was detected nearly two decades before scientists first confirmed the existence of exoplanets. Today, we have found more than 6,000 of them and are using cutting-edge technologies to explore further and see if any of these far-off planets might contain signs of life. Contributing expert Hanneke Weitering is a multimedia journalist in the Pacific Northwest reporting on the future of aviation at FutureFlight. aero and Aviation International News and was previously the Editor for Spaceflight and Astronomy news here at Space. com. As an editor with over 10 years of experience in science journalism she has previously written for Scholastic Classroom Magazines, MedPage Today and The Joint Institute for Computational Sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. After studying physics at the University of Tennessee in her hometown of Knoxville, she earned her graduate degree in Science, Health and Environmental Reporting (SHERP) from New York University. Hanneke joined the Space. com team in 2016 as a staff writer and producer, covering topics including spaceflight and astronomy. She currently lives in Seattle, home of the Space Needle, with her cat and two snakes. In her spare time, Hanneke enjoys exploring the Rocky Mountains, basking in nature and looking for dark skies to gaze at the cosmos. With contributions fromChelsea GohdContent Manager
Environment
View All 10Royal estates rent out homes that fail to meet legal energy efficiency standards
Illustration: Guardian Design/Getty View image in fullscreen Illustration: Guardian Design/Getty Royal estates rent out homes that fail to meet legal energy efficiency standards Exclusive: More than 100 homes on King Charles and Prince William’s inherited estates have EPC ratings of F or G ‘It’s archaic’: the struggle to heat poorly insulated homes let 100 homes on the inherited royal estates of King Charles and Prince William fail to meet the legal minimum energy standards for landlords, the Guardian can reveal. An analysis of a large sample of domestic lets on the duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall and the Sandringham estate found that one in five have Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of F or G. EPCs are documents that provide an energy efficiency score for properties, in relation to their running costs. Introduced in England and Wales in 2007 as concern grew about carbon emissions, they help to estimate energy bills and environmental impact. The most energy-efficient properties are awarded an A rating and the worst are given a G. The revelations are likely to be embarrassing for Charles and William, both of whom have cultivated reputations as environmental advocates. Since 2020, it has been illegal to rent out properties with EPC ratings below E, unless the landlord can demonstrate that it is exempt. In the majority of failing royal rentals, no formal exemption has been cited. However, in some cases, the royal estates appear to be using gaps in the regulations to continue letting properties out. This includes the homes of dozens of farmers, who are living in poorly insulated and hard-to-heat farmhouses they lease from the two duchies. Some farmhouses are not subject to current regulations, depending on the type of tenancy in place. View image in fullscreen A former duchy of Lancaster property sold last year, which was rated G in 2020. Photograph: Nick SommerladOther homes rented out , as they apply only to tenancies that began after October 2008. These older tenancies often house elderly and vulnerable people with health conditions, with some living without central heating and reliant on unhealthy coal fires or expensive electric heaters. The Guardian has visited a number of the worst F and G-rated duchy properties, and found many were affected , with draughty single-glazed windows. The pressure group Fuel Poverty Action said the conditions in some properties were “Dickensian”. It accused the royals of “putting profits above the health and welfare of their tenants”.
Alarmed by the alarm: people react to ‘severe alert’ on phones over UK wildfires
Many complained online that piercingly loud tone was ‘overreach’ while others lamented lack of action on decarbonisationOn Friday at 7pm, Thérèse Coffey was nine miles away from a nuclear power station when her phone made a loud, piercing and very worrying sound: it was a “severe” emergency alert. “Was expecting [a] much more specific alert, not a generic message on wildfires,” the former Conservative cabinet minister said on X.She wasn’t alone in being alarmed by the alarm sent to phones in England and Wales. In the aftermath, thousands of social media users expressed their shock at alert. Some shared funny memes and others lamented what they viewed as lack of government action on decarbonisation. Academic John Ritzema called it a “massive overreach” and said the alert system should be “be for ‘drop everything and prepare for something terrible’ situations”, something Coffey echoed, saying alerts should not become commonplace to avoid “Peter cries wolf situations”. Continue reading...
AI could help fossil fuel companies create more emissions
This story was originally published . The emissions from powering data centers rightly get a lot of attention. But new research from former Microsoft sustainability workers cautions that the way artificial intelligence enhances productivity in the oil and gas industry could be much more damaging to the planet. Published last week in the journal npj Climate Action, the research finds that AI use could significantly increase global energy emissions simply . At the low end, the research finds that the additional yearly emissions could be equal to Mexico’s; at the high end, AI boosting the fossil fuel industry could add as much greenhouse gas emissions as Russia, the world’s fourth-largest emitter. That increase in emissions, the paper finds, outweighs the benefits AI provides to developing solar, wind, and other clean technologies. It also significantly outpaces projections of emissions from the global data center buildout. The relationship between technology companies and fossil fuels is “a self-reinforcing effect between supply and demand,” says Will Alpine, one of the authors of the research. “One of the key insights of our paper is that you cannot treat them independently. They are two sides of the same coin.” Grist thanks its sponsors. To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist. Here's How Alpine and his wife and coauthor, Holly, are former Microsoft sustainability workers with years of experience between them at the company. They quit their jobs at the start of 2024 because of the company’s continued work with the oil and gas industry and began publicly campaigning to draw attention to the relationship between AI and fossil fuels. Oil and gas companies have been using various types of AI for decades to help find and develop underground resources more efficiently. That increases global dependence on fossil fuels and makes it harder for the world to reach its climate targets, the Alpines argue. While tech companies measure their own emissions and that of their supply chain, they don’t tend to measure just how much their tools help to increase fossil fuel production. The Alpines refer to AI-supported greenhouse gas pollution as “enabled emissions.” “Sustainability measures [within tech companies] are very much focused on operational emissions” rather than enabled emissions, Holly says. The new paper argues that while accounting for that pollution is important, it ignores emissions that do much more damage to the climate. To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist.
Burnham criticised for EV and North Sea approach amid climate crisis
The UK prime minister, Andy Burnham, speaks to staff during a visit to the Met Office weather and climate service in Exeter on Friday. Photograph: Finnbarr Webster/AFP/ View image in fullscreen The UK prime minister, Andy Burnham, speaks to staff during a visit to the Met Office weather and climate service in Exeter on Friday. Photograph: Finnbarr Webster/AFP/ Burnham criticised for EV and North Sea approach amid climate crisis Cut in electric vehicle sales targets could add millions of tonnes of CO2 to emissions in UK, say green campaigners Andy Burnham has been criticised for moving to cut electric vehicle (EV) sales targets and accept North Sea drilling at a time of devastating wildfires caused . The prime minister for the first time acknowledged on Friday that the climate crisis was behind hundreds of wildfires that have ripped across the parts of the UK. The scale of the disaster has prompted the government to bring in the military, ban the sale of disposable barbecues and activate the national alert system to issue safety advice to people across England and Wales in areas at risk on Friday night. However, Burnham was also accused of failing to take the push for net zero seriously enough, as the government took steps towards watering down EV targets on the same day. View image in fullscreen Several homes in Stourbridge in the West Midlands were destroyed as a result of wildfires this week. Photograph: Ryan Jenkinson/Getty ImagesThe government on Friday launched a consultation on cutting the target for new EVs to as little as 50% of all new cars in 2030, down from 80% under existing rules, in proposals that could add millions of tonnes a year to the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions. The consultation will include several options, including leaving the headline target unchanged, or cutting it to 70%, 60% or 50%. In a video from the West Midlands, where homes have been destroyed and dozens of people injured, Burnham appeared to acknowledge the seriousness of the climate crisis. “We cannot accept this as the new normal,” he said. “This isn’t happening in isolation. “Much of England and Wales is in drought and we are in another period of extreme heat. Farmers are watching crops fail and firefighters have faced hundreds of wildfires in a matter of weeks. This is what climate change looks like, here and now.” View image in fullscreen Andy Burnham and the West Midlands mayor, Richard Parker, right, with the West Midlands chief fire officer, Simon Tuhill, during a visit to Stourbridge on Friday.
Weather
View All 7Today: Light Rain, Minimum Temperature: 14°C (58°F) Maximum Temperature: 21°C (69°F)
This video can not be played Cloudy this morning with a few scattered light showers. Drier in the afternoon with some sunny spells developing but cloud will thicken again in the evening. Tonight will be cloudy with a few scattered light showers drifting in from the west for some. Tomorrow will be mostly dry and cloudy, with just a few light showers locally. Later in the evening, longer spells of rain will move in from the north-west. Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday Tuesday will be a breezy day with sunny spells and a few scattered light showers at times. Showers will ease in the evening. Wednesday will continue to see sunny spells and showers, these possibly heavy and thundery in places. Thursday will have sunny spells with the occasional shower drifting in from the north in the afternoon. Average wind speed 3 Miles per hour, South Easterly3Average wind speed 6 Kilometres per hour, South Easterly6 Humidity: Humidity: 93%,93% Visibility: Visibility: Good, Good Pressure: Pressure: 1019 millibars, Falling,1019mb, Falling 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 Manchester, Manchester MCRShaunReported , Cheshire Allotment David Reported , Wigan MarquezReported , Cheshire Dave BReported by Dave B
Monday: Thick Cloud, Minimum Temperature: 15°C (59°F) Maximum Temperature: 21°C (69°F)
This video can not be played Cloudy this morning with a few scattered light showers. Drier in the afternoon with some sunny spells developing but cloud will thicken again in the evening. Tonight will be cloudy with a few scattered light showers drifting in from the west for some. Tomorrow will be mostly dry and cloudy, with just a few light showers locally. Later in the evening, longer spells of rain will move in from the north-west. Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday Tuesday will be a breezy day with sunny spells and a few scattered light showers at times. Showers will ease in the evening. Wednesday will continue to see sunny spells and showers, these possibly heavy and thundery in places. Thursday will have sunny spells with the occasional shower drifting in from the north in the afternoon. Average wind speed 3 Miles per hour, South Easterly3Average wind speed 6 Kilometres per hour, South Easterly6 Humidity: Humidity: 93%,93% Visibility: Visibility: Good, Good Pressure: Pressure: 1019 millibars, Falling,1019mb, Falling 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 Manchester, Manchester MCRShaunReported , Cheshire Allotment David Reported , Wigan MarquezReported , Cheshire Dave BReported by Dave B
Strong M6.9 earthquake hits North Sumatra, Indonesia
Epicenter of M6.9 earthquake in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia on August 15, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google The epicenter was located 15 km (9 miles) NNW of Pematangsiantar (population 268 254), 20 km (12 miles) W of Pekan Bahapal (population 40 000), 30 km (19 miles) SSW of Tebingtinggi (population 117 530), 50 km (31 miles) N of Parapat (population 10 000), and 70 km (43 miles) SE of Medan (population 2 435 252), North Sumatra, Indonesia. 11.6 million people are estimated to have felt moderate shaking, 4.7 million light, and 24 000 weak. There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake. The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage. Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) and heavy wood frame construction. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses. Liquefaction triggered a significant area, with significant population exposed. Landsliding is estimated to have affected little or no area, with little or no population exposed. This is the third M6+ earthquake to hit Indonesia in 24 hours, following the deadly M7.7 at UTC on August 14 and its M6.1 (USGS) / M6.2 (BMKG) aftershock. Epicenter of M6.9 earthquake in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia on August 15, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google Epicenter of M6.9 earthquake in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia on August 15, 2026. Credit: TW/SAM, Google Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking Selected cities exposed Regional seismicity References: 1 M6.9 earthquake northern Sumatra, Indonesia – USGS – August 15, 2026 2 M6.9 earthquake northern Sumatra, Indonesia – EMSC – August 15, 2026 Teo Blašković I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers. news.
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: August 6-12, 2026
Watchers New activity/unrest: Esan, Japan | Etna, Italy | Fuego, Guatemala | Karangetang, Indonesia | Telica, Nicaragua | Tokachidake, Japan. Ongoing activity: Aira, Japan | Ambae, Vanuatu | Bezymianny, Russia | Great Sitkin, United States | Ibu, Indonesia | Kanlaon, Philippines | Kilauea, United States | Krakatau, Indonesia | Krasheninnikov, Russia | Lewotobi, Indonesia | Lewotolok, Indonesia | Merapi, Indonesia | Poas, Costa Rica | Popocatepetl, Mexico | Purace, Colombia | Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica | Sabancaya, Peru | Semeru, Indonesia | Sheveluch, Russia | Suwanosejima, Japan. New activity/unrest Esan, Japan 41.805°N, 141.166°E; Elev. 617 m The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that volcanic earthquakes with hypocenters near the crater floor at Esan increased during 5 August through the next morning. The event count was 53 on 5 August, with an additional 6 through 1200 on 6 August. This was the first time since that the 24-hour maximum earthquake count exceeded 50 events at Esan. No volcanic tremor was recorded, and ground deformation and fumarolic conditions at the craters showed no changes. JMA stated that no signs of increasing volcanic activity were recognized. The Alert Level remained at 1 (on a 5-level scale). Geological summary: Esan is a small volcanic complex of seven overlapping andesitic-to-dacitic lava domes on the eastern tip of the Oshima Peninsula across the Tsugaru Strait from Honshu. The complex consists of five late Pleistocene and two early Holocene lava domes, Esan and Misaki. A minor phreatic eruption in 1846 produced a mudflow that caused many fatalities. The latest activity was a small eruption in 1874. Active fumaroles occur at a thermal area on the upper NW flank. Etna, Italy 37.748°N, 14.999°E; Elev. 3,357 m The Sezione di Catania – Osservatorio Etneo (INGV) reported that a renewed stronger phase of activity occurred at Etna’s Voragine Crater (VOR) during 6-12 August, continuing the eruptive sequence described in previous reports. An explosion at the summit craters at 0250 on 6 August marked the onset of Strombolian activity at VOR, producing weak ash emissions and plumes that drifted ESE. Explosions of variable frequency ejected coarse material that fell mainly within the crater, weak ash emissions drifting SSW, and a lava flow spilling into the adjacent Northeast Crater (NEC). Beginning at 2230, the Strombolian activity intensified and evolved into lava fountaining, and the eruptive cloud drifted SE. The Aviation Color Code (ACC) was raised first to Orange and then to Red. The lava fountain strengthened overnight during 6-7 August before gradually decreasing. Strong Strombolian activity at VOR continued to produce eruptive clouds that drifted S and SSW, and ashfall was recorded in Ragalna, Adrano, Piano Vetore, and Nicolosi.
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