Author: Justin M. Larson

The UK’s hottest summer on record has triggered a “mast year”, when trees and shrubs produce an unusually large number of fruits and nuts like acorns, conkers and berries.But concerns about the hot and dry conditions creating a so-called “false autumn” have been allayed in some areas, according to the National Trust, after experiencing late rainfall. The conservation charity has set out its prediction for a long, colourful autumn display in the coming weeks, while also warning of the ongoing challenge of climate change.It says volatile weather patterns pose an increasing challenge for experts as they struggle to predict autumn…

Bitcoin is trading at all-time highs, surging beyond £93,000 for the first time.The world’s biggest cryptocurrency has doubled in value over the past 12 months – buoyed by Donald Trump’s return to the White House. However, its 10% surge over the past week is down to one specific factor: the US government shutdown. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:58 US government shuts down Experts have told Sky News that the drama unfolding in Washington is undermining trust in the dollar – and pushing investors to alternatives.Bitwise senior associate Max Shannon said stubbornly high inflation, which…

The government has announced new financial incentives worth up to £31,000 tax-free for trainee teachers in maths, physics, chemistry and computing, in an effort to tackle long-standing recruitment challenges in England’s schools.From next year, bursaries and scholarships will be available to those training through both school-based and university routes, with the Department for Education hoping to attract more people with science and engineering backgrounds into the classroom. Trainees in further education will also be eligible for up to £31,000 in shortage subjects, £10,000 for English, and £15,000 for those training to work with children who have special educational needs and…

For the first time in history, renewable energy has produced more of the world’s electricity than coal, according to a new analysis of global energy trends.In the first half of 2025, solar and wind energy outstripped growth in global electricity demand and led to a small but significant reduction in the use of fossil fuels compared to the year before, clean energy analysts Ember said. The finding coincides with the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasting a doubling of global clean energy capacity by 2030.”We are seeing the first signs of a crucial turning point,” said Ember’s electricity analyst, Malgorzata Wiatros-Motyka.Deployment…

On Sunday, three contestants were crowned winners of the inaugural, government-run “Mexico Sings” competition, meant to promote songs that aren’t about drug cartels or violence. Source link

Aerial view by drone of Tokyo Cityscape with Tokyo Sky Tree visible in Tokyo city, Japan on sunrise.pongnathee kluaythong | Moment | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were set to open mostly higher Tuesday, tracking Wall Street gains on a tech rally fueled by the massive deal between OpenAI and AMD, in one of the most direct challenges to chipmaker giant Nvidia.Investors in Asia will be keeping an eye on chip stocks in the region.Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index was set for a higher open, with its futures contract in Chicago trading at 48,705, and its counterpart in Osaka at 48,590, against…

There’s one specific trend set to define the automotive industry, according to investor and former Tesla board member Steve Westly: self-driving vehicles. And he says investors should take note. “Waymo and autonomous vehicles are the future, flat out, end of story,” Westly, who sat on Tesla’s board between 2007 and 2010, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Friday. “And they’re coming quickly. In the San Francisco Bay area where I live, it seemed like science fiction just five years ago. Now, you see them everywhere. After you’ve done it once or twice, you completely forget there is no driver in…

In the tunnels of Gaza where she was held captive, Emily Damari learned how to survive. These photos show her learning to be alive again. Source link

The move paves the way for a possible military escalation against drug traffickers or the government of Nicolás Maduro. Source link

The Trump administration is ratcheting up pressure on Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s president, while attacking boats in the Caribbean Sea. Source link

The government has barred Marineland from shipping its whales to an aquarium in China so the park is threatening to put the whales down. Source link

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is a cereal grain that produces edible seeds known as oats. Some of the healthiest oats include oat groats, oat bran, and steel-cut oats. Eating oats can help lower cholesterol, support gut health, and boost feelings of fullness—all of which can support overall heart health. R.Tsubin / Getty Images Oat groats, also known as whole oats, are the least processed oats with the tough outer hulls removed. They have a low glycemic index (GI) of 43.4, which helps with blood sugar control. Their intact grain structure slows digestion. Oat groats are also a source of iron,…

Bintou Keita issued the message in an exclusive interview with UN News just a few days after briefing the Security Council on the situation in eastern DRC, expressing “compassion and empathy” for the long-suffering population.“We know that it is very difficult, and it is a daily difficulty,” she said, underlining the “resilience” of the Congolese people “despite all the suffering”.Diplomatic efforts underwayFor decades, armed groups have plagued the east, where large areas are now under the control of the M23 rebel movement. Ms. Keita, who also heads the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, highlighted diplomatic efforts that are being…

 “We are seeing a dangerous rise in emergency levels of hunger, and our ability to respond is shrinking by the day,” said Ross Smith, WFP director of emergencies. “Without urgent funding, families already pushed to the edge will be left with nothing at a time when they need it most.” A striking 4.4 million Somalis are facing crisis level of food insecurity or worse, the latest internationally backed IPC index reported, a global standard for measuring hunger and malnutrition. That means millions must resort to extreme lengths – like selling off essential livelihood assets – to get the calories they need.Multiple crises…

More than 100 million people around the world are using e-cigarettes, according to “alarming” estimates from the World Health Organisation, with almost 15 million teenagers believed to vape.In its report – the health body’s first ever tracking of the use of vapes and other electronic smoking devices – the WHO said that figure includes at least 86 million adults, mostly from high-income countries. But the report said 14.7 million of the total believed to use e-cigarettes were reportedly children aged between 13 and 15 years old.It added that vaping’s prevalence among teens globally was 7.2%. In contrast, while around 20.4…

In the first elections since the Assad regime was ousted, there was no popular vote and women and minorities won few seats. Still, many Syrians saw it as progress toward ending authoritarian rule. Source link

The landmark judgment, delivered on Monday in The Hague after a lengthy trial, found him guilty on 27 counts for his role in attacks against the Fur, Masalit and other non-Arab communities between August 2003 and March 2004 in West Darfur.The crimes included murder, rape, persecution, torture and attacks on civilians in the towns of Kodoom, Bindisi, Mukjar and Deleig.In a 355-page ruling, Presiding Judge Joanna Korner and Judges Reine Alapini-Gansou and Althea Violet Alexis-Windsor concluded beyond reasonable doubt that Ali Kushayb ordered, supported and participated in widespread and systematic terror attacks that led to mass killings and forced displacement.Indiscriminate…

President Donald Trump and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have had a call described by both sides as friendly and positive as Brazil seeks to reduce a 50% US tariff on imports.In Monday’s video chat, Lula asked Trump to remove most of the duties. Trump said on social media they had a “very good telephone call”. It is the first time the two have spoken formally since they had a brief encounter at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month.Relations had been icy since Trump raised tariffs this summer to 50% on some Brazilian…

When it comes to consumables to help improve gut health, both apple cider vinegar and probiotics contain the “good bacteria” you’re looking for. Apple cider vinegar may be good for your gut and does not have many side effects if taken at a normal dose. However, there’s much more data to support the safety and usefulness of probiotics for gut health, making them a better option. Here are three ways apple cider vinegar may help your gut health: Increases your good bacteria: Apple cider vinegar usually includes acetic acid, which acts similarly to a probiotic by helping you grow more…

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medicine used to manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It can also help you lose weight—but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve Ozempic for this purpose. However, the FDA does approve the brand Wegovy for weight loss in people with obesity or overweight. There’s no exact “start date” for when Ozempic will work, but studies show significant improvements often appear within a few months. Some people report noticing changes in their blood sugar or weight just a few weeks in, but results vary from person to person. Ozempic doesn’t…

Almonds are a superfood that contains antioxidants, calcium, riboflavin, magnesium, and many other nutrients. Scientifically called Prunus dulcis, almonds are nutrient-dense nuts that offer a variety of health benefits, including preventing heart disease, boosting gut health, and supporting weight management. Almonds can be eaten whole, chopped, sliced, or ground into almond flour or butter. They can also be made into almond milk. Almonds are packed with antioxidants like vitamin E. Vitamin E protects your body from free radicals, which can harm cells, tissues, and organs. This damage can lead to premature aging and disease. Vitamin E also supports immunity, reduces…

From avocado to canola, the choices for cooking oils can feel endless. Each one boasts different health benefits, cooking applications, and flavor, making it challenging to know which is truly the best choice for everyday cooking.  To help clear up the confusion, we asked five registered dietitians to share their number-one pick for the healthiest cooking oil. Here’s what they chose, why they recommend it, and how you can use it in your own kitchen. Though many cooking oils can fit into a healthy diet, there are a few factors that dietitians use to narrow down the healthiest cooking oil. …

The statement issued by the militant group indicated it was also prepared to hand over administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body as part of a lasting deal to end the fighting, based on “Palestinian national consensus and Arabic and Islamic support.” In response, President Trump – who has the buy in of President Benjamin Netanyahu and many world leaders to the 20-point plan – took to his social media platform and called on Israel to stop bombing Gaza, adding that he believes the group “are ready for a lasting peace.”Hamas indicated that the US President’s comments were…

Israel intercepted the boats at sea and detained the participants for days before expelling them. Some of the activists said they were mistreated, which Israel denied. Source link