Author: News Desk

Glasgow: A patient who was being assessed for a suspected Ebola infection at a hospital in Scotland has tested negative, easing concerns over what could have been the country’s first confirmed case linked to the latest outbreak in Central Africa. The individual was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow during the early hours of June 30, prompting part of a ward in the hospital’s acute receiving unit to be temporarily closed while precautionary measures were implemented. Health authorities noted that the standard infection prevention and control protocols were immediately activated, and the patient underwent precautionary testing…

The world’s oceans recorded their hottest June on record, with scientists warning that temperatures could continue to climb in the coming months as climate change and the developing El Niño weather pattern combine to intensify global warming. According to a new report released by the European Union’s Copernicus Marine Service, the average global sea surface temperature reached a record 21.0°C (69.8°F) in June, surpassing the previous June records set in 2023 and 2024. The report noted that the first half of 2026 was marked by persistently high sea surface temperatures and widespread marine heatwaves across much of the world’s oceans.…

London: A new study by University College London (UCL) has found that blanket smartphone bans in schools are viewed by many young people as overly simplistic and punitive, raising concerns about their effectiveness just as England introduces a nationwide phone-free school policy. The study surveyed 732 secondary school students aged 11 to 18, alongside 27 teachers and 41 parents, using questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups to explore attitudes towards smartphone restrictions in schools. While there was broad agreement that smartphones can disrupt classroom learning, the findings revealed a clear divide between adults and students. 87 percent of teachers and 88…

Monaco: A parcel bomb explosion in Monaco has injured a Ukrainian oligarch and two other people in what officials described as an unprecedented attack in the normally secure principality. The blast occurred at around 9 pm inside the lobby of a residential building near Monaco’s border with France. According to a source familiar with the investigation, one of the injured was Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev. Monaco’s Minister of State, Christophe Mirmand, said that a couple believed to be in their 50s or 60s sustained life-threatening injuries, while a 13-year-old, believed to be related to them, suffered less serious wounds. Four…

Canberra: Australia is set to introduce new legislation aimed at strengthening its ban on social media use by children under the age of 16, while expanding the powers of the country’s internet regulator to take stronger legal action against technology companies that fail to comply. The proposed laws, scheduled to be introduced in Parliament, build on Australia’s landmark under-16 social media restrictions that came into effect in December. The policy, the first of its kind globally, is being closely monitored by other countries exploring similar measures, even as reports indicate that many children continue to access restricted platforms. https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/2071457039641964773 Prime…

London: Vitamin C has gained popularity in skincare for its antioxidant properties, but experts stress that it should never be viewed as a replacement for sunscreen. Sunscreen performs two essential functions. It protects the skin from UVB rays, which cause sunburn and significantly increase the risk of skin cancer, while also shielding against UVA rays, the primary cause of premature skin ageing, including wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity. According to Rosalind Simpson, Professor of Dermatology at the University of Nottingham, vitamin C does not block either UVA or UVB radiation. Instead, it supports the skin in a different way…

Caracas: The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week has risen to 1,430, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, as search and rescue operations continue across the country’s worst-affected regions. Speaking on state television, Rodríguez said 3,200 people have been injured, while 3,100 residents have been left homeless by the disaster. Authorities also reported that at least 68,900 people remain unaccounted for, with families still searching for missing loved ones. The two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck within a minute of each other on Wednesday evening, causing widespread destruction across…

London: Puerto Rican rapper and global music star Bad Bunny made history by becoming the first Latin American artist to headline a UK stadium, delivering a sold-out performance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Performing before around 50,000 fans on the first of two sold-out shows, the artist transformed the venue into a vibrant celebration of Latin American culture, music, and identity. Despite the hot and humid conditions, the crowd maintained high energy throughout the three-hour concert. The performance forms part of Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour, named after his latest album, which became the first Spanish-language…

Paris: Authorities in Paris have announced temporary restrictions on public alcohol consumption and takeaway alcohol sales as France continues to battle an intense heatwave that has placed growing pressure on hospitals and emergency services. The measures were introduced after officials warned that healthcare facilities in the French capital were approaching capacity due to a sharp rise in heat-related medical emergencies. Patrice Faure, head of the Paris police, said that the restrictions were necessary to help reduce pressure on hospitals as admissions continued to increase. Faure noted that authorities needed to ease the burden on emergency services amid the ongoing extreme…

Cupertino, California: Apple has increased the prices of several MacBook and iPad models worldwide, citing a sharp rise in the cost of memory and storage chips driven by soaring demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. The technology company has raised prices on some laptops and tablets by nearly 20 percent, saying the electronics industry is facing unprecedented pressure as demand for chips used in AI data centres continues to outpace supply. Apple said that the rapid increase in component costs has forced it to adjust prices after previously absorbing the additional expenses. The price hikes come as the broader consumer…