Author: Trainee Reporter

Austin: A Texas flash flood emergency has triggered widespread rescues and road closures as heavy rainfall has inundated large parts of the state. Greg Abbott, The Governor of Texas has identified the Nueces River basin as the worst-affected area. The basin stretches from a plateau northwest of San Antonio through flood-prone Hill Country regions. These areas had suffered major flooding in July 2025. Abbott stated that “There will be a lot of rising water for the next 24 to 48 hours. More than 75 people had been rescued, the majority of them stranded motorists. We are dealing with and responding…

Washington: US producer prices have fallen 0.3 per cent in June, marking the steepest monthly decline in 14 months as energy costs dropped sharply. Data released by the Labor Department has shown that the Producer Price Index (PPI) decline followed a revised 0.6 per cent rise in May, against expectations of no change after an earlier 1.1 per cent estimate. The drop has been driven by a 1.4 per cent fall in goods prices, the largest since July 2022. Service sector prices have increased 0.2 per cent after a slight fall in May. Trade services have risen 0.4 per cent…

Beijing: China has reduced the impact of the Strait of Hormuz oil shock by expanding EV taxi usage and cutting fuel demand across its transport sector. Taxi and ridesharing usage has surged across cities, with government data showing 3.05 billion trips in May and a 6 percent rise since the Iran war began at the end of February compared with the same period last year. The increase has reflected steady commuter demand and wider adoption of app-based transport despite higher fuel prices. The increase has reflected a structural shift and the transport costs have fallen despite rising gasoline prices. The…

Dubai: The US President Donald Trump has ordered a renewed Iran port blockade and has warned of possible strikes on energy infrastructure, escalating the conflict and heightening tensions across the Gulf region. The United States has reimposed a port blockade on Iranian ports from 20:00 GMT on July 14, as President Donald Trump warned of strikes on power plants and bridges if Tehran does not resume negotiations, with US negotiators pushing for a deal and concerns raised over Geneva Conventions protections. Iran has responded with military action. Iran’s army has reported launching drone strikes against US positions at Azraq base…

London: UK medical research has continued to achieve global recognition, but a new report has found that major scientific achievements are not reaching enough patients through improved healthcare outcomes. The Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) has highlighted a growing gap between scientific discovery and patient care. The report, titled ‘Measuring What Matters 2026’, has analysed health service data and Office for National Statistics records over a seven-year period. Findings have shown that the workforce linking research to clinical practice is ageing and shrinking, limiting the translation of innovation into treatment. The UK life sciences industry has remained a major economic…

London: YouTube recommendations have continued to expose teenage users to eating disorder content despite new safeguards introduced under UK law. Research by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) has found YouTube’s Up Next algorithm still suggesting harmful content to a simulated 13-year-old user. About 1 in 10 recommended videos included thinspiration or extreme calorie restriction. The account had viewed diet and body image content for the first time. The study has followed the Online Safety Act rules introduced in July 2025, requiring platforms to protect under-18s from harmful content, assess algorithm risks and reduce exposure, with penalties of up…

Brussels: The European Union (EU) has planned new limits on children’s social media access across its 27-member bloc, aiming to introduce age-based restrictions and stronger safeguards to reduce online risks for younger users. The European Commission (EC) has outlined a proposal designed to create a safer digital environment for children. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has presented recommendations developed by experts, suggesting a structured, tiered system of access based on age. The framework has also aimed to provide consistent rules across all member states to ensure uniform protection standards. Under the plan, children under 13 would have only…

Bengaluru: Indian scientists have mapped the brain’s last frontier by creating a high-resolution atlas of the brainstem, offering a clearer view of one of the most vital yet least understood parts of the human brain. Researchers at the Singapore-India collaborative centre have developed a three-dimensional brainstem atlas using microscope images. The model has identified more than 200 clusters of brain cells and nerve pathways. The structure has been built using 8 chemical markers that distinguish cell types with clarity. The brainstem remains a small but vital region. It connects the brain to the spinal cord. It controls breathing, heartbeat, sleep,…

London: Bowel cancer screening uptake has remained low among people in their 50s, with NHS England data showing only 56 percent of 54-year-olds completing home tests. The National Health Service (NHS) has highlighted a significant gap in participation between age groups. Figures show that 56 percent of 54-year-olds have completed the at-home screening test. In contrast, participation among 74-year-olds has reached almost 74 percent. The NHS has pointed to the importance of early detection. The screening programme uses a faecal immunochemical test (FIT). This test is sent to people aged 50 to 74 every 2 years. It requires a small…

Tokyo: Typhoon Bavi has lashed Japan’s southern Sakishima island chain with strong winds and heavy rain, disrupting flights and ferry services, while Taiwan evacuated more than 14,000 people ahead of the storm. The system struck the Sakishima island chain, including Ishigaki in Okinawa prefecture. Debris moved across empty streets while only a few vehicles remained on the roads. Boats rocked at harbour as strong currents intensified. The storm recorded sustained winds of 144 kph, with gusts expected to reach 198 kph. Authorities warned residents to stay indoors as conditions worsened. Transport services were heavily disrupted across the region. Flights and…