Labour could end the badger cull by 2029, but only with a major focus on testing and vaccinating, according to a new government-commissioned report. Badgers are culled to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) to cattle, a disease costing taxpayers and farmers around £150m a year. Over 210,000 badgers have been killed since the cull began in 2013. Sir Charles Godfray, author of the report, said current investment in testing and vaccination of cattle and badgers is insufficient to eradicate bTB. Ministers have only a “small chance” of meeting the government target of 2038 without a significant step-up in…
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An electric streetcar toppled onto its side on a narrow hill road in Lisbon, Portuguese television reported. The yellow-and-white tram sustained partial roof and side damage. Emergency workers rushed to the scene to help passengers. Fatalities and Injuries Reported At least 15 people died and 18 others suffered injuries after the derailment on Wednesday. Authorities have not yet identified the accident’s cause. Media reported the crash occurred around 6 pm during evening rush hour. Glória Funicular Carries Locals Daily The Glória funicular carries more than 40 passengers, seated and standing. Lisbon residents frequently rely on this steep-hill streetcar for daily…
Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to protect his tariff program. He seeks to overturn a ruling that declared his wide-ranging trade duties illegal. Fight over presidential authority The administration filed its petition on Wednesday night. It urges the court to decide quickly whether a president can impose tariffs without Congress. Last week, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 7-4 against Trump. Judges said only Congress has the authority to set import duties. Billions on the line The case could disrupt Trump’s trade and foreign policy plans. It could also force the US to return billions collected…
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has launched a drive to reintroduce lost species including the large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket, and white-faced darter dragonfly, once common across Lancashire and Greater Manchester’s peat bogs. These insects rely on lowland peatlands, 96% of which have been lost to human activity. LWT has restored habitats by rebuilding water systems and replanting specialist vegetation and is now appealing for £20,000 to complete the project. “These insects play vital roles in the ecosystem,” the trust said. The large heath butterfly pollinates plants, the bog bush cricket aids decomposition and feeds birds, and the white-faced…
Villagers in Dupnitsa reported seeing a black panther, prompting police investigations and sparking viral memes. Residents remain anxious as authorities continue the search. A local resident filmed an animal he believes matches the description of the dangerous feline. Mayor Desislav Nachov inspected the filming site with police officers. Police are questioning the person who recorded the footage showing a large black animal moving through tall grass. Nachov stated that authorities have not decided whether to open an emergency headquarters for a full search. He added the witness described the animal as resembling a large dog. Dupnitsa sits roughly 66 kilometres…
The US government’s antitrust case against Google has drawn global scrutiny. Not since Microsoft faced trial in 1998 has Big Tech faced such a challenge. One year after Judge Amit Mehta declared Google a monopolist, he introduced remedies that some critics call mild, while others see as potentially significant. Chrome and Android remain untouched During the remedies phase, many expected a breakup. Judge Mehta rejected calls to spin off Chrome, the world’s most popular browser. The Justice Department also requested oversight of Android to prevent Google from reinforcing its control over search and advertising. Both platforms remained intact. “These platforms…
Trump warns traffickers after military action President Donald Trump confirmed Tuesday that US forces carried out a military strike against a vessel allegedly linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua cartel, resulting in 11 deaths. The attack occurred in international waters in the southern Caribbean. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the vessel as part of a well-known drug-smuggling route from Venezuela and emphasized that the strike was aimed at disrupting cartel operations in the region. Trump defends the strike On Truth Social, Trump stated: “At my orders, US forces executed a precision strike on identified Tren de Aragua narcoterrorists in…
OpenAI introduced parental controls for ChatGPT after Adam Raine’s parents filed a lawsuit following his suicide. The parents claimed ChatGPT fostered dependency and coached Adam to plan and take his own life. They also alleged the AI drafted a suicide note for the 16-year-old. OpenAI said parents will link their accounts to children’s accounts and control accessible features. The controls cover chat history and memory, where ChatGPT stores facts about users. ChatGPT will alert parents if it detects their teen experiencing acute emotional distress. OpenAI did not clarify which triggers will activate alerts but said experts will guide the feature.…
New Zealand is racing to protect its critically endangered birds, including the kākāpō, from H5N1 avian influenza before the spring migration brings the virus to its shores. With fewer than 250 kākāpō left, even a single outbreak could be catastrophic. In a world-first trial, the Department of Conservation vaccinated 10 captive birds from five endangered species, including kākāpō, takahē, kakī, tūturuatu, and a type of kākāriki. Using the H5N3 poultry vaccine, four species developed strong antibodies lasting at least six months, offering hope for safeguarding breeding populations. The program is focused on captive birds, as vaccinating wild populations is logistically…
Gold has surged to an all-time high as uncertainty in global markets drives demand for safe assets. On Tuesday morning, the spot price reached $3,508.50 per ounce. The rally has lifted the metal by nearly a third since the beginning of the year. Trade disputes fuel gold rally Gold usually gains strength when markets face instability. Earlier this year, its price spiked after President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs. The measures disrupted global trade and encouraged investors to seek safe assets. Analysts also expect the US central bank to cut interest rates, increasing gold’s appeal. Adrian Ash, research director at…
