France approves social media ban for under-15s

Emergency responders in southwestern Japan are racing against time to locate survivors trapped in rubble following a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 13 people in the Kumamoto region of Kyushu island. The powerful tremor, which struck at a shallow depth of ten kilometres, flattened residential homes, triggered severe fires, ruptured critical bridges, and cut electricity to nearly 37,000 households. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed the death toll during an official address in Tokyo, while chief cabinet spokesman Minoru Kihara noted that at least seven individuals suffered severe injuries and more than 9,000 residents sought safety across hundreds of emergency evacuation shelters. Search operations remain heavily concentrated in the town of Kashima, where part of the Aeon Mall collapsed after a gas explosion ripped through the structure shortly after the primary quake. Rescue teams in specialised gear navigated twisted steel girders and fallen concrete inside the shopping centre, where at least two women lost their lives and eight others were pulled from the debris. Meanwhile, in Yatsushiro city, search crews continue to look for nine workers unaccounted for at a Nippon Paper Industries plant after a large smokestack collapsed onto the facility below. The seismic shock registering at the maximum level on Japan’s intensity scale caused widespread logistical disruption across Kyushu island, derailing a cargo train, suspending high-speed bullet train lines, and causing structural collapses at the historic centuries-old Kumamoto Castle. In response, the Japanese military has deployed 3,600 personnel alongside 20 reconnaissance aircraft to support disaster relief efforts, clear impassable roads, and assess localised damage in remote communities.

France and Spain are racing to contain devastating wildfires that have forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes, with officials warning that another intense heatwave could make the crisis even worse. The blazes have spread across large areas of both countries, destroying forests, disrupting holidays, and stretching emergency services to their limits. The fires have been particularly severe in southwestern France near the famous Bordeaux wine region and in central Spain around Madrid. Authorities say more than 325,000 people have evacuated as flames continue to sweep through forests left dangerously dry after months of little rainfall and repeated heatwaves since May. Many residents escaped with only their most essential belongings. Olga Congacha, who fled her village near Madrid with her husband, said they had little time to react. She explained that they quickly gathered important documents and a few clothes before leaving as the situation became increasingly dangerous and frightening. Firefighters in France are dealing with an unusual and dangerous weather phenomenon caused by the blaze itself. Officials said the wildfire has created a massive fire cloud known as a pyrocumulonimbus. These clouds can generate their own winds, produce lightning, and in some cases even create tornadoes that ignite new fires. France’s National Federation of Firefighters said this is the first time such a phenomenon has been recorded in the country. Emergency crews continue to battle the flames with thousands of firefighters supported by water dropping aircraft. Thick smoke and rapidly changing winds have made firefighting efforts extremely difficult. One firefighter said the unpredictable wind patterns mean the fire is largely controlling the situation, forcing crews to constantly adjust their strategy. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to chair an emergency cabinet meeting to review the growing crisis, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez plans to visit one of the worst affected areas in Valencia, where firefighters are tackling another fast moving wildfire. Spanish Civil Protection chief Virginia Barcones described the wildfire near Avila as a “monster” because of its enormous size. She said the fire has spread across a perimeter of about 280 kilometers and has burned approximately 77,000 hectares of land, making it one of the country’s largest wildfire emergencies in recent years. Scientists continue to warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including prolonged heatwaves and destructive wildfires. High temperatures combined with dry vegetation have created ideal conditions for fires to spread rapidly across southern Europe. In France’s Gironde region, authorities urged tourists to avoid the area and choose alternative destinations while emergency crews work to contain the blaze. Since last week, the wildfire has burned more than 42,000 hectares, an area several times larger than Manhattan. Around 220,000 people have been evacuated from the region, including visitors staying at 45 campsites that were forced to close, disrupting holidays for roughly 40,000 people. Another 30,000 residents have also been evacuated from other fire affected parts of the country. Some homeowners have chosen to stay behind despite evacuation orders in an effort to protect their properties. Georges Clivaz, whose home is near the advancing fire in Gironde, said he and his family were spraying water along nearby roads to slow the flames. He admitted firefighters had warned them the blaze could reach their home within hours, but they hoped their efforts might help save their property. Weather experts have warned that another heatwave is expected to hit parts of France from Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to reach as high as 40 degrees Celsius in some areas. In Spain, around 75,000 people have been evacuated from regions including Madrid, Avila, Toledo, and Castellon. Although officials reported some progress, several major fires remain out of control. One person has died in the wildfire near Valencia, while two French firefighters lost their lives earlier this week while battling the flames near Bordeaux.

Italian authorities have uncovered an ancient Roman merchant ship off the coast of Sicily, dating back to the 2nd or 1st Century BC. The vessel was discovered lying 46 metres underwater roughly three nautical miles off Mazara del Vallo. Measuring 21 metres long and 6 metres wide, the vessel’s cargo holds remain piled with hundreds of well-preserved amphorae, primarily Dressel 1A ceramic jars used during the late Roman Republic to transport commodities such as wine, olive oil, and grain. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described the site as “one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries of recent years”. Local fisherman and free-diver Giacomo De Mola first flagged the site after detecting an anomaly on his sonar scanner that resembled a massive reef or rock. Upon diving down to investigate, he encountered the intact cargo mound surrounded by marine life. Following De Mola’s report, specialist divers from the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (Carabinieri Art Squad), working alongside the Sicilian Region’s Superintendency of the Sea, were dispatched to survey and document the seabed. Archaeologists also identified two lead anchor stocks alongside the vessel’s structure. Italian maritime authorities have implemented security measures to safeguard the wreckage from illicit looting while further documentation and cargo analysis take place.

France has strengthened security checks along its border with Spain following the recent migrant influx into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced on Tuesday. The enhanced border measures were introduced over the weekend on the instructions of French President Emmanuel Macron after tens of thousands of migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco over two days, triggering one of the region’s largest migration emergencies in recent years. Spanish authorities said the vast majority of migrants who entered the enclave had already been returned to Morocco. Officials also confirmed that at least 75 people died while attempting the dangerous crossing, highlighting the human cost of the crisis. Speaking after an emergency video conference with European interior ministers, Laurent Nunez said European Union member states had unanimously expressed solidarity with Spain and pledged support in managing the situation. He said France remained ready to provide additional assistance through Frontex, the EU’s border management agency, if required. The French minister noted that Ceuta operates under special rules within the Schengen Area and stressed that strict border controls had prevented the migration crisis from spreading to mainland Europe. Nunez also praised the cooperation between Spain and Morocco in responding to the situation, saying close coordination between the two countries had been vital in managing the large-scale arrivals. Rejecting calls from some political groups in France to suspend Spain from the Schengen free-movement zone, he said EU member states agreed that the Schengen system remained part of the solution rather than the cause of the crisis. He emphasized that the Schengen Area had not been threatened despite the surge in migration and reaffirmed France’s commitment to coordinated European efforts to address irregular migration.

Car leasing in the United States has dropped significantly in recent years as automakers reduce incentives and consumers struggle with rising monthly payments. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, leasing accounted for nearly 30% of new vehicle deals in the US. However, the share fell sharply during the post-pandemic vehicle shortage and has not fully recovered. In the first half of 2026, leasing represented around 23% of new car transactions. Industry experts say one of the biggest reasons behind the decline is the end of attractive lease offers that previously encouraged customers to choose leasing over buying. Automakers have become less willing to provide low-cost lease deals as they focus on maintaining tighter vehicle inventories and reducing discounts. As a result, many customers returning after the end of their lease terms are facing significantly higher monthly payments. Dealers say some customers are surprised to find their next lease costing hundreds of dollars more than their previous agreement, causing many to reconsider leasing altogether. The decline in leasing has added pressure to vehicle affordability in the US market. Some buyers are now choosing longer financing plans, including loans lasting up to seven years, to manage higher vehicle prices. Leasing usually allows customers to drive newer vehicles with lower monthly payments compared with traditional financing. The average lease payment remains lower than loan payments, but industry analysts say the gap has narrowed significantly. Experts believe automakers changed their approach after the 2021–2023 vehicle shortage caused by semiconductor supply disruptions. Limited inventories helped companies reduce incentives and maintain stronger pricing power. The decline in leasing is also affecting the used-car market. Vehicles returned after three-year leases have traditionally provided dealerships with a steady supply of affordable pre-owned cars. With fewer leased vehicles coming back to the market, used-car supplies have tightened and prices have increased. Data from industry analysts shows that average prices for three-year-old used vehicles have risen substantially compared with pre-pandemic levels. Dealers warn that fewer lease customers could also weaken long-term customer loyalty, as leasing often brings buyers back to showrooms every few years for new vehicles

At least 13 people, including a child, were killed after Ukrainian drones struck the Russian republic of Tatarstan, according to local officials. The overnight attack targeted areas around Nizhnekamsk, located more than 1,100 kilometres from Ukraine. Authorities said another 75 people were injured in the strikes. Ukraine’s Armed Forces said a major oil facility in the city was hit. The attack reportedly continued for several hours, with explosions, fires and thick smoke reported in the area. Images circulating online showed large columns of smoke rising over Nizhnekamsk as emergency sirens sounded. The authenticity of all footage and details could not be independently verified. The Uzbek consulate in Tatarstan said seven of those killed were Uzbek citizens. Russian media reported that many of the victims were staying at a hostel when the attack occurred. Russia’s Investigative Committee said civilians were present in the area where the drones struck. Russian officials condemned the attack and warned that those responsible would face severe punishment. Tatarstan leader Rustam Minnikhanov expressed condolences to the families of those killed. Nizhnekamsk Mayor Radmir Belayev described the loss of life as a major tragedy for the city. Ukraine has increasingly carried out long-range drone attacks against Russian energy and industrial facilities. Kyiv says such sites contribute to Russia’s military operations by supporting its economy, logistics and weapons production. Ukrainian officials said the facilities targeted in Nizhnekamsk are connected to Russia’s war effort. They argued that striking such infrastructure is intended to reduce Moscow’s ability to sustain its military campaign. Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air-defence forces intercepted or destroyed more than 450 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions. Authorities also reported fires at an industrial facility in the Siberian Tyumen region after several drones were reportedly brought down nearby. The Nizhnekamsk facility had previously been targeted in a drone attack in June, highlighting the growing reach of Ukraine’s campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. The latest strike is among the deadliest reported attacks inside Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ukraine has intensified its use of long-range drones in recent months, frequently targeting oil refineries, warehouses and other facilities it considers strategically important. Russia has continued its own large-scale missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. The escalation has increased concerns over civilian casualties on both sides. Last week, a combined Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv reportedly killed 21 people.