Author: Andrew Rogers

Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese goods as tensions flare over Beijing’s move to tighten control of rare-earth exports. The US president accused China of “very hostile” actions and warned the new tariffs could take effect on 1 November “or sooner.” Relations between Washington and Beijing had recently improved, with both sides reducing earlier trade duties. But Trump’s late-Friday announcement reignited fears of another trade war. “I never thought it would come to this,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Ultimately, it will be a very good thing for the U.S.A.” He also announced new export controls…

Researchers say they have developed the world’s first reliable blood test to diagnose myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Currently, there is no definitive test for the illness, which often leaves patients undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years. Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms such as severe, unrelenting fatigue that does not improve with rest. The new test, developed by scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Oxford Biodynamics (OBD), could mark a major breakthrough. However, independent experts have urged caution, saying larger, more rigorous studies are needed to confirm the results before the test can…

New research shows about 90% of marine aquarium fish sold by major US retailers come from wild populations. The study, led by Dr Bing Lin from the University of Sydney, found most fish are caught in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. Globally, around 55 million marine animals are sold each year, making the trade worth more than US$2bn. “From reef to retail, the supply chain is murky,” Lin said. “Consumers often have no idea where their fish come from.” Forty-five species sold were listed as threatened, including Banggai cardinalfish and clarion angelfish. Many species are not covered by global…

Jaguar Land Rover has started a phased restart of its UK factories, more than a month after a major cyber-attack. The hack on 31 August forced the carmaker to halt global production and retail operations, causing sharp sales declines. Retail sales fell 17% to 85,495 vehicles in the last quarter, with UK sales down more than 30%. Production resumes this week at key West Midlands sites, including Wolverhampton, Hams Hall, and Solihull, with Nitra in Slovakia to follow. Chief executive Adrian Mardell called the restart “an important moment,” adding that recovery is now “firmly under way.” To support struggling suppliers,…

Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi won the 2025 Nobel Prize for uncovering how the immune system avoids attacking itself. Their work revealed regulatory T-cells, or T-regs — the “brakes” of the immune system. Sakaguchi identified these cells, while Brunkow and Ramsdell linked the FoxP3 gene to their development. Mutations in FoxP3 cause severe autoimmune diseases like Ipex syndrome. The discovery opened paths to new treatments. Boosting T-regs can ease autoimmune disorders; reducing them may help fight cancer. “This prize was long expected,” said Prof Adrian Hayday. “Their work transformed immunology.”

George Russell dominated the Singapore Grand Prix from pole to flag. “Perfect weekend,” he said after sealing Mercedes’ win. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri turned McLaren’s celebration into tension. Norris muscled past his teammate at the start, sparking fury. “Are we cool with Lando just barging me out of the way?” Piastri asked over team radio. His voice dripped with anger. McLaren told him they would review it later. “That’s not fair,” Piastri snapped. “If he avoids Verstappen by hitting me, that’s a bad job.” Russell stayed calm up front. “He’s flying,” Mercedes radioed. The Briton never faltered, earning his…

George Russell produced a stunning lap to take pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix, strengthening his case for a Mercedes contract extension. The Briton outpaced Max Verstappen by almost two-tenths of a second at Marina Bay, with the world champion left frustrated after accusing Lando Norris of costing him a chance at pole. Verstappen claimed he lost downforce when he caught the McLaren driver returning to the pits on his final lap, gesturing angrily in the cockpit. “You need every bit of clean air on a Q3 lap, and I lost downforce there. It will be remembered,” said Verstappen.…

High above Berlin’s Viktoriapark, the rapid keck-keck-keck calls of goshawks echo as the powerful raptors soar and dive, scattering crows in their path. For conservationist Dr Paul O’Donoghue, it is a vision of what could soon become reality in the UK. O’Donoghue and Rewilding UK plan to introduce goshawks into British cities, starting with Chester and London. Once persecuted to near extinction in the UK, the apex predator has thrived in European capitals such as Berlin, Amsterdam, and Prague. There, goshawks hunt pigeons from rooftops and nest in city parks, seemingly unfazed by traffic, joggers, or schoolchildren. The project foresees…

Ryanair says it may be forced to cancel up to 600 flights a day during a French air traffic control (ATC) strike next week, potentially disrupting travel for as many as 100,000 passengers. The walkout, called by France’s main ATC union SNCTA, is scheduled for 7–10 October and will reduce capacity across western European airspace. Flights from the UK to France and southern Europe are expected to be hit hardest as many routes overfly French territory. Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s chief executive, urged the European Commission to step in and protect overflights, arguing that cancellations should apply only to flights directly…

Autism should not be regarded as a single condition with a unified cause, according to new research showing that those diagnosed in early childhood typically have a different genetic profile from those diagnosed later. The international study, drawing on genetic data from more than 45,000 autistic people in Europe and the US, found that children diagnosed before the age of six were more likely to show behavioural and social difficulties from an early age, which remained relatively stable over time. Those diagnosed after the age of 10, however, were more likely to develop increasing difficulties during adolescence and were also…