By Jeff Mason NANTUCKET, Mass. President Joe Biden praised U.S. diplomacy behind Friday's release of 24 hostages held

The global economy and inflation have so far proved surprisingly resilient to a barrage of interest-rate increases, prompting

Pat Robertson, the soft-spoken fundamentalist preacher whose huge television network helped turn America's Christians into a powerful political force, died on Thursday at the age...

'#Freedarren What car? Where? What speed? Nah bruv. Matrix attack,' Tate wrote

Toxic algae are killing hundreds of dolphins and sea lions which are then washing up on beaches in Southern California. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has said that more than 1,000 animals have grown sick or died just this month. While algal blooms may be a seasonal problem, the climate crisis could be making the issue worse. More than 200 reports of animals in distress reach rescue groups every day. Biological sciences professor at the University of Southern California, David Caron, told the BBC that “I’ve heard of a number of people walking the beaches who have seen [sick] animal after [sick] animal”. “Animal rescue groups are scrambling to try to get boots on the ground to get the animals protected,” he added. Sea birds, dolphins, and sea lions are growing ill because of the expansion of some algae-producing domoic acid, a toxin. Dr Caron told the BBC that the algal blooms disrupt food webs. Shellfish, anchovies, and sardines eat the harmful materials before being eaten by animals further up the food chain. “They eat a meal of those highly toxic fish and then they become toxified themselves, and if they get enough of that material, it of course can kill them, which is happening now,” he said. NOAA states that Santa Barbara and Ventura counties are among the worst affected. The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute co-founder Ruth Dover said in a statement, “We are doing the best we can to keep up with the intense pace,” of reports of marine mammals in distress. Domoic acid can make animals disoriented or they may even convulse and die while under the surface. The blooms may be harmful to humans as well since people may grow ill if they eat fish that have toxins. But the California Department of Public Health monitors such levels and will shut down shellfish beaches when needed, Dr Caron noted. People could also attempt to approach larger marine mammals, such as sea lions and dolphins if they’re stranded on land, but the animals may be aggressive under the influence of the toxins. Marine animals should be avoided, and people should instead call for the help of rescue groups. Some animals have been rescued after being captured and fed. After they have been provided with liquids, the animals may be able to flush the toxins out. The algae blooms usually take place between March and June in California, but the long winter means that the blooming is occurring later in the season. Experts have noted that while not all kinds of algae are harmful, more of those that are dangerous are spreading to new areas because of the climate crisis. Higher water temperatures mean that larger areas are now habitable for the algae. Dr Caron said scientists are attempting to fully understand the effects of the climate crisis on organisms living along coastlines. “But we have a fair amount of evidence, especially in inland waters, that climate change is exacerbating some of the problems that we’re seeing with harmful algae,” he told the BBC. Read More To restore reefs dying in warming seas, UAE turns to coral nurseries Poland, Germany discuss avoiding repeat of deadly river pollution but ready for all scenarios Chesapeake Bay report cites environmental justice disparities How deep is the ocean and what’s at 3,900 metres? How deep is the ocean and what’s at 3,900 metres? Tropical Storm Bret’s hurricane forecast downgraded but Caribbean remains on alert

About 200 people may have been killed by Sudanese militias allied with the Rapid Support Forces, after the

When you think about it, teenagers are a lot like pandas. Like the black and white bears, teens often have a tendency to lounge around for hours, munch their way through massive amounts of grub, and snooze for extremely long stretches. It’s not unusual for youngsters to emerge zombie-like from their bedrooms hours after parents and little ones have arisen on weekend mornings, or have a ‘disco nap’ in the afternoon. But how can you tell if your child’s sleeping habits or typical for a teen – or a cause for concern? How much do teens need? “Sleep research suggests that a teenager needs between eight and 10 hours of sleep every night, so slightly more than an adult or younger child requires,” says Dr Hana Patel, sleep expert at Time4Sleep. “This is because teenagers need additional sleep to support their rapid physical, intellectual, and emotional development.” Chris Tattersall, sleep expert and MD of Woolroom explains: “They are going through a second developmental stage of cognitive maturation. Additional sleep supports their developing brain, as well as physical growth spurts.” However, it’s estimated that most adolescents in the digital age only get about 6.5 to 7.5 hours sleep. Tattersall says: “With the increased use of social media scrolling before bedtime, this is affecting thousands of teenagers’ sleep because the blue light from screens suppresses melatonin levels and delays sleepiness.” What happens if they don’t get enough sleep? “Teenagers not getting enough sleep can lead to all sorts of potential issues,” says Tattersall. Psychological symptoms may include, he warns: “Depression, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, anxiety and low self-esteem.” Plus, there’s the risk of weight gain due to eating more sugary foods to combat tiredness. “Not only does it have negative effects on their general wellbeing but it can also affect their academic performance,” Patel adds. Is it possible to sleep too much? It may seem counterintuitive, but sleeping too much can actually make young people more tired. “Anything over eight to 10 hours of sleep for teens could be considered excessive and may cause daytime sleepiness,” says Patel. “This can negatively affect interpersonal relationships, extracurricular activities, general health and, for older teens, driving too.” It’s important for parents to watch for signs that teens are struggling with sleep. “Look out for concentration difficulties, shortened attention span, memory impairment and lack of enthusiasm or energy,” Tattersall says. “You also might notice moodiness and aggression, poor decision-making, and signs of depression.” Patel says: “Sometimes teens may also complain of symptoms like headaches and migraines.” Try to encourage good ‘sleep hygiene’ in terms of a youngster’s evening routine, meaning avoiding large meals and caffeine before bed and creating a relaxing bedroom environment. “If possible, reduce the use of devices like smartphones and tablets, TVs or computers in the bedroom at night, as the light from the screens interfere with sleep,” Patel says. “If you are concerned about your teenager’s sleeping habits and the effects of this on their health, consult with your GP.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Kate gives a lesson in autumnal power dressing in a green trouser suit How can I boost my soil when I go peat-free? See Cate Blanchett champion sustainable fashion at glamorous Giorgio Armani show

A fire in a nine-story apartment building in Vietnam’s capital killed about 12 people and injured more than 50

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has swiped the second spot in the upcoming New Hampshire primary from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis even as former President Donald Trump remains dominant. A new poll from Emerson College released on Tuesday shows Mr Christie at nine per cent support, while Mr DeSantis is at eight per cent, down from 17 per cent in March. Mr Christie’s lead is within the poll’s 3.4 per cent margin of error. Mr Trump received 49 per cent. Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling, said that “DeSantis has been the alternative to Trump in Emerson polling this presidential cycle. This is the first time we have seen DeSantis drop out of second place in our polling, and fall back into the pack of candidates”. Meanwhile, the 2024 election looks set to be a rematch between President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump. Despite his mounting legal problems, Mr Trump is by far the most popular candidate in the Republican field. The Republican primary is scheduled to begin with the Iowa caucuses on 15 January and the New Hampshire primary on 23 January. Read More Who are the 2024 presidential election candidates? Meet the Republicans and Democrats campaigning Trump lashes out on Truth Social over Georgia election plot charges – and spells ‘indicted’ wrong Will Donald Trump go to prison? Trump indictment live: Trump reacts as he and 18 allies charged over Georgia election plot Was Fulton County Court hacked? How did a Trump charge sheet get published hours before grand jury vote

By Jack Queen Donald Trump faces a formidable task defending against charges that he illegally kept top-secret documents

The 'father of the atomic bomb' counted the Hindu holy book Bhagavad Gita as one of his favourites.

One of several men indicted in a smuggling operation that left 53 migrants dead after they were trapped in the back of a sweltering semitruck in San Antonio last year has pleaded guilty, authorities said.