News

Numerous lawsuits accusing prominent social media platforms of promoting harmful and addictive behaviors among young users are allowed to proceed in federal jurisdiction. On Aug. 10, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed an initial appeal submitted by Meta Platforms and TikTok. This ruling keeps over 3,000 consolidated federal cases under the purview of U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. The plaintiffs contend that certain features built into these platforms foster compulsive usage and have contributed to mental health issues in children and teenagers.

Typhoon Dolphin became the 13th typhoon to impact China in 2026, reaching Zhejiang on Sunday with strong wind forces. The storm made landfall near Yuhuan in Taizhou around 5:30 p.m., with recorded maximum winds approaching 42 meters per second, approximately 151 kilometers per hour. It then made another landfall in Zhejiang before continuing inland. The storm’s extensive circulation pattern brought intense rainfall into Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, and adjacent provinces, causing widespread weather impacts.

Business

Across the United States and Europe, diesel prices have maintained high levels due to limited inventories and refinery disruptions restricting the availability of finished fuel. U.S. ultra-low sulfur diesel futures surged 7.4% on Monday to reach $4.19 a gallon, marking the biggest daily increase since July 13. Early Wednesday, the contract traded close to $4.28 a gallon. Meanwhile, European diesel refining margins continued to be notably strong, having gained nearly 10% at the start of the week.

Health

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in 1,916 fatalities according to official reports up to August 7. The authorities have identified a total of 4,209 cases during this ongoing health crisis. The current death toll surpasses the previous count of 1,887 by 29. Additionally, officials have announced that 595 individuals are currently under treatment in isolation, while 828 have recovered from the disease.

Chadian health authorities have announced that an urgent waterborne disease emergency has resulted in 13 deaths since the public health alerts were issued late last month. According to the latest surveillance figures published by the Chad Ministry of Public Health, epidemiological data shows that the cholera outbreak has caused 13 deaths, with the total number of confirmed and suspected cases rising to 239 across the country. The official statistics indicate a nationwide case fatality rate of 5.4 percent, which significantly surpasses international standards for managing health emergencies caused by outbreaks.

According to data published by Belgian public health institute Sciensano, obesity was associated with 9,509 deaths in Belgium during 2022, accounting for 8.2 percent of all recorded deaths that year. This report represents the first systematic effort by public health researchers in Belgium to quantify mortality directly linked to an excessively high body mass index within the entire population. Statistical analysis indicates that weight-related health issues caused more than one death every hour nationally, resulting in over 150,000 years of life lost across different demographic groups.

European health organizations are urging the European Union to implement obligatory heat protection policies as rising temperatures heighten health risks throughout the continent. The Health and Environment Alliance, also known as HEAL, advocates for concrete EU-wide targets to enhance climate resilience and safeguard public health. Their recommendations include establishing more robust national adaptation strategies and mandating heat-related health objectives for member countries. Additionally, they emphasize the necessity for dedicated funding for climate and health initiatives in the EU’s upcoming long-term budget covering 2028 through 2034.

Moderna has initiated a preliminary human trial for a vaccine targeting Bundibugyo ebolavirus as the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to expand. The first dose of the mRNA-1469 vaccine was administered on August 3 in Truro, Nova Scotia. This trial signifies the vaccine’s initial application in human subjects. The World Health Organization has designated the situation as an international public health emergency due to the outbreak.

Michigan health officials have verified two fatalities associated with the state’s 2026 cyclosporiasis outbreak. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported a total of 11,234 cases as of August 3. Additionally, the state recorded 193 hospitalizations through July 30. Both individuals who died had significant underlying health issues. Authorities mentioned that cyclosporiasis and dehydration might have worsened their existing conditions, but they did not release further personal details.

Technology

Children and Youth Face Increasing Online Information Dangers, UN Warns NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – The United Nations is calling for enhanced protective measures for children and adolescents as digital platforms continue to transform how they access and engage with information. A recently published UN issue brief underscores the growing threats posed by disinformation, hate speech, harassment, artificial intelligence, and online systems driven by attention metrics. It also raises alarms about issues related to personal data privacy, behavioral advertising practices, and the way algorithms influence content distribution. The report emphasizes that younger users require more robust safeguards to ensure they can safely access online education, communicate with peers, and participate in public discourse.

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On Tuesday, Japan achieved a successful launch of its H3 rocket, which carried the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite into orbit. The launch, designated as H3 Flight No. 9, took place from the Tanegashima Space Center at 4:23:31 a.m. Japan time. JAXA confirmed that the rocket adhered to its planned trajectory throughout the entire mission. The satellite separated approximately 29 minutes after liftoff, entering its predetermined orbit as scheduled. Michibiki No. 7 expands Japan’s QZSS satellite navigation network.

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Meta ordered to pay $567 million in New Mexico state trial SANTA FE, Mexico / RankWire.AI / – A New Mexico state court ordered social media giant Meta on Thursday to pay $567 million into a dedicated youth mental health fund after ruling that the company’s platforms constituted a public nuisance. Presiding Judge Bryan Biedscheid of the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe delivered the decision following a three-week bench trial. The court concluded that Facebook and Instagram contributed significantly to a youth mental health crisis and failed to protect minors from online harm and exploitation.

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OpenAI is expanding access to ChatGPT by offering Free and Go users unlimited text conversations with GPT-5.6 Luna. The company announced that this change will take effect next week and will be implemented with safeguards to prevent misuse. During this rollout, GPT-5.6 Luna will also become the default model for those accounts. Additionally, free users will be provided with a Think button that allows the system to dedicate more time to handling complex questions before delivering a response.

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