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Thousands of lawsuits accusing major social media companies of fueling harmful and addictive use among young people can continue in federal court. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an early appeal from Meta Platforms and TikTok on Aug. 10. The ruling leaves more than 3,000 consolidated federal cases before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. Plaintiffs allege that platform design features encouraged compulsive use and contributed to mental health problems among children and teenagers.
Fujian authorities suspended 686 road passenger routes and 658 train services during the storm response. They also closed 234 major tourist attractions and canceled dozens of cultural and tourism events. In Shanghai, airlines canceled more than 900 flights at the city’s two main airports on Monday. Heavy rainfall caused flooding in parts of the financial center and disrupted public transportation. The measures followed widespread weather warnings across coastal areas exposed to Dolphin’s winds and rain.
More than 20,000 people fled communities around Okanagan Lake after the Bald Range wildfire surged through southern British Columbia over the weekend. Provincial authorities declared a state of emergency Saturday as flames advanced toward Summerland and areas near Peachland. The fire grew beyond 10,300 hectares by Saturday night. It destroyed homes and damaged other property along its path. Evacuation orders remained in force across several communities and rural areas Sunday.
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck southeast of Atka in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands late Saturday. The Alaska Earthquake Center recorded the quake at 7:36 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time on August 8. That corresponded to 03:36 UTC on August 9. The epicenter was about 48 miles, or 77 kilometers, southeast of Atka. Seismologists placed the earthquake at a depth of about 10.6 miles, or 17 kilometers.
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake hits southwestern China on Friday, striking Gao County in Yibin City within Sichuan province. According to official measurements published by the China Earthquake Networks Center, the seismic event occurred at 1:08 p.m. local time at a shallow focal depth of six kilometers. State broadcaster CCTV confirmed that one person was killed after being struck by a collapsing exterior wall while attempting to seek safety during the tremors.
Exporters must seek approval for each covered shipment rather than use streamlined licensing procedures. Authorities will review the products, end users and intended uses under existing export control rules. The order covers unmanned aerial vehicles, important parts and technologies that meet China’s controlled-item thresholds. China already regulates certain drone engines, communications equipment, sensors and anti-drone systems. It also bars civilian drones from exports for military purposes. The new step adds closer scrutiny for controlled products heading specifically to the United States.
The eruption began Monday and intensified as gas, lava and ash rose from the crater. Pyroclastic flows moved through several ravines on Fuego’s western and southwestern slopes, reaching distances of five to seven kilometers. These flows contain hot gas, ash and rock and can move at high speed. Monitoring teams also tracked an ash column spreading west and northwest, with volcanic material reported far beyond the immediate danger zone.
Strong winds pushed the eastern Washington fires through dry grass, timber and residential areas north of Spokane. The Old Trails Fire crossed the Spokane River and entered northwest neighborhoods only hours after it began. Flames damaged homes, businesses, vehicles, power equipment and other property across several communities. Infrared surveys identified possible damage to hundreds of additional buildings, though assessment teams had not confirmed those losses.
President Donald Trump said the United States would cancel a planned attack on Iran if negotiators reached a rapid agreement. He said the proposed deal must reopen the Strait of Hormuz and address Iran’s nuclear activities. Trump also said Israel supported efforts to complete the arrangement. His announcement halted preparations for another round of U.S. strikes. Officials had not released a signed agreement or detailed terms by Monday morning.
Austria recorded its highest July temperature on July 31, when Wieselburg in Lower Austria reached 40.3 degrees Celsius. The reading broke the national July record of 39.7 degrees, set in Dellach im Drautal on July 27, 1983. GeoSphere Austria confirmed the new monthly high as a severe heatwave tightened its grip on eastern regions. The temperature remained below Austria’s all-time record of 40.5 degrees, measured in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg in August 2013.