The same question drives both the plot of Moana and decades of archaeological research: why, after centuries of relative stability, did Polynesian voyagers suddenly begin settling islands thousands of kilometres away across the Pacific?

The latest Moana movie is a live-action adaptation of a Disney animated movie of the same name. While the films are fictional, they draw inspiration from the rich seafaring heritage of Polynesian peoples, whose ancestors undertook one of the greatest episodes of maritime exploration in human history.

New climate evidence may help us understand why they embarked on these voyages.

The backdrop to Moana is the mystery of the “long pause”. This was a period when Polynesian ancestors, the Lapita people, sailed east into the Pacific as far as the island archipelagos of Samoa and Tonga, arriving around 3,000 years ago. They brought with them distinct pottery styles and an island-based culture.

Human migrations into the Pacific:

Yet, for the next 1,700 years, there was little voyaging further east. Archaeological evidence suggests that populations in Tonga and Samoa grew and developed their own distinct post-Lapita culture.

Then, between 900 and 1100 AD, ancestral Polynesians suddenly undertook a massive phase of eastward migration. Over the next century, voyagers in huge double-hulled sailing canoes reached Hawai’i, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The spread of sweet potatoes around Pacific islands indicate they probably made contact with the continental Americas too.

When European navigators finally arrived centuries later, they were astonished to find even the smallest atolls peopled by communities sharing deep cultural and linguistic commonalities.

The mystery of the ‘long pause’

For generations, anthropologists and historians have debated what ended the long pause. Was it new sailing technology able to combat the easterly trade winds? Was it driven by social pressures and growing populations? Or was there a physical, environmental catalyst behind their choice?

To answer this, we have to look at the physical factors that make survival on a Pacific island possible: fresh water and food. As populations grow, resource demands intensify.

While ancestral Polynesians were highly adaptable and accustomed to seasonal droughts; prolonged and severe droughts during times of high population density might mean an island could no longer support its human population. Ultimately, island survival hinges on a single critical resource: rainfall.

Unlocking the climate record

Until recently, scientists lacked evidence from the Tonga and Samoa region of what the climate was like in this critical migration era. But we were able to reconstruct these past changes by analysing hydrogen isotopes – slightly different forms of the same element – preserved in ancient mud from swamps and lakes.

In the tropics, the isotopic composition of rain water reflects the amount of rainfall. As algae and plants grow and absorb this water, they lock this chemical signature into molecules that can survive in sediment for thousands of years, providing a natural archive of past rainfall.

Using this technique, we found evidence of a sustained, severe dry period in the southwest tropical Pacific between 850 and 1200 AD. Our results, recently published in the Journal of Pacific Archaeology, indicate this was the driest period the region had experienced in the past 2,000 years. Crucially, this drought coincided with a time when island populations were larger.

The great migration into the eastern Pacific coincided with a dry climate in the western Pacific:

Why would some islands experience a decades or centuries-long drought? Rainfall in the tropical South Pacific depends on the position of the South Pacific Convergence Zone or SPCZ, a major belt of clouds and rain that shifts east and west over time, driven by patterns of sea surface temperature. Short-term shifts are linked to El Niño and La Niña, but the SPCZ can also move over much longer timescales, bringing decades of unusually dry or wet conditions to different parts of the Pacific.

All this matches up with genetic data that indicates Samoa’s population rapidly increased around 1000 AD, perhaps thanks to the arrival of new people. This suggests several factors aligned – severe climate stress, expanding populations, better canoe technology – to prompt daring exploration eastwards.

The story of Polynesian expansion is remarkable in its own right. As Moana introduces new audiences to Pacific voyaging traditions, scientists are continuing to deepen our understanding of the environmental challenges these extraordinary navigators faced – and how they responded with ingenuity, resilience and exploration on an oceanic scale.

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian authorities said on Thursday they have arrested several suspects accused of a string of recent explosions in Damascus, including the bombings during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit earlier this week.

Security forces carried out raids in the Syrian capital and the surrounding areas, and “succeeded in dismantling the entire cell responsible” for the bombings, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. It did not give any information on the identity or affiliation of the suspects.

On Tuesday, explosive devices were planted in a garbage bin and a parked car during Macron’s landmark visit to Syria, a country rebuilding from years of civil war. Macron, who was in the presidential palace when the blasts happened, was not harmed and continued with his meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

The explosions killed one person and wounded 36 others, according to the final casualty toll announced by Syria’s Ministry of Health.

Last week, an explosive device detonated in a cafe near Damascus’ main judicial complex, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 20.

No group claimed responsibility for either attack.

The explosions are a challenge to al-Sharaa, who has pushed to assert full control over Syria. He has appealed to minorities skeptical of his government’s Islamist-led rule and sought to win support of Western governments concerned about his past leadership of the formerly al-Qaida-linked group known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule of the Assad family, which ended when former President Bashar Assad was ousted in an insurgent offensive in December 2024 led by al-Sharaa.

The nearly 14-year civil war in Syria killed nearly half a million people and displaced millions, leaving much devastation and infrastructure in ruins. While other nations and businesses have made large investment pledges, the country still needs hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild and lift millions out of poverty.

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By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 21:13 BST, 9 July 2026 | Updated: 22:20 BST, 9 July 2026

The ITV presenting and punditry team were forced to abandon their swanky New York World Cup studio on Thursday due to storms in the area.

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Laura Woods and Co have received plaudits for their set-up in the United States for the summer tournament, particularly after the BBC opted to host coverage from Manchester.

But they have, at times, had to abandon the studio, which has a backdrop of New York, to move to an inside studio as the country has battled storms throughout the World Cup.

And conditions on Thursday evening during coverage of France’s quarter-final clash with Morocco meant the team were rushed inside to take cover for the broadcast.

Presenter Marc Pougatch welcomed viewers to the broadcast initially from the outside studio, but the anchor, alongside pundits Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Patrick Vieira were swiftly moved inside.

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ITV showed pictures of the storm close to them, with heavy rain on show in Brooklyn. Matches, meanwhile, are delayed by half an hour as soon as a strike of lightning is recorded within an eight-mile radius of a stadium.

ITV were forced to abandon their swanky New York studio due to storms in the United States

The likes of Ian Wright (right) and Roy Keane (second left) were ushered inside for coverage of France vs Morocco

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Those tuning in to ITV’s coverage have been greeted to a stunning view of the New York skyline. ‘Welcome to our New York loft apartment, home for six weeks of coverage of the World Cup,’ said Pougatch, ITV anchor, ahead of the first game of the competition. ‘It is to be ITV’s home for the duration of the tournament.

Roy Keane and Wright both praised the location, with the latter lauding ITV’s decision to invest in a grand studio to fit the occasion of the World Cup. 

‘Amazing, fantastic,’ Keane said.

Wright added: ‘It’s amazing, unbelievable set. It’s the World Cup, it should be this, it should be grand, massive.’

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In contrast to ITV, the BBC’s coverage has been led from a state-of-the-art studio in Salford, with the corporation taking the decision to save millions of licence fee money.

‘Right now, I’m incredibly happy with it,’ the BBC’s director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski told Daily Mail Sport. ‘To have what would probably be an extra couple of hundred people out there – and that’s before you build a studio – you’re talking millions.

‘If I was standing here saying everything is going to be done from a studio in Dallas, you would rightly be saying to me, ‘How can you justify that expense?’.

‘I don’t think the answer from a financial sustainable point of view is to say everyone can go. I don’t think that is a very clever way of me to spend licence fee money.’

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The BBC had floated the idea of jetting out for the quarter-finals, but have again opted to stay home.

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The US and Iran have traded strikes for a second night, as observers report a “dramatic” drop in the number of ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.

The US says it hit 90 military targets, some near the Strait. Iran says 14 people have been killed in the past two days.

State media also reported that targets near the Bushehr nuclear power plant were hit, citing the deputy governor of the province. The US has not commented on the latest strikes.

Iran said it targeted US assets in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar in response. Later on Thursday, Tehran launched more strikes on sites in Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq, state-linked media reported.

Separately, huge crowds have gathered for the burial of Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after six days of funeral events.

Crowds massed on the streets of Mashhad in north-eastern Iran waving Iranian flags, while some were pictured holding signs carrying deaths threats directed at US President Donald Trump.

Khamenei was killed on 28 February during the first hours of US and Israeli strikes against Iran.

Iran’s foreign ministry denounced the latest US strikes as a “grave war crime”, describing the US administration as “evil and psychopathic”

Bridges and a railway route connecting Tehran to the city of Mashhad, where the late supreme leader’s funeral is being held, were also damaged, the foreign ministry said.

Iran’s health ministry says 14 people have been killed during this latest round of fighting.

Hossein Kermanpour, head of public relations at the ministry, said US attacks targeting five provinces in Iran over 8 and 9 July have also injured 78 people, of whom 47 remain in hospital.

Gulf nations reported Iranian attacks following the US strikes, with explosions in Bahrain’s capital Manama, Kuwait intercepting missiles and drones, and Qatar issuing a security alert.

Burnley Neighbourhood Policing Team said the bright orange vehicle was stopped following reports of excessive speed and anti-social driving.

Officers issued a warning under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 — but quickly discovered the car had already been flagged within the past 12 months.

As a result, the vehicle was seized at the roadside.

Under Section 59 powers, police can act against vehicles driven in a manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance, with repeat offences leading to seizure — regardless of whether the current driver was responsible for the original warning.

Police said there was “no excuse” for dangerous driving, adding that action will continue to be taken against motorists who put others at risk.

A spokesperson added: “Although the weather is beautiful, it is no excuse for driving in a dangerous manner — but if you do, at least don’t make it as easy as this driver did in a bright orange supercar.”

Travis Kelce’s brother Jason has made his first comments about the sports star’s wedding to global pop star Taylor Swift after the pair got married at Madison Square Garden

Jason Kelce has spoken for the first time about his brother Travis’ wedding to Taylor Swift. The pair got married in a secretive ceremony on 3 July at Madison Square Gardens.

Jason, the 38-year-old Philadelphia Eagles player, made his first comments about the wedding whilst at the 2026 ACC Golf Championship.

Whilst walking to the course, a fan asked him about the wedding, which guests reportedly had to sign NDAs about. He responded: “It was a good time”.

Later, he added that it was “great”, and when asked about how much he drank during the party, he admitted he went “way over” 15 beers. Jason was the best man for the wedding, while Taylor’s brother Austin was the man of honour.

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Guests reportedly had to surrender their phones before the wedding to ensure details didn’t get out. However, fans were still able to piece together bits and pieces about the wedding from what they could see going in and out of the venue. The roads around the stadium had been closed to allow the set up to happen the day before.

Employees were seen taking in set pieces to construct a castle in the arena, while vans were seen supplying food to the venue. The menu for the buffet was believed to include lobster and fries.

The guest list was also said to be over a 1000 people long and several guests were seen on their way to the wedding. Bradley Cooper, Zoe Kravitz, Hugh Grant and Ethan Hawke were all seen there, as were Taylor’s friends Gigi Hadid and Selena Gomez.

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Karlie Kloss, who was thought to be in a feud with Taylor until recently was also seen heading to Madison Square Garden in a gold dress.

Other celebs there included Lena Dunham and her ex and Taylor Swift collaborator Jack Antonoff – who turned up with his sister rather than his wife Margaret Qualley. The two are now thought to have split.

Fans and the people of New York were alerted to the moment Travis and Taylor said “I do”, as big signs reading “JUST&T MARRIED” were displayed around the venue.

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After the ceremony, some guests posted details to Instagram. One post showed a Chanel bag that a guest had one in a raffle. The other gifts up for grabs included a Cartier watch and a car.

In another post, a guest revealed that the pair had given out handkerchiefs as a wedding favour. The gifts were embroidered with two Ts and the quote “So it’s going to be forever…”. The lyric comes from Blank Space, a song by Taylor about a messy breakup. The lyric that immediately follows the one stitched onto the wedding favour is “or it’s going to go down in flames”.

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By HARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTER

Updated: 21:35 BST, 9 July 2026

Plans lodged with York Council would see Vitoria, in Coppergate, converted into a new Yorkies Fish and Chips seafood restaurant and takeaway.

The Harrogate-based business’ application stated the conversion would see the building renovated to create a welcoming environment for customers.

It follows the closure of the Vitoria Italian restaurant in 2023.

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The restaurant said at the time it was due to a technical issue after it temporarily shut due to problems with its gas supply.

To Let signs then went up on the Grade II*-listed building which has stood empty since.

Its conversion into Yorkies Fish and Chips would see the outside of the building redecorated, new flooring fitted inside on the ground floor, stairs replaced and electricity cables rewired.

Two new air conditioning units would be installed at the back of the building.

The existing kitchen is also set to be refurbished and a wine cellar installed in the building’s basement if plans are approved by York Council.

The empty Vitoria restaurant in Coppergate, York (Image: Newsquest)

Plans stated the conversion would help preserve the historic building.

They stated: “The planning application is primarily for our client who wishes to open a high end fish and chip and seafood restaurant with a takeaway part to complement it.

“The restaurant will create a high end fit-out to the existing buildings to create a welcoming environment for the customers.”

Yorkies Fish and Chips opened in Knaresborough Road, Harrogate in April last year.