CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A South African couple found themselves in a rare situation when they witnessed a humpback whale “supergroup” consisting of nearly 300 of the giant marine mammals gathering together.

It’s an indication, scientists say, of how some whale species numbers have strongly rebounded in the southern hemisphere oceans decades after an international whale hunting ban came into effect in 1986.

Chris and Monique Fallows said they were used to seeing bigger and bigger groups of humpback whales off the west coast of South Africa but weren’t prepared for what they saw one morning last December. Plumes of whale breath and spray burst into the air one after the other from blowholes, and the husband and wife found their boat in the midst of what’s known as a supergroup.

“It was extraordinary,” said Chris Fallows, a renowned fine art wildlife photographer who has documented marine animals for 35 years. “Quite quickly we realized that there must be several hundred whales coming together in one particular area.”

He said what they saw can best be described as a “Manhattan skyline” of whale breath plumes.

Chris and Monique documented 299 humpback whales in the group, they said. They count whales by taking a photograph of their tail, which is called a fluke, said Monique Fallows, an author and naturalist.

Each whale’s tail is different and it’s a common tactic used by scientists to identify individuals.

It appears to be the biggest group of humpback whales sighted, according to Alex Vogel, the Africa coordinator for Happywhale. That organization has a global database of whales built off photos and information sent in largely by what it calls “citizen scientists” — ordinary people who capture images of whales that are then verified.

The organization did a count of the group that the Fallows came across.

Humpback numbers have strongly recovered in the southern hemisphere from less than 10,000 at the height of whaling to more than 100,000 whales now, according to assessments by scientists and the International Whaling Commission, which monitors whale numbers.

Only a few countries still hunt whales commercially.

Humpbacks are generally solitary or move in small pods, but they sometimes gather in supergroups in food-rich areas. They feed on krill or small fish.

Sightings of humpbacks are also increasing in other parts of the Southern Hemisphere.

Els Vermeulen, the chief scientist at the University of Pretoria’s Whale Unit in South Africa, said humpback supergroups started to be seen again around 2012 and it’s likely a result of their recovery from whaling.

“In general, the moratorium on whaling can be classified as one of the strongest conservation success stories in the marine environment,” said Vermeulen, who has a doctorate in zoology.

Vermeulen said that humpbacks feeding in supergroups make underwater sounds that attract other whales.

While humpbacks have seen the biggest comeback from whaling, the World Wildlife Fund says the recovery has been mixed for other whale species and that various threats remain, like entanglement in commercial fishing equipment, collisions with ships and climate change.

Seven out of the 14 great whale species are classified as endangered or vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, which number only around 380 now.

Vermeulen also raised a new threat for whales around South Africa: the conflict in the Middle East.

She said a recent preliminary assessment she co-authored showed that shipping around the southern point of Africa had quadrupled since December 2023 — after the Israel-Hamas war broke out and Yemen’s Houthi rebels began attacking ships in the Red Sea.

That is being made worse by the Iran war and the security crisis over the Strait of Hormuz, diverting more ships around Africa.

Because most whales killed by ships sink in the ocean there are no detailed statistics. But Gregg Oelofse, the coastal and environmental manager for the city of Cape Town, said more whales and more shipping clearly increase the risk.

He said some whale carcasses wash ashore with evidence they’ve been killed by vessels.

“We’ll see the propellor strike often through the whale’s body,” Oelofse said. “So, it’s like these big cuts in the whale’s body.”

Vermeulen said she and others are lobbying for official speed limits for ships near the South African coast to give them time to spot any whales in their path.

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Associated Press writer Gerald Imray contributed to this story.

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AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

The flats are proposed to be ‘co-living’

Plans for more than 100 flats above a city centre bank have been approved. Progressive Property Ltd proposed to Peterborough City Council to change the upper floors of 1 to 3 Church Street, Peterborough, into 104 co-living flats. The bottom floor of the building is used by Barclays Bank.

Among the plans, the applicants proposed a number of different facilities. These include en-suite accommodation completed to a “high-end finish”, themed lounge spaces, kitchen spaces and dining spaces aimed to create a “variety of ambient vibes”.

Other facilities include lounges, quiet lounge areas, secure cycle storage and laundry services. The flats are proposed to be co-living to help the council meet HMO standards.

The applicant added: “This ensures that the units will provide adequate internal space for future occupants, with appropriate room sizes, storage areas and overall floor area.

“By adhering to these standards, the units will offer a comfortable, functional and high-quality living environment, aligned with modern housing requirements, as well as flexible and affordable accommodation.”

No car parking will be provided for the flats, as there is “no requirement to provide spaces for residents and visitors”, according to the council’s local plan car parking standards. However, a total of 120 cycle parking spaces form part of the plans.

Before approval, the plans received a mixed reaction. Urban design officer Khalifa Abubakar showed support for the plans, and considered it a “welcomed improvement of the pre-application scheme”.

However, the officer asked for a number of matters to be addressed. The officer said the plans lacked a “comprehensive landscaping strategy”. They were also concerned that the upper storey appeared “overbearing and visually dominant” in several eye-level views from Cathedral Square.

The Peterborough Civic Society objected to the plans. The society said the changes to the building for the flats would make it a “visually jarring element” in the city centre.

A society spokesperson said: “When viewed across Cathedral Square, the increased mass of a greatly enlarged fourth storey on what is already a visually intrusive building in an otherwise highly attractive townscape façade to the south side of the square will present a visually jarring element to this highly important urban space in the city centre.” They also felt the design was “cramped and over-insensitive”.

The plans were however approved by the council.

President Donald Trump has doubled down on his threat to build an air filter barrier between the United States and Canada. 

Trump took to his Truth Social platform Saturday evening to share an AI-generated image of his proposed ‘North America Air Filter Barrier’.

The image depicted an enormous furnace filter lining the border between the northern US states and Canada.

‘Clean Air. Clear borders,’ a sign beneath the filter reads. 

The president on Monday imposed a 50 percent tariff on Canada over wildfire smoke which has been choking US cities.

The White House said in a fact sheet that the tariffs would go into effect in 30 days and cover ‘products ranging from wine to hockey sticks to cement.’ 

A Trump administration official said the US president had also requested that his aides look into additional tariffs on Canada after accusing the country of ‘coming in and poisoning our air.’  

It came after Trump declared that Canada has unfairly discriminated against American autos, alcohol and dairy products. 

Trump vowed to hold ‘Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their forests and brush’ after wildfires in Ontario caused massive plumes of smoke to blanket cities across the US

Trump last week said the US was being ‘invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable.’

He also vowed to hold ‘Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their forests and brush.’

Trump then pulled the surprise tariffs on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney after he met the liberal leader the day before at the World Cup final, where the two appeared chummy. 

Carney warned that the tariffs have hurt people on both sides of the border and that he was ready to work to strengthen his country and support Canadian workers. 

More than 70 percent of Canada’s exports go to the US, making America its largest trade partner.

Carney said Canada is intensifying negotiations with the US to reach a comprehensive trade deal but is prepared to respond should Trump’s threat of 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods go into effect.

‘If these tariffs, or other measures come into force, there’s a full range of things that we can do in that regard,’ Carney said after meeting with Canada’s premiers and territorial leaders in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on Thursday.

Carney said ‘everything’s on the table’ if an agreement can’t be reached before the tariffs kick in.

‘We don’t need to respond in advance,’ he said. ‘In fact, I think it would be counterproductive at this stage to respond in advance.’

Smoke rises from the French Bar Creek wildfire northwest of Cache Creek in British Columbia, Canada on July 17

Wildfire damage is pictured from the air in Collins First Nation, a small, remote Ojibwa community located in northwestern Ontario on Wednesday

The new tariffs cover a wide range of goods, including honey, liquor, cement, dairy products, some wood products, hockey sticks and other items. 

They exclude energy products, potash, fish and critical minerals, but would include goods previously protected from import taxes by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. 

That 2020 trade pact was not renewed by the US, triggering a new set of negotiations that could run until 2036.

Carney said the tariff threat could be a negotiation tactic by the US.

‘We’ve seen a series of trade negotiations that the US has undertaken, and normally there’s a deadline,’ he said. ‘Normally there’s an outsized tariff associated with that deadline.’

Carney believes there is a willingness among American officials to reach a trade deal.

Trump and Carney spoke about the wildfires in Ontario that caused massive plumes of smoke to blanket cities across the US during their meeting at the World Cup final last Sunday.

The President said the conversation went well, ‘But I told him, “You’ve got to stop these fires from coming in and poisoning our air.” Our air’s being poisoned.

Wildfire smoke from Canada shrouds the sun as it rises behind the skyline of midtown Manhattan and, the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in New York City on July 17 

The Bronx was also overtaken by an eerie orange haze. Smoke from wildfires is more dangerous than polluted air due to the dangerous materials it carries 

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‘I have a good relationship with Mark Carney, but you know, we got to stop the fires up there,’ Trump said. 

‘If we can help them, we’ll help them – but maybe they should pay us some damages or something, or [we] should do some tariffs,’ he then threatened.

Trump went on to call the smoke ‘terrible,’ specifically pointing out the situation in Detroit, Michigan, where assembly line workers at Ford Motor’s Michigan Assembly Plant were sent by ambulance to nearby hospitals on Thursday, according to the Detroit Free Press. 

But the poor air quality was felt in other parts of the country as well, with smoky conditions being felt in Washington, DC and New York City.

Trump has further threatened to impose tariffs over a major outbreak of an ‘explosive diarrhea’ parasite potentially linked to lettuce from Mexico.

In a press briefing at the White House Friday, the President said: ‘I think what we are going to do is put a major tariff on Mexico because of the lettuce.’

Trump weighed in as cases of cyclosporiasis soared to 11,000 across 41 states, leaving public health officials scrambling to find the cause.

Health officials have suggested that cases of the parasite, a disease transmitted by food or water contaminated with human feces, may be linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms that was sent to Taco Bell restaurants in nine states.

Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania are also now suggested to be affected, alongside Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.

First Lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum pose for photos during the World Cup Final in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19

Tests on lettuce from Taylor Farms’ manufacturing facility in Mexico have returned a false positive, however, a voluntary recall of the products is still in place.

The business temporarily closed its Central Mexico site on Thursday.

The Trump Administration on Friday also announced a new wave of blistering tariffs targeting 60 trading partners

The levies, which range from 10 percent to 12.5 percent and impact major economies like China, India and the European Union, sparked protests from Beijing and other targets. 

The Trump administration has moved swiftly to rebuild the president’s tariff wall after the Supreme Court struck down a host of his duties in February – dealing a blow to his ability to unleash steep levies at will. 

After the setback, Trump tapped different authorities to reimpose a 10 percent tariff on imports. But this only lasted 150 days and expired on Friday.

The volley of new duties, initially proposed in June, now takes its place and will impact 60 US trade partners, which constitutes 99.4 percent of American trade in total.

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Genevieve strengthened into a hurricane Saturday in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico. It was forecast to pick up even more steam and become a major hurricane in the coming days but stay well out to sea on a course roughly parallel to the shore.

Genevieve had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph), making it a Category 1 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. A major hurricane is Category 3 or higher.

Genevieve’s center was located about 500 miles (810 kilometers) south-southwest of Manzanillo, and it was headed west-northwest at 15 mph (24 kph).

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect, but the hurricane center said swells from the storm — likely causing “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions” — were affecting parts of Mexico’s southwestern coast on the weekend and would likely hit southern parts of the Baja California Peninsula on Sunday night or Monday.

Farther west in the Pacific, meanwhile, Hurricane Fausto remained a Category 2 storm as it continued on a projected path in the general direction of the Hawaiian Islands.

Forecasters said it was expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm in the coming days, but warned that it could still generate dangerous surf and said “Interests in the Hawaiian Islands should monitor” its progress.

Fausto had maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 kph); was located about 1,060 miles (1,705 kilometers) east of Hilo; and was moving west at 13 mph (20 kph).

At the sitting of the Special Criminal Court, Det Sgt Shane Noone said he arrested O’Donovan at 17:07 local time on Friday and informed him he would be charged with the offence.

Solicitor Darragh Mackin said he had not taken instruction from O’Donovan as he was observing a strike over changes to criminal legal aid fees and was only appearing in court out of courtesy.

O’Donovan told Judge Patrick McGrath that he had “no representation at all”, and had asked for “the services of this gentleman beside me”, referring to Mackin.

O’Donovan was remanded in custody until Monday.

Law student Isobella Perrie Sullivan, 25, of Abbeylands Park in Clane, County Kildare, appeared before a district court on Friday charged with possession of explosives in connection with the same incident.

Her solicitor said she had been asked to take a bag to Northern Ireland, and had not been aware what was in it.

Perrie Sullivan was granted bail but remains in custody ahead of a further bail hearing on Monday.

Some forecasters are predicting highs of up to 35C across England and parts of Wales, with the heat expected to become more widespread and intense as the week progresses.

Heatwaves are defined as periods of three consecutive days where temperatures meet or exceed a specific threshold.

This threshold varies across the UK, from 25C in the north and west to 28C in parts of eastern England.

Is another heatwave coming in the UK?

The UK has already experienced three heatwaves this year, with the last one ending for most of England and Wales last weekend when cooler air brought temperatures down to 20-24C.

However, Usk in Monmouthshire and Exeter in Devon continued to hit heatwave levels and on Friday, marked 20 consecutive days of reaching the criteria.

A short period of cooler weather with some rain in parts of the UK is expected over the weekend, but the heat is likely to return quickly.

High pressure is forecast to build over the south of the UK next week, preventing the arrival of rain-bearing weather fronts in southern regions.

This pattern will confine wet weather to the north and west, particularly north-west Scotland, while temperatures begin to climb once more in the south.

The Met Office said that “if only one or two stations reach heatwave criteria, that would not be defined as a heatwave”, but a broader area could trigger the declaration of a fourth heatwave.

2026 became the first year to record temperatures of 35C on six separate days (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

For much of next week, temperatures in England and Wales are expected to peak at 25C to 32C, with the hottest conditions focused on central and eastern England by Tuesday, the BBC weather team predict.

Some computer models suggest east Wales and most of England could see temperatures between 30C to 35C by next weekend, raising the likelihood of another officially declared heatwave.

Met Office verdict on potential fourth heatwave

The Met Office is forecasting a “return to very warm weather in the south next week”.

It says: “This more unsettled spell is not expected to last long for much of southern UK with dry weather and sunny periods likely to return on Monday and continue into midweek.

“Further north, it will be cloudier with further showers or longer outbreaks of rain.  

“Temperatures are expected to recover quickly in the south. 

“Many parts of England and Wales are likely to return to the mid to high twenties Celsius early next week, with the potential for temperatures to reach 30C again in southern and eastern England by Tuesday.

“Conditions in the southeast could become very warm or locally hot, with the possibility that some locations may once again reach heatwave criteria, potentially making this the fourth heatwave episode of the year for parts of the UK.”

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How to stay cool in summer in the UK

The NHS suggests staying out of the heat if possible, adding that it is best to stay shaded, particularly between 11am and 3pm.

It also recommends using sunscreen, wearing a hat and light clothes, and avoiding exercise or activity that makes you hotter.

To cool yourself down, have cold food and drinks and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.

It is also vital to keep your living space cool, closing windows during the day and opening them at night when it is cooler.

Have you enjoyed temperatures cooling down recently? Let us know in the comments.

Homes by Esh has received planning approval to build 49 homes in Tunstall, around four miles from Sunderland city centre.

The development, in the South Sunderland Growth Area on Burdon Road, will feature a mix of three and four-bedroom detached and semi-detached properties.

Homes by Esh has secured planning permission for a 49-home luxury housing development in Tunstall. Pictured is an example of the homes to be built (Image: Homes by Esh)

Dale Morris, technical director at Homes by Esh, said: “Securing planning approval for our Burdon Road development is a significant milestone for the team and a positive step forward for housing delivery in Sunderland.

“Our focus has been to design homes that not only meet the needs of modern families but also integrate seamlessly with the local area and its long-term growth plans.

“With sustainability, energy performance and community at the heart of the scheme, we look forward to bringing these homes to life and working with local partners to generate real economic benefit for the region.”

The scheme was approved by Sunderland City Council as it aligns with the council’s wider strategic masterplan for land north of Burdon Lane.

The development will include properties such as The Juniper, The Magnolia and The Laurel, which have already featured at Homes by Esh’s Collier Gardens scheme on Philadelphia Lane.

All 49 properties will meet the 2021 Building Regulations Uplift, incorporating enhanced insulation, ventilation, and energy-efficient features such as electric vehicle charging points, solar panels and smart thermostats.

The scheme also includes a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG), complies with local authority highways requirements, and will offer a 10% affordable housing contribution.

Homes by Esh is currently delivering other high-quality housing schemes across the wider North East.

These include 35 homes at Philadelphia Lane in Houghton-le-Spring and 41 homes at Bluebell Gardens in Trimdon Village.

In Darlington, the housebuilder is progressing with Havelock Park at Blackwell Grange, which will deliver 44 executive homes, and 144 homes at Hurworth Meadows.

Further information about the company and its developments is available at www.homesbyesh.co.uk.

Beefeater has confirmed the closing date of all its restaurants across the UK.

Although there are no Beefeaters in Bolton, affected branches nearby include the Heaton Park Beefeater and The Whitegate Inn, Chadderton.

The mass closures are part of Whitbread’s major restructuring plan.

The company announced in April that it would shut its remaining Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites as part of a strategy overhaul, placing around 3,800 jobs at risk.

Whitbread revealed plans to close all of its Beefeater sites as part of a major restructuring (Image: Getty Images)

UK restaurant chain Beefeater to shut all 106 sites in coming weeks

Customers were informed of the closure in a letter sent to Beefeater reward club members.

It stated: “As you may have seen, we have recently announced changes to our business, which is resulting in the closure of our Branded Restaurants.

“This means that on Thursday 10 September 2026 your local Beefeater and all other UK Beefeaters will close.”

In the letter, the company also said it would close the loyalty scheme on August 31.

Whitbread was contacted for a new comment.

The restructure is part of Whitbread’s new five-year growth strategy, which aims to re-focus the business and reduce costs by £250 million.

This includes a shift towards an integrated food and drink model that the company believes is more efficient and better suited to Premier Inn guests.

Dominic Paul, Whitbread’s chief executive, said previously: “We always challenge ourselves to improve and, in light of significant cost increases in the form of business rates and national insurance, as well as the implied market discount to our inherent value, we’ve looked hard at the options open to us to maximise value creation over the medium and long-term.

“This has been a rigorous process and we’ve approached all options with an open mind.

“Our new five-year plan builds on our strengths and drives a significant acceleration of our strategy.

“This plan will transform Whitbread into a higher-margin, higher-returning pure-play hotel business.

“We’re going to go further and faster to deliver a great experience for our guests and high-quality growth and returns for our shareholders.”

Whitbread’s restructuring strategy explained

Under the new strategy, Whitbread plans to convert some restaurant sites into additional Premier Inn rooms and sell off around £1.5 billion worth of freehold properties to fund further growth.

The group currently owns approximately 86,600 hotel rooms and intends to increase this to 96,000 by the 2031 financial year.

Whitbread said that although it expects to redeploy many affected employees within its wider business, the restructure will still result in significant job losses.

A statement said previously: “We recognise the impact of this proposal on colleagues who work at the affected sites.

“As a business which recruits around 15,000 people every year, we expect to be able to retain a significant proportion of those affected and will be looking to redeploy as many of our impacted colleagues as possible.

“However, we do anticipate that the proposed changes, which are subject to consultation, would result in a reduction of around 3,800 roles of a total UK and Ireland workforce of around 30,000.

“We will do all we can to support those colleagues affected.”

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The company believes the integrated food and drink model is better aligned with the requirements of Premier Inn guests, who account for a large portion of restaurant trade in Whitbread-owned venues.

Brewers Fayre, which is also owned by Whitbread, will also be closing, but does not yet have confirmed closure dates.

Will you be sad to see your local Beefeater restaurant close? Let us know in the comments.

Ayden Heaven has started at centre-back in both of Man Utd’s pre-season games so far this summer.

Ayden Heaven opened up on his relationship with Harry Maguire following Manchester United’s 5-0 win over Rosenborg on Friday evening, admitting he “loves” playing alongside the experienced defender.

Heaven has started at centre-back in both of United’s pre-season games so far this summer, taking the chance to partner Maguire in the absence of some of United’s senior stars.

With United awaiting an update on Lisandro Martinez’s injury and Matthijs de Ligt still recovering from back surgery, Heaven may be called upon in the opening weeks of the season. The 19-year-old has shown he has the quality to be a mainstay in the United side for years to come, and he credited Maguire with helping his development.

“I love it, obviously,” he said of playing alongside Maguire. “He helps me a lot. He’s had over 20 years of experience playing. And yeah, he’s always good to play with. He speaks a lot and he always tells me to speak. I always work on that with him.”

Michael Carrick spoke glowingly of Heaven following his display away at Chelsea last season, a game which saw United come away with the three points and a clean sheet despite a defensive injury crisis. Heaven then started in subsequent wins over Liverpool and Brentford before Martinez returned to the team.

Heaven looked disappointed not to get on the pitch on the final day of the season against Brighton, but Carrick was spotted putting his arm around him and passing on a few supportive words.

“He’s played a big part for this club when he played. So that’s the extra boost that he’s given you, to have a compliment. And yeah, we all really trust him. I’m thankful to have him as a coach,” Heaven said of Carrick.

Asked about potentially nailing down a starting role, Heaven said: “I know I’m young, obviously, and I’ve got to be patient, you know, especially in my position. You don’t see a lot of 19-year-olds playing week in, week out.

“I know it’s nothing personal and I’ve just got to be patient. I’m waiting for my opportunity.”

Playing for England at Euro 2028 is Heaven’s target after representing the Three Lions’ Under-21s.

“I could push further than that, maybe try and get into England, the main men’s team. You know, the sky’s the limit. So, yeah, I’ve just got to keep working hard every day,” he said.

East Durham Garden Centre has an almost perfect rating of 4.4 stars from nearly 800 Google reviews.

The garden centre, part of the British Garden Centres chain, opened in 2005 and offers a wide range of products.

(Image: EAST DURHAM GARDEN CENTRE)

The centre, located on South Hetton Road in Peterlee, offers a diverse selection of plants, gifts, homeware, furniture, and more.

One review said: “The best garden centre in the area.

“Great staff, good selection of plants, plant and garden accessories, and non-gardening items too.”

East Durham Garden Centre is also home to the Gardener’s Retreat Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and a carvery every Wednesday and Sunday.

One customer gave the restaurant a five-star review and said: “I can only say, has to be the best breakfast I’ve had in the UK.

(Image: EAST DURHAM GARDEN CENTRE)

“The sausage was to die for, the portions were perfect, not at all too much.

“Perfect toast, lovely people and a great view of all the plants as the sun shines in.

“Been coming here over 15 years now, never had food.

“I’ll be back for breakfast once a week for a treat.

East Durham Garden Centre has received glowing reviews from customers. (Image: EAST DURHAM GARDEN CENTRE)

“About time the good old English breakfast became homemade and homegrown.”

British Garden Centre Family Cards are also available at the centre, which provide the customer with exclusive offers, vouchers, and invites to events throughout the year.

The garden centre has wheelchair accessibility, free parking, is dog-friendly, and offers home delivery on larger items.

The opening times are Monday to Friday – 9am-5pm, Saturday – 9am-5:30pm, Sunday – 10am-4:30pm.

The Gardener’s Retreat Restaurant closes 30 minutes before the garden centre, and the tills open at 10:30am on a Sunday.