Actor Sam Neill, who starred in “Jurassic Park” and “The Piano,” died Monday at the age of 78, his family said in a statement. Neill had been battling cancer, but his family said he had beaten it and his death was unexpected.
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It was a major week in professional wrestling that is only usually scene after a premium live event or a pay-per-view. This week, WWE and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) saw major championship changes at the top of their respective rosters as both companies inch their way to their marquee events – SummerSlam and All In.
CM Punk returned to WWE programming on “Monday Night Raw” and was the replacement in the Undisputed WWE Championship match against Sami Zayn. Cody Rhodes was set to be in the match until he was attacked by Gunther. Zayn thought he was in the clear until Raw general manager Adam Pearce told Zayn he had a replacement. Punk showed up and the crowd in Chicago was immediately sent into a frenzy.
CM PUNK TO DEFEND UNDISPUTED WWE CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST CODY RHODES AT SUMMERSLAM
CM Punk smiles during Monday Night RAW at Allstate Arena in Chicago, Ill., on July 6, 2026. (Melina Pizano/WWE via Getty Images)
Punk and Zayn put on one of the better TV matches of the year for WWE. In the end, it was Punk who captured the Undisputed WWE Championship and ended Zayn’s short-lived reign as champion after nine days. Later in the week, Punk and Rhodes were booked for a title match at SummerSlam but first will have to team together to take on Zayn and Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event in New York City.
AEW’s “Dynamite” featured MJF trying to defend his AEW World Championship against Kenny Omega. If Omega lost the match, he would no longer be able to compete for the title. It was a similar stipulation that Rhodes dealt with when he was in AEW and that “Hangman” Adam Page had in his own match against MJF earlier this year, which he lost.
AEW routinely showcases pay-per-view-level main events on “Dynamite” and Wednesday’s title bout was no different. MJF and Omega showcased their elite talents and went above and beyond to make the title mean something. MJF went crashing through the announce table and tried to use the Dynamite Diamond Ring to cheat his way to another victory.
KENNY OMEGA CAPTURES AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN EPIC MATCH OVER MJF
Kenny Omega enters the ring during New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Wrestle Dynasty at Tokyo Dome on January 05, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. (Etsuo Hara / Getty Images)
Will Ospreay, who is guaranteed a title match at All In, stepped in to take the ring away from MJF before he could use it but nearly cost Omega the title altogether. MJF hit Omega with a low blow and the title as the referee was trying to kick Ospreay out of the ring area. However, Omega kicked out when the referee only counted to one.
The Florida crowed was electric. MJF, seemingly battling through a knee injury, did everything he could to keep Omega down, but to no avail. Omega hit MJF with a few V-triggers and a One-Winged Angel to finally put MJF away. He captured the championship and began his second reign as AEW world champion.
There are many unknowns in pro wrestling despite the scripted nature of the shows and events. You never know who is going to return, you never know who his going to be on the shelf and you never know who is really going to win when it’s all said and done.
What we do know right now is that August will begin and end spectacularly. SummerSlam and All In are shaping up to be must-watch events. Each event have been slower builds than what most fans are used to, but everyone can expect high-level drama and intrigue going into each one. Let’s not discount that fact as the days and weeks go by.
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“Hangman” Adam Page made his return to AEW programming after being away for months following his AEW World Championship loss to MJF earlier this year. Dressed in a black suit jacket, Page made his way down the entrance ramp to a raucous crowd.
He opened up about dealing with cervical radiculopathy, which has kept him out of the ring for nearly four months. He talked about his gardening hobby and planting seeds and told the crowd he wanted to plant one more seed. He recalled putting his chance at ever going for the AEW world title again against MJF and losing the match.
Page vowed he would be a “man of my word.”
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“I know the stipulation, it doesn’t live signed in ink on a contract filed away in a filing cabinet somewhere, but it does live in me. And I wanted to let you know that I intend to be a man of my word,” he said. “I will never challenge for the All Elite Wrestling men’s world championship again.”
He suggested he took inspiration from Omega’s title win and that he sees “miles and miles of empty track” before him. He called out TNT champion Kevin Knight, national champion Mark Davis, continental champion Jon Moxley and international champion Kyle Fletcher.
“I’m going to have to find something else to do and you bet you’re a– I will.”
Welcome back, Page.
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Sheamus makes his entrance during RAW at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Oct. 27, 2025. (Michael Marques/WWE via Getty Images)
Sheamus made his WWE debut in 2009 – first appearing on ECW and later Raw. He immediately became a formidable challenger for John Cena and stunningly captured the WWE Championship against him at TLC in December of that year.
Man, how time flies.
Sheamus would become a four-time WWE champion, three-time United States champion, five time tag team champion and the winner of the King of the Ring, Money in the Bank and Royal Rumble. In the latter years of his career, he would be hampered by injuries but did get one final moment with Cena in the ring at Madison Square Garden before Cena finally retired.
Reports surfaced during the week that Sheamus’ contract would expiring and that he would be leaving the company. He seemingly confirmed the reports when he changed his social media profiles to his real name, Stephen Farrelly, and fired off an outgoing message to fans.
“Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Banger after Burger after Banger after Banger after Banger after,” he wrote on X, “slán mo WWE chaired.”
It’s unclear if this will be the end of the road in professional wrestling for the 48-year-old Irishman. But there will certainly be tremendous opportunities inside and outside the ring for him moving forward.
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Overall, it may lead to nothing and go largely unnoticed, but the interaction between CM Punk and Candice LeRae jumped off the screen during “Friday Night SmackDown.”
Punk finished talking to Cathy Kelley when he turned around to see LeRae and Johnny Gargano, who was still planking and not talking to anyone. Remember, Sami Zayn was the only one who Gargano seemed to be listening to – for better or worse. LeRae offered a stark reminder to Punk after he beat Zayn for the title.
“I hope you’re proud of yourself,” LeRae said. “As annoying as Sami can be, he’s the only person who didn’t give up on Johnny. He’s actually the voice of the voiceless. And as long as Sami held that title, it was hope. Hope for the real underdogs. Hope for Johnny, hope for me, and you, stole that from us. So, yeah, I hope you’re proud of yourself.”
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Punk responded the only way he could.
“I am proud of myself. You had hope for a whole nine days. Good for you,” he said. “I hope you can hear me, Johnny Wrestling, because that’s who I remember. Johnny Wrestling. Not whatever this is. And you, too. Just stop whatever you’re doing and get back in the ring. Get back to doing what you two do best. Whatever this is, is not working.”
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Baron Corbin looks down at Trick Williams during SmackDown at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on July 10, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)
It had been quite a while since Baron Corbin had been seen in a WWE ring. But as he finished with Major League Wrestling (MLW), rumors were rampant that his return to WWE was imminent.
He made himself quite known to the roster on Friday night when he interfered in a match between Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes.
Corbin got into the ring and hit the End of Days on both Williams and Hayes. But the big question is why? Why go after both guys who were putting on a banger of a match? Was he back to challenge for the United States Championship? And what did it mean for Ricky Saints who was watching the match intently?
We’ll have to keep watching SmackDown to find out.
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New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s prestigious G1 Climax got started over the weekend in Chicago. Rocky Romero spoke to Fox News Digital about the event before the bell the rang.
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Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling (MLP) will hit the airwaves this week when it debuts on TSN at midnight ET on Wednesday.
Rohan Raja spoke to Fox News Digital in May about MLP and why fans should tune in.
“I remember when we ran our first show a lot of fans, me, even if you go on Twitter and even news articles would report it, the quality is like an AEW or WWE product. It’s very top notch. We have Mauro Renallo as the voice of MLP,” he said at the time. “He’s on fire and he still does a lot of stuff like Jake Paul, he did Anthony Joshua’s last boxing match, Tyson Fury’s last match. We have all these star-studded guys.
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“How I kinda summarize it is it’s like a world’s collide but every week because we’ve had guys from AEW on there, we got guys from Japan, we got guys from Mexico, we got guys and girls from WWE who come on it. So, I feel like that’s the biggest thing where not only are they showcasing the Canadian talent but it’s showcasing everything. I feel like wrestling now, you do get glimpses of the worlds collide but I feel like we’re the promotion that’s had everyone – a taste of everything into one. With the TSN tapings and how that’s gonna go, it’s really just going to amp up what we’ve built and it’s something that you wouldn’t want to miss.”
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Kyle Fletcher during AEW Double or Nothing in Queens, N.Y., on May 24, 2026. (Lee South/AEW)
Born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Omagh, Northern Ireland, in 1947, he moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, with his family as a child.
He adopted the name Sam at the age of 12 because there were several Nigels at his school.
He began acting while studying at the University of Canterbury and made his film debut in 1971’s The City of No. After a number of television and film roles in New Zealand, he gained wider recognition in the 1977 film Sleeping Dogs, one of the country’s first films to achieve international distribution.
He later moved to Australia, where he starred in My Brilliant Career (1979), a film that helped establish him as a leading actor.
Neill achieved global fame in 1993 through his performances in Jane Campion’s Oscar-winning The Piano and as palaeontologist Dr Grant in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park.
He reprised the role in Jurassic Park III (2001) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022), and voiced the character in three video games based on the series.
Neill also found success on television, playing the sadistic, corrupt police officer Major Chester Campbell in the first two series of the BBC’s Peaky Blinders.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, he amassed more than 150 screen credits.
His last film appearance came in The Fox (2025) and his last TV appearance came in Netflix series Untamed (2025). He is expected to make posthumous appearances in Godzilla x Kong: Supernova and The Last Resort in 2027.
Neill was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1991 for services to acting. He was later made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007 and accepted a knighthood in 2022 after changes to New Zealand’s honours system allowed recipients to adopt titular honours.
In his 2023 memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, he revealed details of his cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“I’m not afraid of dying,” he told the BBC at the time. “What I don’t want to do is to stop living, because I really enjoy living.”
He added: “I’ve regarded it as an adventure, quite a dark adventure, but an adventure nevertheless.”
Sir Sam Neill is survived by his four children and eight grandchildren.
Fixed mortgage rates have fallen at the fastest rate since October 2024, as lenders bring back down prices which spiralled at the start of the Iran war.
The number of mortgage deal choices also continued to rise and the number of days they stayed on the market for remains at just 14 on average, as the industry grapples with fast-changing outlooks on inflation and borrowing costs.
At the end of February, the interest rate on an average two-year residential fix was 4.84 per cent, but it shot as high as 5.9 per cent by early April at the high of uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.
By late that month the downturn had begun, and Moneyfacts data shows fixed rates dropped for a second consecutive month in June, with the biggest monthly reductions since October 2024. Average two-year fixes fell 0.16 per cent, while five-year fixes dropped 0.11 per cent, both back to 5.52 per cent on average.
That was the lowest point since the start of March for both two- and five-year deals. In late April, Barclays brought back the first sub-4 per cent mortgage deal after the entire market had seen such offers withdrawn.
Further data showed the average rate for new mortgages also fell back to 5.47 per cent, though in March of this year that figure was at just 4.9 per cent – and the total number of deals on the mortgage market, while higher in June than May, remained more than 300 lower than in March at 7,177.
Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfacts, said: “Borrowers will breathe a sigh of relief to see fixed mortgages falling at their fastest pace for almost two years, combined with a calmer period of product churn and an uplift in choice. Lenders responded positively to falling swap rates in June, seeing notable drops to the average two- and five-year fixed rates by 0.16% and 0.11 per cent respectively, both settling at 5.52 per cent.
“The last cuts of a similar scale came in October 2024, when the rates dropped by 0.16 per cent and 0.13 per cent respectively.
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Usually, two-year fixes are priced lower than five-year fixes, but earlier this year at peak Iran war uncertainty, the script was flipped on that relationship with two-year deals more expensive due to short-term borrowing costs rising on inflation fears.
That situation has only just now reversed itself – Moneyfacts data shows on 13 July, the average 2-year fix is 5.46 per cent, with the average 5-year fix at 5.48 per cent.
But, Ms Springall warned, the resumption of strikes between the US and Iran means mortgage rate cuts could slow or even reverse once more.
“It has been three months since fixed rates inverted, where the two-year fixed has been higher than its five-year counterpart. This has started to unwind, so the rates should hopefully start to fall back into a more traditional pricing structure.
“However, this positive trajectory could be thrown off course, as renewed escalation in geopolitical tensions could slow the tempo of mortgage rate cuts,” she added.
Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, added that the political uncertainty at present combined with upcoming economic data could also see lenders hesitate over further lowering rates, until more certainty arises.
“Any fall in mortgage rates should help boost flexibility for both buyers and sellers, and it could perhaps be a sign that the UK housing market is overcoming what may be the worst of the mortgage rate rises witnessed in recent years,” he said.
“However, with inflation figures due next week, all eyes will likely turn to the Bank of England and its next base rate decision at the end of the month. There has been speculation that we may see a rate rise over the coming months, which could shift sentiment among lenders as the year progresses.
“Also, the appointment of a new prime minister could create uncertainty among buyers and sellers due to potential changes in housing policy going forward.
“So, while today’s news is welcome, it is important to consider the wider economic picture and the many different scenarios that could play out over the coming weeks and months.”
Emma Jones, MD at whenthebanksaysno.co.uk, added that the ups and downs recently served as a reminder that those seeking a new mortgage deal should lock in the best possible rate sooner rather than later. “In recent weeks, mortgage rates have been falling but the conflict in the Middle East is once again heightening and borrowers should have this firmly on their radars,” Ms Jones said.
“2026 has been a textbook example of how quickly mortgage rates can react to geopolitical events and a continued fall in rates should not be taken for granted.”
In most cases, people renewing their mortgage deals can do so with six months to run on their existing one – and change for a better deal should one crop up further down the line before the renewal takes effect.
Vladimir Duthiers speaks with Sean Evans about how he came to host “Hot Ones,” his interview with Conan O’Brien, who he would like to see on the show and more.
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A new savings account launched by thisbank aims to help bridge the gap between traditional easy access savings and consumers needing to lock their cash away for longer periods.
Limited withdrawal accounts look to do this by allowing customers to access their cash a set number of times over a 12-month period, in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate than an easy access account might offer.
That way, consumers can trade the knowledge that they can get to their cash in emergency situations, while also removing the temptation to dip into their savings at every opportunity.
Fixed-term bonds, by contrast, will usually lock the money away entirely for a year or other time period, with penalties applied or interest lost if customers do need to access the money and close their account – but the trade-off is that they can have a higher rate guaranteed, even if banks lower interest rates in the meantime.
Thisbank’s Triple Access Savings Account allows customers to earn 4.28 per cent (AER), with a minimum deposit of £1,000. Across a 12-month period, savers can access their cash three times without closing the account, while interest is paid monthly. The rate is variable.
Chris Waring, CEO of thisbank, said: “People tell us they want their savings to earn a competitive return, but they also want the reassurance that they can access their money if life changes. Too often, they’ve been forced to choose between flexibility and a better rate.
“Our new Triple Access Savings Account has been designed to remove that compromise. Customers can enjoy a highly competitive return while still having the confidence that they can withdraw their money up to three times each year if they need it.
“At thisbank we’re building products that are straightforward, transparent and genuinely useful. Banking shouldn’t be about hidden catches or unnecessary complexity, it should help people make the most of their money, whatever they’re saving for.”
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While there are several standard savings accounts and cash ISAs which have higher rates, most have limited-time bonuses included to top up the interest figure or have a low ceiling for maximum funds customers can save, such as Cahoot’s 5 per cent offering up to £3,000 balances, but no interest paid at all over that figure. For limited withdrawal accounts, Moneybox’s 4.45 per cent cash ISA is the market leader, also allowing three withdrawals over a year – but if you’ve used your ISA allowance or want a non-ISA account for any other reason, thisbank’s new deal is a reasonable alternative.
Chase remains the outlier, with their 4.5 per cent rate for an easy access account – if you open a current account with them first.
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Your data broker profile can expose more than most of us realize. It may include your current address, old addresses, relatives, phone numbers and public records that were never tied to a phishing link or hacked password. That is what makes this so frustrating. Strong passwords, two-factor authentication and smart online habits all help protect your accounts. However, they do not stop data brokers from collecting public records and commercial sign-up data.
Those details can then show up on people-search sites. Even worse, scammers can use them to make a fake call, text or email sound personal and believable. Here is where data broker profiles get their information, why careful online behavior alone falls short and what steps can help reduce what strangers can find about you.
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FAKE VA SHOE OFFER TARGETS VETERANS
Strong passwords protect your accounts, but they do not stop data brokers from collecting public records and selling personal information to people-search sites. (Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Most people assume data brokers get information the same way hackers do, through breaches, weak passwords or phishing links. That can happen. However, a lot of personal information comes from public records and commercial lists.
Data brokers can build profiles from records that may exist even when someone barely uses the internet, including:
In many U.S. states, these records are public under state or local rules. Data brokers do not need to hack anything to collect them. They can buy, scrape or license the information on an ongoing basis. A home purchase, marriage, divorce or voter registration can create a public record. That record may include a name and address. Once filed, it can become raw material for a data broker profile.
Government records are only one part of the problem. Everyday consumer activity can also feed data broker databases, including:
Commercial aggregators can combine those details with public records to build an enriched consumer profile. Registering the warranty on a dishwasher does not make anyone reckless. Entering a magazine sweepstakes does not make anyone careless. However, both can put personal information into a pipeline built to package and resell it.
This can sound abstract until a list gets used against real people.
Data broker InfoUSA reportedly sold a list of 19,000 verified elderly sweepstakes players to experienced scam artists. The scammers stole more than $100 million by calling people on the list and pretending to be government or insurance workers. Then they claimed they needed bank account information.
Another case shows the same risk on a larger scale. The Justice Department said Epsilon Data Management sold consumer data to fraud schemes and agreed to pay $150 million to resolve a criminal charge tied to elder fraud. DOJ later said two former Epsilon employees were sentenced after evidence showed they sold targeted lists to a fraudster client who used the data to defraud more than 218,000 victims out of more than $23.7 million.
That should stop you cold. The victims did ordinary things. Their names ended up in marketing databases and lead lists they may never have known existed. Then scammers used those lists to make fraud more targeted, more personal and much harder to spot.
Run a free scan to see where your information is showing up online-results usually land within an hour. Run your free exposure scan. Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com
SELLING YOUR HOME THIS SUMMER? YOUR DATA IS ALREADY MOVING
Your address, phone number and relatives may already appear in data broker profiles built from public records and everyday consumer sign-ups. (Ute Grabowsky/Photothek via Getty Images)
This is the part that can catch a lot of you off guard, especially if you are already careful online. You may skip loyalty cards, avoid sweepstakes and toss warranty cards straight into the trash.
Even so, your information can still show up online because some details come from public records. Property records, vehicle registrations, voter rolls, professional licenses and court filings can all leave a trail with your name attached. In some cases, your profile may also connect you to relatives through someone else’s record.
That means online safety only solves part of the problem. Strong passwords, a password manager and two-factor authentication (2FA) help protect your accounts. However, they do not remove public records that data brokers collect, package and resell.
A few smart moves can help reduce what is already exposed and limit how much new information flows into data broker databases.
Start by checking what is already public. Search your name on sites like Spokeo, Whitepages and BeenVerified. Look for your address, phone number, relatives and previous locations. This gives you a clearer sense of what scammers, strangers or aggressive marketers may already be able to find.
If a bank, email account or financial app asks for your mother’s maiden name, birth city, first school or old street name, assume that answer may already appear in a data broker profile. Replace it with a made-up answer and store it in a password manager. The answer does not have to be true. It just has to be consistent and hard for someone else to guess.
Be more selective with loyalty programs, warranty cards, sweepstakes and online forms. Use only the required fields when possible. Consider using a separate or alias email address for sign-ups, and avoid handing over your phone number unless it is truly needed. Small choices like this can reduce the amount of new data flowing into broker databases.
Older relatives are often the final target, reached through a profile built from public records, family connections or past sign-ups. Set a family code word for emergency calls or texts. If someone claims there is an accident, arrest, hospital bill or urgent money problem, the code word gives your family a fast way to know whether the call is real.
A data removal service can help remove your personal information from data broker and people-search sites without forcing you to chase every listing yourself. These services contact data brokers on your behalf, request removal of your information and keep checking when your data reappears.
That ongoing follow-up is important because data broker profiles can come back when databases refresh or when your information gets pulled from another source. Look for a service that covers hundreds of data broker and people-search sites, offers recurring removals and lets you request cleanup from specific sites where your personal information appears.
I also recommend considering coverage for your whole household. Family members can be linked together in data broker profiles, so removing only one person’s information may leave other exposed details behind. A family plan can help protect addresses, relatives, phone numbers and other personal information across everyone in your home.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
Data brokers compile personal information from public records, loyalty programs and commercial databases, making scams more convincing and harder to detect. (Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
What concerns me most about data broker profiles is how little of this comes from a mistake you made online. You can use strong passwords, avoid phishing emails and turn on two-factor authentication, yet your address, old addresses and family connections may still appear on people-search sites. That gives scammers a head start. A fake call or text sounds more believable when it includes real details about you or someone you love. The best move is to treat data broker cleanup as part of your regular privacy routine. Search your own name, change easy-to-guess security answers, limit what you share on forms and consider using a data removal service that keeps checking when your information comes back.
What personal detail would worry you most if it showed up on a people-search site: your address, phone number, relatives or something else? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com
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BRUSSELS — A top European Union official on Monday called for limits to be placed on children using social media as a special EU panel looking into the challenge recommended forbidding access for those under 13 until tech companies can prove their platforms are safe.
Growing awareness of the dangers social media poses for young, developing brains has shown up in a wave of new restrictions globally. Australia, the U.K., Turkey, Indonesia and others have passed bans on kids under 16 or 15 from using platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.
Laying out a list of her concerns about the use of social media by kids, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen — a doctor by training — said that children under 3 should have no exposure to screens at all.
“I believe we need to consider phased and gradual access for different age ranges because childhood won’t wait and once it’s gone, we can never give it back,” von der Leyen told reporters.
“Just as we don’t give our children keys to the car before they have their license, or we do not let them buy alcohol until they are legally allowed. We need to set the age at which they can, the children can, legally access social media,” she said.
Von der Leyen noted infinite scrolling as one of the “addictive” traits that tech companies must address.
Beyond toddlers, she did not mention any precise restrictions, but she and the European Commission — the EU’s powerful executive branch — are likely to come up with a proposal for the 27 member countries to weigh in the near future. Von der Leyen’s policy proposals carry great influence with EU member countries.
A special panel set up to study child safety online delivered its report to the EU chief on Monday. The report said that when it comes to safety, “the burden of proof needs to be on providers, not regulators, parents and children.”
“Until they demonstrate that their services are safe by design, social media and other digital services providers should have restricted access to children under the age of 13 in the EU,” said the report, which is likely to influence von der Leyen’s thinking.
It recommended that “further precautionary age restrictions” should be considered by EU countries for children over 13.
AVON, France — A fire raging in the historic and much-visited Fontainebleau forest south of Paris on Monday prompted evacuations of some residential neighborhoods and disrupted train and highway traffic.
It was among several wildfires in western Europe as the region bakes under its third red-alert heat wave this year.
In Spain, 10 people were still unaccounted for Monday from a fire that ripped through a remote southern expat community last week, killing 13 people in one of the country’s deadliest blazes.
The Fontainebleau forest fire is unusual for its proximity to the French capital — about 70 kilometers (42 miles). The region hosts the Fontainebleau Chateau favored by Napoleon and is popular with visitors from Paris and beyond.
Two water-dumping planes were deployed over the area along with hundreds of firefighters, regional fire service spokesperson Paul Laurain told public broadcaster France-Info.
Trains to and from the bustling Gare de Lyon train station were disrupted late Sunday but were returning to normal Monday morning. A section of the busy A6 highway leading southeast of Paris was shut down because of fire risk.
Large fires in southern France have already scorched thousands of hectares (acres) since last week, disrupting the Tour de France cycling race and stretching firefighting resources.
France is experiencing the peak of its third heat wave of the summer, with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit ) across western and central areas and around 37 C (98 F) in Paris.
A 93 year-old British national died Sunday in a hospital from injuries sustained in the Los Gallardos wildfire, elevating the death toll to 13.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was expected to visit the site of the fire on Monday. Regional authorities said the blaze was contained Sunday after affecting some 70 square kilometers (27 square miles) of forest and farmland — larger than the size of Manhattan.
Spain is experiencing extreme heat, which combined with wind and little rainfall is creating the ideal conditions for small wildfires to grow unchecked.
Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service.
___
This version corrects the age of a British national who died Sunday.
When summer arrives in the UK, it seems to appear suddenly. One day we can be wrapped up cosy winter woollies – the next we are panic buying fans and ice lollies.
Any sudden and extreme change in temperature can be dangerous. Every year, people perish as a result of heat-related illness. Weather agencies increasingly release advance alerts of predicted severe weather, including high temperatures, to allow time to prepare for the change.
Extreme temperatures aren’t just a threat to human health, though; they are also a problem for our pets. Human health alerts should also help us to prepare our pets and their environment for extreme weather events, including heatwaves.
Because of global climate change, it is likely that heatwaves will continue to increase in frequency, length and severity. So owners must become more aware of how to protect pets.
Every year, dogs die from being left in hot cars, but there are many other risks to pets’ health and welfare. During a heatwave, when the weather changes dramatically, our pets aren’t able to acclimatise to the higher temperatures.
Here are five ways to help keep your pets cool and safe during a heatwave.
Dogs in hot cars are at serious risk. Cars can heat up rapidly, even with open windows. This can be a problem when parked, but our pets can also be at risk of heat exposure while travelling.
Avoid leaving your pet unattended in a closed vehicle without suitable ventilation. Air conditioning is useful – and some modern vehicles have it as an option even while stationary – but don’t leave your pet alone: air conditioning can fail. Opening windows or using air conditioning while travelling is important but do ensure the cool air can flow to where your pet is, especially if they are in the rear of the vehicle.
If stuck in traffic, the air recirculation option in the vehicle can help to maintain a cool temperature inside, while limiting traffic fumes.
Remember: if in doubt, don’t go out.
Exercising your pet during a heatwave can be fatal.
Unlike humans (and horses), who manage body temperature by sweating, dogs have a limited ability to cool themselves. They rely on panting, which can mean that dogs are unable to cool down efficiently while exercising in hot, humid conditions.
Pets at particular risk of suffering from heat exposure include flat-faced animals such as Persian cats, pugs and bulldogs. Unfit, overweight, very young or very old pets and breeds with thick coats also need protection and careful attention in high temperatures.
During a heatwave, walk your dog at cooler times of the day. Make sure routes are shaded and that your pet has access to water. In extreme conditions, you could forego walks entirely and exercise your pet by playing or training inside, if temperatures allow.
Finally, don’t forget that ground surfaces can become dangerously hot in high temperatures and can cause serious burns to paws.
Remember: no dog has ever died from missing a walk but plenty have died from being exercised in heat.
Pets need access to cooler, shaded areas and fresh, clean drinking water at all times.
Animals drink more fluid on hot days so, to keep them hydrated, you can add extra water to their meals. Ice cubes added to drinking water can help keep it cool. For working dogs, dehydration is a major heatstroke risk factor so suitable electrolyte solutions can help keep them hydrated.
Jacqueline Boyd is a Senior Lecturer in Animal Science at Nottingham Trent University.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and birds housed in hutches or small cages, which can heat up quickly, are especially vulnerable in high temperatures. Avoid direct exposure to the sun and move the cage to a shaded areas.
Ideally, offer pets choice about how to manage themselves in the heat by giving them access to different areas of the house or garden with shade and ventilation. Dogs might enjoy supervised access to paddling pools. Put cooling mats down in pet resting areas and create air flow by opening windows and setting up fans.
Remember: whether you have an indoor or outdoor pet, they are at risk of heat exposure if they are unable to find adequate shade, water and ventilation.
Spotting signs that your pet is suffering from excessive heat exposure is critical so that you can take immediate action.
A subtle change in behaviour, such as restlessness, slowed movement or unwillingness to continue exercising might be the first sign. They may begin to pant and, in dogs especially, look out for the end of their tongue expanding to a wide spatula shape. Pets may be lethargic, have glassy eyes, laboured breathing and unsteady gait – and drool. Affected pets might vomit or have diarrhoea. As the condition progresses, they may have seizures or even collapse.
Remember: heat exposure can be fatal so early recognition and intervention is critical.
In 2022, one in four dogs presented to emergency vets with heat-related illness died. So, if your pet shows signs of heat exposure, immediate action is critical.
Begin by pouring cold water all over them. Immersing them in cold water can also help. If the animal is unconscious, ensure you keep their head above water and keep their airway clear.
Avoid covering them in wet towels or cloths, which can add heat, but instead stand or lay them on a cold, wet towel. Continue wetting the pet with cool water and, where possible, fan them. Hold ice packs (or bags of frozen food) between your pet’s inner thighs, too.
Offer small drinks of cool water, but do not allow the pet to drink excessively or force them to drink.
Finally, take your pet to the vet in an already cooled vehicle, ideally continuing the cooling measures during the journey.
