Author: BBC

Countries including China, Russia and India are vying to reach the huge deposits of mineral resources – cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese – that lie thousands of metres below the surface of oceans. These are used to produce renewable energy such as solar and wind power, electric vehicles and battery technology needed to battle against climate change. Source link

M Emmet Walsh, who has died at the age of 88, was one of Hollywood’s most admired character actors. Source link

Markus Jooste dies one day after being ordered to pay a $25m fine for accounting fraud in South Africa. Source link

The pub chain saw profits increase eightfold to £36m in the first six months of the financial year. Source link

Noland Arbaugh, who is paralysed below the shoulders, received a chip implant in January. Source link

Matthew Modine says he’s already written the marriage vows for Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi. Source link

US firefighters responded to a hot air balloon that crashed into power lines in Rochester, Minnesota. The passengers were attempting to land the balloon in a field after passing through strong winds. But after hitting the power lines, a fire broke out in the area of the crash and the basket became detached.Three people were on board, two of them receiving minor injuries. Source link

Borrowing was £8.4bn after higher benefits payments, including cost-of-living support. Source link

The building society has apologised and says it is “working to get things back to normal.” Source link

Image source, Getty ImagesThe prescription drug pregabalin has been linked to a number of deaths in the UK and around the world. Many users buy the drug illegally on the black market, often from unregulated websites.What is pregabalin and what is it used for?It comes as tablets, capsules or in liquid form, and may be called Alzain, Axalid or Lyrica, depending on the brand. Prescription rates are showing signs of levelling off across the UK, but doctors say it can be a very useful treatment for patients when taken correctly, and should remain available. What are the side effects of…