Toxic

Smoke from wildfires in Indonesia, fuelled by a strong El Niño and land-clearing practices, is drifting across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, degrading air quality across the region. The tinderbox conditions are raising fresh concerns about health impacts and the annual transboundary haze problem that recurs during dry seasons.

Greenpeace is highlighting a wave of climate disasters across Asia, including severe flooding in South and South-East Asia, toxic fire haze, and typhoons striking East Asia. The group says fossil fuels are intensifying the crisis, with homes destroyed, harvests lost, communities cut off, and blackouts leaving families without power. It is calling attention to the millions of people affected and pressing for action on the fossil fuel emissions driving these extreme weather events across the region.

A new report warns that wildfire survivors could face lingering lung harm from heavy metals long after the smoke has cleared. Toxic particles such as lead and arsenic can settle into ash and soil and be inhaled during cleanup and recovery, according to Inside Climate News. The findings add to growing concern about the long-term health consequences of increasingly frequent wildfires.

European regulators are preparing a crackdown on Chinese e-commerce platforms Temu and Shein, citing products contaminated with hazardous substances. Reports describe cheap jewellery made with cadmium instead of silver and clothing containing toxic chemicals. The move signals tighter enforcement of EU product safety rules on goods sold through low-cost direct-from-China marketplaces.

Residents in one community pursued testing and answers after discovering PFAS, so-called 'forever chemicals', had polluted their local environment. Reporting follows how they learned which of the toxic compounds had entered their bloodstreams, highlighting growing concern over industrial PFAS contamination, its health risks, and the long fight by affected residents for transparency and accountability.

McLaren driver Lando Norris has been targeted with online abuse after calling for a ban on Alpine's Franco Colapinto, with the Alpine team publicly condemning the hate directed at Norris. The exchange has stirred debate among Formula 1 fans about driver safety and the toxic reactions that follow controversial on-track incidents and penalties.

McLaren Formula 1 driver Lando Norris has been targeted by online abuse after publicly calling for a ban on fellow driver Franco Colapinto. The British driver's comments sparked a hostile reaction from sections of the motorsport fanbase, with abusive messages directed at him across social media. The episode has reignited debate about toxic fan behaviour in Formula 1 and the pressure drivers face over their public statements.

Researchers at the University of Hawaii report that Maui residents showed elevated levels of toxic metals months after the August 2023 wildfires, including the Lahaina fire that killed more than 100 people. The findings raise concerns about long-term health effects of wildfire smoke and ash exposure, and residents are calling for continued testing and support.

An investigation into cat food has found the products contain heavy metals, pesticides and plastic chemicals, according to WCVB reporting. The findings are drawing attention from pet owners across the US, UK and Canada who are questioning the safety of commercial cat food and what the contaminants could mean for their animals' health.

Alpine has publicly condemned the hate and online abuse directed at its team following the crash incident at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. The Formula 1 team denounced the harassment of those involved, joining a wider push in the sport against the toxic abuse drivers and teams face on social media after on-track controversies.

Alpine has once again been forced to condemn online abuse directed at Lando Norris, who was targeted by fans after criticising Franco Colapinto over their collision at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team has stepped in repeatedly this season as sections of Colapinto's fanbase have harassed rival drivers following on-track incidents, raising fresh concern about toxicity in the Formula 1 fan community.

An opinion piece argues that US service members who were stationed on ground contaminated with toxic substances have not been told the full truth about their exposure. The authors, writing from the perspective of veterans, say the government has a duty to acknowledge what happened and come clean about the health risks faced by those who served on affected bases and installations.

Danish newspaper Politiken reports on the severe contamination left behind by US military installations in Greenland. A recent inspection describes pollution so severe that a strong odor of oil could still be detected at the site, with rusted infrastructure and toxic waste persisting decades after the American presence. The findings renew debate over responsibility for cleaning up former US bases on the island.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a speech laying out his vision for the US military, declared the force should have, in his words, no fatties, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps and no radicals. Critics online condemned the remarks as bigoted and misogynistic, arguing they promote toxic masculinity and harm military readiness, while framing them as part of the broader Trump-era culture-war approach to defense policy.

Testing has found toxic substances exceeding toy safety standards in some squishy stress-relief toys popular with both adults and children, including certain products meant to be heated in a microwave. The findings have raised health concerns, prompting calls for parents to check products and for stronger safety screening of the trend-driven toy market.

The Alpine Formula 1 team has issued a further statement condemning online abuse directed at drivers, following remarks by Lando Norris concerning Franco Colapinto. The team reiterated its stance against harassment of drivers and staff on social media. The episode has renewed debate in the paddock and among fans about toxic fan behaviour in Formula 1.

The mother of a Chinese Olympic diver is facing public criticism over accusations of toxic parenting, according to Sixth Tone. The story has drawn attention in China and abroad, with commentary focused on the pressures elite young athletes face and the role their parents play in pushing them toward success. Details of the specific allegations remain limited in available coverage.

A partner at venture capital giant Sequoia has publicly criticised what they describe as Silicon Valley's toxic hierarchy, arguing that status-driven culture harms founders and investors alike. The remarks have drawn attention across the tech industry, with debate over whether one of the most powerful venture firms should air such criticism of the ecosystem it helped build.

McLaren Formula 1 driver Lando Norris has spoken out against online abuse directed at fellow driver Franco Colapinto, and explained his reasons for apologising to the Argentine racer. The incident has drawn attention to the treatment drivers receive from fans on social media, with Norris making clear he regrets the harassment and wanted to address the situation directly with Colapinto.