Five countries responsible for 75% of world's coffee supply record average of 57 extra days of coffee-harming heat a year

In Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, more than 4m households rely on coffee as their primary source of income. It contributes almost a third of the country's export earnings, but for how much longer is uncertain.

"Coffee farmers in Ethiopia are already seeing the impact of extreme heat," said Dejene Dadi, the general manager of Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperatives Union (OCFCU), a smallholder cooperative.

Whether you're lifting, running or squeezing in a quick session between errands, the last thing you want is a cable getting in the way or earbuds that won't stay put. The best wireless headphones make it easier to focus on your workout, but not every pair is built to handle sweat, motion and long sessions.

Fitness-focused headphones put different demands on design and performance. Secure fit, water resistance and dependable battery life matter just as much as sound quality, especially if you plan to use them outside the gym as well. Some are tuned for awareness during outdoor runs, while others aim to block distractions during intense training.

We've tested a wide range of wireless headphones and wireless earbuds that are suited for exercise, narrowing the list down to options that hold up during workouts and still work well for everyday listening. Below, you'll find our top picks, along with guidance to help you choose the right pair for how you train.

When it comes to running and working out, the edge that the AirPods Pro 3 have over the Pro 2, or even the top picks on our list, is built-in heart rate monitoring. That means you could go out with just your Pro 3 earbuds and your iPhone and still get heart rate information for your entire training session. But otherwise, the Pro 3 buds are just as capable as the Pro 2 when it comes to exercise. Some may prefer the soft-touch finish on our top picks to the AirPods' slick texture.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are a good alternative to the Beats Fit Pro if you're a stickler for a hook design. However, they cost $50 more than the Powerbeats Fit, and the main added advantage here is built-in heart rate sensors.

The Soundcore AeroFit Pro is Anker's version of the Shokz OpenFit, but I found the fit to be less secure and not as comfortable. The actual earbuds on the AeroFit Pro are noticeably bulkier than those on the OpenFit and that caused them to shift and move much more during exercise. They never fell off of my ears completely, but I spent more time adjusting them than I did enjoying them.

The most noteworthy thing about the Endurance Peak 3 is that they have the same IP68 rating as the Jabra Elite 8 Active, except they only cost $100. But, while you get the same protection here, you'll have to sacrifice in other areas. The Endurance Peak 3 didn't blow me away when it came to sound quality or comfort (its hook is more rigid than those on my favorite similarly designed buds) and their charging case is massive compared to most competitors.

Before diving in, it's worth mentioning that this guide focuses on wireless earbuds. While you could wear over-ear or on-ear headphones during a workout, most of the best headphones available now do not have the same level of durability. Water and dust resistance, particularly the former, is important for any audio gear you plan on sweating with or taking outdoors, and that's more prevalent in the wireless earbuds world.

Most earbuds have one of three designs: in-ear, in-ear with hook or open-ear. The first two are the most popular. In-ears are arguably the most common, while those with hooks promise better security and fit since they have an appendage that curls around the top of your ear. Open-ear designs don't stick into your ear canal, but rather sit just outside of it. This makes it easier to hear the world around you while also listening to audio, and could be more comfortable for those who don't like the intrusiveness of in-ear buds.

Even if a pair of headphones for working out aren't marketed specifically as exercise headphones, a sturdy, water-resistant design will, by default, make them suitable for exercise. To avoid repetition, here's a quick primer on durability, or ingression protection (IP) ratings. The first digit you'll see after the "IP" refers to protection from dust and other potential intrusions, measured on a scale from 1 to 6. The second refers to water resistance or even waterproofing, in the best cases. The ratings for water resistance are ranked on a scale of 1 to 9; higher numbers mean more protection, while the letter "X" means the device is not rated for protection in that regard.

All of the earbuds we tested for this guide have at least an IPX4 rating, which means there's no dust protection, but the buds can withstand splashes from any direction and are sweat resistant, but probably shouldn't be submerged. For a detailed breakdown of all the possible permutations, check out this guide published by a supplier called The Enclosure Company.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is becoming standard on wireless earbuds, at least those above a certain price point. If you're looking for a pair of buds that can be your workout companion and serve you outside of the gym, too, noise cancelation is a good feature to have. It makes the buds more versatile, allowing you to block out the dull roar of your home or office so you can focus, or give you some solitude during a busy commute.

But an earbud's ability to block out the world goes hand-in-hand with its ability to open things back up should you need it. Many ANC earbuds also support some sort of "transparency mode," or various levels of noise reduction. This is important for running headphones because exercising outdoors, alongside busy streets, can be dangerous. You probably don't want to be totally oblivious to what's going on around you when you're running outside; adjusting noise cancelation levels to increase your awareness will help with that. Stronger noise cancelation might be more appealing to those doing more indoor training if they want to block out the dull roar of a gym or the guy exaggeratingly lifting weights next to you.

All of the Bluetooth earbuds we tested have a battery life of six to eight hours. In general, that's what you can expect from this space, with a few outliers that can get up to 15 hours of life on a charge. Even the low end of the spectrum should be good enough for most athletes and gym junkies, but it'll be handy to keep the buds' charging case on you if you think you'll get close to using up all their juice during a single session.

You'll get an average of 20 to 28 extra hours of battery out of most charging cases and all of the earbuds we tested had holders that provided at least an extra 15 hours. This will dictate how often you actually have to charge the device — as in physically connect the case with earbuds inside to a charging cable, or set it on a wireless charger to power up.

In testing wireless workout headphones, I wear them during every bit of exercise I do — be it a casual walk around the block, a brisk morning run or a challenging weight-lifting session. I'm looking for comfort arguably most of all, because you should never be fussing with your earbuds when you should be focusing on working out. In the same vein, I'm cognizant of if they get loose during fast movements or slippery when I'm sweating. I also use the earbuds when not exercising to take calls and listen to music throughout the day. Many people will want just one pair of earbuds that they can use while exercising and just doing everyday things, so I evaluate each pair on their ability to be comfortable and provide a good listening experience in multiple different activities.

While I am also evaluating sound quality, I'm admittedly not an audio expert. My colleague Billy Steele holds that title at Engadget, and you'll find much more detailed information about audio quality for some of our top picks in his reviews and buying guides. With these headphones for working out, however, I will make note of related issues if they stood out (i.e. if a pair of earbuds had noticeably strong bass out of the box, weak highs, etc). Most of the wireless workout headphones we tested work with companion apps that have adjustable EQ settings, so you'll be able to tweak sound profiles to your liking in most cases.

Exclusive Microsoft has said one of its leading spokespeople gave a testimony to the UK Parliament containing an "inaccuracy" with regard to its dealings with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to US sanctions.…

A concise video showing the war against climate change has already been lost. A huge decline in population and economic activity is now inevitable.

Nothing in this video should come as a shock to anyone here, but it's still an interesting watch.

If you know anything about Linux's history, you'll remember it all started with Linus Torvalds posting to the Minix Usenet group on August 25, 1991, that he was working on "a (free) operating system (just a hobby, won't be big and professional like gnu) for 386(486) AT clones." We know that the "hobby" operating system today is Linux, and except for PCs and Macs, it pretty much runs the world.…

Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.

"World Uncertainty Index surges to 106,862 in February - worse than COVID, 2008 crash, and 9/11 combined…

"The WUI …measures structured analyst reports written by professionals who assess real economic, political, and financial risks on the ground. This makes the February 2026 spike unusually significant."

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/why-is-global-uncertainty-at-an-all-time-high-in-2026-world-uncertainty-index-surges-to-106862-in-february-worse-than-covid-2008-crash-and-9/11-combined/articleshow/128482783.cms

"Global Shift Toward Sovereign Launch Gains Momentum Amid Geopolitical Tensions.

"Driven by the "SpaceX monopoly" on the commercial market and heightened geopolitical instability, nations including Australia, Canada, Spain, and Germany are aggressively funding domestic rocket startups to ensure guaranteed access to orbit."

https://news.satnews.com/2026/02/17/global-shift-toward-sovereign-launch-gains-momentum-amid-geopolitical-tensions/

"GFC 2.0? Trump is taking a big risk with America's banks…

"After the 2023 regional banking crisis that saw several smaller banks fail, the Biden administration wanted to toughen prudential requirements, but didn't act before Biden lost office. Now, the Trump administration wants to loosen them."

https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/gfc-2-0-trump-is-taking-a-big-risk-with-america-s-banks-20260218-p5o37j.html

"Fund managers are taking the most bearish stance on the dollar in more than a decade…

"The shift comes as President Donald Trump's aggressive geopolitical actions and pressure on institutions such as the Federal Reserve have raised anxiety over the country's attractiveness as a haven for the world's capital."

https://www.ft.com/content/b6436d45-9eb0-4bfa-a773-48b517b9202d

"The Affordability Crisis Can Now Add Wages to the Mix.

"No matter the economic survey or poll, the message is the same thing: Americans are deeply concerned about what they call an affordability crisis. Yet to former hedge fund manager and current Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, it's a joke."

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-02-17/the-affordability-crisis-can-now-add-wages-to-the-mix

"US restaurants downsize meals to counter anti-obesity drugs and affordability crisis.

"US restaurants are pivoting to smaller, more affordable portions as the dual impact of anti-obesity drugs (GLP-1s like Ozempic) and a persistent affordability crisis reshapes consumer behavior."

https://www.ft.com/content/8ba1cae7-957d-4e02-a707-14d501e146fc

"US College Underemployment Hits 42.5% as first-job prospects weaken.

""The rate matches the levels seen during the 2008 Financial Crisis," except this time, there is no global economic collapse to explain it away. Moreover, more than half of all new graduates, over 52.0%, enter the labour market underemployed."

https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/us-news/us-college-underemployment-hits-42-5-as-first-job-prospects-weaken/4146721/

"'It's soul-crushing': young people battle to find any work in bleak jobs market [UK].

"Official figures show youth unemployment among 18 to 24-year-olds rose to a five-year high in the final three months of 2025. Strip out the Covid spike in 2020 and youth unemployment has hit an 11-year-high."

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/feb/17/its-soul-crushing-young-people-battle-bleak-jobs-market-as-youth-unemployment-rises

"Is Britain on borrowed time?

"A particular kind of uneasy quiet hangs over Britain. For decades, we have, fiscally speaking, relied on the "kindness of strangers" to keep us afloat. Yet, as public sector net debt hovers at a staggering 100% of GDP and growth has remained largely stagnant since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, we are now testing the limits of our credibility."

https://thecritic.co.uk/is-britain-on-borrowed-time/

"Dutch Lawmakers Approve a 36% Tax on Unrealized Crypto, Stock, and Bond Gains…

"If a Dutch resident holds a portfolio of shares that rises by €10,000 over the course of a year, the tax authority will treat that paper gain as taxable income, regardless of whether the investor has sold anything."

https://www.imidaily.com/europe/dutch-lawmakers-approve-a-36-tax-on-unrealized-crypto-stock-and-bond-gains/

"Western Balkans truck drivers warn of new blockades over Schengen stay rules.

"Truck drivers from Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Bosnia & Herzegovina are considering new blockades of cargo border crossings after the European Union rejected all proposals aimed at easing restrictions on their stay in the Schengen area, local media reported on February 16."

https://www.intellinews.com/western-balkans-truck-drivers-warn-of-new-blockades-over-schengen-stay-rules-426334/

"Poland extends war reparations campaign to Russia.

"Poland is preparing a reparations claim against Russia for atrocities committed during Soviet dominance of the country, echoing its demand for €1.3tn in compensation from Germany for second world war crimes."

https://www.ft.com/content/ba2d11d9-271b-4960-93e3-e352879be4dc

"Facing a demographic catastrophe, Ukraine is paying for troops to freeze their sperm.

"Maxim doesn't mind discussing his sperm. In fact, he wishes more in Ukraine's military would talk about their fertility - or at least think about it. "Our men are dying. The Ukrainian gene pool is dying. This is about the survival of our nation," the soldier tells me…"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxd9549y4xo

"Russia Sees Wave of Children's Store Closures.

"Children's clothing stores are rapidly disappearing across Russia as a deepening demographic crisis reshapes the country's retail landscape, with falling birth rates sharply reducing demand… The trend is especially visible in Moscow, where approximately 16% of children's clothing stores closed over the past year alone."

https://caspianpost.com/regions/russia-sees-wave-of-children-s-store-closures

"'Close our eyes': To escape war, Muscovites flock to high culture…

"The conflict, launched when Vladimir Putin ordered troops into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, has become Europe's deadliest since World War II, killing tens of thousands of civilians and hundreds of thousands of soldiers."

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260218-close-our-eyes-to-escape-war-muscovites-flock-to-high-culture

"Sofa so bad: China's home-furnishing sector hits a do-or-die moment.

"China's more than 100,000 home furnishing companies - most of which are micro businesses - have entered a tumultuous phase as a property slump and persistent deflationary pressure prevent them from making profits."

https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3343827/sofa-so-bad-chinas-home-furnishing-sector-hits-do-or-die-moment

"No five-year plan will solve the paradox of China's economy…

"The drags and the dynamism are closely linked. Massive resource mobilisation and industrial policy on steroids also strain government budgets, distort labour and product markets, repress consumption and sustain domestic imbalances that lie behind China's huge and contentious trade surplus."

https://www.thetimes.com/business/economics/article/no-five-year-plan-will-solve-the-paradox-of-chinas-economy-wqlrmwjcs

"South Korea is 'a massive bubble', says emerging market specialist.

"Rob Marshall-Lee, founding partner and chief investment officer at Cusana Capital, countered that South Korea's rally is built on low-quality businesses and speculative flows, creating a fundamentally unsustainable market. "South Korea is a massive bubble," he said."

https://www.trustnet.com/news/13469996/south-korea-is-a-massive-bubble-says-emerging-market-specialist

"How the World's Most Boring Market Became a 'Battlefield' [Japan].

""The question is: How do they hold it all together?" Kyle Bass said. Borrowing costs are rising in a number of the world's largest economies. Japan, however, "is about 10 years ahead of everyone in its financial position," he said. "I'm afraid of the situation they're in.""

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/business/jgb-trade-excitement.html

"Karenni rebels blow up bridge to block Myanmar troops near Thai border.

"Intense fighting between Karenni rebels and Myanmar forces escalates, with Karenni blowing up a key bridge to stop Myanmar troops from advancing. The conflict, just 45 km from Thailand's border, raises concerns over a looming refugee crisis."

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40062675

"Nepal is 'addicted' to the trade in its own people…

"Every day the bodies of three or four migrant workers are handed back to their families at the airport, the final transaction in a well-oiled system — overseen by the state — that helps keep Nepal's economy afloat."

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/18/asia-pacific/society/nepal-foreign-workers-death/

"Eight suspected terrorists killed in Pakistan's Balochistan…

"A spokesperson of the Balochistan Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) told the media that the CTD had carried out an intelligence-based raid near Darakshan town on the outskirts of Quetta in which the militants were killed."

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-balochistan-terrorists-killed-february-18-2026/article70646424.ece

"Pakistan's oldest brewery resumes alcohol exports amid economic crisis.

"Alcohol is officially banned for most people in Pakistan, with legal sales only available for non-Muslims and foreigners. Sales abroad now offer potential revenue for the country's oldest brewery. Regulators have granted Murree Brewery permission to ship its products overseas."

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/pakistans-oldest-brewery-resumes-alcohol-exports-amid-economic-crisis-5936011

"Iran has partially closed the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the 1980s amid a US military build-up in the Arabian Sea…

"After talks concluded on Tuesday, Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, said that both sides agreed on "guiding principles" but they fell short of a full deal. Despite the apparent progress, both Washington and Tehran are refusing to call off the escalating military tensions."

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/17/trump-to-join-iran-talks-indirectly/

"In Iran, Payment Plans for Groceries Signal a Deepening Economic Crisis…

"Annual food inflation was already at 72% when protests broke out across the country in December. Iranians continue to report fast-rising prices for basic foods including rice, milk and vegetables. One Iranian man said he overheard his mother and her friend discussing the price of two bundles of spinach—the equivalent of about $28."

https://www.tovima.com/wsj/in-iran-payment-plans-for-groceries-signal-a-deepening-economic-crisis/

"Report warns Iraq's economic crisis has become structural…

"At first glance, the situation appears to be a cash-flow issue. However, economic experts cited in the report argue that the roots of the crisis lie in Iraq's fragile economic structure, which remains heavily dependent on oil revenues and vulnerable to global market fluctuations."

https://www.iraqinews.com/business/iraq-structural-economic-crisis-bank-withdrawals

"Protesters block Beirut roads after Cabinet approves new taxes that raise fuel prices…

"The Cabinet approved a tax of 300,000 Lebanese pounds (about $3.30) on every 20 liters (5.3 gallons) of gasoline on Monday. Diesel fuel was exempted from the new tax, as most in Lebanon depend on it to run private generators to make up for severe shortages in state electricity."

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/cabinet-lebanon-protesters-beirut-hezbollah-b2921859.html

"I would scream in my sleep: Women from Syria's Alawite minority tell of kidnap and rape…

"Nearly all those reported missing are members of the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam that makes up about 10% of Syria's population and to which the ousted president belongs."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn5g751pl7lo

"More than 80 UN member states condemn Israel's plans to expand in West Bank.

""We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel's unlawful presence in the West Bank," the statement reads. "Such decisions are contrary to Israel's obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed.""

https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20260218-80-states-un-condemn-israel-expand-occupied-west-bank

"Ethiopia and Eritrea Massively Mobilize Troops Along Shared Borders, Raising Fears of Renewed War.

"Fresh reports from diplomatic, regional, and local sources indicate that both Ethiopia and Eritrea are undertaking large-scale military mobilizations along their shared borders, dramatically escalating fears of renewed conflict in the Horn of Africa."

https://zehabesha.com/ethiopia-and-eritrea-massively-mobilize-troops-along-shared-borders-raising-fears-of-renewed-war/

"Drone attack on busy market in Sudan kills at least 28…

"Emergency Lawyers, a group tracking violence against civilians, said in a statement on Monday that drones bombed the al-Safiya market in the town of Sodari in North Kordofan state… "The attack occurred when the market was bustling with civilians, including women, children and the elderly," the group said."

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/16/drone-strike-on-busy-market-in-sudan-kills-at-least-28

"Ghana tomato traders among dead in Burkina Faso attack.

"Reports say at least 20 people were killed on Saturday in the northern town of Titao, Burkina Faso, in attacks claimed by JNIM - an Islamist militant group linked to al-Qaeda. Among the dead were seven Ghanaians "burnt beyond recognition" who have yet to be identified…"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjd9edyllnro

"Niger: Islamist Armed Group Massacres Villagers in West…

""IS Sahel is brutally targeting civilians in the Tillabéri region," said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The recent killings fit a disturbing pattern of IS Sahel's atrocities against civilians and show complete disregard for human life.""

https://africa.com/niger-islamist-armed-group-massacres-villagers-in-west/

"US soldiers arrive in Nigeria to aid its fight against Islamist militants.

"About 100 US soldiers have arrived in Nigeria to train the West African nation's armed forces and help them with intelligence in their battle against growing security threats from Islamist militants and other armed groups."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6d79gyrdro

"US says 11 people killed in latest strikes on alleged drug boats…

"The military action on Monday brought the number of fatalities caused by US strikes to 145 since September, when Donald Trump called on American armed forces to attack people deemed "narco-terrorists" on small vessels."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/17/us-military-boats-strikes

"Cuba cancels major cigar festival as it struggles under economic crisis.

"Oil imports from Venezuela have ceased since Washington toppled its leader last month, cutting Cuba's main source of energy. As a result, the island nation has had to shutter parts of its economy, while public services are struggling to operate."

https://www.semafor.com/article/02/16/2026/cuba-cancels-major-cigar-festival-as-it-struggles-under-economic-crisis

"Families March in San Salvador to Block Mass Trials of El Salvador Detainees.

"Relatives of prisoners detained in El Salvador's anti-gang campaign marched through the capital on Sunday to reject plans for mass trials. They say the proceedings will convict innocent people alongside actual gang members."

https://ticotimes.net/2026/02/15/families-march-in-san-salvador-to-block-mass-trials-of-el-salvador-detainees

"Guatemalan troops deploy to gang-plagued capital.

"Heavily armed Guatemalan troops and military police deployed to the country's capital Tuesday, challenging street gangs blamed for killing 11 officers and sparking a major security crisis… President Bernardo Arevalo ordered the "Plan Sentinel" operation to break the stranglehold of Barrio 18 and MS‑13 gangs on urban areas."

https://gulfnews.com/world/americas/guatemalan-troops-deploy-to-gang-plagued-capital-1.500446853

"Ecuador: Eight Severed Heads Discovered in Coastal Guayas Province Amidst Escalating Drug Violence.

"This disturbing find underscores the intensifying violence associated with organized crime and drug trafficking in the South American nation. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into this horrific crime, seeking to identify and apprehend those responsible for these atrocities."

https://www.ekhbary.com/news/ecuador-eight-severed-heads-discovered-in-coastal-guayas-province-amidst-escalating-drug-violence-876-2.html

"In Argentina, locals are taking loans to buy food…

""Living on credit puts you in a very dangerous cycle. It's very easy to fall behind with payments, and then it is a matter of chasing your own tail. Most people I know are in the same situation. We are living in a constant state of stress and anxiety, and it feels like there's no way out.""

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/2/16/in-argentina-locals-are-taking-loans-to-buy-food

"Rising Peaks of Wealth and the Deepening Abyss of Hunger.

"In the history of the world, such a grotesque and contradictory picture of wealth has perhaps never been witnessed as starkly as it is today. On one side, a handful of individuals accumulate in a single year more wealth than the annual income of entire nations. On the other, every fourth person in the world goes to bed half hungry."

https://countercurrents.org/2026/02/rising-peaks-of-wealth-and-the-deepening-abyss-of-hunger/

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You can read the previous "Economic" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with a "Climate" thread.

The post 18th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.

Less than a decade ago, the Balkan country had just one breeding pair of the eastern imperial species of raptor left. Now things are changing, thanks to the dogged work of conservationists

At the start of every spring, before the trees in northern Serbia begin to leaf out, ornithologists drive across the plains of Vojvodina. They check old nesting sites of eastern imperial eagles, scan solitary trees along field margins, and search for signs of new nests.

For years, the work of the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia (BPSSS) has been getting more demanding - and more rewarding. In 2017, Serbia was down to a single breeding pair. Last year, BPSSS recorded 19 breeding pairs, 10 of which successfully raised young.

There's a new tyre for the WorldSBK riders to use as the 2026 season gets underway at the beautiful Phillip Island

After all the testing and all the talking, it's time to go racing in 2026 as WorldSBK ushers in a new season

As the paddock gears up for the opening round of the year WorldSBK commentator Steve English picks his most interesting rider on the grid. Iker Lecuona has moved from Honda to Ducati for 2026 and needs to deliver from the outset

Drones are no longer just niche toys for enthusiasts. Today's models are compact, increasingly affordable and capable of capturing sharp aerial photos and video with minimal effort. Whether you're curious about flying for the first time or looking to upgrade to a more advanced camera drone, the options available in 2026 are broader and more approachable than ever.

Entry-level drones now offer features like GPS-assisted flight, return-to-home safety systems and automated shooting modes that take much of the stress out of learning to fly. Step up to more advanced models and you'll find foldable designs that travel easily, longer flight times and stabilized 4K video that holds up well beyond social media clips.

We've tested a range of drones to identify the best options across different skill levels and budgets. Whether your priority is learning the basics, capturing polished aerial footage or packing light for travel, these picks highlight the drones that offer the best balance of performance, reliability and ease of use.

For this guide, we're looking only at drones that are basically flying cameras, so you want the best video and photo features possible. Bigger devices like DJI's Mavic 3 Pro or Air 3S carry relatively large sensors, offering superior camera quality for nighttime cityscapes or other low-light scenes. Smaller models like the Mini 4 Pro and HoverAir X1 Max use smaller camera sensors, so they aren't as good in dim light.

Field of view and minimum aperture are also important, with most drones typically having a wide-angle focal length, though a few others like the HoverAir X1 Max carry an ultrawide lens. Some models have multiple cameras including a wide and a zoom. As for aperture, lower numbers are better and allow for shooting in dim light. Most DJI models are solid in this regard, while the HoverAir models don't perform as well.

Video resolution and slow-mo are also essential camera capabilities. Most drones these days can shoot at 4K with a frame rate of at least 30 fps, though some offer 6K or even 8K at up to 30 fps. Higher-end models can shoot 4K at up to 120 fps, allowing you to slow down the action dramatically to create a cinematic look.

Other noteworthy features include log or HDR video that supports higher dynamic range, particularly in bright and sunny conditions. Finally, the camera's gimbal and stabilization are important factors to keep your footage looking as smooth as possible. Some drones have gimbals that can rotate the camera 90 degrees to give social media creators the maximum resolution for vertical formats.

By and large, there are two types of camera drones to consider. The first are standard drones (usually with open propellers but not always) designed to fly outside and take scenic shots. Often there's nothing to stop the props from striking skin or objects, so they can't really be used indoors or around people. Some models like the DJI Neo and Flip have prop guards that better protect bystanders and property, as well as the drone itself.

Then there's first-person-view (FPV) camera drones, which often have propeller guards and are meant to be used both indoors or outside to capture exciting footage. Standard models don't need to go particularly fast as they're mainly used to shoot fun videos for social media, but FPV drones need to move at high speeds to create excitement. Because of that speed, they're also better in breezy conditions thanks to stronger wind resistance, and they can fight gusts and return home more quickly. Acrobatic abilities (often promoted by the manufacturer in ads or packaging) are also important for FPV drones, as it allows the user to perform tricks and zip around obstacles.

Battery life is another important factor. The best drones boast a battery endurance of up to 45 minutes, while FPV drones like the Avata 2 can only fly for about half that time as they tend to be heavier and carry smaller batteries to reduce weight. As a general rule, a single battery isn't enough for any serious shooting so you'd do well to buy your drone in a kit with a few batteries and a charger.

As for range, DJI tends to dominate in this area, with its latest models able to maintain a video signal at a distance up to 20km (12.4 miles). HoverAir's models are weaker with the top-end X1 Max model limited to just 1km (0.6 miles) when using the optional beacon system. DJI also offers multiple ways to control its drones including headsets, joystick-type controllers, motion detection controllers and smartphones.

The best drones have sensors to detect obstacles in all directions. Others are limited to only avoiding obstructions coming at them from the front and some only rely on the main camera to prevent crashes. Finally, if you want to have your drone follow you around automatically, you'll need it to be able to track you around when you're vlogging, riding a bike or skiing, while also avoiding obstacles. Smooth takeoff and return-to-home features are especially valuable here for both beginners and experienced drone pilots as well.

Anyone can buy any drone, but once purchased, all drones between 250g and 25 kg must be registered with the FAA and marked with the FAA registration number. Recreational pilots with drones over 249g must pass the recreational UAS safety "TRUST" exam and carry proof of TRUST completion when flying a drone. Commercial pilots must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. You must be aware of and avoid any areas with airspace restrictions, particularly around airports.

In general, it is not legal to fly a drone within city limits over populations, as a crash from a high altitude could injure or kill someone. However, they can be flown over adjacent, non-populated areas in many cases. Here is a guide to where: https://uavcoach.com/where-to-fly-drone/

Most drones can fly for around 20-30 minutes, though some advanced models like DJI's Mavic 4 can fly up to 40 minutes or more.

Figures from Aviva also show number of homes being built in risky areas is rising

One in nine new homes in England built between 2022 and 2024 were constructed in areas that could now be at risk of flooding, according to new data.

The figures show the number of homes being built in risky areas is on the rise - a previous analysis showed that between 2013 and 2022, one in 13 new homes were in potential flooding zones.

Hitchin, Hertfordshire: It's not quick, it's not graceful, but these early nesters are hard at work in preparation for egg-laying in a few weeks

Is it too early to whisper the S word? If so, I blame the magpies. Every day for the past two weeks, while enjoying my morning cuppa in bed, I've been watching a pair nest-building in a Norway maple across the road. But though the arrival of spring advances each year at a faster pace than any other season, the magpies' calendar is not out of kilter. Like their corvid cousins the rooks and ravens, they usually start nesting in winter, occasionally as early as December.

Now, a fortnight in, they're shoring up the bowl-shaped platform in a fork between three upper branches. The movement of their swinging tails as they manoeuvre twigs into place looks graceful, even balletic.

With the season kicking off in just a few days, the FIM have presented the list of bikes eligible for competition this year

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Environmental groups filed a lawsuit today challenging the Department of Energy's (DOE) approval of Venture Global's application to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a future facility, currently under construction in Louisiana. NRDC is co-counsel with Earthjustice representing Sierra Club, in challenging the export approval based on ... [continued]

The post Environmental Groups Sue DOE Over Approval of CP2 LNG Export Application appeared first on CleanTechnica.

DTE and EES Coke were ordered to invest $20 million in community projects. Detroit, MI — A federal court today ruled against DTE and EES Coke for violating the Clean Air Act by allowing a Zug Island facility to emit thousands of tons of sulfur dioxide that led to asthma ... [continued]

The post Sierra Club & SW Detroiters Celebrate $100M Penalty, Clean Air Wins in EES Coke Ruling appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Adafruit furniture

Charli xcx

Wuthering Heights

For all its gothic touches stripped of all modern references, the soundtrack to Emerald Fennel's new Brontë adaptation is still very much a Charli xcx album, finds Kate French-Morris

On the front of Wuthering Heights, Charli xcx's soundtrack for the divisive new Emerald Fennel film, a girlish hand dangles a soldier of toast above a soft-boiled egg, between a man's roughened, firmly planted hands. It could be a magnified section of a 17th-century Dutch realist painting, but is in fact a still from the film: the hands in question belong to Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.

The songs on the album sit at a similarly tasteful remove from the film: so far from Fennel's brash maximalism, in fact, that Wuthering...

The post Charli xcx - Wuthering Heights appeared first on The Quietus.

Ford has been all over the place on electric vehicles in the past 15 years or so. Back in February 2013, it released the Ford Fusion Electric, which was basically representative of the technology at the time but was a quite weak attempt at creating an electric vehicle by electrifying ... [continued]

The post Ford Hypes "Bounty" Culture and UEV Platform appeared first on CleanTechnica.

A report by David Shepardson for Reuters on the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee hearing into autonomous vehicle safety placed Waymo's performance record under intense scrutiny. Cleantechnica reported on the industry developments beyond Washington point to how the Alphabet-owned company chose the Philippines as the location for its remote fleet response ... [continued]

The post Waymo's Remote Operations Strategy Highlights Why the Philippines is a Critical Hub appeared first on CleanTechnica.

The WorldSBK and WorldSSP riders are lined up and raring to race this weekend, check out the weekend's full schedule down below!

Live coverage of WorldSBK will be provided on ANT1+, while free-to-air highlights will be on ANT1 TV

The UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal has indicated that it will find Qualcomm did not abuse its market power, leading consumer advocacy group Which? to withdraw a case it hoped would see Brits compensated for increased smartphone prices.…

If enterprises are implementing AI, they're not showing it to Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora, who on Tuesday said business adoption of the tech lags consumer take-up by at least a couple of years - except for coding assistants.…

Poverty in Britain has become so familiar that it risks fading into the background. Food banks on high streets; children arriving at school hungry; working families choosing between heating and eating.

Scrapping the two-child benefit cap is estimated to lift nearly half a million children out of poverty. But that will still leave child poverty levels at 28% - double the rate in the 1970s.

A staggering 4.5 million children - 14 million people in all - are living in relative poverty in the UK. And one in five people living in poverty are actually in work. This is happening in one of the wealthiest economies in the world.

This week, Taxpayers Against Poverty published The Nicolson Report: Poverty Benefits No-One (link at the top of the page).

The report's central conclusion is clear: poverty on this scale is not inevitable, but the result of political and economic choices. For years, governments have claimed that tackling poverty is simply too expensive. Public finances are stretched, we are told. The evidence assembled in The Nicolson Report shows this claim is wrong.

Poverty is estimated  to cost the UK more than £75bn every year, through lost output, higher health and social care spending, and reduced tax revenues. It damages health, places enormous pressure on the NHS, weakens productivity, and blights children's life chances.

The UK's economic system actively sustains this failure. At its heart, sits an outdated and unbalanced tax system that over-taxes work and under-taxes wealth.

Most people rely on wages and pay income tax and National Insurance on every payslip, and VAT on most of what they spend. Meanwhile, large amounts of wealth - from property, capital gains, and inheritances - are taxed lightly, inconsistently, or not at all. In some cases, the poorest households pay a higher proportion of their income in tax than the richest.

This is not accidental. It is structural. Wealth in Britain has not been created in isolation. It has been built on publicly funded education, healthcare, infrastructure, legal stability, and social cohesion. These shared foundations made prosperity possible. Yet today, they are underfunded and overstretched, while wealth continues to concentrate at the top. If we are serious about reducing poverty, this imbalance must be addressed.

Tax reform is not about punishment or envy. It is about sustainability, fairness, and funding the systems that allow a modern economy to function. The Nicolson Report sets out a practical "white paper" for this Labour government, if it wants to truly tackle long-term poverty.

With an economy struggling for growth, it recommends several simple, cost-effective reforms to the UK tax system, including:

• a 2% wealth tax on assets over £10m, raising £25bn annually, and enjoying strong public support
• aligning capital gains tax with income tax
• applying National Insurance to investment income
• closing income tax loopholes focused on large accumulations of wealth
• reforming council tax, and replacing it with a proportional property or land value tax

Taken together, these reforms would raise substantial revenue. But more importantly, they would rebalance the system so that it no longer entrenches poverty. Research shows these policies already have popular support. A wealth tax, for example, has the backing of Labour Party members, the wider public and even those most likely to pay the tax, millionaires.

Alongside such tax reform, The Nicolson Report calls for a stronger welfare safety net, action on wage inequality, and sustained investment in health, education, social care, and infrastructure to make lasting progress on poverty. This matters because tax reform is not abstract. It is what enables government to ensure social security covers the essentials of life; to make work a reliable route out of poverty; to invest in public services; and to reduce the regional inequalities that leave entire communities behind.

Preventing poverty is not only morally right; it is economically rational. Recent events and personnel changes in Number 10 have given Keir Starmer a chance to reshape his government and his priorities. He has an opportunity to truly tackle long-term poverty and set his government's own legacy for the 21st century. But will he take it?

With a thematic issue on a vital topic - the rise child poverty, ending on a hopeful note. You will find sharp analyses on the effect of poverty on children's lives, with a spotlight on the communities that are on the front line of deprivation, with personal stories and shared solutions. Click on the image to gain access to it, or find us on Substack.

Journalism by the people, for the people.

The post New report: Poverty is an expensive political choice first appeared on East Anglia Bylines.

In 1999, Heather Preen contracted E coli on the beach. Two weeks later she died. Now, as a new Channel 4 show dramatises the scandal, her mother, Julie Maughan, explains why she is still looking for someone to take responsibility

When Julie Maughan was invited to help with a factual drama that would focus on the illegal dumping of raw sewage by water companies, she had to think hard. In some ways, it felt 25 years too late. In 1999, Maughan's eight-year-old daughter, Heather Preen, had contracted the pathogen E coli O157 on a Devon beach and died within a fortnight. Maughan's marriage hadn't survived the grief - she separated from Heather's father, Mark Preen, a builder, who later took his own life. "I've always said it was like a bomb had gone off under our family," says Maughan. "This little girl, just playing, doing her nutty stuff on an English beach. And that was the price." Yet there had been no outrage, few questions raised and no clear answers. "Why weren't people looking into this? It felt as if Heather didn't matter. Over time, it felt as if she'd been forgotten." All these years later, Maughan wasn't sure if she could revisit it. "I didn't know if I could go back into that world," she says. "But I'm glad I have."

The result, Dirty Business, a three-part Channel 4 factual drama, is aiming to spark the same anger over pollution that ITV's Mr Bates Vs the Post Office did for the Horizon scandal. Jumping between timelines, using actors as well as "real people" and with actual footage of scummy rivers and beaches dotted with toilet paper, sanitary towels and dead fish, it shows how raw sewage dumps have become standard policy for England's water companies. Jason Watkins and David Thewlis play "sewage sleuths" Peter Hammond and Ash Smith, Cotswolds neighbours who, over time, watched their local river turn from clear and teeming with nature to dense grey and devoid of life. Hammond is a retired professor of computational biology, Smith a retired detective, and together, they used hidden cameras, freedom of information requests and AI models to uncover sewage dumps on an industrial scale.

The current measles shitstorm in South Carolina has been burning for several months now, dating all the way back to October of 2025. What started with a bunch of counties that were undervaccinated for measles began spiraling out of control at the start of 2026. The federal tracker for measles cases is at best woefully out of date, or purposefully obfuscating the true degree of the problem at worst. That public tracker, which is updated every Friday, claims a current nationwide count of confirmed measles cases at 910. The current measles count in South Carolina alone, for this year, is 933. Once again we have a federal government program run by RFK Jr. that is behind, unprepared, and impotent.

In the absence of federal leadership, the states will attempt to take action on their own. And sometimes those actions will result in federal pushback from the very same people who are causing the problem through inaction in the first place. I have no doubt that will be the case with a South Carolina state senator's attempt at a bill to remove the religious exemptions for vaccinations for public schools in the state.

The context here is that South Carolina has one of the most wide open programs for obtaining a religious exemption for a childhood vaccine in the country. I think only Florida might be considered more wide open, given that state has mostly removed all vaccination requirements for public schooling. In South Carolina, you essentially just have to whisper the word "religion" and you're exempt.

But that wont' be the case if Senator Margie Mathews gets her way.

Senator Margie Bright Matthews (D-Dist. 45) has introduced a bill that would eliminate religious exemptions for measles vaccinations for students in public K-12 schools and childcare settings. It's a move that's drawing both support and criticism across the state.

Matthews said the rising measles cases prompted her to step in with the proposed legislation in an effort to bolster public health and keep communities safe.

"The goal of the bill is simply to protect children and stop the spread of measles in South Carolina," Matthews said.

Yes, of course it is. And the pushback that has already begun within the state is absurd. I know enough about religion, as well as religious demographics, to know with absolute certainty that the number of "religious exemptions" in South Carolina doesn't remotely comport with the number of religious adherents to any religion that has anything to say about vaccinations. South Carolina is largely Protestant and Catholic, for instance. While Protestants have traditionally been in the vaccine hesitant camp, I have never heard a serious biblical argument made for that stance. Were one to even exist, I'm confident most of the people applying for exemptions couldn't make it.

Instead, these people are vaccine hesitant for entirely non-religious reasons. And that, I will say, is their right. But this legislation suggests that nobody's right to their religion includes the right to put the rest of their community in danger.

Senator Matthews stressed that the goal of the bill is to increase vaccination rates and limit the spread of measles.

"I plan on reminding them every time we have new cases in South Carolina, I plan on writing and requesting that my bill receive a hearing before the committee, so that we can have the influencers from South Carolina that are against this bill and that are for this bill, I would like to have public hearing in reference to it," she said.

Despite my strict adherence to being non-religious, I am, in fact, sensitive to ensuring that we maintain the secular rights of those who don't agree with me. It's that secularism that has allowed the flourishing of both free speech and thought in this country as well as, perhaps ironically, of religion itself. All of that is just aces as far as I'm concerned.

But just like someone's freedom of movement ends the moment their fist makes contact with my face, so too does the rights of religious freedom end at the point where it puts everyone else's children in danger.

The US government spent decades funding the development of tools like Tor, which helps millions of people route around censorship and surveillance in countries like Iran, China, Cuba, and North Korea. As of mid-2024, about 35% of the Tor Project's $7.3 million budget still came from federal sources, with the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor alone contributing over $2.1 million in 2023-2024 for expanding uncensored internet access in China, Hong Kong, and Tibet. — Read the rest

The post Trump's aid freeze is killing US-funded privacy tools like TOR appeared first on Boing Boing.

YouTube is experiencing an outage across the United States, with users in other countries like Canada, India, the Philippines, Australia and Russia also having problems with accessing the website. The issue seems to have started at around 8PM Eastern time and reached 326,000 reports on Downdetector before starting to taper down. More users reported having issues accessing the app, but I personally lost access to the web homepage first. As of 9:22PM, users are still reporting being unable to access YouTube on Reddit.

Update, February 17, 2026, 9:26 PM ET: Updated to correct time of outage, added new countries where it's out and new reports of YouTube still being inaccessible.

Giant Indian industrial conglomerate Adani has said it will spend up to $100 billion on AI datacenters to equip the nation with sovereign infrastructure, but will do so at slower pace than Big Tech tech companies plan to bring their own bit barns to Bharat.…

Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year is today, February 17. However, the celebration extends further. Public schools are out this week in NYC and there are multiple celebrations in the city. The traditional Chinese New Year greeting above (Gong Xi Fa Cai / Gong Hei Fat Choy) wishes people prosperity and ... [continued]

The post To Chinese Clean Tech Companies: 恭喜發財 appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Anthropic has updated its Sonnet model to version 4.6 and claims the upgrade is better at coding and using computers, and also possesses improved reasoning and planning capabilities.…