The Met Office is forecasting that temperatures for each of the next five years are likely to be 1C or more above pre-industrial levels. In the next five years there’s also a chance we’ll see a year in which the average global temperature rise could be greater than 1.5C. That’s ... Read More »
Polar express: magnetic north pole speeds towards Russia
Surge affects navigation and is believed to be caused by a ‘jet’ stream in Earth’s liquid outer core Something’s up in the Arctic: the north magnetic pole is on the move. But rather than drifting around aimlessly as it has for centuries, the pole has picked up speed and is ... Read More »
Democracy undergoing ‘alarming’ decline around the world, study finds
Think tank says ‘deterioration of US democracy will accelerate decline around the world’ Democracy is undergoing an “alarming” decline across the world as a growing number of countries move towards authoritarian rule, according to the Freedom House think tank. The US organisation’s annual “Freedom in the World” report found 2018 ... Read More »
Aoun at the Arab Development Summit conclusion: Lebanon will follow up on the Summit decisions, ensure their implementation
In his delivered speech at the closing of the Arab Development Summit in Beirut, President of the Republic Michel Aoun affirmed that Lebanon will follow up on its adopted decisions and ensure their proper implementation, in cooperation with the Arab League General Secretariat, in order to secure better social and ... Read More »
Nearby planet could support primitive life, scientists announce
A super-Earth known as Barnard’s star b might be far more habitable than previously thought A planet near our own could support primitive life, scientists have announced. The nearby world – orbiting around Barnard’s Star, the second closest star system to our own – is known as a super-Earth and ... Read More »
Scientists close to first sighting of black hole in the Milky Way
International team say ‘spectacular’ data hints at historic breakthrough Astronomers attempting to capture the first images of the black hole at the heart of the Milky Way have given early hints that the ambitious project has been successful. The observations, by the Event Horizon Telescope, are expected to be unveiled ... Read More »
‘One giant leap’: China’s Chang’e 4 rover Jade Rabbit 2 sets off on moon mission
Project leader echoes Neil Armstrong’s quote after rover’s successful separation from lander China’s space agency has posted the first photo of its Chang’e 4 lunar rover on the far side of the moon after its groundbreaking touchdown on Thursday. The rover – named Yutu 2, or Jade Rabbit 2 – ... Read More »
Untouched ‘one-of-a-kind’ ancient tomb belonging to ‘divine inspector’ uncovered in Egypt
Antiquities official say they’ll dig deeper into tomb in search of priest’s sarcophagus He was known as Wahtye, and served as royal priest or high-ranking religious figure carrying the title “divine inspector.” And he must have been someone of great importance, for when he was buried in the southwest outskirts ... Read More »
Johnson and Johnson knew about cancer-causing asbestos in baby in baby powder for decades, new report claims
New Jersey-based company insists products remains safe Shares of the pharma and medical giant Johnson & Johnson have tumbled sharply after an investigation suggested the company had known for years its famous baby powder was contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos. Reuters published a lengthy enquiry into one of the company’s most ... Read More »
Scientists identify vast underground ecosystem containing billions of micro-organisms
Global team of scientists find ecosystem below earth that is twice the size of world’s oceans The Earth is far more alive than previously thought, according to “deep life” studies that reveal a rich ecosystem beneath our feet that is almost twice the size of all the world’s oceans. Despite ... Read More »