Breaking News Archives - Page 298 of 357

Jan222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Ghana’s Coastal Erosion Crisis Threatens Communities and Heritage

The relentless advance of the sea along Ghana’s coast has not only erased significant portions of its landscape but also consumed key historical sites, leaving communities and livelihoods in jeopardy. Among the losses is the UNESCO World Heritage site once used to hold enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. Today, only remnants of the fort remain, with 90% of its structure swallowed by the ocean. “In 1907, the erosion started,” recalls James Ocloo Akorli, a historian and caretaker of the fort's remains. “First, it was the coconut trees. Then, the houses went. By 1980, when it was still being used as a prison, the damage was already severe.” The fate of Fort Kongestein in Ada Foah, built in 1783 and integral to the European slave trade, echoes this story. It has been ...

Jan222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Ethiopia Faces Earthquake Surge, Volcanic Eruption Fears

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Ethiopia's Afar and Oromia regions have experienced a series of earthquakes since early 2025, sparking fears of volcanic eruptions near the Fentale and Dofen volcanoes. The strongest quake, with a magnitude of 5.7, struck on January 4, a day after a 5.5-magnitude tremor hit the same area. Two additional earthquakes followed over the weekend of January 11. The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Council is relocating around 60,000 residents to temporary shelters, citing risks of further quakes and potential volcanic activity. The earthquakes are linked to magmatic activity, where magma (molten rock) is intruding beneath the Fentale and Dofen volcanoes. Ethiopia lies within the East African Rift System, a geologically active zone, making both earthquakes and volcanic activity common. ...

Jan222025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Global Economy Faces 50% GDP Loss by 2090 Without Climate Action, Warns Report

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

A stark warning has been issued about the economic and humanitarian costs of inaction on the climate crisis. According to the "Planetary Solvency – Finding Our Balance with Nature" report, global GDP could shrink by 50% between 2070 and 2090 if decisive measures are not taken. Populations are already grappling with food system shocks, water insecurity, heat stress, and infectious diseases. Without intervention, the likelihood of mass mortality, displacement, economic collapse, and conflict increases dramatically. The report, the fourth in a series by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) in collaboration with climate scientists, offers a framework for global risk management. It emphasizes that ineffective risk messaging has hampered policy decisions and delayed critical action, ...

Jan212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Iraq From Cradle of Civilization to Climate Crisis Epicenter

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Iraq, once revered as the cradle of human civilization, is now a stark warning of the perils of climate change. Known historically as the land of the Tigris and Euphrates, the fertile rivers that nourished the first farming communities are now emblematic of a country grappling with escalating environmental and socio-economic challenges. As global temperatures rise, Iraq faces a confluence of crises water scarcity, desertification, heat stress, and displacement that threaten its future. The Drying Lifelines: Water Scarcity in Iraq The Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which supply 98% of Iraq’s surface water, have seen their flow decrease by up to 40% over the past four decades. The reasons are manifold: reduced rainfall, intensified evaporation due to rising temperatures, and upstream dam...

Jan212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

La Niña Returns Mixed Bag for Global Weather Amid Ongoing Climate Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has officially confirmed the arrival of a weak La Niña in late December 2024, a natural climate phenomenon expected to last until February to April. This shift could influence global weather patterns, potentially offering respite from the extreme heat experienced in recent years. La Niña the cooler counterpart of El Niño, is part of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a natural climate dynamic that alternates between warm (El Niño), cool (La Niña), and neutral phases. During La Niña, cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean typically interact with the atmosphere, driving changes in global weather. For most of 2024, scientists observed La Niña-like atmospheric patterns, such as stron...

Jan212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

UK Scientists to Probe Deep Sea’s ‘Dark Oxygen,’ A Discovery That Could Redefine Life’s Origins

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check, Learning & Developments

A groundbreaking study led by Prof. Andrew Sweetman of the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) is set to explore the phenomenon of "Dark Oxygen," a form of oxygen produced in the absence of light. This revolutionary discovery, made last summer, challenges the long-held belief that oxygen production is exclusively a byproduct of photosynthesis. The project is backed by a £2 million support package from The Nippon Foundation. The team will deploy advanced sensors to the deepest parts of the ocean, aiming to determine how oxygen can be created in complete darkness, far from the reach of sunlight. The study will investigate whether this process occurs in other deep-sea environments and examine its implications for life on Earth and beyond. “Our discovery of Dark Oxygen was a p...

Jan212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke: One Can Turn Deadly

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Thoughts & Talks

As global temperatures rise heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke are becoming more common. While they may seem similar at first, the difference between these two conditions could mean life or death, experts warn. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body struggles to cool down, typically due to prolonged exposure to heat or intense physical activity. The core temperature rises, but remains under 40°C. Symptoms include weakness, nausea, intense thirst, and dizziness, but the individual’s mental clarity remains unaffected. Heat stroke, on the other hand, is far more severe and classified as a medical emergency. When the body’s core temperature surpasses 40°C, the results can be catastrophic, with symptoms such as confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness. With...

Jan212025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Melting Ice Reveals 5,900-Year-Old Forest in Rocky Mountains

Breaking News, Environment, Learning & Developments

The melting ice of the Rocky Mountains has unearthed a stunning archaeological discovery: a 5,900-year-old whitebark pine forest preserved in remarkable detail. Located on the Beartooth Plateau in Wyoming at an elevation of 3,100 meters well above today’s tree line the discovery offers an unprecedented glimpse into ancient climates while raising pressing questions about the future. The frozen forest, uncovered during an archaeological survey, includes more than 30 well-preserved trees. Whitebark pine, a species that no longer grows at such heights, flourished there during a significantly warmer period in Earth's history. “This discovery offers us a window into past conditions at high elevations,” said Cathy Whitlock of Montana State University. Tree ring analysis and carbon dating re...

Jan202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Toxic Spring Linked to 17 Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir Authorities Seal Contaminated Site

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have sealed a water spring in Badhaal village, Rajouri district, after its water tested positive for pesticides or insecticides. The move comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the mysterious deaths of 17 villagers, including 13 children aged between 3 and 15 years. Deputy Commissioner Dil Mir ordered the spring to be sealed and deployed security personnel to prevent access to the contaminated site. Officials aim to ensure the safety of residents while investigations continue into the cause of the deaths. The health and police departments are working to determine how the water source became contaminated. The deaths, initially unexplained, prompted widespread concern in the region. Samples from the spring were analyzed, revealing the presence o...

Jan202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mpox Case Sparks Health Alert in Azerbaijan 22-Year-Old Tests Positive After Travel

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Mpox Known as monkeypox viral infection often presenting flu-like symptoms, including fever, fatigue, and a distinctive rash. While the disease is typically mild, severe cases can be fatal, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. Transmission occurs through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials. A 22-year-old Azerbaijani citizen has tested positive for mpox after returning from an international trip, according to health authorities. The individual is currently in isolation and receiving medical treatment in Baku, while family members remain symptom-free under observation. The patient had traveled abroad from January 2 to January 11 before reporting symptoms, including fever, weakness, and a rash. Although the specific countries visited...