World

Wood samples being collected for cellulose isotope analysis. Credit: CENA-USP By analyzing the atomic signatures of 800 trees collected from 63 locations across the Amazon, Brazilian researchers have developed an isotopic mapping model that can rule out 92% of the rainforest when tracing suspected illegal timber.The project, led by Professor Luiz Antonio Martinelli at the…

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin describes blast that killed 3 as terror attack (File photo) Moscow’s mayor Sergey Sobyanin has described the blast that resulted in three deaths and 21 injured as a “terrorist act” and has promised that those responsible would be brought to justice.The explosion occurred at about 7.55 pm Moscow time on Saturday,…

New method flags hurricane rapid intensification up to five days ahead Coastal communities across the Atlantic could soon receive life-saving warnings up to five days before a hurricane rapidly strengthens, after atmospheric scientists developed a statistical tool that analyses 55 environmental and storm-related factors.Led by researchers at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for…

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BCE) was a Roman statesman, lawyer, philosopher, and one of history’s greatest orators A boardroom full of executives sits in silence, agreeing with an aggressive expansion plan that several of them privately believe will fail. Each person can see the serious problems, but no one chooses to speak.This gap between what…

A lone hiker caught in a sudden mountain blizzard could freeze within hours without shelter, while a field mouse survives by tunnelling beneath the snow. A newborn horse can stand and run within minutes of birth, while a human baby depends on others for years.Among all living creatures, humans often see themselves as the dominant…

Israeli media reports that officials in Israel found out about Trump’s decision to halt strikes through his Truth Social post, despite the post claiming that Israel was aware of the decision Israeli officials and US Central Command were not informed ahead of time about US President Donald Trump’s decision to call off a major planned…

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering exempting child sex offenders and other serious sexual abuse perpetrators from a controversial early prison release scheme as ministers race to finalise safeguards before the policy takes effect in September.The review comes as the government struggles to balance mounting prison overcrowding with concerns over public safety and victims’…

The Paks Nuclear Power Plant was forced to reduce capacity and is expected to shut down completely due to the drought affecting the Danube Hungary has ordered a complete shutdown of its only nuclear power plant after the Danube River fell to record-low levels, leaving intake pumps unable to draw enough water to cool its…

Landslides cause about 25 deaths a year in the USA An estimated 6.5 million Americans live in homes built on or next to landslide-prone land, according to a major national study by the University of Washington.By studying 128 million buildings across the United States, researchers created the Landslide Exposure Database (LED). It is the first…

Do you consider yourself ‘lucky’ or ‘unlucky’? If you are reading this, chances are you see yourself as the latter. The job offer fell through. The flight got delayed for hours. The relationship ended at the worst possible moment.Ask someone who calls themselves ‘lucky’ about their day, and they’ll tell you the other side: that…