News

Earth Nears Climate “Tipping Points” that can Cause Catastrophic Changes: Report Washington, 6 Dec (ONA) --- A scientific assessment by over 200 scientists warns that climate change has brought the world dangerously close to breaching critical planetary "tipping points," leading to irreversible effects on essential natural systems.The report, led by climate scientist Tim Lenton, a climate scientist at the University of Exeter, the United Kingdom, stresses the urgency of confronting these dangers and intensifying efforts to prevent them.Released at COP28 in Dubai, the report ...

Nine Killed in Southern India Due to Heavy Rains as Area Readies for Cyclone MichaungNew Delhi, 5 Dec (ONA) --- Heavy rains submerged roads in parts of southern India today, where at least nine people, including a child, died in the flooding. Cyclone Michaung is expected to hit the coast of Andhra Pradesh state around gusting in with winds of up to 110 kmh.Parts of the state are expected to be pelted with more than 200 mm (8 inches) of rain over the next 24 hours, the weather office said, and at least 8,000 people have been evacuated.The rains and winds also resulted in cancelling more ...

Marapi Volcano Death Toll Exceeds 20 Jakrta, 5 Dec (ONA) ---- The death toll from the eruption of Indonesia's Mount Marapi volcano has risen to 22 after rescue teams discovered 11 more bodies, officials said today.More than 50 people were rescued from the mountain on, while 11 others were initially confirmed dead.Frequent volcanic eruptions have hampered rescue efforts for days.Two bodies were found on Monday, and nine more were discovered today. One person is still unaccounted for. ---Ends/Thuraiya/Anas ...

Over 40 Dead in Tanzania Torrential Rains, Flash FloodsDodoma, 4 Dec (ONA) --- As many as 47 individuals died following heavy rains and flash floods in the United Republic of Tanzania, according to local authorities. The authorities said that 85 others have been hurt amid the landslides caused by flooding in northern Tanzania, noting that the number of casualties could still increase in the coming days.Officials said that torrential rains hit the town of Katesh, which is located 300km north of the capital, Dodoma. Meanwhile, many roads in the area had been blocked by mud, water as ...

Elusive Blind Critter Once Presumed Extinct RediscoveredCape Town, 3 Dec (ONA) --- In a remarkable discovery, a blind mole presumed extinct since 1936, known as De Winton's golden mole, has been found alive in South African sand dunes.The breakthrough came through the use of environmental DNA (eDNA), a cutting-edge technique that collects skin cells shed by living creatures in their habitats.The elusive golden mole has a nature of spending most of its life underground and relying on hearing for hunting.The eDNA method involved collecting sand samples from the northwest coast of ...

Brazil Gripped by Unbearable Heatwave Rio de Janeiro, 15 Nov (ONA) --- Red alerts have been issued for almost 3,000 towns and cities across Brazil, which have been experiencing an unprecedented heatwave. Rio de Janeiro recorded 42.5C last Sunday; a record for November, and high humidity yesterday (Tuesday) meant that it felt like 58.5C, municipal authorities said. More than a hundred million people have been affected by the heat, which is expected to last until at least Friday, BBC news reported. Local officials have attributed it to the El Niño phenomenon and ...

Iceland Quakes Weaker but Volcano Warning Persists Reykjavík, 13 Nov (ONA) --- Seismic activity has eased in south-west Iceland, but a volcanic eruption is still expected, scientists say. Although more than 500 earthquakes have hit the Reykjanes Peninsula since midnight, they have been weaker than over the past two days. But experts stress a 15km-long (9 mile) river of magma running under the peninsula is still active, threatening the now-evacuated town of Grindavik, BBC news reported. Most tremors have taken place under it and hundreds of people have fled. Cracks ...

Exceptional Autumn Sets 2023 up to Break Records Brussels, 8 Nov (ONA) --- It is now "virtually certain" that 2023 - a year of deadly heatwaves, floods and wildfires - will be the warmest on record, new data suggests. The prediction follows "exceptional" high October temperatures. Global average air temperatures were 0.4C warmer than the previous high of October 2019, according to the EU's climate change service. Driven by carbon emissions and an El Niño weather event, this was the fifth month in a row of record warmth, BBC news reported. Extreme global ...

Train Crash Kills 13, Injures Dozens in India New Delhi, 30 Oct (ONA) --- At least 13 people have died and about 50 are injured after two passenger trains collided in India's southern Andhra Pradesh state. A rescue operation was launched and hundreds of emergency workers were at the site to clear the wreckage. Local officials said a preliminary investigation has found that a "human error" had led to the collision. The crash took place in the Vizianagaram district India has one of the largest train networks in the world with millions of passengers using it daily, but ...

Death Toll from Coal Mine Fire in Central Kazakhstan Rises to 36 Astana, 29 Oct (QNA) --- The death toll from a coal mine fire in central Kazakhstan has risen to 36, local authorities said. The search-and-rescue operations continued for another 10 miners who remained missing. The incident occurred on Saturday, following a fire that broke out due to a methane gas explosion in the Kostenko coal mine in the city of Qaraghandy. A total of 205 people were rescued out of the 252 who were in the mine. Investigations are still ongoing to determine the circumstances ...

Hurricane Otis Smashes into Mexico's Southern Coast Mexico City, 25 Oct (ONA) --- Hurricane Otis has made landfall on the coast of southern Mexico, bringing wind speeds of up to 165mph (270km/h). It touched down near the popular Acapulco resort just after midnight on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. Local authorities have warned of a life-threatening storm surge and the possibility of landslides as heavy rain pelts the area. The storm has already begun to weaken as it moves inland. A hurricane warning is in effect for a 350km-long stretch of ...

World Shift to Clean Energy is Unstoppable: IEA Report Paris, 24 Oct (ONA) --- A new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights a global shift towards renewable energy.It predicts renewables will provide half of the world's electricity by 2030.However, it warns that carbon emissions are still too high to prevent a temperature rise above 1.5°C and calls for a 50% reduction in fossil fuel investments.It also notes that despite the growth of renewables, the world is on track for a 2.4°C temperature increase by 2100, surpassing climate goals set in ...

Future Melting of Antarctic Ice Sheet Unavoidable: ScientistsLondon, 23 Oct (ONA) --- A recent study published in Nature Climate Change warns that the melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet, a significant contributor to global sea-level rise, is inevitable, regardless of efforts to reduce carbon pollution.The research focuses on the Amundsen Sea region, where ice shelves play a crucial role in stabilizing the ice sheet.It examines various future scenarios of rising global temperatures, including the targets set by the Paris Agreement, such as limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius ...

The Moon Is 40 Million Years Older Than Previously Thought: New FindingLondon, 23 Oct (Oct) --- A recent study of a 4.46 billion-year-old lunar crystal collected by Apollo 17 astronauts suggested that the moon's surface solidified 40 million years earlier than previously believed.This pushes back the minimum age of the moon's formation.The study was published today in the journal Geochemical Perspectives Letters.The commonly accepted theory is that a Mars-sized object called Theia collided with Earth about 4.5 billion years ago, resulting in the formation of the moon. However, ...

Scientists Discover Deepest Evidence of Coral Reef BleachingLondon, 19 Oct (ONA) --- Scientists have made a surprising discovery of coral reef bleaching at unprecedented depths in the Indian Ocean, with damage occurring more than 90 meters below the surface.This bleaching is attributed to a 30% increase in sea temperatures driven by the Indian Ocean dipole.It has affected up to 80% of reefs in certain areas that were previously considered resilient to ocean warming.The findings serve as a warning of the consequences of rising ocean temperatures and the hidden damage caused by ...

Researchers Discover New Surprising Method to Improve Children’s ResilienceOhio, US, 19 Oct (ONA) --- Researchers at Ohio State University have found that teaching elementary students’ creative literary techniques can improve their problem-solving skills and resilience.By using methods such as perspective shifting, counter-factual (what if) thinking, and causal (why) thinking, students can develop their creativity in dealing with difficulties.The study, which involved third, fourth, and fifth graders, showed that these techniques helped children generate new and practical ...

IAEA to Ramp up Efforts in Fukushima Seawater Analysis Tokyo, 12 Oct (ONA) --- China is set to collaborate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the sampling and analysis of seawater and fishery products around the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.This marks China's first involvement in the research since it began in 2014.The IAEA's goal is to enhance the objectivity of seawater assessments. The joint research will take place with the participation of experts from South Korea, Canada, and China.The results will be compiled and published in a report by ...

Death Toll from Ongoing Israeli Aggression on Gaza and West Bank Surges to 974 Gaza, 11 Oct (ONA) --- The death toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza Strip and the West Bank has surged to 974, with over 5,000 injured, the Palestinian Health Ministry announced today. According to a statement by the Health Ministry, 950 were martyred in Gaza Strip and more than 5,000 were injured in the ongoing violent airstrikes targeting the whole Strip since Saturday. The occupied West Bank was not spared from the ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza Strip for the fifth day ...

Groundwater Considered a Significant Source of Pollution on Barrier Reefs: StudyCanberra, 9 Oct (ONA) --- New research reveals that a significant portion of pollution reaching the Great Barrier Reef is coming from underground water sources, challenging the effectiveness of targeting surface runoff alone to reduce pollution.Scientists found that nearly one-third of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and two-thirds of dissolved inorganic phosphorus in the reef's waters originate from underground sources, which were previously undocumented.Controlling pollution from farms has been a key ...

Hundreds Dead in Powerful Quake in Afghanistan Kabul, 8 Oct (ONA) --- Hundreds of people are feared dead after a powerful earthquake hit western Afghanistan, near the Iranian border. The death toll is expected to rise as information comes in from rural areas, with one Taliban government department suggesting it could be more than 2,000, BBC news reported. The 6.3 magnitude quake devastated at least 12 villages near the city of Herat last Saturday. There were powerful aftershocks. Survivors described their terror as buildings collapsed around them. Rescue ...

Countries Pledge to Raise $12 Billion To Help Coral ReefsCalifornia, US, 3 Oct (ONA) --- Several countries in an international alliance have pledged $12 billion to protect coral reefs from pollution and overfishing.The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) will use this funding to conserve and restore coral ecosystems that support a quarter of marine species and over a billion people.However, experts warn that broader climate risks, like rising sea temperatures causing coral bleaching, must also be addressed.ICRI aims to secure the future of vast coral reef areas and double ...

Two Earthquakes Strike Nepal Kathmandu, Nepal, 3 Oct (ONA) --- Two earthquakes today struck northwestern Nepal, sending tremors through the region, the country’s earthquake monitoring center said. Several houses were reportedly damaged in Bajhang district, but there were no immediate reports of any casualties. A key highway connecting the district to neighboring areas was blocked by a landslide triggered by the earthquake. Most of the houses in the sparsely populated mountainous region are one or two stories, and there are no big buildings. Nepal’s National ...

Earthworms Contribute to 6.5% of Global Grain Production: StudyColorado, US, 1 Oct (ONA) --- A recent study reveals that earthworms play a crucial role in global food production by contributing to over 6.5% of annual grain yields, including staple crops like wheat, rice, maize, and barley.Earthworms assist in decomposing dead plant material, releasing vital nutrients for plant growth and improving soil health.They also aid plants in defending against common soil pathogens. However, their existence is threatened by modern intensive and chemical-intensive agricultural ...

Over 100 Dolphins Found Dead in AmazonManaus, Brazil, 1 oct (ONA) --- Over 100 dolphins have been discovered dead in the Brazilian Amazon, primarily in Lake Tefé, due to an ongoing historic drought and soaring water temperatures, with some areas exceeding 102 degrees Fahrenheit.This unusually high number of dolphin deaths is believed to be linked to record-high lake temperatures and the severe drought in the Amazon region. Climate scientists are increasingly concerned about the impact of such extreme events on the area.Efforts are underway to rescue surviving dolphins by relocating ...

Over 100 Dead in Wedding Hall Fire in Iraq Baghdad, 27 Sep (ONA) --- A fire tore through a wedding hall in Qaraqosh in northern Iraq today, causing the death of at least 100 people and injuring 150 others.Flammable panels fuelled the flames, causing parts of the ceiling to catch fire and fall, officials said.The Iraqi government issued a three-day national mourning period following the blaze. ---Ends/Thuraiya/AG ...

Flood-hit Central Greece Braces for New Storm Athens, 26 Sep (ONA) --- Emergency services in central Greece were on alert today as storms headed toward areas hit by massive floods this month (September 2023). Municipal and military crews using excavators reinforced flood defenses along rivers near the central cities of Larissa and Trikala. Flooding from Storm Daniel killed 16 people in the region and caused widespread damage to property, farms and infrastructure. As it headed eastward, the latest storm — named “Elias” — caused landslides early today and prompted ...

Coal Mine Fire Kills 16 People in Southern China Beijing, 24 Sep (ONA) --- A coal mine fire in southern China today killed 16 people, according to local authorities. The blaze broke out at the Shanjiaoshu coal mine in Panguan, a town in Guizhou province. An initial investigation suggested the people who died were trapped after a conveyor belt caught fire, the Panzhou city government said in a statement posted on social media. --- Ends/Khalid ...

Flood Warnings Issued for US Mid-Atlantic Coast as Ophelia Storm Moves North Maryland, 24 Sep (ONA) --- Tropical Storm “Ophelia” was downgraded today to a post-tropical low, but continued to pose a threat of coastal flooding and flash floods in the mid-Atlantic region, the US National Hurricane Center said. Residents in parts of coastal North Carolina and Virginia experienced flooding after the storm made landfall near a North Carolina barrier island, bringing rain, damaging winds and dangerous surges. The US center said “Ophelia” reduced to a weak form of a tropical ...

Nearly 70 Countries Sign UN Treaty to Protect High SeasNew York, 21 Sep (ONA) --- Nearly 70 countries at the United Nations signed a first-ever treaty on protecting the international high seas, raising hopes that it will come into force soon and protect threatened ecosystems vital to the planet.Sixty-seven countries signed the treaty on the first day, including the United States, China, Australia, Britain France, Germany and Mexico as well as the European Union as a whole, according to the UN.The treaty will come into force 120 days after 60 countries ratify it.The high seas are ...

Bushfires Threaten Koala Habitats: StudyCanberra, 20 Sep (ONA) --- A study has raised concerns about the future of koala habitats in Australia, warning that nearly half of them will be at high risk of bushfires by 2070 due to climate changeResearchers from Flinders University generated fire susceptibility maps, revealing that the highly susceptible areas for koalas will increase from 39.5% at present to 44.6% by 2070.This rise is attributed to the escalating frequency and severity of bushfires caused by climate change.Conservation efforts will need to adapt to this threat to protect ...