Every now and then, Dr Mathieu Bourgarel seeks permission from the village elders to visit the sacred caves, bringing a gift to appease the spirits. Donning mask, overalls, and three layers of gloves, he descends into the darkness, climbing down rope ladders and squeezing through the narrow chambers of caves. […]
Science & Technology
More than 350 scientists and conservationists from 40 countries have signed a letter calling for global action to protect whales, dolphins and porpoises from extinction. They say more than half of all species are of conservation concern, with two on the “knife-edge” of extinction. Lack of action over polluted and […]
CALISTOGA: California fire crews deploying water-dropping helicopters made a defensive stand on Friday against flames raging in the foothills of the Napa Valley wine region as forecasts called for a return of dangerous high winds and hot weather this weekend. More than 2,500 firefighters were battling the Glass Fire, which […]
A species of maple tree offers the best protection from damaging ultraviolet rays of sunlight, a study has suggested. The crimson king (Acer platanoides) variety of maple tree came out as the most protective, closely followed by species of oak and a beech. Experts say trees can provide people with […]
Climate change is driving the scale and impact of recent wildfires that have raged in California, say scientists. Their analysis finds an “unequivocal and pervasive” role for global heating in boosting the conditions for fire. California now has greater exposure to fire risks than before humans started altering the climate, […]
China will aim to hit peak emissions before 2030 and for carbon neutrality by 2060, President Xi Jinping has announced. Mr Xi outlined the steps when speaking via videolink to the UN General Assembly in New York. The announcement is being seen as a significant step in the fight against […]
SYDNEY: China will lose access to a strategic space tracking station in Western Australia when its contract expires, the facility’s owners said, a decision that cuts into Beijing’s expanding space exploration and navigational capabilities in the Pacific region. The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) has had a contract allowing Beijing access […]
SYDNEY: A 46-year-old Australian surfer died after being attacked by a shark on a popular Gold Coast beach, the first fatal shark attack on the beach in 62 years and despite protective “shark nets” and drumlines offshore. The man was attacked at Greenmount Beach late yesterday while surfing what is […]
A three-day heat wave brought triple-digit temperatures to much of the state during Labor Day weekend. Wildfires have burned a record 2 million acres in California this year, and the danger for more destruction is so high the US Forest Service announced Monday it was closing all eight national forests […]
SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook said on Monday (Aug 31) it had erred in blocking a pro-Biden ad submitted by Democratic political action committee Priorities USA, after initially telling the group the video violated its policy against “sensational” content. A company spokesman cited an “enforcement error” and said Facebook was approving the […]