Science

King ratsnake eats cobras and vipers. Its genome may explain how

King ratsnake eats cobras and vipers. Its genome may explain how

Scientists have mapped the genome of the nonvenomous king ratsnake, a species known for hunting and eating deadly venomous snakes such as cobras and vipers. The new chromosome-level genome will help researchers investigate how the snake…

French wildfire created a monster cloud, unleashing lightning that ignited more fires

Stuff

French wildfire created a monster cloud, unleashing lightning that ignited more fires

Put another way, that means the inferno was no longer simply being propelled by the weather. It was making its own.

Stuff

AllAfrica

South Africa: National Water Action Plan a Practical Solution to Restore Water Supply Reliability

[SAnews.gov.za] President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured citizens that government is focused on the implementation of the National Water Action Plan to ensure the delivery of running water for all South Africans, regardless of their location.

AllAfrica

Why use rare earths in rubber production? Chinese scientists are engineering tougher tyres

Why use rare earths in rubber production? Chinese scientists are engineering tougher tyres

Chinese researchers have completed trials of a new rare earth-based synthetic rubber production facility, industrialising a major raw material for manufacturing electric vehicle and heavy-duty vehicle tyres. High-quality synthetic rubber…

Wildfires Live Updates: Spain and France Fight to Contain Blazes as Extreme Heat Threatens New Fires

The New York Times

Wildfires Live Updates: Spain and France Fight to Contain Blazes as Extreme Heat Threatens New Fires

Firefighters in eastern Spain were working to hold back a worsening wildfire on Monday. The crisis has forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate in central Spain and southwest France.

The New York Times

Hong Kong banks in early stages of preparing for quantum computing threats, HKMA says

Hong Kong banks in early stages of preparing for quantum computing threats, HKMA says

Hong Kong’s banking sector is still in the early stages of preparing for cybersecurity risks posed by quantum computing, the city’s de facto central bank said on Monday as it unveiled a new benchmark to track the industry’s readiness. The…

6 orphaned rhinos rescued from poachers have all given birth in wild

6 orphaned rhinos rescued from poachers have all given birth in wild

In a heartwarming turnaround, six orphaned rhinos from South Africa have welcomed new calves after years of rehabilitation. Their successful births signify a remarkable milestone in conservation efforts, providing renewed hope for…

Around 1200 BCE, civilisations fell. Climate clues may explain why

Around 1200 BCE, civilisations fell. Climate clues may explain why

A new study suggests prolonged drought pressured eastern Mediterranean societies. This drying significantly affected agriculture and food security across the region. Drought acted as a threat multiplier, worsening existing societal…

White paint, trees or air con? What parents and teachers can do to cool UK’s overheating schools

The Guardian

White paint, trees or air con? What parents and teachers can do to cool UK’s overheating schools

While longer-term action is needed, there are steps that can be taken during the holidays to help keep children safe This summer, repeated heatwaves drove classroom temperatures to unbearable levels, leaving pupils and teachers scrambling…

The Guardian

Spain races to contain blazes before temperatures rise

Dawn

Spain races to contain blazes before temperatures rise

Spain faces two crucial days to bring raging wildfires under control before weather conditions worsen, authorities said on Monday, as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on his citizens to “exercise extreme caution” ahead of a new…

Dawn

Fossilised wood shows piece of Europe sank 5 km and heated to 240°C

Fossilised wood shows piece of Europe sank 5 km and heated to 240°C

Fossilized wood offers a new geological archive for Earth scientists. This ancient material records continental shifts and extreme underground temperatures. Researchers found parts of central Europe were buried deeply, reaching high…

Thousands head to Bragança for Portugal’s 26 seconds of total eclipse

Portugal Resident