Tanker carrying 1 million barrels of oil hit by explosion off Libya
An oil tanker carrying one million barrels of crude oil exploded near the Libyan coast, Bloomberg reported on 30 June....
A satellite developed by British scientists and engineers is poised to become the world’s first to capture three-dimensional measurements of Earth’s forests from space.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully launched its Biomass Earth observation mission from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
Less than an hour after launch, Biomass separated from the rocket’s upper stage. At 12:28 CEST, the satellite controllers at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre in Germany received the all-important first signal, relayed via the Troll ground station in Antarctica, that Biomass is working as expected in orbit.
“With Biomass, we are poised to gain vital new data on how much carbon is stored in the world’s forests, helping to fill key gaps in our knowledge of the carbon cycle and, ultimately, Earth's climate system,” - said ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Simonetta Cheli.
A major challenge for scientists and policymakers is the lack of accurate data on how much carbon forests store and how these stocks are changing owing to factors such as rising temperatures, increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, and human-driven land-use changes.
The mission is designed to deepen understanding of the world’s forests and their role in the carbon cycle. Using cutting-edge radar technology, the satellite will provide unprecedented insights into forest structure, including their size, biomass, and areas affected by deforestation.
This groundbreaking work is expected to be vital in tracking changes in tropical forests, supplying essential data to better comprehend the global carbon cycle and inform climate change strategies.
With this regard, UK Minister for Space Sir Chris Bryant said: "Britain is not only stepping to the forefront of the space industry, but of global climate action too. Contributing to such great extent to a European mission set to deliver vital global results is testament to the UK’s industrial and academic expertise in space technology and will attract global investment into our vibrant space ecosystem, helping us boost growth and deliver our Plan for Change."
The concept was conceived in Yorkshire, at the University of Sheffield by Professor Shaun Quegan, working with the National Centre for Earth Observation in Leicester. Other academics from the University of Edinburgh and UCL have brought modelling and data assimilation expertise to the application of Biomass data.
Since 2016 the UK has won almost £77 million in contracts for Biomass through its membership of ESA.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
A malfunction in the radar transmission system at the Area Control Center in Milan suspended more than 300 flights at the weekend, across northwest Italy since Saturday evening according to Italy's air traffic controller Enav (National Agency for Flight Assistance).
Thousands of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign as political and economic tensions mount.
The Russian government has approved the creation of the Black Sea State Nature Biosphere Reserve, according to a decree published Sunday on the government’s official website. Black Sea Biosphere Reserve is the largest nature reserve in Ukraine which is now under Russian occupation.
Over a third of Tuvalu's population has applied for Australia's climate visa, as rising sea levels threaten to submerge the Pacific nation within decades.
Heatwaves gripping Europe have pushed temperatures above 40°C, fueling wildfires and triggering weather alerts across several countries.
Greek firefighters are battling a large wildfire south of Athens as the country faces its first major heat wave of the summer, with temperatures nearing 40°C and strong winds fuelling the flames.
China has surpassed its 2030 renewable energy target six years ahead of schedule and now leads the world in clean energy investment, innovation, and deployment, transforming itself into a global powerhouse in the transition to a sustainable energy future.
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