News
April 9, 2024
Russian geologists were offered to change their homeland. The celebration of Geologist's Day turned out to be unconventional (it was celebrated on April 7) for a number of Russian scientists from this field. It was marked by their refusal to go to the International Geological Congress (IGC) in South Korea under a neutral flag.
April 4, 2024
Demand for critical minerals puts African great apes at risk. One-third of Africa’s great ape population faces risks related to mining. A recent study led by researchers from the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and the non-profit conservation organization Re:wild shows that the threat of mining to the great ape population in Africa has been greatly underestimated. Their results have been published in Science Advances.
April 3, 2024
A new White House policy instructs NASA to develop a strategy for a new time standard for use on cislunar missions to provide improved navigation and related services on and around the moon. The Policy on Celestial Time Standardization in Support of the National Cislunar Science and Technology Strategy, released by the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy April 2, directs NASA to develop a strategy by the end of 20
March 25, 2024
Russia has sent a demarche to the United States over its decision to unilaterally extend its continental shelf, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
March 24, 2023
No 'human era' in Earth's geological history, scientists say. A top panel of geologists has decided not to grant the 'human age' its own distinct place in Earth's geological timeline after disagreeing over when exactly our era might have begun.
After 15 years of deliberation, a team of scientists made the case that humankind has so fundamentally altered the natural world that a new phase of Earth's existence—a new epoch—has already begun.
March 22, 2024
The UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted a landmark resolution on the promotion of “safe, secure and trustworthy” artificial intelligence (AI) systems that will also benefit sustainable development for all.
Adopting a United States-led draft resolution without a vote, the Assembly also highlighted the respect, protection and promotion of human rights in the design, development, deployment and the use of AI.
The text was “co-sponsored” or backed by more than 120 other Member States.
March 18, 2023
Saudi Aramco CEO says energy transition is failing, world should abandon ‘fantasy’ of phasing out oil. Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser said Monday that the energy transition is failing and policymakers should abandon the “fantasy” of phasing out oil and gas, as demand for fossil fuels is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
March 15, 2024
Shell waters down emissions cut pledge despite crucial climate decade. Energy company now says it aims for 15-20 % reduction by 2030, rather than previous target of 20 %. The energy company Shell has watered down a key green target as it prepares to defy climate experts by growing its liquified natural gas business and holding its oil production steady until 2030.
March 13, 2024
Artificial Intelligence Act: MEPs adopt landmark law.
March 10, 2024
Not such a bright idea: cooling the Earth by reflecting sunlight back to space is a dangerous distraction. The United Nations Environment Assembly this week considered a resolution on solar radiation modification, which refers to controversial technologies intended to mask the heating effect of greenhouse gases by reflecting some sunlight back to space.