Too many people, not enough management: A look at the chaos of ‘overtourism’ in the summer of 2024
– Issue of “overtourism” in popular destinations in 2024 as global tourism numbers surpassed pre-pandemic levels. – Places like Sintra, Portugal saw extremely high visitor numbers that overwhelmed local infrastructure and made life difficult for residents. Traffic jams, lack of basic services, and crowded attractions are some of the impacts described. – The influx of […]
One of Earth’s Continents Is Rising Up, And The Effects Could Be Huge
– Antarctica is rising as it sheds glacial ice weight, in a process called post-glacial uplift. This is allowing the continent to literally rise from the ocean like an expanding sponge. – New research finds Antarctica’s uplift is occurring faster than expected, in decades rather than millennia, due to the soft, squishy mantle rock beneath […]
Iran says it will not take ‘hasty action’ against Israel for killing of Hamas political leader
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson said Iran will not take “hasty action” in response to Israel killing Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month. The IRGC spokesperson said time is on Iran’s side and their response may be prolonged, instead of an immediate reaction. This suggests Iran is taking a less confrontational […]
Iran shuts down the last language institute recognized by the German Embassy
Iran shut down the last language institute in Tehran that was recognized by the German embassy. This was seen as retaliation for Germany shutting down an Islamic center in Hamburg that it accused of being an outpost of Iran’s leadership. The Iranian institute, called the Institute For Teaching German Language, had been operating in Tehran […]
China is rapidly building an unusual assault ship with an apparent catapult system for launching aircraft, but its purpose is still a mystery
– China is building a new type of amphibious assault ship known as the Type 076 or Yulan-class. – Satellite images show rapid construction progress at a shipyard in Shanghai. The ship will be much larger than China’s previous Type 075 assault ships. – Notably, the Type 076 appears to have a catapult launch system […]
Space Station Astronaut Starts Mixing Cement for Future Moon Base
– NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick has begun an experiment on the International Space Station to study how microgravity affects cement mixing. – He mixed together a simulated version of lunar soil, other unnamed materials, and a liquid cement solution inside sealed bags. This was done to test building methods for a future Moon base. – […]
Police, Shin Bet said to believe Iran, Hezbollah may be behind failed Tel Aviv attack
– There was an attempted attack in Tel Aviv, Israel on Thursday where three Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli police after they opened fire on a busy street. – Israeli police and Shin Bet security services believe that the attack may have been directed by Iran and carried out by Iran and Hezbollah operatives. […]
Space photo of the week: James Webb telescope catches baby stars roaring to life
– The James Webb Space Telescope captured a new image of the Serpens Nebula, a star-forming region 1,300 light-years away. – The image reveals baby stars in the nebula “roaring to life” for the first time. JWST’s infrared capabilities allow it to see through dust and gas clouds. – Red streaks in the image are […]
Researchers Decipher Ominous Warnings Carved on 4,000-Year-Old Tablets
– Researchers have deciphered text from four ancient Mesopotamian tablets dated around 4000 years old belonging to the former people of Mesopotamia. – The tablets were discovered over 100 years ago in what is now Iraq, and were stored in the British Museum. They have now been translated. – The tablets contain ominous prophecies and […]
The Observer view on the Middle East crisis: Iran and Israel risk sparking all-out conflict
ongoing crisis and conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza. Israel recently carried out a major offensive in Gaza that left over 40,000 Palestinians dead, according to officials. Israel says it has killed 14,000 Hamas operatives but accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields. A polio case in Gaza underscores the humanitarian crisis. […]