Summer 2023 Officially Becomes the Hottest On Record
Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:30s - Published
Summer 2023 Officially Becomes the Hottest On Record
Summer 2023 , Officially Becomes the , Hottest On Record.
'The Independent' reports that the summer of 2023
has officially been confirmed as the "hottest summer
on record" experienced by the northern hemisphere.
According to scientists, August was
about 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit hotter
than in pre-industrial times.
.
Scientists from the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) said that August was the second-hottest
month ever, coming in just behind July of 2023.
.
'The Independent' reports that the record-setting
August came after a brutal summer that
shattered records across continents.
.
The dog days of summer are
not just barking, they are biting, Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary General, via 'The Independent'.
Climate breakdown has begun, Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary General, via 'The Independent'.
Both July and August come as warning signs that Earth
is rapidly approaching the threshold set by the 2015
Paris Agreement to minimize catastrophic warming.
According to the University of Maine’s
Climate Reanalyzer, September has continued
to set record highs for this time of year.
.
What we are observing, not only new
extremes but the persistence of these
record-breaking conditions, and the
impacts these have on both people
and planet, are a clear consequence
of the warming of the climate system, Carlo Buontempo, Copernicus Director, via 'The Independent'.
'The Independent' reports that several other records
have been broken in 2023, including the hottest-
ever temperature recorded in the world's oceans
World Leaders Ask Israel , Not to Retaliate for Iranian Attack.
On April 13, Iran launched hundreds
of drones and missiles at Israel.
The attack came after two Iranian
generals were killed in "a suspected
Israeli strike in Syria" on April 1, AP reports. .
99% of Iran's drones and missiles were intercepted by Israel, according to a military spokesperson. .
World leaders are cautioning
Israel to show restraint and resist
retaliating against Iran, AP reports. .
Now is the time to be smart
as well as tough, to think
with head as well as heart, David Cameron, British foreign secretary, via statement.
We cannot afford another front
in the Middle East. There would only
be losers, in the region and beyond, Alexander Schallenberg, Austria’s foreign minister, via statement.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Israel's ability to intercept Iran's attack "really impressive" and urged the country to "contribute to de-escalation.".
This is a success that perhaps also
should not be thrown away. Hence
also our advice to contribute to
de-escalation themselves, Olaf Scholz, German chancellor, via statement.
Kenya urges Israel to show utmost restraint
taking into account the urgent need for all
parties to walk away from the brink beyond
which recovery will be enormously difficult. , William Ruto, president of Kenya, via statement.
We have condemned, we have
intervened, we will do everything
to avoid an escalation, an inferno, Emmanuel Macron, president of France, via statement.
Now is the time to defuse
and de-escalate. Now is the
time for maximum restraint, António Guterres, U.N. secretary-general, via statement.
While on a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, President Joe Biden
also condemned a retaliatory strike, saying,
"You got a win. Take the win," a senior official said. .
While on a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, President Joe Biden
also condemned a retaliatory strike, saying,
"You got a win. Take the win," a senior official said.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
UN Issues 'Red Alert' , Regarding Global Warming , After Record Heat in 2023.
Al Jazeera reports that the United Nations' weather
agency has sounded a "red alert" regarding global
warming, citing a number of different factors.
Those factors include record-breaking levels of
greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, as well as
record-high temperatures on both land and sea.
Those factors include record-breaking levels of
greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, as well as
record-high temperatures on both land and sea.
The U.N.'s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns there is a "high probability" that 2024 will continue to break high-temperature records. .
The same March 19 report warned
that the world's efforts to reverse
global warming have proven to be inadequate.
Never have we been so close –
albeit on a temporary basis at
the moment – to the 1.5C lower
limit of the Paris Agreement
on climate change. , Celeste Saulo, World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) secretary-general, via Al Jazeera.
The WMO community
is sounding the red
alert to the world, Celeste Saulo, World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) secretary-general, via Al Jazeera.
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate
Change Service, the world has already exceeded the
1.5 degree Celsius limit set by the Paris Agreement.
Earth’s issuing a distress call, Antonio Guterres, U.N. Secretary-General, via Al Jazeera.
The latest State of the Global
Climate report shows a planet
on the brink. Fossil fuel pollution is
sending climate chaos off the charts, Antonio Guterres, U.N. Secretary-General, via Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera reports that the news comes as experts
and government representatives are set to meet in
Copenhagen to push for greater global climate actions. .
Al Jazeera reports that the news comes as experts
and government representatives are set to meet in
Copenhagen to push for greater global climate actions.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
McDonald's Posts , Disappointing Q1 Results , Amid Ongoing Boycotts.
'The Independent' reports that McDonald's posted weaker-
than-expected results in the first quarter of 2024, as a result
of a boycott over the company's perceived support for Israel. .
'The Independent' reports that McDonald's posted weaker-
than-expected results in the first quarter of 2024, as a result
of a boycott over the company's perceived support for Israel. .
According to McDonald's, higher sales in the
United States helped the fast-food giant overcome
weakness in markets where the brand is being boycotted.
According to McDonald's, higher sales in the
United States helped the fast-food giant overcome
weakness in markets where the brand is being boycotted.
The company saw same-store sales rise by
1.9% worldwide between January and March,
below the Wall Street forecast of 2.1%.
Increased menu pricing and delivery demand
saw same-store sales in the U.S. increase by 2.5%.
In international markets, sales fell
by 0.2% for the first time since 2020.
Despite this, McDonald's said the company's revenue
increased 5% to reach $6.17 billion, while net income went
up 7% to $1.93 billion, in-line with Wall Street estimates.
'The Independent' reports that Muslim-majority
markets like Indonesia, Malaysia and the Middle East
have been boycotting McDonald's for months.
The boycotts started after a McDonald's franchise in
Israel announced in October that it would provide free
meals for Israeli troops amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
In the months since then, the company has tried to limit
the fallout by taking over all 225 McDonald's in the country
with the purchase of Alyonal Limited, its Israeli franchise.
Our hearts remain with
the communities and families
impacted by the war in the Middle East.
We abhor violence of any kind and
firmly stand against hate speech,
and we will always proudly
open our doors to everyone, McDonald's statement, via 'The Indepndent'.
Our hearts remain with
the communities and families
impacted by the war in the Middle East.
We abhor violence of any kind and
firmly stand against hate speech,
and we will always proudly
open our doors to everyone, McDonald's statement, via 'The Indepndent'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Negotiations on Global Treaty , to End Plastic Pollution , Reach Critical Phase .
'The Independent' reports that negotiators from around
the world have met to discuss what could become
a global treaty meant to end plastic pollution. .
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on
Plastic Pollution has begun agreeing on treaty language
at their fourth of five scheduled plastics summits.
The most ambitious and contentious
idea revolves around limiting how much
plastic can be manufactured globally.
As most plastics are made from fossil fuels
and chemicals, oil and gas exporters
have strongly objected to the limitations, along
with plastic-producing countries and companies.
According to Stewart Harris, an industry spokesperson
with the International Council of Chemical Associations,
the treaty also focuses on recycling and reuse. .
We want to see the treaty
completed. We want to work
with the governments on
implementing it. The private
sector has a role to play, Stewart Harris, an industry spokesperson
with the International Council of Chemical
Associations, via 'The Independent'.
'The Independent' reports that the Scientists’
Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty provided
scientific evidence on plastic pollution at
the negotiations.
I heard yesterday that there’s
no data on microplastics,
which is verifiably false:
21,000 publications on micro and
nanoplastics have been published, Bethanie Carney Almroth, an ecotoxicology professor at Sweden's University of Gothenburg who co-leads the coalition, via 'The Independent'.
Ecuador's chief negotiator, Walter Schuldt stressed that
countries present at the negotiation share a common
vision of moving forward in the treaty process.
Because at the end of the day,
we’re talking about the survival
of the future of life, not only
of human life but all sorts
of life on this planet, Walter Schuldt, Ecuador's chief
negotiator, via 'The Independent'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
A group representing the fired
workers said the total number of staff
terminated for protesting is now over 50. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
Last week, workers held sit-in
protests at Google's offices in both
New York and Sunnyvale, California.
The protests were organized by the group
No Tech For Apartheid, who said that 30 workers
were fired following the initial sit-in. .
According to Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for
No Tech For Apartheid, Google has now fired
"over 20" more workers, “including non-participating
bystanders during last week’s protests.”.
Google’s aims are clear:
the corporation is attempting
to quash dissent, silence
its workers, and reassert
its power over them, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
Google has disputed the group's claims,
stressing that the company carefully found that, “every single one of those whose employment
was terminated was personally and definitively
involved in disruptive activity inside our buildings.”
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Upcoming , Lyrid Meteor Shower , May Be Hard to See.
'The Independent' reports that skywatchers
looking to catch the Lyrid meteor shower
may be foiled by the moon. .
This year's peak activity occurs
on April 21 and 22, with up to
20 meteors expected per hour. .
Potential viewing should
last through April 29. .
However, the American Meteor Society
warns that strong moonlight
may interfere with viewing. .
Every year, multiple meteor showers
occur and don't require special
equipment to see them. .
For the most part, meteor showers originate
from debris left behind by comets, like the Lyrids,
which come from the comet Thatcher. .
As these space rocks enter the Earth's atmosphere,
air resistance makes them extremely hot,
which causes the air around them to glow.
This glow leaves a fiery trail behind
the meteor, which can be observed
from the ground as a "shooting star.".
Look to the northeast and just
keep staring at the same spot
in the sky. It's always impressive
when you see these things, Don Pollacco, University of Warwick
astronomer, via 'The Independent'.
The Lyrids are best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere,
while the upcoming Eta Aquarids meteor shower
can best be seen from the Southern Hemisphere.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion , Investment in Leading , UAE Technology Firm.
Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion , Investment in Leading , UAE Technology Firm.
'The Independent' reports that Microsoft has announced
a $1.5 billion investment in a leading United Arab
Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm. .
'The Independent' reports that Microsoft has announced
a $1.5 billion investment in a leading United Arab
Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm. .
The deal, overseen by the UAE's powerful national security
adviser, will see Microsoft president Brad Smith join
technology holding company G42's board of directors.
The deal, overseen by the UAE's powerful national security
adviser, will see Microsoft president Brad Smith join
technology holding company G42's board of directors.
The UAE's national security adviser,
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the
current chairman of G42's board of directors. .
In a statement released on April 16, Microsoft
said the deal “was developed in close consultation
with both the UAE and U.S. governments.”.
In a statement released on April 16, Microsoft
said the deal “was developed in close consultation
with both the UAE and U.S. governments.”.
G42, which runs data centers in the Middle East
and elsewhere, has built the world's leading
Arabic-language AI model, Jais. .
According to Microsoft, G42 will move its
AI applications and services over to the U.S.
tech giant's cloud computing platform. .
According to Microsoft, G42 will move its
AI applications and services over to the U.S.
tech giant's cloud computing platform. .
The deal will also look to bring digital infrastructure
to regions that G42 has already established
a presence, including the Middle East and Africa.
'The Independent' reports that G42 previously cut ties with
Chinese hardware suppliers to limit U.S. concerns that
the company was closely tied to the Chinese government.
'The Independent' reports that G42 previously cut ties with
Chinese hardware suppliers to limit U.S. concerns that
the company was closely tied to the Chinese government.
Prior to Microsoft's investment, the company
reportedly faced allegations of spying for its
connection to a mobile phone app identified as spyware.
The tech company also faced accusations
that it gathered genetic material from
U.S. users for the Chinese government. .
The tech company also faced accusations
that it gathered genetic material from
U.S. users for the Chinese government.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
'Devil Comet', May Join Solar Eclipse in , Rare Synchronized Celestial Event.
'Devil Comet', May Join Solar Eclipse in , Rare Synchronized Celestial Event.
NBC reports that a "devil comet" may
be visible during next month's highly
anticipated North American solar eclipse.
So-called "devil comets" are known for
occasional explosive outbursts, which give
the celestial objects their unique appearance.
Last year, an eruption on Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks
left it with two trails of gas and ice, which
give the appearance of devil horns. .
The unique comet is currently
visible in the early evenings from the
Northern Hemisphere on the west-northwest
horizon with the aid of binoculars or telescopes.
The comet is expected to brighten throughout the
month, until it becomes visible to the naked eye as it
reaches its closest point to the sun around mid-April.
NBC reports that the "devil comet" could be visible
during the upcoming April 8 total solar eclipse
if the comet flares significantly in the coming weeks. .
Those in the eclipse's path of totality,
from Texas to Maine, could be treated
to a rare synchronized celestial event. .
The comet was first observed by French
astronomer Jean-Louis Pons in 1812. .
In 1883, British-American astronomer
William Brooks became the second
to spot the rare celestial object.
NBC reports that Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks
orbit around the sun takes 71 years, making
sightings of the comet a truly rare occurrence.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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