Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Dozens of children drown in India during Hindu festival

admin — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 02:30:11 +0000

At least 46 people, most of them children, drowned in the eastern state of Bihar while bathing in rivers swollen by recent floods in observance of Jivitputrika Vrat.

At least 46 people have drowned, most of them children, while bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent floods, during the observance of a Hindu religious festival celebrated by millions in India.

The dead include 37 children and seven women who drowned in the eastern state of Bihar in scattered incidents across 15 districts, authorities said on Thursday.

UK weather: flood warnings in place as more heavy rain is forecast

admin — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 18:35:24 +0000

The south-east of England could also see lightning, winds of up to 50mph and even ‘isolated, brief tornadoes’

Parts of the UK have been hit by further flash floods and the Met Office has warned of more heavy rain throughout the evening and into Friday morning.

The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Torro) is also forecasting that much of the south-east of England could see lightning, winds up to 50mph and even “isolated brief tornadoes”. This includes much of East Anglia, the south-east Midlands and central southern England.

Grazing zooplankton severely impacted by nanoplastic particles

admin — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 17:19:59 +0000

Researchers have studied how nanoplastic affects aquatic organisms in lakes and rivers. The results are surprising and the researchers are the first to show that some species are being wiped out, while others -- such as cyanobacteria that contribute to algal blooms -- are completely unaffected.

Who lives in the treetops? DNA-collecting drone provides insights

admin — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 17:19:49 +0000

Squinting into the treetops won't reveal the tiny organisms up there. But these creatures leave clues, in the form of DNA, on the leaves and branches. Now, researchers report that they have developed a way to collect this genetic material: a drone with a specialized fabric probe. The team flew the drone above the rainforest and, based on DNA collected by the probe, identified the invertebrates in the canopy.

Hurricane Helene intensifies to category 4 storm as it approaches Florida

admin — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 12:52:44 +0000

Forecasters warn that storm, one of the most powerful to hit the US this year, could create a ‘nightmare’

Tell us: have you been affected by Hurricane Helene?

Hurricane Helene strengthened to a catastrophic category 4 storm as it barreled toward Florida’s Gulf coast, making it one of the most powerful storms to hit the US this year.

Revealed: how the fossil fuel industry helps spread anti-protest laws across the US

admin — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:00:16 +0000

Lobbyists and lawmakers have coordinated to enact new laws that increase criminal penalties for peaceful protests

Fossil fuel lobbyists coordinated with lawmakers behind the scenes and across state lines to push and shape laws that are escalating a crackdown on peaceful protests against oil and gas expansion, a new Guardian investigation reveals.

Great news, everybody! We’re about to be over-run by giant spiders | Nell Frizzell

admin — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:00:11 +0000

It’s that time of year when homes fill with hairy eight-legged monsters. At least they keep the flies under control …

Britain’s tropical rain and parched Amazon are new norms in a messed-up climate | Jonathan Watts

admin — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:57:46 +0000

On my return to the UK from Brazil I’ve seen how northern latitudes are behaving like the equatorial margins

Returning to British suburbia from the Brazilian Amazon is always disconcerting, but it has been doubly weird in the past few days because the London commuter belt has been inundated with volumes of rain that normally belong in the tropics.

‘Thrown like a rag doll’: British tourist narrowly survives hippo attack in Zambia

admin — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:49:45 +0000

Roland Cherry, from Warwickshire, sustained severe bite wounds after being mauled by animal during safari

A man narrowly survived after being dragged to the bottom of a river and “thrown through the air like a rag doll” when he was attacked by hippo while canoeing on holiday in Zambia.

Roland Cherry, who was on a five-week holiday through southern Africa with his wife, Shirley, sustained severe bite wounds across his body, including a 25cm (10in) wound to his abdomen, as well as a thigh injury and dislocated shoulder in the attack.

‘Chucky goes north’: Rochdale reacts to arrival of ‘creepy’ giant baby

admin — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:32:39 +0000

Lilly, an 8.5-metre tall puppet designed to help children talk about the environment, provokes mixed response

They say it is rude to comment on a baby’s appearance but that has not stopped the residents of Rochdale, who awoke on Wednesday to a “freaky” new arrival.

Lilly, an 8.5-metre tall puppet designed to help children talk about the environment, went on display in the town centre to a somewhat bewildered response.