Al-Mahra, Yemen (AFP) June 21, 2021 Surrounded in mystery and tales of demons, the Well of Barhout in Yemen’s east – known as the “Well of Hell” – is a little-understood natural wonder. Closer to the border with Oman than to the capital Sanaa 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) away, the giant hole in the desert of Al-Mahra province is 30 metres wide and thought to … Continue reading Danger and demons: Yemen’s mysterious ‘Well of Hell’

Paris (AFP) June 23, 2021 Climate change will fundamentally reshape life on Earth in the coming decades, even if humans can tame planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, according to a landmark draft report from the UN’s climate science advisors obtained by AFP. Species extinction, more widespread disease, unliveable heat, ecosystem collapse, cities menaced by rising seas – these and other devastating climate impachttp://dlvr.it/S2Gykp Continue reading Crushing climate impacts to hit sooner than feared: draft UN report

Brazzaville (AFP) June 21, 2021 Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday agreed in principle to a restructuring of Congo’s vast debts, an issue which was blocking negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, a minister said. Congolese Finance Minister Rigobert Roger Andely said President Denis Sassou Nguesso had “raised the problem” in a telephone call with Xi, “proposing a second restructuring” of the debt. “Presihttp://dlvr.it/S2CSPd Continue reading Congo, China agree debt restructuring

Luxembourg (AFP) June 21, 2021 The EU on Monday added eight officials from Myanmar’s junta and three firms linked to the military to its sanctions blacklist over the country’s February coup and bloody repression of protests. Those targeted with asset freezes and visa bans included the interior, security, finance, natural resources and transport ministers, according to listings published in the EU’s official journal.http://dlvr.it/S2CSDJ Continue reading EU slaps fresh sanctions on Myanmar junta; As Russia bolsters ties

“What’s the real cost of getting everything delivered to your door? Small businesses and third-party sellers are getting killed,” said Jason Boyce, CEO and founder of Avenue7Media.” As consumers in a free country, we have to ask ourselves whether one company with the power of Amazon is good for American consumers and small businesses.”http://dlvr.it/S2B6ld Continue reading Sellers: Beware of Amazon’s Marketing Manners

Montreal, Canada (SPX) Jun 18, 2021 Forest fires have crept higher up mountains over the past few decades, scorching areas previously too wet to burn, according to researchers from McGill University. As wildfires advance uphill, a staggering 11% of all Western U.S. forests are now at risk. “Climate change and drought conditions in the West are drying out high-elevation forests, making them particularly susceptible to … Continue reading Mountain fires burning higher at unprecedented rates

United Nations, United States (AFP) June 18, 2021 The UN General Assembly on Friday took the rare step of calling on member states to “prevent the flow of arms” into Myanmar, part of a non-binding resolution condemning the military coup in the violence-wracked country. The resolution – which did not go so far as to call for a global arms embargo – also demands that … Continue reading UN calls for member states to ‘prevent the flow of arms’ into Myanmar

Consumers will spend more money shopping online this summer in response to ads they see on social media if deals are offered by vendors. Shoppers also are more receptive to chat commerce, a potential new trend. New research by Smartly.io, a social advertising automation platform for creative and performance marketers, underscores the role social media plays in influencing shoppers in a world changed by the … Continue reading Social Media Ads, Chat Apps Pegged to Power Summer Sales

Colombo (AFP) June 18, 2021 More dead turtles washed up on Sri Lankan beaches Friday, underscoring the environmental blight caused by a container ship fire off the country’s coast. The Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl was carrying hundreds of tonnes of chemicals and plastics when it caught fire last month, before burning for two weeks. Since June 2 its wreckage has been partially submerged off the … Continue reading Wildlife deaths blamed on ship disaster mount in Sri Lanka

New York NY (SPX) Jun 18, 2021 Geologic activity on Earth appears to follow a 27.5-million-year cycle, giving the planet a “pulse,” according to a new study published in the journal Geoscience Frontiers. “Many geologists believe that geological events are random over time. But our study provides statistical evidence for a common cycle, suggesting that these geologic events are correlated and not random,” said Michael … Continue reading The Earth has 27.5-million-year cycle of geological activity