Month: June 2022
detecting pesky moths using spy technology
The established approach to detecting insect pests, moths in particular, is to employ pheromone-baited sticky traps. Pheromones are chemicals which animals use to communicate and especially to attract members of the opposite sex. An appropriately baited sticky trap gives a fair idea of the number and type of pests around, but not with sufficient detail
American Recession
Not long ago recessions seemed to strike America roughly once a decade. But only two years after the first lockdowns, the business cycle is turning at a sickening speed and another one already seems to be on its way. America’s next recession will almost certainly be milder and more pedestrian. But because the world economy,
Acute Energy Shock in Europe
Prices of oil and natural gas had already been rising before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; the war sent them soaring higher still. These price rises have played a much bigger role in pushing up consumer-price inflation in Europe than in America, where stimulus has also been a culprit. Energy prices in the euro area which
Xenophobic turns in south Africa
Xenophobic locals occasionally attacked immigrants in the 1990s in poor urban areas like Alexandra, and there was more widespread violence against foreigners in 2008. In general, however, South African politicians have refrained from inciting such horrors. Unfortunately, that is changing. Today politicians from several parties are vying to see who can blame immigrants most loudly
Seizing Russia Assets
America and Europe have frozen Russia’s currency reserves held in Western banks. On June 3rd the European Union joined America and Britain in placing a partial embargo on Russia’s oil exports, and also cut off Sberbank, its largest lender, from the swift interbank messaging system. A motley crew of oligarchs and their toys have been
Australian methane emissions massively
The amount of greenhouse gas leaking from Australian coal mines has been hugely under-reported, And unless quick action is taken, it could prevent the country from reaching its emission reduction targets. Australia’s new government has pledged to cut emissions faster than its predecessor, but it has not ruled out supporting new coal mines. Reducing emissions
The Qatar -Gulf’s killer heat
Across the Gulf, extreme heat is affecting ever more people, especially millions of migrant workers who go there to support their families back home. Temperatures that go above 50C, thanks to climate change, can leave workers with life-altering illnesses including heart failure. Migrant workers who have complained about labour laws being broken have been jailed.
Microplastics in fresh Antarctic snow
Scientists have for the first time found microplastics in freshly fallen Antarctic snow. Microplastics stem from the erosion of plastic materials and are smaller than a grain of rice – sometimes even invisible to the naked eye. They identified 13 different types of plastics and the most common was polyethylene terephthalate (PET), mostly used in
Tackling Musk Bitcoin scam streams
YouTube is being criticised for failing to tackle a network of cyber-criminals streaming fake Elon Musk videos to scam viewers. The criminals are hijacking YouTube accounts and using the videos to promote bogus cryptocurrency giveaways. On Tuesday, Elon Musk said YouTube was not tackling “scam ads”. YouTube says it removes channels that are reported. For
Two British soldiers captured by Russian forces
Two British soldiers captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine have been sentenced to death by pro-Moscow rebels. Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, were convicted of taking action towards violent seizure of power at a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. Britain argues the men are members of the Ukrainian army