A Quarter of Population Facing Water Crisis. It Gets Worse!
World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas says that a quarter of the world’s population is experiencing “extremely high-water stress” every year. Furthermore, an additional 1 billion people are anticipated to be impacted by the water crisis by 2050. The institute analyses its numbers every four years. “Extremely high-water crisis” means countries are utilizing practically all of the water they have. At least 80% of their renewable supply. Report At A Glance According to the study, the water crisis is highly severe in 25 nations. It consists of 25% of the world’s population. Particularly, Bahrain, Cyprus, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Oman are the five worst affected. These locations could be at risk of running out of water even during a brief drought. “Water is arguably our most important resource on the planet and yet we’re not managing it in a way that reflects that,” said Samantha Kuzma, Aqueduct data lead from WRI’s water program and a report author. Furthermore, people are at risk of experiencing water stress occasionally. The WRI estimates that by 2050, 60% population would be under extremely severe water stress. Even if temperature increases are kept to between 1.3C and 2.4C by 2100, an additional billion people will likely have to deal with significant water stress by that time. Increased Water Demand Some of the reasons like growing populations, the needs of businesses like agriculture, unsustainable water usage policies, and a lack of infrastructure investment contribute to increased water demand. These factors further fuel the water crisis. By the middle of the century, the whole population of the Middle East and North Africa would be under extremely high-water stress. This will have an impact on drinking water supplies, harm industry, and possibly ignite political unrest. According to the analysis, sub-Saharan Africa will experience the greatest change in water demand, which is expected to rise by 163% by the year 2050. With these increasing numbers, a water crisis is inevitable. Lakes Drying Up According to Fangfang Yao, a surface hydrologist at the University of Virginia and the study’s lead author, human consumption and climate change were responsible for 56% of the loss in natural lakes, with warming accounting for “the larger share of that.” The study discovered significant water loss even in humid places. Contrary to the prevalent belief of climate experts that wet areas will become wetter. Similarly, world’s desert parts will become drier as a result of climate change. They discovered that 53% of lakes showed a drop from 1992 to 2020 due to unsustainable human usage, changes in rainfall and runoff, sedimentation, and rising temperatures. A dwindling lake basin directly affects over 2 billion people, and recent shortages have been felt in many areas.
The Europe Economy Grows After Months of Being Stagnant
After months of slowdown, Europe’s economy has seen a tiny increase. But higher interest rates intended to combat inflation are casting a shadow. The economy makes it more costly for families and companies to borrow, invest, and spend money. After all, several economies are fearing a global recession. According to a study released on Monday by the EU statistics office Eurostat, the 346 million people living in the 20 countries that use the euro showed growth of 0.3% from April to June. These numbers are compared to the first three months of the year. The Europe economy kind of bounced back while a global recession was coming along. The country’s GDP saw a decline of 0.1% in the last 3 months of 2022 and later was stagnant for the first quarter of 2023. Separately, official figures revealed that this month’s total inflation rate continued to decline. In the eurozone, the consumer price index increased by 5.3%, down from 5.5% in June. The “Core Inflation” The bank predicts that GDP will remain flat for the remainder of the year. With annual growth capped at only 0.6%, partly due to a poor Chinese economy, and weakness in global manufacturing. Also, a fall in residential development is predicted. In 2024, it predicts that average growth will increase to 1%. The predictions for a global recession might just lessen soon. However, core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, remained at 5.5% in July. Furthermore, the inflation rate for services and unprocessed food increased slightly to 5.6% and 9.2%, respectively. The Europe economy, also called Eurozone, is a much broader outlook. “Today’s data broadly validates our near-term outlook, which anticipates very weak growth in H2, and a summer moderation in the pace of disinflation followed by a relatively sharp fall in Q4,” Oxford Economics said in a note on Monday. Ireland, which had the biggest growth rate in the eurozone of 3.3% shifted the overall figure. Ireland being the location of the headquarters of several huge worldwide corporations can be a reason behind this. Housing headquarters of tech giants like Meta, Google, and Apple, growth statistics frequently exhibit significant fluctuations. The Euro Zone Growth Germany, being the biggest of the Europe economy, suffered in the second quarter, achieving zero growth after two consecutive quarters. Germany dealt with rising energy prices brought on by Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. The economy of third-place Italy decreased by 0.3%. A positive development for Europe is that, despite recent heat waves and wildfires, travelers are expected to continue to head to the beach for their summer vacations in Greece, Spain, and Italy, supporting growth in the upcoming third quarter. The European Central Bank observed nine consecutive hikes when it increased the benchmark interest rate in the Eurozone. The Europe economy saw an increase in interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75% on Thursday. But ECB President Christine Lagarde told reporters that she was thinking about holding off on raising rates at the next meeting of the institution in September.
Hacking Legend Kevin David Dead At 59. What Was His Legacy?
Kevin David Mitnick, a pioneer in cybersecurity, social engineering, and hacking, passed away last week at the age of 59. According to his obituary, he died peacefully following a 14-month struggle with pancreatic cancer. Before becoming a well-known cybersecurity specialist, Mitnick, whom the US Justice Department labeled a “computer terrorist” during their search for him in the early 1990s, received two prison terms for hacking into computer networks in 1988 and 1999. According to Mitnick’s biography, his curiosity served as his main motivation. He stated: “All of this was really to satisfy my own curiosity, see what I could do, and find out secret information about operating systems, cell phones, and anything else that stirred my curiosity.” The Hacking Legend When Mitnick began his career as a hacker in 1979, he was just 12 years old. He was once imprisoned in 1988. In addition to his knowledge, he served as an inspiration for several hacking-related movies. When he figured out the paper transfer systems on the Los Angeles transit system in the 1970s, he became obsessed with systems and technology, and his understanding of social engineering was formed when he persuaded a helpful bus driver to tell him where to buy the necessary ticket punch. Kevin Mitnick allegedly never abused the data or information he obtained by hacking into some of the largest networks in the world. Mitnick regarded his hacking of the Northern American Defense Command (NORAD) in 1982 as one of his greatest accomplishments. The 1982 hacking incident was eventually turned into the well-known movie War Games. When he stole more than $1 million in software from Digital Equipment Corp. in his 20s, he significantly tangled with government investigators. Later, while still on probation, he broke into Pacific Bell Systems, turning himself into a wanted man. He would breach security at IBM, Nokia, and Motorola along the way. The Cyberspace Kevin Mitnick engaged in what the then-U.S. Attorney Christopher Painter referred to as a “countrywide hacking spree” in the mid-to late-1990s, getting into both government systems—possibly even NORAD and private companies like Sun Microsystems or Motorola. This binge, which resulted in 25 cybercrime charges and jail time when he was added to the FBI’s most-wanted list, gave rise to the “FREE KEVIN” campaign and, depending on how you look at it, further fueled his online notoriety or infamy.
Man’s Best Friend! Research: Dogs Have Genes To Cure Cancer!
The latest study identifies particular genes in dogs that hold the potential to cure cancer. The largest-ever genome sequencing research of canine tumors was carried out by a group from the Broad Institute at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, and the University of Georgia. To uncover the genetic abnormalities causing canine malignancies, the study, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports, analyzed tumor samples and real-world clinical genomic data from 671 domestic dogs diagnosed with cancer throughout the US. Analyzing Genetic Data Small molecule medications that have previously been licensed for use on cancer patients in humans can also target several of these hotspots. As a result, patients with canine cancer will have easier access to highly efficient precision therapies that can supplement or replace more conventional, one-size-fits-all treatment modalities like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. Furthermore, the genetic information from canine tumors can also hasten the creation of precise cancer treatments for people. Additionally, the results revealed several previously unknown mutation hotspots in canine malignancies. Proving their capacity to accurately determine whether a tumor is somatic or germline based only on tumor tissue. “This study provides the most comprehensive genomic sequencing data on canine cancers, including several previously unsequenced types, and serves as a much-needed resource for comparative oncology,” said Shaying Zhao, a professor at the University of Georgia and a co-author of the study. More than 42,000 genetic alterations from 671 dogs of 96 different breeds were analyzed by the researchers among 23 major tumor forms. Targeted Tumors The study’s researchers also found that canine malignancies and human tumors have eight mutational hotspots in oncogenes such as PIK3CA, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, KIT, and EGFR. The majority of the genetic hotspots in dogs may be treated with small-molecule therapies that are licensed for use in humans, and information on canine cancer can be utilized to expedite the development of novel cancer medications for humans.
Leave Tokyo And Get 1 Million: Exciting Offer, Japan But Why?
According to several local media sources, Japan intends to increase financial assistance to households that relocate outside of the capital to stop the country’s other regions from depopulating. Starting in the fiscal year 2023, eligible families in the Tokyo metropolitan region will be able to earn 1 million yen ($7,700) per child if they relocate to a low-income neighborhood, which is more than twice the previous incentive of 300,000 yen, according to the article. The financial incentives draw attention to the problems that Japan is having because of its high life expectancy and low birth rate. Young people are leaving rural areas in search of opportunities in cities, resulting in a significant decline in population and reduced tax revenue in the area. In addition to receiving a flat 1 million yen for relocation, families can also receive enhanced help for their kids. A household with two children could get 3 million yen in support under the new plan if they departed the Tokyo region. Why is Japan Attracting Population? According to government figures, Japan saw a record-breaking decline in population between 2020 and 21. From the present 125 million to a projected 88 million in 2065, the population is currently anticipated to decline by 30%. To draw residents to rural areas, Japan’s national government launched a program in 2019 that enables households that have resided in the central Tokyo metropolitan area for five years to apply for relocation assistance. Families have the option of continuing to work from home at their present employment, working at a nearby small or medium-sized business, or creating their own business in the neighborhood, all of which would qualify them for additional financial aid.
Russia Gives Green Light To Bill Banning “Gay Propaganda”
Just Passed Russian Law Bans “Gay Propaganda” Russia’s lower house of parliament has unanimously voted to extend its ban on so-called “gay propaganda”. Apparently, we are living in the 21st Century. Apparently the world has witnessed tons of revolutions and we stand together as the wise homo-sapiens of today. Apparently some parts of the world are still stuck somewhere in the past. Under the latest version of the law, any promotion of homosexuality – including in books, films, and online – is illegal and carries heavy penalties. After US Secretary of State Antony Blinken denounced it as a “blow to freedom of expression,” the law earned the moniker “Answer to Blinken.” Activists claim it is an additional effort to oppress the LGBT community in Russia. In Russia’s lower house, the Duma, it was adopted by 397 votes to 0 with no abstentions. When the contentious “gay propaganda” law was first introduced in 2013, it outlawed “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations,” which includes representations of same-sex partnerships, among children. Any positive portrayals of same-sex partnerships in media or advertising are categorized under the same heading as spreading pornography, encouraging violence, or escalating racial, ethnic, and religious conflicts. What Is The Bill? Any kind of positive LGBTQ representation- in the form of media (films, posters, campaigns, social media), or text (books, newspapers, research papers) will be banned straight away. This bill has already raised concerns for traditional Russian literature and publishers. Any discussions online about LGBTQ topics can be blocked and the sale of goods with LGBTQ slogans or symbols would also be prohibited Anyone who breaks the law will face a fine of up to 400,000 rubles ($6,600), while companies could have to pay up to 5 million rubles ($82,100). Foreigners and stateless people risk being imprisoned or expelled from Russia if they do not comply. The Response Human rights campaigners and LGBTQ groups have said the extension means that any act or public mention of the LGBTQ community is being criminalized. Kseniya Mikhailova of the Russia-based LGBT support group Vykhod (a play on words to mean “coming out”) said the original ban nine years ago triggered a wave of attacks on the gay community. Twitter users compared it to Florida’s “don’t say gay” bill in an analysis. Another raised their concerns by saying it is an “unbelievable” step for the “diverse” world we live in.
As Glaciers Melt, Pandemics Dangerous than Covid are Closer
Melting Glaciers Contain 15000 Virus Microbe, New Study We don’t need a reminder of how and what the pandemic of 2020 was. From online offices and schools to fighting for essential goods, to hospital entries. We were a part of a historical event that our future generations will read about and term us brave for surviving the biggest pandemic in the history of pandemics. Things have slowly but steadily started coming back to normal- not entirely as some places are still recording COVID-19 cases and putting restrictions in some regions. Experts now say that the next pandemic may have melting ice as a cause. New studies say that viruses and bacteria buried in glaciers may reawake and infect the wildlife around. Due to climate change, especially if their ranges move closer to the poles. This finding is not farfetched as just in 2016, an anthrax outbreak hit northern Siberia killing a child and infesting around 7 people. A heatwave that melted permafrost was what caused this outbreak and exposed the population to this virus which had its last outbreak in 1941. Glaciers all over the world are melting rapidly and intensely as global climate change intensifies. Genetic research on soil has discovered risks of viral spillover and viruses infecting new hosts. When a virus encounters a new host, it may infect it and spread chronically in this new host. This process is known as viral spillover. Virus JackPot? 33 viruses that were frozen for more than 15,000 years have been found by scientists examining glaciers, of which 28 are unique viruses that were previously unknown to humans. The recently discovered viruses were identified in a glacier in Tibet that is melting as a result of global warming. The novel genome sequences found in the frozen time capsule may provide insight into how these microorganisms have evolved over thousands of years and how the climate has altered. Nearly 22,000 feet above sea level in Tibet, the ice samples were taken from the summit of the Guliya ice cap. The current discovery may offer researchers enticing new insights into historical environmental changes since it is thought that the preserved viruses may have originated from soil or plants. “Glaciers potentially archive environmental conditions and microbes over tens to hundreds of thousands of years. Unfortunately, glaciers around the world, including those from Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas, are rapidly shrinking, primarily due to the warming of Earth’s ocean-atmosphere system,” researchers said.