Nuclear weapons

T his is a book about "the most important process on the planet": photosynthesis. Plants grow by "eating the sun", trapping its energy and using hydrogen from water and carbon from air to produce flowers, fruit and seeds. The "scrap of sunlight" converted into organic matter by the world's plants each day is equivalent to the energy in the global arsenal of nuclear weapons. But, by releasing the energy locked away some 300m years ago in fossil fuels, we have upset the delicate balance of the carbon cycle and made "the atmosphere itself as artificial as a Capability Brown landscape". From molecules to the planetary scale, Morton's beautifully written book reveals how life is made from light. The living landscapes we inhabit are shaped by photosynthesis, and Morton's sense of wonder at the pervasive influence of this process is nowhere stronger than while walking across the South Downs near his home: "It's grassland like this, more than any other habitat, that gives us both homes and … [Read more...] about Eating the Sun by Oliver Morton

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered his military to expand its combat exercises and strengthen war preparedness as he looks to escalate an already provocative run in weapons demonstrations in the face of deepening tensions with its neighbors and Washington. Kim presided over a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Central Military Commission on Monday and encouraged the armed forces to perform “ever-victorious feats” and display “matchless military strength” to open a new phase in development, the country’s official Korean Central News Agency reported Tuesday. The meeting came amid signs North Korea is planning a military parade that may be an occasion to showcase the latest hardware from his growing nuclear weapons and missile program that’s brewing concern for the United States and its allies in Asia. The commission’s members, who represent Kim’s top military brass, discussed a series of tasks aimed at inducing “great change” in the … [Read more...] about N. Korean leader orders military to improve war readiness

The UN secretary-general has warned the world could be facing further conflict - as North Korea steps up its preparedness. As the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches, Antonio Guterres said he fears the world is "sleepwalking into a wider war" with its "eyes wide open". He pointed to the war in Ukraine as having undermined global solidarity and trust, and urged all countries to recommit to the UN Charter, which calls for the peaceful settlement of disputes. After experts set the Doomsday Clock at 90 seconds to midnight - the closest it has ever been to "global catastrophe" - Mr Guterres urged the general assembly's 193 member nations to change their mindset to decision-making and look at "what will happen to all of us tomorrow - and act". This is instead of near-term thinking, which he called "irresponsible" and "immoral". "The so-called 'tactical' use of nuclear weapons is absurd," he said, calling for nuclear-armed countries to renounce the … [Read more...] about UN chief fears world ‘sleepwalking into wider war’ – as North Korea steps up preparedness

Vladimir Putin ’s “mistress” has saluted his war propagandists who regularly threaten nuclear war as being as important as Kalashnikov machine guns. Russians are engaged in a “fight for our country” almost a year after his disastrous invasion of Ukraine , warned Alina Kabaeva, 39. An Olympic gold-winning rhythmic gymnast who is believed to share a secret family with the dictator, 70, she normally shuns the limelight. But wearing what appeared to be a wedding ring plus a prominent Z-badge, symbol of Russia ’s bloody war, she spoke at a Moscow event marking the founding of strongly pro-Putin National Media Group [NMG], which she nominally heads. “Let’s wish success to every one of us, and to all of us together,” said Kabaeva, who is Russia’s undisclosed first lady. Alina Kabaeva, chair of Russia's National Media Group (NMG), at the group's 15th anniversary commemoration in Moscow, Russia ( Image: Izvestia/TV5) “Our people need this success. Because information … [Read more...] about Vladimir Putin’s rumoured lover hails Russia’s war in Ukraine in rare public appearance

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich suggested Monday while on Fox News that President Joe Biden is simply a “suggester in chief” after the military allegedly shot down Biden’s request to down the Chinese spy balloon. The Biden administration shot down the Chinese spy balloon Saturday after it spent several days moving eastward over highly sensitive sites. The balloon was spotted above Montana , which is home to the Malmstrom Air Force Base, where Minuteman III nuclear missiles are kept. The balloon was first detected on Jan. 28 as it floated over Alaska before making its way through Canada and eventually back over the continental U.S. Biden was informed of the balloon on Tuesday and subsequently ordered the Pentagon to take down the balloon as soon as it was safe. The Pentagon said taking the balloon down posed a risk to those on the ground, prompting officials to wait until the balloon was over the water. Gingrich criticized Biden’s response. “First of all, … [Read more...] about ‘Suggester In Chief’: Gingrich Says Military Ignored Biden’s Request To Shoot Down Spy Balloon

The Call of Duty: Warzone 2 Season 1 Reloaded is dropping real soon, in what will be the title's first big content update since launch, and the patch notes are here already. The Call of Duty: Warzone 2 mid-season update is bringing some big changes with it, with our personaly highlight being the nerfing of AI in Strongholds and Black Sites. Of course, there's been some weapon rebalancing, which will undoubtedly flip the current Warzone 2.0 loadout meta on its head. And in keeping with the World Cup 2022 theme that saw three limited-time Operator Bundles, a new event-exclusive Mini Royale mode is on the way dubbed Warzone Cup. There are also two new Operators – one of which has a very festive name – and a new weapon. Here's everything you need to know about the Call of Duty : Warzone 2.0 Season 1 Reloaded mid-season update. Warzone 2.0 Season 1 Reloaded release time Activision has confirmed that the Call of Duty Warzone 2 Season 1 Reloaded mid-season update will be … [Read more...] about Warzone 2 Season 1 Reloaded patch notes and all the big gameplay changes

It’s one of the most popular gaming franchises around, and now Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Season 2 is finally launching today. Season 2 officially launches on PlayStation 4 , Xbox One and PC today, bringing with it a new Battle Pass, modes, free maps and lots of other content. Activision explained: “In Season Two, Al-Qatala agents have stolen a Soviet nuclear warhead and smuggled it into the city of Verdansk. “Combined with previously obtained chemical gas, Al-Qatala is determined to cut off Verdansk from the rest of the world. “On the brink of a global catastrophe, Captain Price sends in Ghost to track down the location of the warhead and lead key Operators before it’s too late.” While the exact launch time is yet to be announced, typically this type of update lands at around 18:00 GMT. New Maps Season 2 includes new battlegrounds for classic Multiplayer, Ground War and Gunfight game mode. Activision said: “Each map has its own distinct look and feel for a … [Read more...] about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Season 2 launches today – here’s what to expect

After months of anticipation, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Season 2 has finally gone live. Season 2 has officially launched on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC today, bringing with it a new Battle Pass, modes, free maps and lots of other content. Activision explained: “In Season Two, Al-Qatala agents have stolen a Soviet nuclear warhead and smuggled it into the city of Verdansk. “Combined with previously obtained chemical gas, Al-Qatala is determined to cut off Verdansk from the rest of the world. “On the brink of a global catastrophe, Captain Price sends in Ghost to track down the location of the warhead and lead key Operators before it’s too late.” While Season 2 is now live, many fans have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations at the huge download size. One user tweeted: “Yeah. As soon as my 6 hour download finishes…” while another added: “You guys literally could’ve dropped a whole new game with how big the update is.” Meanwhile, another wrote: … [Read more...] about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Season 2 is here – but fans are struggling to download it