What Are FFP2 Masks, Mandatory in Some European Countries?
FFP stands for "filtering face piece." It is a European standard for mask efficiency, ranging from one, the lowest grade, to three, the highest. The Economist adds: FFP2 masks filter at least 94% of all aerosols, including airborne viruses such as co.....»»
Contentious COP29 deal casts doubt over climate plans
A bitterly-fought climate finance deal reached at COP29 risks weakening emissions-cutting plans from developing countries, observers say, further raising the stakes for new national commitments due early next year......»»
Air pollution from fires linked to 1.5 million deaths a year
Air pollution caused by fires is linked to more than 1.5 million deaths a year worldwide, the vast majority occurring in developing countries, a major new study said on Thursday......»»
Fossil fuel supply: The elephant in the room at climate change conferences
"Natural resources … are a gift from God. Every natural resource, whether it's oil, gas, wind, sun, gold, silver, copper, they are all natural resources. Countries should not be blamed for having them, and should not be blamed for bringing these re.....»»
UN climate talks face a credibility crisis as countries disengage
In Baku, Azerbaijan, the so-called "finance COP" was a disappointment. Now, the UN's framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC) is facing a credibility crisis......»»
China experiences reduction in food system inequality and carbon footprint alongside economic development
Humans have persistent food needs that trigger considerable greenhouse gas emissions, varying significantly by region. However, the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint and inequality in the food system are not well assessed within countries......»»
Thailand to return nearly 1,000 trafficked lemurs, tortoises to Madagascar
Thailand is sending almost 1,000 highly endangered lemurs and tortoises back to their home in Madagascar, in what both countries called their biggest ever operation against wildlife trafficking......»»
COP29 Agreement Says Someone Should Pay to Help Developing Countries, but Not Who
Rich countries have agreed to pay developing nations $300 billion a year to help them with their climate actions—but the agreement doesn’t say who specifically should contribute or how......»»
Authorities disrupt major cybercrime operation, 1000+ suspects arrested
Authorities across 19 African countries have arrested 1,006 suspects and dismantled 134,089 malicious infrastructures and networks thanks to a joint operation by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL against cybercrime. Results of the operation (Source: INTERPOL) Ope.....»»
Apple ebooks antitrust investigation closed, likely because it was irrelevant
An Apple ebooks antitrust investigation being carried out by the European Union has been closed without reaching a conclusion. The EU says the probe ended is because the complaint against the company has been withdrawn, but that’s likely because.....»»
Tap to Pay on iPhone now available in one more country following recent expansion
Following a recent expansion of Tap to Pay on iPhone to more countries in Europe, Apple this week announced that it is bringing the feature to yet another country this year. As of today, users in New Zealand can count on the feature that turns the iP.....»»
Next generation CarPlay shown in regulator filing
Drawings of what the next version of Apple's CarPlay may look like in Audi cars have surfaced in a filing with a European Union regulator.Mockup showing how the new Audi elements might fit in a future CarPlay dashboard — dashboard image credit: App.....»»
Study exposes global "blind spot" in human rights protections for dissidents
Intensifying coercive tactics used by repressive states to silence critics abroad requires the set-up of specialist transnational rights protection offices, says a new paper by researchers at Lancaster University and Central European University in Vi.....»»
Fuji apple study finds genetic mechanisms behind high-yield trees
Apples rank among the world's most valuable fruit crops, with production spanning more than 100 countries. Some apple trees naturally develop into what farmers call "spur-type" varieties—compact trees that are more productive and easier to maintain.....»»
Why some countries are more likely to believe nuclear war won"t happen to them
The war in Ukraine has just edged up another notch. It has not been going well for Ukraine in recent months, and this week Joe Biden's administration made the decision to allow Ukraine to fire US-supplied army tactical missile systems (Atacms) long-r.....»»
Milestone legal case from 35 years ago holds important lessons for how courts deal with scientific evidence today
This month marks 35 years of DNA evidence being used in Australian legal cases. But unlike DNA firsts in other countries, Australia's is perhaps the most significant legal milestone that is practically unheard of......»»
$300 billion pledge at COP29 climate summit a “paltry sum”
Poorer countries reluctantly accept package from wealthy nations. The world’s most important climate talks were pulled back from the brink of collapse after poorer countries rel.....»»
World approves UN rules for carbon trading between nations at COP29
New rules allowing wealthy polluting countries to buy carbon-cutting "offsets" from developing nations were agreed at UN climate talks Saturday, a move already raising fears they will be used to greenwash climate targets......»»
Time is running out for a treaty to end plastic pollution—here"s why it matters
On March 2, 2022, delegates to the UN environment assembly adopted an ambitious resolution to develop the text of a new treaty by the end of 2024 to end plastic pollution. With 24 days of formal negotiation between almost 200 countries completed, spr.....»»
COP29 braces for new deal after poorer nations reject climate offer
Fierce bargaining at UN climate talks in Azerbaijan dragged into Saturday after a $250 billion a year offer from rich nations was flatly refused by developing countries hardest hit by Earth's rapid warming......»»
A former Orion manager has surprisingly credible plans to fly European astronauts
"I know it's super hard, and I know it was crazy." It would be easy to be cynical about a German-French startup named The Exploration Company, which aims to build an increasingly.....»»