64 h. ago Space probe to map carbon content of world’s remotest tropical forests

Revolutionary scanner to be fired into Earth orbit this month to measure effects of deforestationScientists are about to take part in a revolutionary mission aimed at creating detailed 3D maps of the world’s remotest, densest and darkest tropical forests – from outer space. The feat will be achieved using a special radar scanner that has been fitted to a probe, named Biomass, that will be fired into the Earth’s orbit later this month.For the next five years, the 1.25-tonne spacecraft will sweep over the tropical rainforests of Africa, Asia and South America and peer through their dense 40m-high ­canopies to study the vegetation that lies beneath. The data collected by Biomass will then be used to create unique 3D maps of forests normally hidden from human sight. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago British taxpayers subsidised power firm Drax to the tune of £869million last year

The controversial Drax wood-burning plant in North Yorkshire has received billions of pounds from the Government in recent years due to imported biomass being treated as renewable fuel.

Economics

1 week ago Don’t just blame Trump – Democrats paved the way for this campus crackdown | Musa al

Both parties are responsible for the mess facing Columbia and other institutions. It’s time for their leaders to take a standDonald Trump trying to cow higher education institutions into submission using the power of the purse. The administration has withheld $400m in federal funds from Columbia University and has vowed to remove even more if its demands are not met.Columbia has an endowment of $14.8bn and an annual operating budget of $6.6bn. The cuts amount to roughly 6% of its annual budget – a non-trivial share. In order to keep it, Columbia was instructed to adopt a number of illiberal measures: it must put its Middle East, South Asia and Africa Studies department into academic receivership; change its admissions policies to reduce admits of people from those regions and admit more Jewish students;and grant campus police more power to surveil, detain and remove people from campus without following the usual due process. It must accept permanently heightened restrictions on camp...

Politics

2 w. ago The VERY middle class parents of punk girl band who sing 'Filthy Rich Nepo Baby', rant against the rich and are embarrased to be English

A British punk band given taxpayer cash despite saying it is 'embarrassing to be from England' also enjoyed leg-ups from their very middle class parents while railing against 'Nepo babies', it can be revealed.

Politics

2 w. ago Labour gives British punk band a slice of £1.6m of taxpayer cash to fund their career

Critics said it 'beggars belief' that Labour agreed to hand two-piece Lambrini Girls a share of £1.6 million to go on tour around the world and promote their songs which 'denigrate' England.

Economics

2 w. ago Brit mum in ‘hell’ jail with son, 4, sees GoFundMe raise £230 after benefit brag

Ellis Matthews, 32, has posted videos on social media explaining how her £2,300 a month lifestyle is funded by British taxpayers, but now says she's in 'hell on Earth'

Economics

3 w. ago British taxpayers are spending £99million teaching families in Africa and Asia to cook using electricity

More than £55million has already been paid out under the aid programme that aims to improve the environment by persuading countries to move from polluting firewood and charcoal.

Economics

3 w. ago Animal rights group calls for investigation into Ambani’s private zoo that Modi inaugurated

Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa seeks investigation into ‘legitimate concerns’ over animal exports to India

Economics

3 w. ago Inside Gaza where electricity has been cut off by the Israelis

Locals tell of hospitals paralysed, food prices soaring and people forced to burn rubbish to cook their food as electricity is cut off to the Gaza Strip by the Israelis

Politics