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☆ S.Korean experts seek to verify room-temperature superconductor claim
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, Aug 3 (Reuters) - South Korean experts said on Thursday they would set up a committee to verify claims that a room temperature superconductor has been discovered, which has driven investor frenzy as well as peer skepticism since. The researchers that made the claim did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Shares in the U.S., China and South Korea have gained since the claim of a practical superconductor was made public, as investors made early bets despite skepticism among some scientists. The global frenzy had been further stoked after a Chinese university published a video replicating the experiment. An index tracking Chinese superconductor-related stocks has surged since late July, when the South Korean researchers published their papers, rising as much as 22%, though it gave up a large chunk of those gains on Thursday.

Persons: Joyce Lee, Brenda Goh, Mark Potter Organizations: Korean Society, Quantum Energy Research Centre, Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University, Pohang University of Science, Technology, South, Jiangsu Etern Co, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, U.S, China, South Korea, Jiangsu

CNN —A Somali sports official was suspended for nepotism on Wednesday after a viral video showed an apparent novice runner skipping across the finish line in last place at an international competition. The video, which circulated widely on Wednesday, showed Nasro Abukar Ali competing in the third heat of the first round of the women’s 100-meter race at the International University Sports Federation’s (FISU) Summer World University Games in China. She finished in 21.81 seconds – more than 8 seconds slower than the second-last runner, and more than 10 seconds behind the winner of the heat. “What happened today was not representative of the Somali people,” he said in Somali, Forbes reported. The Summer World University Games are ongoing in Chengdu, southwestern China.

Persons: Nasro Abukar Ali, Ali, sluggishly, “, disheartening, “ It’s, Khadijo Aden Dahir, Dahir, Sports Mohamed Barre Mohamud, Forbes, Mohamud, ” Organizations: CNN, International University Sports Federation’s, Games, Twitter, Ministry of Youth, Sports, Somali Athletics Federation, Somali National Olympic, Youth, Association of Somalia Universities, Somali University Sports Association, Athletics Federation of, ” CNN, East African country’s Sports Ministry, Somali National Olympic Committee, World Athletics, World Locations: China, Somalia, Somali, Athletics Federation of Somalia, Chengdu

☆ Whale fossil may be the heaviest animal ever
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Kristen Rogers | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —A colossal ancient whale discovered in Peru might be the heaviest animal on record, according to a new study. What’s more, Perucetus likely weighed two to three times more than the blue whale, which today weighs a maximum of 149.6 metric tons (330,000 pounds). Giovanni Bianucci“Discoveries of such extreme body forms are an opportunity to re-evaluate our understanding of animal evolution,” wrote J.G.M. “It seems that we are only dimly aware of how astonishing whale form and function can be,” they added. The lifestyle of a colossal whaleThe findings suggest that gigantism or peak body mass among cetaceans had been reached around 30 million years earlier than previously thought, according to the study.

Persons: Giovanni Bianucci, “, ” Bianucci, Perucetus, ”, ’, Bianucci, pacificus, Mystacodon selenesis, Mario Urbina Schmitt, Schmitt, Thewissen, David A, Waugh, weren’t, Ingalls, Brown, ” Thewissen Organizations: CNN, University of Pisa’s, sirenians, Peru “, National University of San, Ohio Medical University Locations: Peru, Italy, Ica, Peruvian, National University of San Marcos, Lima

☆ Chinese millennials are freaking out about the 'Curse of 35' — when they become too old for entry-level jobs, and too young and broke to retire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

"You're too old to work at 35, but too young to retire at 60," one person wrote, bemoaning the "curse." It refers, specifically, to the typical Chinese employer's preference for hiring workers who haven't reached the sell-by date of their 35th birthday. And it's not just about finding work — Chinese workers being phased out at what was previously viewed as the prime of their careers means their livelihoods could be seriously affected. "At this point in time, youth unemployment is high, so many young workers are willing to work for less. Seah told Insider that increased competition for younger workers "will eventually drive up youth wages, making them relatively more expensive to hire."

Persons: haven't, Hector Retamal, Huang, Tania Lennon, Lennon, I, Kevin Frayer, workhorses, Kelvin Seah, Seah, aren't, National University of Singapore's Seah Organizations: Twitter, Service, Getty, Peterson Institute for International Economics, International Institute for Management Development, China Initiative, Bureau of Statistics, National University of Singapore, National Bureau of Statistics, Employers, National University of Singapore's Locations: China, Wall, Silicon, Weibo, Beijing, AFP, Quy Huy

The announcement was the first time either of the two – who had both been in military positions outside the Rocket Force – were named as the force’s leadership. Beijing gave no reason for the change, making the case yet another example of the lack of transparency in China’s political system. The newly appointed Rocket Force leadership both previously held deputy positions in other parts of the military. New missile silosThe leadership change comes as evidence points to an expanding Chinese nuclear force – creating an even more important role for the Rocket Force, which until 2016 was known as the PLA Second Artillery Force. They are responsible for handling and delivering China’s nuclear weapons,” said Drew Thompson, a senior research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Wang Houbin, Xu Xisheng, Li Yuchao, Qin Gang, Li, Xu Zhongbo, Xu, China’s, ”, Yun Sun, Li Gang, Xi, “, Qin, Wang Yi, Carl Schuster, “ Xi, ” Schuster, Wang, Neil Thomas, Roderick Lee, Drew Thompson, Lee, ” Thompson Organizations: CNN, Liberation Army Rocket Force, Rocket Force, Xinhua, Communist Party, Stimson, Communist Party’s, Military Commission, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, PLA Navy, Southern Theater Command, Asia Society, Center for, USAF Air University China Aerospace Studies, ” CNN, China’s Ministry of Defense, PLA Second Artillery Force, US Defense Department, Lee Kuan Yew, of Public, National University of Singapore, “ Locations: China, Suzhou, Taiwan, Washington, Beijing, Xinhua, Hawaii, Center for China, United States

☆ Sharks have bitten an unusually high number of people in New York this year. Two experts explain why and how to stay safe.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

An unusually high number of people were bitten by sharks in early July near New York. Prior to last year, New York had a very low number of shark bites, according to the Florida Museum International Shark Attack File. While the localized spike is unusual, the total number of unprovoked shark bites worldwide has averaged about 74 per year. Why sharks bite humansThere are roughly 520 species of sharks, according to the University of Florida. "Shark bites are a function of the number of sharks, but also the number of humans in the water," he said.

Persons: WYFF, they'd, Catherine Macdonald, Yannis Papastamatiou, we're, Macdonald, Papastamatiou, There's Organizations: Service, Hilton, NPR, Florida, University of Miami, University of Florida, Florida International University, Florida Museum Locations: New York, Wall, Silicon, Island , South Carolina, Long, New, Australia, California

In his address, Xi said the military must broaden its combat capability and readiness, the official Xinhua news agency reported. "We need to push for new equipment and new forces to accelerate forming combat capabilities and integrate into the combat system," Xi told the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force's western theatre command during a visit last Wednesday, Xinhua reported on Sunday. Marking the anniversary on Tuesday, an editorial in the official PLA Daily newspaper said the military had "enhanced its ability to carry out diversified military tasks in a wider space". "When the Chinese military conducts an exercise, it is showing force - it is bestowing or sending a message to other countries," he said. At sea, China is readying its aircraft carriers to extend and assert its power beyond its home waters.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Florence, HONG KONG, Xi, Song Zhongping, Drew Thompson, National University of Singapore's Lee, Thompson, Tsai Ing, Kevin McCarthy, China's J, Shi Yunjia, Greg Torode, Albee Zhang Organizations: Communist Party of China, Military Museum of, REUTERS, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Xinhua, Peoples Liberation Army Air, PLA Daily, National University of Singapore's, National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew, of Public, Reuters, People's, of Army, U.S, House, China Morning Post, Western, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, HONG, Tuesday's, Russia, United States, U.S, Washington, Taiwan, Japan, Shandong, Fujian, South Korea, Guam

☆ Christopher Rufo: University DEI Programs Work Against Liberal Education - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Christopher F. Rufo | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Today, many universities have consciously or unconsciously abandoned that mission and replaced it with the pursuit of diversity, equity and inclusion. The criticism of such programs might begin with a simple question: Even on its own terms, does D.E.I. Researchers at Harvard and Tel Aviv University studied 30 years of diversity training data from more than 800 U.S. companies and concluded that mandatory diversity training programs had practically no effect on employee attitudes — and sometimes activated bias and feelings of racial hostility. There is no reason to believe that similar programs on university campuses have better outcomes. These programs have become commonplace not only in official “diversity and inclusion” programs, but also throughout administrative and academic departments.

Persons: Anonymous, — Organizations: Harvard, Tel Aviv University, City Journal, Manhattan Institute, The University of Florida, The University of Central, University’s, Social Justice Locations: U.S, United States, The University of Central Florida, Florida

☆ Even OpenAI's own detection service can't tell AI-generated work apart — the company quietly took it down over accuracy concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

OpenAI quietly removed its tool for detecting writing generated by AI, citing accuracy concerns. Fears of students using generative AI like ChatGPT to cheat have driven some schools to ban its use. Experts told Insider ChatGPT exacerbates underlying issues in education — like excessive testing and formulaic essays. OpenAI, the creator of viral chatbot ChatGPT, has quietly scuppered a tool that detects AI-generated text, citing accuracy concerns. Rebecca Tan, a lecturer at the National University of Singapore, told Insider that educators are adapting to a reality where generative AI is widely available.

Persons: OpenAI, —, Rebecca Tan, Turnitin, Leah Henrickson Organizations: National University of Singapore, Washington Post, Times Higher Education, USA, Turnitin, University of Leeds

☆ China's foreign minister has been removed from his post one month after disappearing from the public eye. Experts say we may never know why.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Eurasia Group's Jeremy Chan told Insider that "so much remains unknown about Qin's case." As of press time, references to Qin had been removed from the foreign ministry's website. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider. Because of the opacity of the Chinese government, few people will ever know what led to Qin's abrupt departure, experts say. Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore, told Insider that the lack of clarity "is part of the opacity and uncertainty" in China.

Persons: Qin Gang, Jeremy Chan, Qin, Wang Yi, Wang, Chong Ja Ian, Chong, Dylan Loh, Loh, Wang Wenbin, Wang's, Fu Xiaotian, Fu Organizations: Eurasia, Service, Qin, Eurasia Group, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Twitter Locations: Wall, Silicon, China's, China, Beijing, Russia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Chinese, South China

☆ ‘Get Down’ From the Car. ‘Make’ the Line. Is Miami English a Dialect?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Patricia Mazzei | More About Patricia Mazzei | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The stereotype of how many Miamians speak involves a sing-songy rhythm with a heavy-sounding “L” and a generous sprinkling of Spanglish. But what if the conversational language of South Florida were more than a lively accent? What if it were a distinct regional dialect of American English? Miami English, he calls it. “This is probably the most important bilingual situation in the Americas today,” Dr. Carter said.

Persons: Phillip M, Carter, Dr Organizations: Florida International University, Miami Locations: South Florida, Americas, Miami, Spanish, New York, American

☆ Scientists decode an ancient curry recipe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The sandstone slab, buried 2 meters (6.5 feet) below the surface, was dug up in 2018 at the Oc Eo archaeological complex in southern Vietnam. The site was once an overseas trading hub of an ancient Southeast Asian kingdom known as Funan, according to a new study of the substances found on the slab. The findings offer clues to how curry — and the people who made it — migrated to Southeast Asia. “Nowadays, preparing curry in Vietnam has become much simpler for most families due to the widespread availability of curry powder in supermarkets. Nguyen added that the team planned to recreate the 2,000-year-old curry based on the ingredients found at the site.

Persons: ”, . Hsiao, chun Hung, ” Hung, Hung, Khanh Trung Kien, Khanh Trung Kien Nguyen, Nguyen Organizations: CNN, Australian National University, Center for Archaeology, Southern Institute of Social Sciences, Oc Eo, Eo Locations: Vietnam, Canberra, India, Southeast Asia, Ho Chi Minh City, South, Cambodia, South Asia

☆ China and the US are talking -- but can they work together?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Beijing views Washington as bent on suppressing its development and global rise, while Washington has proclaimed the need to protect its national security and the world order from an increasingly authoritarian and assertive China. Washington last year imposed sweeping curbs on exports of critical technology to China in the name of security, and Beijing has responded with export controls of its own. China has refused US overtures to restore those ties, apparently until Washington removes sanctions against its defense minister Li Shangfu. US climate envoy John Kerry during a meeting with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in the Great Hall of the People on July 18, 2023 in Beijing, China. But all this doesn’t mean there’s no room to work together, according to Shanghai-based international relations scholar Shen Dingli.

Persons: Nancy Pelosi, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, John Kerry, Li Qiang, Wang Yi, –, ”, Chong Ja Ian, “, Suisheng Zhao, Kerry, Wang, ” Yellen, Li, Li Shangfu, Shi Yinhong, Florence Lo, Shen Dingli, ” Shen, Shen, Blinken, ” Blinken, Xi, Qin Gang, Yun Sun, Chong Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Washington, US, Treasury, National University of Singapore, US Air Force, Air Force, South Carolina . U.S . Air Force, Department of Defense, Reuters, Center for, Cooperation, University of Denver, China’s Communist Party, Renmin University, of, CNN, ”, Economic Cooperation, Foreign, China Program, Stimson, “ Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Ukraine, United States, China, Taiwan, Bali, —, South Carolina . U.S, Washington, Center for China, South, Shanghai, Asia, Singapore

The planned recipient of the colorful batik top was Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang, who has not been seen in nearly a month and is set to miss at least one other important meeting, in South Africa, next week. It is not clear whether even then Borrell would meet Qin as initially planned, the official said. The former aide to President Xi Jinping was appointed foreign minister in December after serving less than two years as ambassador to the United States. Qin's absence has also been widely discussed in the diplomatic community, with some saying it is another example of China's lack of transparency. Some diplomats have even started to speculate on who may replace Qin, with three telling Reuters the ranking vice foreign minister, Ma Zhaoxu could be a candidate.

Persons: Qin Gang, Qin, Yun Sun, Mao Ning, Wang Yi, Josep Borrell, Wen, Xi Jinping, Antony Blinken, Ma Zhaoxu, Ma, Wang, Xie Feng, Xie, Laurie Chen, Martin Quin Pollard, Yew, Tian, Kate Lamb, Gabriela Baczynska, Andrew MacAskill, John Geddie, Robert Birsel Organizations: China Program, Stimson, Reuters, EU, Australian National University, Qin, Baidu, London School of Economics, United, Aspen Security Conference, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, JAKARTA, China, Indonesia, Jakarta, South Africa, Washington, Johannesburg, Britain, United States, Beijing, Sri Lankan, United Nations, Brussels, London

☆ Why are people not getting married anymore?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Idil Karsit | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Almost 90% of the world's population now live in countries with falling marriage rates. One major factor is the changing economy," said Brad Wilcox, director of the National Marriage Project at University of Virginia. "Governments all over the world are worried because of economic implications," said Leng Leng Thang of National University of Singapore. The decline in marriage rates is turning into a demographic crisis for Japan — which is the world's third-largest economy and home to the world's oldest population. Watch the video above to learn what causes increasing number of couples around the world to opt out of marriage.

Persons: Brad Wilcox, Leng Leng Thang, Ye Liu Organizations: University of Virginia, National University of Singapore, King's College Locations: U.S, Asia, Japan, China, King's College London

☆ Singapore opposition members quit in latest political shake-up
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Workers' Party Chairman Sylvia Lim and Secretary-General Pritam Singh attend a press conference at their headquarters in Singapore, July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Edgar SuSINGAPORE, July 19 (Reuters) - Two senior members of Singapore's largest opposition party quit on Wednesday after admitting to an inappropriate relationship, the latest scandal to hit a country otherwise used to stable and drama-free politics. Seah had also denied the relationship when asked by party leaders at that time, Singh said, adding the pair's behaviour was "unacceptable". Both the WP and the PAP have in the past sacked members for extramarital relationships. Reporting by Chen Lin, Writing by Xinghui Kok, Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sylvia Lim, Pritam Singh, Edgar Su SINGAPORE, Leon Perera, Nicole Seah, Singh, Perera, Seah, Chong Ja Ian, Chen Lin, Xinghui Kok, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Workers ', REUTERS, Workers ' Party, Action Party, National University of Singapore, Thomson Locations: Singapore

☆ Singapore's 'squeaky clean' image takes a beating as scandals rock the government
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

watch nowOn Monday, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he decided the incumbent speaker of the Singapore's Parliament Tan Chuan Jin "had to go." Lee Hsien Loong Singapore prime ministerSingaporeans, who are not used to political scandals, have taken to memes to express themselves. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (L) shaking hands with a PAP supporter during a May election rally. SIMIN WANG | AFP | Getty ImagesThe prime minister sought to quickly control the damage, emphasizing the government's zero-tolerance on corruption to allay public concerns. The prime minister is seeking to hand over power to the next generation of leaders in the near future.

Persons: Lee Hsien Loong, Dr Koh Poh Koon, Ang Mo, Suhaimi Abdullah, Eugene Tan, Tan Ern Ser, Tan Chuan Jin, Tan, Cheng Li Hui, SMU's Tan, CNBC's, Ong Beng Seng, Felix Tan, NTU's Tan, SIMIN WANG, Lee Organizations: Action Party, Getty, Singapore Management University, CNBC, Party, National University of Singapore, Singapore's, Public Service, Nanyang Technological University, NUS, Singapore, AFP Locations: SINGAPORE, Singapore, Asia, Lee Hsien Loong Singapore

[1/2] Supporters of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) wait for their candidates at a nomination center ahead of the general elections in Singapore September 1, 2015. Analysts said the events may not bode well for the PAP, which has ruled Singapore uninterrupted since 1959. "These events appear to have created some public speculation about the PAP's approach to privilege, restraint, and authority," said National University of Singapore political scientist Chong Ja Ian. Prime minister-in-waiting Lawrence Wong said the government would be forthcoming about the corruption case - even if the information was damaging or embarrassing. But political scientist Walid Jumblatt Abdullah at Nanyang Technological University said Lee had enough political goodwill to ride this out.

Persons: Edgar Su, bode, Lee Hsien, Singapore's, Lee Kuan Yew, Chong Ja Ian, Lee, Lawrence Wong, Iswaran, Chong, Lee's, Walid Jumblatt Abdullah, Gillian Koh, Walid, Wong, Xinghui Kok, Robert Birsel Organizations: Action Party, REUTERS, National University of Singapore, Transport, Nanyang Technological University, Institute of Policy, Thomson Locations: Singapore, SINGAPORE

☆ Hearing aids may reduce your risk of dementia by half, study says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —For people facing a greater threat of cognitive decline, getting hearing aids could cut your risk in half, according to a new study. Over the past decade, research has established that hearing loss is one of the biggest risk factors for developing dementia, but it wasn’t clear whether intervening with hearing aids would reduce the risk, he added. In the total group, hearing aids did not appear to reduce cognitive decline, the study said. Why hearing loss may increase dementia riskEveryone’s hearing declines with age, Lin said. In those cases, lower cost over-the-counter hearing aids — available without a prescription — may be a good option.

Persons: ”, Frank Lin, Lin, Thomas Holland, Holland, couldn’t, that’s, ” Lin, “, Benjamin Tan, Dean’s, Tan, ” Holland Organizations: CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Rush Institute for Health Aging, Loo Lin, of Medicine, National University of Singapore Locations: United States

☆ Sea drones, missile strikes and blockade: Ukraine's counteroffensive in Crimea
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Ukraine War Analysis Sea drones and the counteroffensive in CrimeaOn Tuesday, Russia reported its forces had repelled a Ukrainian drone attack on Crimea. The reports highlight Ukraine’s counteroffensive in Crimea, which is being mostly waged through drone and long-range missile strikes. In the Black Sea, Ukraine has opened a new era of naval warfare by employing suicide sea drones — drones armed with explosives designed to ram into targets and detonate. On October 29, 2022, Ukraine used naval drones to attack Russian warships in the port of Sevastopol, home of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. The Crimean Peninsula is connected to Russian-occupied southern Ukraine through just three vulnerable main roads that pass through swampy areas.

Persons: Scott Savitz, Zelenskiy, Sutton, he's, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, Yevheniia Horiunova, Vernadsky, EUTERS, Shamil Zhumatov, Michael, Archangel, Thomas Peter . Organizations: Russian, REUTERS, RAND Corporation, Fleet, Investment, Russian Navy, National University, Tourism Locations: Ukraine, Crimea, Russia, Ukrainian, Russian, Black, Sevastopol, Handout, Sea, Moscow, Crimean, NATO, Kyiv, Water, Crimea Crimea, Yalta, St, Thomas Peter . Crimea

☆ ‘Boys Love’ genre finds new audiences in South Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Jake Kwon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Not only was the TV series part of a genre — Boys’ Love, or BL for short — that was lesser-known in South Korea, it depicted something rarely seen on the country’s screens: same-sex romance. “Semantic Error,” which was based on a popular web novel of the same name, tells the story of two male college students who fall in love. And the risk paid off: “Semantic Error” became a hit upon its release in 2022. There are currently more than 20 BL shows being produced in South Korea. The on-screen adaptation of "Semantic Error" stars Park Seo-ham as Jang Jae-young and Jaechan as Chu Sang-woo.

Persons: Park Jae, chan, ” Jaechan, Jaechan, Chu Sang, “, ”, —, Kim Hyo, Jeong Areum, Kakao, Kim, Jennifer Konig, J, Kim Hye, ” Kim, Jang Jae, Thomas Baudinette, Jeong, South Korea’s, Go Tae, Holland, ” Holland, “ That’s Organizations: CNN, Elle, Cosmopolitan, BL, Seoul National University . Local, Sydney’s Macquarie University, South Locations: South Korean, South Korea, Japan, Seoul, Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Korean

SINGAPORE, July 17 (Reuters) - Two senior lawmakers from Singapore's ruling party have resigned over their "inappropriate relationship", Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday, the latest high-profile scandal in a city-state otherwise known for its political stability. Resignations of senior PAP members are rare in Singapore, where the party has been in power since 1959, before the country's independence in 1965. Separately, the opposition Workers' Party (WP) said on Monday it was looking into an "inappropriate exchange" between two of its senior members after a video surfaced online that appeared to show them holding hands in a restaurant. Events like these are unusual in Singapore, which prides itself on being corruption-free and holding politicians to high moral standards. Political scientist Chong Ja Ian at the National University of Singapore said Monday's developments were "relatively controllable issues" that would not affect Singapore's political stability.

Persons: Lee Hsien Loong, Lee, Tan Chuan, Jin, Cheng Li Hui, Cheng, Ong Beng Seng, Chong Ja Ian, Chong, Chen Lin, Martin Petty, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Action Party, Workers ' Party, WP, National University of Singapore, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Singapore

☆ The counteroffensive in Crimea
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Ukraine War Analysis The counteroffensive in CrimeaOn Monday, Moscow reported an attack on the Crimean Bridge, a crucial artery connecting occupied Crimea with the Russian mainland. While he's been reticent about Ukraine's goals for their ongoing counteroffensive, president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that Ukraine's forces will not rest until Crimea is brought back under Ukrainian control. Damage following an alleged attack on the Crimean Bridge that connects Russia with occupied Crimea, July 17, 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made several visits to the peninsula throughout the war to underscore his claim that Crimea is Russian soil. Water in Crimea Crimea has historically relied on the North Crimean Canal, flowing in from the Ukrainian mainland, for up to 85% of the water it needs for crop irrigation, industry and drinking water.

Persons: he's, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, Scott Savitz, Zelenskiy, Sutton, Yevheniia Horiunova, Vernadsky, EUTERS, Shamil Zhumatov, Michael, Archangel, Thomas Peter . Organizations: Russian, REUTERS, RAND Corporation, Fleet, Investment, Russian Navy, National University, Tourism Locations: Ukraine, Crimea, Moscow, Russian, Black, Sevastopol, Russia, Handout, NATO, Kyiv, Crimean, Sea, Crimea Crimea, Ukrainian, Yalta, St, Thomas Peter . Crimea

☆ Humans have pumped so much groundwater from the Earth that it's actually caused the planet's axis to shift, a new study found
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Carla Delgado | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The reason is that we're moving all that water mass from under the continents to the oceans. How groundwater depletion affects Earth's rotational poleThe Earth's rotational pole normally changes and wanders by about several meters each year. To put it simply, groundwater depletion contributes to sea level rise because water is being transferred from the continents to the oceans. The recent study found that groundwater depletion caused a 6.24-millimeter rise in global sea level from 1993 to 2010. This is significant because each millimeter rise in sea level is said to make the shoreline retreat an average of 1.5 meters.

Persons: Weon Seo Organizations: Service, Northern, Research, Department of Earth Science, Seoul National University Locations: Northern Hemisphere

☆ Northern Mexico bakes as residents try to beat scorching heat
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Victor Medina/File PhotoMEXICALI, Mexico, July 13 (Reuters) - Construction worker Brian Larreta's job is tough any day of the year, but scorching temperatures this month in northern Mexico have made it a dangerous feat. A deadly heat wave spiked temperatures across Mexico in June, but while recent weeks have brought relief to more southern regions, the country's heat-accustomed northern states have continued to bake in abnormally high temperatures. Heat waves have historically hit Mexico in April and May, according to data from the Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM). This year, experts said the heat wave was worsened by drought. The local government, along with religious groups, took to the streets to offer homeless people shelter, water, and rehydration salt packets to avoid heat strokes.

Persons: Victor Medina, Brian Larreta's, you've, they’re, Larreta, Aaron Gomez, Martina Sarabia, Brendan O'Boyle, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Autonomous National University of Mexico, Thomson Locations: Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, MEXICALI, California, UNAM

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