That Independent Journal

  They are the main findings of the   fifth European State of the Climate report,  published Friday, which found the summer of 2021 was 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than the 1991-2020 average. The average air temperature in Europe has risen about 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to the report. The continent set a provisional, blistering new heat record last summer of 48.8 degrees Celsius on the Italian island of Sicily. Previously, the hottest day recorded in Europe was 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) in 1977 in Athens, Greece, according to the report by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Parts of the Mediterranean were hit with an intense, weeks-long heat wave in July and August, with Italy, Turkey and Greece experiencing several destructive wildfires. More than 800,000 hectares were burned during those two months. “With the changing climate, temperatures are getting warmer and warmer in the Med...

  Prominent   Wikipedia   editor Mark Bernstein has been detained in   Belarus   for editing   Wikipedia   articles about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption of Belarus (GUBOPiK) has arrested Bernstein, according to Belarusian publication Zerkalo. The Verge reported that Bernstein's social media accounts, Wikipedia handle and place of work had been shared in GUBOPik's channel on the Telegram messaging app. A video of Bernstein's arrest was also posted, along with his photo and personal details. Bernstein is accused of "distributing fake anti-Russian information" in the photo. Bernstein is one of the top 50 editors of Russian Wikipedia. A Wikimedia Foundation spokesperson said: "The Foundation's Trust and Safety and Human Rights teams have been monitoring the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. "We are in close touch with our communities in the region to ensure their safety and respo...

Praggnanandhaa, nicknamed Pragg, belied his age and his experience as he remained cool and collected, while Carlsen appeared to make mistakes to present opportunities to the Indian youngster. And although the five-time world champion fought to get back into the game, Pragg didn’t give him an opening, eventually holding on for a famous victory in the rapid chess tournament. When it became apparent a win was certain, the achievement appeared to dawn on Pragg, as he covered his mouth with his hand in shock. It was Pragg’s first victory over Carlsen, and he became the youngest player to beat Carlsen since the superstar became World Champion in 2013. “I’m just very happy,” he said afterward. When asked how he was going to celebrate, Pragg – with days of competition remaining in the tournament – was realistic given how late he was playing games being based in India: “I think it’s about just going to bed.” “It’s about time to go to bed, as I don’t think I will have din...

  Australia will spend a record $50 million Australian ($35 million US) over the next four years to boost long-term protection and recovery of   its koala population , Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s office said in a statement on Saturday. “Koalas are one of Australia’s most loved and best-recognized icons, both here at home and across the world, and we are committed to protecting them for generations to come,” Morrison said in the statement. The fund will be used for “restoring koala habitat, improving our understanding of koala populations, supporting training in koala treatment and care, and strengthening research into koala health outcomes,” Morrison said. With the new investment, the Australian government will have dedicated $74 million Australian ($52 million US) to koalas since 2019, it added. Since 2018, about 30% of Australia’s koalas have been lost due to bushfires, drought, and land clearing for development, according to an Australian Koala Foundation statement in S...