Top Stories
TOP STORY
TOP STORY
China's nuclear stockpile is fastest growing
China's nuclear arsenal increased by nearly 100 warheads over the last year, according to a report published today.
Beijing's nuclear arsenal increased from 410 warheads to 500 over 2023, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in its annual report on international security.
The report said China will have a smaller stockpile of nuclear warheads than Russia or the US by the end of the decade but may have as many intercontinental ballistic missiles.
SIPRI said, “China is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other country. But in nearly all of the nuclear-armed states, there are either plans or a significant push to increase nuclear forces.”
Running Stories
Russia-Ukaine war
Kremlin derides outcome of Ukraine talks held without Russia.Israel-Hamas war
Netanyahu slams military plans for daily 'tactical pauses' to allow aid into GazaRussia-Ukaine war
Kremlin derides outcome of Ukraine talks held without Russia.WORLD
WORLD
Singapore cleans beaches after oil spill
Singapore authorities are scrambling to clean up a major oil spill that has blackened the city-state's southern coastline.
On Friday, a Netherlands-flagged dredging boat crashed into a Singaporean fuel ship moored in the shipping straits off the nation.
Authorities said the dredger's loss of engine power led it to drift into the Singaporean vessel, puncturing its oil tank. At least half the oil—about 400 tonnes—spilled out, washing ashore.
Visitors to some beach clubs on the popular resort island of Sentosa reported the water was still dark and oily, and a smell lingered three days after the incident.
The Singaporean government said about 1,500 people have volunteered to help with the clean-up. Most of the work is being carried out by contracted workers.
Bubbling Under
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HEALTH
HEALTH
Looking after No. 1 not always best
Scientists in various studies have found that thinking of others before yourself leads to a notable boost in well-being.
A greater sense of meaning and purpose, more self-esteem, higher overall life satisfaction, reduced risk of depression, and longer lives are the benefits, scientists say.
Tristen Inagaki, an associate psychology professor at San Diego State University, said, “Studies have shown that giving more social support to a spouse we’re close to is related to lower mortality.”
Passersby at a university campus were given a $10 Starbucks gift card and told either to give it away, share it, meet someone but not to share the cost, or enjoy a free coffee themselves.
The most considerable mood boost went to the people who treated a companion to coffee and conversation, maximizing the opportunity for social connection.
Gillian Sandstrom, a psychology lecturer and co-author of the study, said, “If you’re just writing a cheque, you don’t get the same feel-good factor as seeing the difference you’ve made.”
TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY
Solar panels retained 79% of original output
A long-running test in France paints a positive picture of the longevity of solar panels.
In 1992, a small 1-kilowatt solar array called Phébus 1 was connected to the French grid. Over 30 years later, that same installation is still pumping out watts.
An average of 79.5% of the initial rated power output was still being achieved after 31 years of service. Solar panel manufacturers typically guarantee only 80% of original performance for up to 25 years.
While declines in output are inevitable as the years go by, the data demonstrates solar installations can work for a few decades, helping the transition to cleaner electricity generation sources.
Global Electricity Review shows renewable sources like solar and wind reaching records in 2023, accounting for over a third of worldwide electricity generation. Solar saw a 23% year-over-year growth rate, while wind expanded by 10%.
SOCIETY
SOCIETY
40 acres, a mule and a lie
Over 1,000 Black people given land as reparations for slavery only for it to be taken back shortly after have been identified.
“40 Acres and a Mule” was considered an attempt to provide some form of reparations for American slavery. It is primarily remembered as a broken promise toward multiracial democracy.
After President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, his successor, Andrew Johnson, stripped property from formerly enslaved Black residents across the South and returned it to their past enslavers.
A collaboration of the Center for Public Integrity, Mother Jones and Reveal used AI to analyze nearly two million digitized records.
Journalists reached out to descendants of men and women who had been given titles to land in the wake of the Civil War. Living Black Americans were made aware of the specific land that had been given to and taken away from their ancestors.
Clara Jeffery, the editor-in-chief of the Center for Investigative Reporting, which oversees Mother Jones and Reveal, called the effort “an important historical corrective.”
OTHER NEWS
OTHER NEWS
Fight for control of Yemen's banks
Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Yemen’s recognized government are locked in a fight for control of the country’s banks.
The rivalry is throwing Yemen’s financial system into deeper turmoil. The Houthis control the country’s north and center, and the government runs the south. Both use different currency notes with different exchange rates. They also run rival central banks.
The escalating money divide erodes the value of Yemen's currency, the riyal, which had driven up prices for clothing and meat.
Yemenis in Houthi-controlled areas cannot withdraw money from savings accounts, reportedly because the Houthi-run central bank is not providing liquidity to commercial and government banks.
Yemen has been torn by civil war since the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels took over Sanaa and much of Yemen’s north and center in 2015.
OFFBEAT
OFFBEAT
Colorado mom, 53, climbs Everest
Riki Jones became obsessed with mountaineering, setting out to climb the "Seven Summits"—the highest peaks on each continent.
She started by conquering Denali (North America), Aconcagua in Argentina (South America), and Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa). Fear found no foothold.
“If I allowed myself to get in my head or have fear about it, I’d probably be in more danger," Jones said. "Because you’re not trusting yourself, not listening to your intuition at that point.”
Next stop, the top of the world. She described reaching the summit of Mount Everest as a moment of bliss. “It’s hard to believe how incredible it is.”
One of Jones’ two kids graduated from college while she was on Everest. Neither said much of their mother’s feat, accepting her climbs matter-of-factly but always urging her to be safe.
Jones said that leaves her with Vinson Massif in Antarctica and either Mount Wilhelm in Papua New Guinea or Mount Kosciuszko in Australia, while Mount Elbrus in Russia is currently unavailable.
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