Gravitational Waves Detected, Confirming Einstein’s Theory
On Thursday, a team of scientists announced that they had recorded and heard the sounds of
The satellite in Washington State used for the detection of gravitational waves. Source: Nature
two black holes colliding, millions of light years away. That faint rising tone was the first direct evidence of gravitational waves, the ripples in the fabric of space-time. The idea of gravitational waves was first presented by Albert Einstein in 1916 in his theory of general relativity. However, there has not been data collected that proved his theory until now. The waves were detected by a pair of antennas known as LIGO, located in the American states of Washington and Louisiana. The discovery means the beginning of a whole new era for physics and science as a whole.
Source and more information can be found here.
World Powers agree on Syrian Armistice
A “cessation of hostilities” in Syria has been agreed upon by world powers, although it does not extend to ISIS and the al-Nusra Front. The International Syria Support Group (ISSG) also agreed to expand and accelerate Syrian aid deliveries. The Syrian government has yet to respond to the ISSG’s plans, but over 5 years of fighting in Syria, there have been over 250,000 deaths and. While some of praising the ISSG’s plans, many leaders are saying this is only the start of what needs to be done.
Source and more information can be found here.
China Installs 30,500 Megawatts of Wind Power
Wind turbines in the Liaoning province of China. Source: The Globe and Mail
China recently became a world leader in wind power after setting up wind turbines that harness 30,500 megawatts (MW) of wind power. In comparison, the world as a whole only set up the equivalent of 63,000 MW. As a result, China now harnesses over 145,000 MQ of wind power, which is more than one-fourth of the world’s total. The amount of wind power harnessed by the world is now strong enough to generate power for over 100 million homes. Canada also installed 11,200 MW of wind power to become the world’s seventh-largest producer.
Source and more information can be found here.
Teen girl sent by Boko Haram rips off suicide vest, refuses to bomb refugee camp
Teen girl held captive by Boko Haram in Nigeria rips off her suicide vest in an attempt to escape and save the lives of hundreds. Boko Haram, a terrorist group, strapped a suicide vest onto the girl, and sent her to a refugee camp that housed more than 50,000 people. She was terrified of the number of people she might have killed – it could possibly include her own father. The girl tried to persuade her companions to abandon the mission, but they refused and she was left with no other choice but to strip the vest off herself, saving hundreds in the process. The girl in custody has given additional information on other planned bombings. Boko Haram’s six-year-old Islamic insurgency has killed 20,000 people, made 2.5 million homeless and spread across Nigeria’s borders.
Source and more information can be found here.
Mysterious Graves Discovered at Ancient European Cemetery
The skeleton of a 6 month old baby was amongst those found. Source: National Geographic
Archaeologists discovered some mysterious graves, unusually buried in one of the oldest cemeteries in Germany. The German cemetery, called Gross Fredenwalde, belongs to a time known as the Mesolithic, when Europe was populated by hunter-gatherers. The archaeologists found several corpses of infants, who were very well preserved. Their DNA can even be obtained to check if they were breastfed, amongst other great details scientists can determine from the bodies. These discoveries are apparently extremely rare. Also found was a ma’s corpse standing upright, which the scientists have deemed as a cultural norm in that area and period of time.
Source and more information can be found here.
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