Biodiversity loss risk

PARIS: Forest fires supercharged by climate change are burning twice as much global tree cover as 20 years ago, according to a data Wednesday showing the equivalent of 16 football pitches are now lost every minute. The research showed in unprecedented detail how wildfires have progressed over the past two decades, with the blazes claiming an estimated three more million hectares each year — an area the size of Belgium — compared with 2001. The study showed that the majority of tree cover loss is occurring in the boreal forests that blanket much of Russia, Canada and Alaska, which are among the largest storers of carbon on Earth. Researchers from the University of Maryland used satellite imagery to map areas of tree cover lost, including that burned by what are known as stand-replacing forest fires. Related Stories Two killed in Morocco forest fires Forest fires rage in scorching southwest Europe Probe sought into KP forest fires These are fires that kill … [Read more...] about Climate change driving unprecedented forest fire loss

By Lisa Summers Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics UK contaminated blood inquiry As a young boy in the 1970s Myles Hutchison was treated at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for haemophilia, with blood products that he later discovered were contaminated. At the age of 12, Myles, who grew up in Leith, was told he had developed hepatitis. Now 50, he is one of about 4,000 people who will receive compensation as a victim of the blood scandal which saw thousands of people contract HIV or hepatitis C in the 1970s and 1980s through NHS treatments. Patients with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders were unaware that the Factor VIII blood clotting products they were given were contaminated. Some died after developing AIDS and others developed serious chronic conditions. "There was a stigma attached to it," Myles says, "and I … [Read more...] about Contaminated blood: If I was paid in tears I’d be a billionaire

LONDON: Thousands of people in Britain infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood transfusions will receive a compensation payment decades after the scandal, the UK government announced on Wednesday. The payment of £100,000 ($121,000) to each victim is an interim one after Brian Langstaff, the chairman of a public inquiry into the long-running scandal, last month recommended making immediate payouts before waiting for an ongoing inquiry to conclude. The former High Court judge said that the "moral case for compensation is beyond doubt". The government said the tax-free payments, to survivors of the scandal and bereaved partners of the thousands estimated to have died from the contaminated blood, would be made by the end of October. Thousands of people with haemophilia contracted hepatitis C and HIV after receiving blood transfusions, mainly from the United States, through the state National Health Service (NHS) in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Due to a … [Read more...] about UK to pay contaminated blood victims decades after scandal

A woman who suffered a broken jaw when she was thrown off a fun fair ride has received a five-figure sum in damages. Jade Harrison, 24, spent four days in the hospital and had metal plates inserted in her face after she was flung from the Airmaxx 360 at Hull Fair in 2019. She has needed thousands of pounds worth of dental treatment and psychological support since the tragedy. The nursery nurse says she feels like she can finally put it behind her as her legal case has come to an end. She told Hull Live : “I’m a different person now to that one that got on that ride back in 2019. Jade Harrison was flung from a ride in 2019 ( Image: Stacy Jarvis) “Back then I had no fears and I was up for anything really, but now I am averse to anything that has an element of risk. That’s ok, I’ve adapted to that as I need to feel safe, but it limits what you can do with family and friends. “Simple fun things like jumping off the rocks into the sea on holiday. "I just … [Read more...] about Woman flung from fun fair ride wins payout and is now scared of doing ‘simple things’

Roman Kemp is set to open up about how he once contemplated suicide and his battle with depression since childhood in a new book. The Capital DJ will discuss the impact on his life after losing his best friend, Joe Lyons, the radio producer who launched his career, to suicide. ‘Are You Really OK?’ promises to lift the lid on Roman’s personal life in a bid to “smash the stigma still surrounding medication and mental health”. “I never intended to write a book at this age, I thought it was something I could perhaps do later in life,” said Roman. Are You Really Ok? is available to pre-order and will be released in October ( Image: Amazon) “But then, in the pandemic, my best mate Joe took his own life and it turned my whole world upside down. “Losing Joe made me start researching how many young men take their own lives every year.” Speaking of his research, he added: “And the answers shocked me. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 40 … [Read more...] about Roman Kemp shares harrowing struggle with depression as he contemplated suicide

Published 19 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Cameron House fire Two men who died in the Cameron House fire tried to smash a window to escape the flames, an inquiry has heard. Simon Midgley, 32, and his partner, Richard Dyson, 38, from London were guests at the Loch Lomond hotel during the blaze on 18 December 2017. A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into their deaths is being held at Paisley Sheriff Court. Gary Love, a fire investigator, said he found evidence the couple had tried to use a picture frame to break a window. The 57-year-old was describing the area of the hotel where the men's bodies were found. He said: "I noted that a large picture frame was on its side, directly below the window of the second floor landing." He added that the "frame had been prised from the adjacent wall, most likely with the intention to be … [Read more...] about Cameron House: Men tried to smash window to escape fire

By Michael Race Published 26 July comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war European Union members have agreed to cut gas use in case Russia halts supplies but some countries will have exemptions to avoid rationing. EU members, locked in talks since the idea was suggested last week, have now agreed to voluntarily reduce 15% of gas use between August and March. "This was not a Mission Impossible!", tweeted the Czech Republic, which holds the rotating EU presidency. However, the deal was watered down after previously not having exemptions. The EU has said its aim from the deal is to make savings and store gas ahead of winter, warning that Russia is "continuously using energy supplies as a weapon". The voluntary agreement would become mandatory if supplies reach crisis levels. … [Read more...] about EU allows get-out clause in Russian gas cut deal

Published 29 October 2018 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The wife and son of Leicester City's owner have laid a wreath at the club's stadium after he was killed alongside four others in a helicopter crash. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, two members of staff, the pilot and a passenger all died after the aircraft spiralled out of control outside the ground. The club's first team and youth squad were also at the King Power Stadium. A team investigating Saturday night's crash has recovered the aircraft's digital flight data recorder. Leicestershire Police named the other people killed in the crash as Nusara Suknamai, Kaveporn Punpare, and pilots and partners Eric Swaffer and Izabela Roza Lechowicz. Police have said Ms Lechowicz was a passenger at the time of the crash. The club chairman's wife Aimon and son Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha were joined at the ground by … [Read more...] about Leicester City helicopter crash: Owner’s wife and son visit stadium