Marine heatwaves are killing coral reefs far more quickly than previously believed, according to a new study released on Friday.
Scientists have known that rising sea temperatures blamed on global warming can severely damage reefs through a process of "bleaching," where the high temperatures kill the colourful algae covering and nourishing coral.
Repeated "bleaching events", such as ones which hit Australia's Great Barrier Reef in 2016 and 2017, can eventually kill the coral in a process which takes months or years.
If sea temperatures ease, bleached corals are able to regenerate.  But the new study found that severe marine heatwaves can actually degrade the skeletal structure of the coral, potentially killing the organisms in a matter of days or weeks.
"The severity of these heatwave events is beyond the bleaching process, it's actually a point where the coral animal itself is dying," said Tracy Ainsworth, a co-author of the study from the University of New South Wales.
The study, ...

Heatwaves kill coral reefs far faster than thought: study

PTI Automatic

Two hundred survivors and relatives of victims of March's massacres at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, are undertaking the hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia to "pray for the martyrs".
"I want the world to know who Atta Elayyan was," said 27-year-old Farah Talal, dressed in a green djellaba robe and an elegant white scarf during her visit to Islam's holiest city.
Her husband Atta was among 51 people killed when a white supremacist attacked worshippers during Friday prayers in the quiet New Zealand town, sparking global revulsion.
"He was a wonderful person, generous, I want to pay tribute to him," murmured the young woman of Jordanian-origin  who, along with 200 others affected by the massacre, was invited to the hajj by Saudi's King Salman.
Authorities have said they hope to "ease their suffering" as part of "the kingdom's efforts in response to terrorism".
The survivors and relatives of victims were given a heroes' welcome as they arrived on August 2.
They were also greeted ..

200 hit by New Zealand massacre take part in hajj pilgrimage

China issued a red alert Friday for incoming Super Typhoon Lekima, expected to batter eastern Zhejiang province early Saturday morning with high winds and torrential rainfall.
The ninth typhoon of the year is projected to move northwest up China's coast Saturday with the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) focusing its attention on Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangsu, Shanghai and Shandong provinces.
Lekima's centre was about 290 kilometres (180 miles) southeast of the city of Wenling in Zhejiang on Friday morning, with winds reaching 209 km per hour, official news agency Xinhua reported.
Authorities are preemptively cancelling train routes in Zhejiang, Shanghai and elsewhere on Saturday, according to the CMA's newspaper.
They also issued a yellow alert for torrential rain and flooding for provinces in Lekima's path.
Some airlines have cancelled Saturday flights out of Shanghai as a preemptive measure, said the CMA.
The "great evacuation" from the water is well under way, with ships ...

Super Typhoon Lekima barrels towards China

Chinese telecom giant Huawei unveiled its own operating system on Friday, as it faces the threat of losing access to Android systems and US sanctions.
Richard Yu, the head of Huawei's consumer business, told a press conference in the southern city of Dongguan that the new system, called HarmonyOS, would "bring more harmony to the world".

Huawei unveils own operating system to compete with Android

Sri Lanka on Friday recalled former skipper Dinesh Chandimal to the 15-member squad for the first Test against New Zealand, ending a six-month exile for the wicketkeeper-batsman.
The 29-year-old was dropped after a poor series against Australia and missed the South African tour of Sri Lanka which the home side won 2-0.
Sri Lanka also recalled Akila Dananjaya who had been suspended from international cricket over a suspect bowling action. He returns after remodelling his action.
The first Test against New Zealand starts Wednesday at Galle. No squad has been named yet for the second Test starting August 22 in Colombo.
New Zealand will also play T20s on August 31, September 2 and September 6 during their tour.
Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dikwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Oshada Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa ...

Sri Lanka recall Chandimal for New Zealand Test squad

A multi-million dollar haul of cocaine washed up on a New Zealand beach this week is believed to have drifted more than 2,100 kilometres (1,300 miles) across the Tasman Sea from Australia, police said Friday.
They linked the find of 20 packets of cocaine -- with an estimated street value of NZ$3.0 million (US$2.0 million) -- at Bethells Beach in West Auckland to packages dumped off the New South Wales coast in August 2018.
"A rigid inflatable boat was seen by Australian Border Force and Defence patrols off the northern New South Wales coast heading towards the mainland, and authorities were sent to intercept it," New Zealand police detective inspector Colin Parmenter said.
"The two occupants of the inflatable were seen offloading the cocaine into the sea, and they were arrested." Part of the shipment was found at locations along the eastern Australian coastline, from northern Queensland to New South Wales, and the packages washed up in Auckland had similar markings.
"The product found 

New Zealand cocaine haul believed drifted 2,100 km from Australia

A court in Kyrgyzstan has ordered former president Almazbek Atambayev held in custody until August 26, a spokesman said Friday, after he was detained in a major security operation at his home that sparked unrest by his supporters.
The Central Asian state, which has seen two revolutions in less than two decades, is on the brink of crisis amid a standoff between Atambayev and his protege-turned-foe President Sooronbai Jeenbekov.
Atambayev was detained by security services on Thursday at his residence in the village of Koi-Tash near the capital Bishkek, capital of the Muslim-majority nation of six million people, in the second raid in two days on the compound.
During the first operation on Wednesday, his supporters clashed with security forces leaving leaving one officer dead.
A spokesman for the Pervomaiski District Court in Bishkek told AFP it had issued an order late on Thursday that Atambayev be held in custody until August 26.
The spokesman did not say on what charges he is being ...

Kyrgyz court orders ex-president detained until Aug 26

Malaysia filed criminal charges Friday against 17 current and former directors of three Goldman Sachs subsidiaries, piling further pressure on the Wall Street titan over the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB scandal.
Billions of dollars were looted from the country's sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad in a globe-spanning fraud, which allegedly involved ex-leader Najib Razak and his inner circle.
Goldman's role has been under scrutiny as it helped arrange a series of bond issues worth USD 6.5 billion for the investment vehicle.
Attorney General Tommy Thomas announced the latest charges in a statement.
"Custodial sentences and criminal fines will be sought against the accused... given the severity of the scheme to defraud and fraudulent misappropriation of billions in bond proceeds," he said.
The statement listed the names of the 17 accused, who were directors of Goldman subsidiaries between May 2012 and March 2013, Thomas said.  In December, Malaysia filed charges against the ..

Malaysia files charges against 17 current, ex-Goldman execs over 1MDB

Niko Kovac's Bayern Munich launch their 2019/20 season as German Cup title holders in the first round this weekend, but the traditional season curtain-raiser will be overshadowed this year by a string of scandals rocking football in Germany.
While coaching prodigies Julian Nagelsmann and David Wagner make their dugout debuts for RB Leipzig and Schalke respectively, other clubs such as Chemnitzer and Hamburg are reeling from scandals involving neo-Nazis and alleged identity fraud.
Borussia Dortmund kick off proceedings with a visit to third-division side KFC Uerdingen on Friday.
The match reunites 2014 World Cup winner and former Dortmund fan favourite Kevin Grosskreutz with his old club while providing coach Lucien Favre with another opportunity to test new signings Mats Hummels, Nico Schulz and Thorgan Hazard.
Favre's spruced-up squad beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in the German Supercup last weekend to pile the pressure on last season's league and cup winners.
Bayern have been less active ..

Bayern launch cup defence amid scandals in German football

A worker at a Tokyo 2020 Olympics construction site has collapsed and died, organisers said, reportedly of heatstroke as the Japanese capital swelters through a blistering heatwave.
The 50-year-old man was found lying on the ground under a scorching sun on Thursday afternoon at the site where he had been laying electric cables.
He was rushed to hospital but later confirmed dead, according to Tokyo 2020 organisers on Friday.
Organisers said the cause of death has not been officially established but several local media cited police as saying they suspect heatstroke. Police were unable to confirm the reports immediately.
The death is the third related to Tokyo Olympics construction works after one suicide from overwork stress and another killed in an accident.
Tokyo's hot and humid summer weather is a major concern for Olympic organisers, particularly after a heatwave that engulfed the city last year.
After a long rainy season this year, the Japanese capital has again been hit by a ...

Tokyo 2020 construction worker dies, heatstroke suspected

Pro-democracy activists kicked off three days of rallies at Hong Kong's airport on Friday, hoping to win international support from arriving passengers as the protests that have rocked the city enter a third month.
The rallies, promoted on social media with a mock boarding pass reading "HK to freedom" and "warm pick-up to guests to HK", will be the second time protesters have brought their message to the international travel hub.
The gatherings, expected to run over three days, have not been authorised, but the last demonstration at the airport passed off peacefully without causing flight disruptions.
The protests that began in opposition to a plan to allow extradition to mainland China have morphed into a broader movement seeking to reverse a slide in freedoms in the city.
Demonstrators have staged protests throughout Hong Kong and held rallies for families, older people, lawyers and civil servants, in a bid to show their demands have broad and enduring support.
They have announced a 

Hong Kong protesters kick off three-day airport rally

A Lebanese businessman designated by US authorities as an important financial supporter of Hezbollah was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to forfeit USD 50 million, the Justice Department said Thursday.
Kassim Tajideen, 63, pleaded guilty in December to one count of conspiracy to launder money as part of a scheme to evade US sanctions.
He was named a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in May 2009 by the Treasury Department based on tens of millions of dollars in financial support given to Hezbollah, a Shiite political party and militant group in Lebanon.
In a plea, Tajideen admitted to conspiring with at least five other people to conduct more than $50 million in transactions with US businesses, in violation of prohibitions barring his involvement with US persons or companies.
"His sentencing and the $50 million forfeiture in this case are just the latest public examples of the Department of Justice's ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle Hezbollah and its support ..

US slaps Hezbollah financier with prison, USD 50 mn fine

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday appointed a new ambassador to the US who has described Donald Trump as "treacherous", only a month after Britain's envoy to Washington had to step down over his criticisms of the US president.
In the early 2000s, Lee Soo-hyuck, a career diplomat before becoming a ruling party lawmaker, was Seoul's chief negotiator in the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear programme.
Now he will be responsible for guiding the relationship between Seoul and Washington, who have not always seen eye-to-eye over the nuclear-armed North or their own ties.
But only last year the South's Chosun Ilbo newspaper cited him as criticising Trump.
Lee had been asked about an incident at the White House when the US president declined to have Moon's answer to a reporter's question translated, saying "I'm sure I've heard it before".
Lee told the paper: "That's Trump's style. I don't think he's only done that to Moon. He's treacherous," adding that as a former ...

Seoul appoints envoy to US who called Trump 'treacherous'

US President Donald Trump has announced that his respected Deputy Director of National Intelligence was resigning, the latest chapter in a broad reshuffle at the top of the country's spy agencies.
Sue Gordon spent a quarter-century in the CIA before becoming second-in-command to outgoing Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and was in line to serve as acting director.
"Sue Gordon is a great professional with a long and distinguished career. I have gotten to know Sue over the past 2 years and have developed great respect for her," Trump said on Twitter on Thursday.
"Sue has announced she will be leaving on August 15, which coincides with the retirement of Dan Coats," Trump added.
Minutes later Trump tweeted that Joseph Maguire, a retired US Navy vice-admiral and the current Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), would replace Gordon.
"I have no doubt he will do a great job!" Trump said.
Trump praised the 67-year-old's "long and distinguished" military career, ..

Trump names new acting intelligence director as Gordon quits

Chinese factory price inflation fell below zero for the first time in three years, official data showed Friday, the latest sign of weakening demand amid mounting trade tensions with the US.
The producer price index (PPI) -- an important barometer of the industrial sector that measures the cost of goods at the factory gate -- dropped 0.3 percent year-on-year in July, down from zero percent in June, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
A slowdown in factory gate inflation reflects sluggish demand, while a turn to deflation could dent corporate profits and drag on the world's number two economy, which in turn could lead to a drop in prices globally.  The reading marks the first deflation since August 2016, and fell short of the -0.1 per cent forecast in a Bloomberg News survey.
The petroleum and natural gas mining sector led the drop, while a contraction in petroleum, coal and other fuel processing also widened, NBS official Dong Yaxiu said in a statement.
"The ...

China factory price deflates as demand weakens

Prosecutors in Brazil said they agree with a police finding that there is not enough evidence to prove rape allegations against Neymar and have asked a judge to close the case.
"What happened between four walls is impossible to know, we have her word against his," prosecutor Flavia Merlini told reporters on Thursday.
"We have decided to ask for the closure of the case."
Neymar has denied the allegations he raped a Brazilian woman in a Paris hotel in May. The ugly affair dominated headlines and conversations in the soccer-mad country for weeks.
The scandal blew up on June 2 when Neymar published a seven-minute video on Instagram, where he had first been in contact with Najila Trindade, revealing that he had been accused of rape.
In an attempt to defend himself against the allegations, Neymar's video was accompanied by WhatsApp messages and images of his encounter with Trindade.

Brazil prosecutors ask judge to close Neymar rape case

Mexico City has signed a deal with the International Motoring Federation (FIA) to continue hosting a Formula One race through 2022, after months of uncertainty about the future of the Mexican Grand Prix.
The government of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a leftist austerity crusader, had balked at shelling out tens of millions of dollars to renew its hosting rights for the race. Under the new contract, no government money will be spent, officials said on Thursday.
"This is an investment with new rules, for the benefit of the city. We are seeking a new formula so that F1 can stay, without the need for public resources," Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum told a press conference.
Alejandro Soberon, chief executive of the company that operates the Mexican F1 race, CIE, said private investment and "new financing models" would be used to put on the 2020 to 2022 editions of the event.
Officials did not say who the investors were. Mexican newspaper Milenio said they included ..

Mexico City signs deal with F1 to race Grand Prix through 2022

World number two Rafael Nadal said that he and long-time rival Roger Federer made a joint decision to stand for the ATP Player Council.
The 33-year-old Spaniard, an 18-time Grand Slam singles winner, confirmed the choice by the pair of icons at the ATP Montreal Masters after reaching the quarter-finals by beating Argentina's Guido Pella 6-3 6-4 on Thursday.
Federer, a 20-time Slam singles champion, and Nadal were elected by fellow players to fill two of the vacancies caused by the resignations of Robin Haase, Jamie Murray and Sergiy Stakhovsky prior to Wimbledon.
"We decided to be together out there," Nadal said.
"I will not be alone there. He will not be alone there.
"Both of us can (combine to) be a good power, good help for the sport in some way -- hopefully in a better way.
"We are here to help and to know a little bit better what's going on. Last year have been some up and downs in a lot of things."
Controversy has arisen over the past months concerning various issues, with ATP ..

Nadal, Federer made joint decision to re-enter ATP politics

Troy Merritt matched the Liberty National course record with a nine-under par 62 to grab a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the US PGA Northern Trust tournament.
On a day when Masters champion Tiger Woods struggled to a 75 and shared 116th among 120 starters, it was 33-year-old American Merritt who stole the show with a bogey-free day on Thursday.
"That putter was hot today and the greens were rolling beautifully and (I) just took advantage of it," Merritt said.
World number two Dustin Johnson was one stroke back with Kevin Kisner and Spain's Jon Rahm sharing third on 64. Third-ranked Rory McIlroy, world number four Justin Rose, Webb Simpson and Tony Finau were on 65.
Merritt equaled the record at the Jersey City, New Jersey, layout set by compatriot Kevin Chappell in the third round of the 2013 Northern Trust.
He also boosted his chances of moving on in the US PGA playoffs, with only the top 70 in season points advancing from this playoff opener to next week's second event .

Merritt equals course record for PGA lead, Tiger woeful

Kevin De Bruyne can't wait to play a key role in Manchester City's bid for a third successive Premier League title as the Belgian star finally returns to peak form and fitness.
Pep Guardiola's side start their title defence at West Ham on Saturday with De Bruyne providing a reassuring presence for the champions.
City have bolstered their treble-winning squad with the pound 62 million club record signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri, while also adding accomplished Juventus full-back Joao Cancelo.
But the prospect of De Bruyne driving City forward from midfield is a mouthwatering prospect for Guardiola.
The 28-year-old was an influential figure in City's 2017-18 Premier League title triumph, but he had only a bit-part role in last season's domestic dominance due to knee and muscular injuries.
De Bruyne made just 22 starts in all competitions before returning to prove he was still a force to be reckoned with by winning the man of the match award in City's FA Cup final thrashing of 

De Bruyne back to drive City's title defence

Serena Williams and Japan's Naomi Osaka booked a rematch of last year's US Open final in the WTA Toronto quarter-finals after straight-set triumphs here.
Reigning US and Australian Open champion Osaka broke at love in the final game to defeat Polish teen Iga Swiatek 7-6 (7/4) 6-4 after one hour and 51 minutes on Thursday.
World number 10 Williams was broken twice and dropped the first three games in 10 minutes then battled back to defeat Russia's 48th-ranked Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5 6-4 in 91 minutes.
That set the stage for Williams, a 37-year-old American who will try for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title at the upcoming US Open, to again face Osaka after the controversial finish to their Grand Slam showdown last year in New York.
It would be the first match between Osaka and Williams since the Japanese star defeated her childhood idol 6-2, 6-4 in last year's US Open final, a match marred by an on-court dispute between Williams and the umpire that led to a game penalty ...

AFP

AFP

Page 471 - Afp