Science & Earth
→ NewsDoomsday Clock moves to 85 seconds as scientists cite AI and tensions
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced the Doomsday Clock has been moved to 85 seconds to midnight, and experts cited rising geopolitical tensions, climate issues and developments in artificial intelligence as key factors.
Judge allows Massachusetts offshore wind project to continue
A federal judge in Boston blocked the administration's stop-work order, allowing the nearly completed Vineyard Wind project to continue; the project is about 95% finished and is partially operational.
Doomsday Clock moves to 85 seconds before midnight
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists advanced its Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight, citing rising risks from nuclear tensions, climate change, potential misuse of biotechnology and growing use of artificial intelligence without sufficient controls.
Doomsday Clock is scheduled to be updated today
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will reveal the 2026 Doomsday Clock at 10am EST (3pm UK) in a live YouTube briefing featuring Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa and other experts; the clock currently stands at 89 seconds to midnight.
Primate pets: Solihull owners urged to obtain licences for monkeys
New England regulations make it illegal from April 6 to keep primates privately without a licence, and Solihull Council has set local fees for the new licences.
Plastics health risks projected to more than double by 2040
A Lancet Planetary Health modelling study finds annual healthy years lost from the global plastics system could rise from 2.1 million in 2016 to 4.5 million in 2040 under a business-as-usual scenario; combined systemic measures could cut the 2040 health burden by about 43% compared with business-as-usual.
Wooden tools in Greece dated to about 430,000 years ago
Two wooden artifacts recovered at a lake shore in Greece are reported to be about 430,000 years old and are described as the oldest wooden tools found so far.
Extreme heat exposure to more than double by 2050 if warming reaches 2C
A Nature Sustainability study finds that if global warming reaches 2C, an estimated 3.79 billion people (about 41% of the projected 2050 population) would experience extreme heat, and no region would be fully immune.
OceanXplorer is a one-stop shop for marine research
AFP reported from OceanXplorer, a retrofitted research vessel owned by the nonprofit OceanX, which pairs advanced onboard laboratories, submersibles and media production to support rotating teams of scientists studying seamounts off Indonesia.
Victorians urged to evacuate Otways as fire could spread toward over 1,000 homes
A fire in the Otways has burned about 9,400 hectares and authorities urged residents in more than 1,000 homes to evacuate before sunset as a heatwave and forecast winds raise the risk of further spread.
Filtration material could absorb 'forever chemicals' at ultrafast rates
Researchers report a copper–aluminium layered double hydroxide (LDH) that can absorb long-chain PFAS up to about 100 times faster than current systems, and the captured PFAS were reported to be broken by heating the material to roughly 400–500°C.
OMG corner is a coastal viewpoint on the A496 revealing Harlech beach and Cardigan Bay
National Trust Cymru named 'OMG corner', a bend on the A496 near Llanfair that unveils wide views over Harlech beach, Cardigan Bay and the Eryri skyline, as one of several 'I love you' views chosen for St Dwynwen's Day.
Backyard birds need winter foods: seven options experts recommend
Experts say seeds, nuts and other high-energy foods help backyard birds maintain fat reserves in winter, and that offering varied feeders and keeping them clean supports a wider range of species.
Landslide in West Java leaves seven dead and over 80 missing
A landslide struck Pasirlangu village in West Bandung, West Java, early Saturday, killing at least seven people and leaving 82 reported missing.
Whale in the Thames drew millions during a 2006 rescue attempt
In January 2006 a northern bottlenose whale entered the River Thames and a large-scale rescue effort tried to move the 19ft animal out to sea; it died on the barge and post‑mortem samples have since supported scientific research.
West Yorkshire nature reserve that inspired the Brontë sisters named a 2026 'wonder of the world'
Condé Nast Traveller named the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve a '2026 wonder of the world', noting the reserve was established in May 2025 and links eight sites across the Bradford and South Pennines.
Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve named a 'Wonder of the World' for 2026
Condé Nast Traveller listed the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve as one of seven destinations to visit in 2026. The reserve was established in May 2025 as part of King Charles' plan to create 25 National Nature Reserves across the UK.
RHS unveils drought plan to protect five public gardens
The Royal Horticultural Society says it will prioritise investment in water capture and management across its five public gardens in 2026 after severe droughts last year, and will carry out research on soil health and plant water use.
After Storm Goretti, Cornwall plans careful woodland restoration.
Storm Goretti on 8 January flattened thousands of trees across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and landowners, gardens and conservation groups are clearing damage while planning a mix of natural regeneration and targeted replanting.
Church of England urged to 'glorify God sustainably'
The Church of England's General Synod will vote next month on a motion to discourage floral foam and promote local, seasonal and biodegradable floral arrangements across parishes, chaplaincies and cathedrals.
Ukraine's heating disrupted after strikes reportedly guided by Soviet-era system knowledge
Russian strikes around 20 January left thousands of Kyiv apartments without heating and power, officials reported; Ukrainian officials and analysts say familiarity with Soviet-era, centralised energy systems has been cited as a factor in targeting infrastructure.
Garden birds helped by one simple action in January
The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch ran from January 23–25 and invites volunteers to record garden birds so the charity can track population changes. By midday on January 23, organisers had reported 80,797 garden birds counted nationwide.
British garden birds received help from a simple hour-long count
The RSPB ran a weekend garden bird count from January 23–25 asking volunteers to watch for one hour and record species; by midday on January 23, 80,797 garden birds had been logged nationwide.
Queen Nefertiti's tomb could be close to discovery, says Dr Zahi Hawass
Dr Zahi Hawass says he believes Queen Nefertiti's tomb may be located in the eastern Valley of the Kings, where his team is excavating; recent work in the area has produced finds including two tombs and a large pink granite false door.
An ancient forest in Ecuador is the last stand for the Black-breasted puffleg
The Yanacocha Reserve in the Ecuadorian Andes is the last known refuge for the Black‑breasted puffleg, a 9 cm hummingbird with an IUCN estimate of about 150–200 birds, and conservationists are working to restore its cloud-forest habitat.
European cold snap may increase bird migration to UK
The RSPB says recent cold, unsettled weather in Europe may push more migratory birds such as fieldfares and redwings to spend winter in the UK, and the Big Garden Birdwatch runs 23–25 January.
In Scotland, bottom trawling continues to damage coastal seabeds
About 37% of Scotland's waters are designated as Marine Protected Areas, but most lack management and bottom trawling or scallop dredging is permitted across much of the inshore coast; the Scottish government has delayed a consultation on coastal fisheries measures by at least six months.
NASA marks 40th anniversary of Challenger accident with families
Families and officials gathered at Kennedy Space Center on Jan. 22 to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Challenger accident; speakers noted that cold-weakened O-ring seals and organizational failings contributed and said those lessons remain relevant.
Astronaut says viewing Earth from space changed her perspective on humanity
Suni Williams said looking down at Earth from space made her see people as a single human group without visible borders; she has retired after a 27-year NASA career and logged 608 days in space.
Sulawesi cave art dates to at least 67,800 years ago.
Researchers report a hand stencil in Sulawesi dated to at least 67,800 years ago, described as the oldest securely dated cave art, and the cave sequence shows painting continued across many millennia with later additions around 4,000 years ago.
