Scientists say Earth lost more than 12 trillion tons of ice in 47 years. This raised global sea levels by about 31.4 millimeters. Most ice loss came from glaciers flowing faster into the ocean, not from surface melting. Ice loss has accelerated since the 1990s.
In September 2026, China’s high-speed rail network expanded further into remote areas. A key tunnel on the Xi’an-Chongqing line was completed 107 days ahead of schedule, and a direct train now connects the revolutionary bases of Ruijin and Yan’an.
Scientists have discovered a new species of wild cat in Bolivia. It is smaller than a house cat and has leopard-like spots. A local man found it as a kitten and brought it to a wildlife sanctuary. Researchers confirmed it is a new species through genetic testing.
Night sleeper trains are making a comeback across Europe. They are romantic and much greener than flying, and passenger demand is strong. But the revival faces real problems: ageing carriages, unstable subsidies, and cancelled routes.
Japan now has more than 100,000 people aged 100 or older, a record high. Nearly 88% of them are women. The government released the figures on Respect the Aged Day. Japan’s population is rapidly aging and declining.
On August 31, 2026, 39-year-old Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina’s national team. He wrote a handwritten letter saying he had given everything to the team and that it was time for a new generation.
A massive glacier collapse in the Himalayas along the Nepal-China border triggered a deadly flood. Over 1,400 people died and more than 6,000 remain missing. Scientists say climate change is making such disasters more likely.
Meta agreed to pay up to $1.7 billion to settle claims by 47 U.S. states that Facebook and Instagram harmed children by being deliberately addictive.
Recently, scientists achieved a major breakthrough by using artificial intelligence and 3D X-ray imaging to “unroll” and read the ancient text digitally without touching the scrolls, unlocking lost philosophical works and historical secrets.