Bomb Cyclone to Bring Damaging Weather to US Pacific States

BBC News,

A powerful ‘bomb cyclone’ developing off the US northwest coast is expected to bring high winds, flooding, and significant snowfall to over seven million residents along the Pacific Ocean. The storm began impacting the region on Tuesday and is projected to intensify through the week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In addition to strong winds, the cyclone may cause flash flooding, rockslides, debris flows, heavy mountain snow, and blizzard conditions in high-elevation areas. The rapid drop in air pressure has quickly intensified the weather system, leading to severe conditions. NOAA warns that whiteout conditions could make travel hazardous, with snow accumulations reaching up to 20 inches in some locations. Power outages and downed trees are also likely, along with high surf along the coastline. The National Weather Service has issued winter weather alerts and storm warnings for several Pacific coast regions. While similar atmospheric river events have occurred recently, the combination with a bomb cyclone poses a significant weather event, potentially leading to widespread disruptions and safety hazards.

Dr. Oz Tapped by Trump to Oversee Medicare and Medicaid

Axios,

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz, a well-known TV personality and former heart surgeon, to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Announced on Tuesday, Oz’s appointment is significant given his lack of experience in managing large government agencies. Trump praised Oz as highly qualified to “Make America Healthy Again” and stated that Oz would work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is nominated to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Oz’s role is expected to focus on cutting waste and fraud within CMS and promoting disease prevention. Despite his prominence, Oz has faced criticism for promoting unverified medical theories and treatments. His nomination adds to uncertainties surrounding Trump’s healthcare policies, especially with Kennedy’s appointment potentially influencing Medicare and Medicaid strategies. If confirmed by the Senate, Oz’s leadership could lead to significant changes in entitlement spending and healthcare administration, impacting millions of Americans reliant on these services.

Russia Claims It Shot Down US-Made ATACMS Missiles and Issues Nuclear Threat

ABC News,

The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that it successfully intercepted a Ukrainian ATACMS missile attack in the Bryansk region, part of Russia’s western frontier. According to the ministry’s Telegram, five of six missiles were downed, with fragments causing a fire at a military facility. Concurrently, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov revealed updates to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, allowing nuclear retaliation in response to foreign ballistic missile attacks. This update follows Ukrainian forces’ first use of ATACMS missiles in Russia, a move supported by the U.S. despite ambiguity from the Biden administration. U.S. officials have noted differing accounts of the strike, with some stating only two out of eight missiles were intercepted, while others reported six hits. The new Russian doctrine has heightened tensions, with President Vladimir Putin asserting that the use of Western rockets by Ukraine could trigger a nuclear response. The U.S. has reiterated that neither it nor NATO pose a nuclear threat to Russia, but the situation remains volatile as both nations navigate their military strategies and diplomatic relations.

World’s First Saber-Toothed Cat Mummy Found in Siberia

National Geographic,

Paleontologists have uncovered the world’s first saber-toothed cat mummy in Siberia’s permafrost, providing unprecedented insights into the appearance and life of these ancient predators. The frozen cub, identified as a juvenile Homotherium latidens, lived around 32,000 years ago and offers the first look at the soft tissues of a saber-tooth, previously known only from bones and footprints. Discovered in 2020 by diggers searching for mammoth tusks, the mummy has revealed details about the cat’s fur, muscular structure, and jaw capabilities. The specimen shows that Homotherium had deep muzzles capable of concealing long canine teeth, challenging previous depictions of saber-toothed cats. Additionally, the cub’s dark brown fur suggests that juveniles may have had darker coats that lightened with age, a trait not seen in modern cats. This discovery helps clarify the physical adaptations that allowed Homotherium to hunt large megafauna like juvenile mammoths and highlights the unique evolutionary path of these extinct predators, offering a tangible connection to a world long gone.

The Dark Energy Pushing Our Universe Apart May Not Be What It Seems

Associated Press,

Scientists are re-evaluating the nature of dark energy, the mysterious force believed to be driving the accelerated expansion of the universe. Recent findings from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, involving over 900 scientists, suggest that dark energy may not be a constant force as previously thought. By mapping the universe’s 11-billion-year history, researchers observed that the force affecting galaxy movements appears to be changing or weakening over time. This challenges the standard cosmological model, which relies on a consistent dark energy presence. Cosmologist Mustapha Ishak-Boushaki expressed surprise at the results, which could indicate that dark energy is fundamentally different or that alternative explanations are needed. While the findings are not yet definitive, they open new avenues for understanding the universe’s fate. Further data and analysis from other telescopes are required to determine whether the current view of dark energy will be upheld or revised, potentially reshaping our understanding of cosmology and the fundamental forces governing the cosmos.

‘The Sixth Great Extinction Is Happening’, Warns Climate Expert

BBC News,

Dr. Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist and conservationist, warns that the world is currently experiencing the sixth great extinction due to environmental destruction and climate change. During her latest speaking tour, documented by a film team in Vienna, Dr. Goodall emphasized the urgent need for tree-planting and habitat restoration projects. Her foundation and Ecosia have planted nearly two million trees in Uganda over the past five years to restore habitats for chimpanzees and combat deforestation. Dr. Goodall highlighted that between 2001 and 2021, the world lost 437 million hectares of tree cover, with 16% being primary forest. She stressed that climate change is altering rainfall patterns, exacerbating the spread of wildfires and disrupting ecosystems. At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Dr. Goodall called for immediate action to reduce fossil fuel use and industrial farming to preserve biodiversity and stabilize the climate. Her lifelong dedication to chimpanzee conservation underscores the interconnectedness of wildlife preservation and climate health, urging global leaders to implement stricter environmental regulations to prevent further loss of biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change.