New research suggests that the moon’s South Pole, a hotspot for future exploration, might be more challenging than expected due to “moonquakes” and landslides. The moon's allure as a target for space agencies like NASA and private companies like SpaceX is undeniable. But a recent study funded by NASA throws a cautionary flag on the lunar South Pole, a region rich in potential water ice and the target for several upcoming missions, reports CNN. The study revealed that the moon’s core is cooling and shrinking, causing its surface to wrinkle and crack, similar to a raisin, it said. China sends its youngest-ever crew to space as it seeks to put astronauts on moon before 2030 These “faults” trigger moonquakes lasting for hours and landslides, potentially posing a threat to future human settlements and equipment. The moon may seem geologically dead, but its interior is still hot, making it seismically active. The study links a powerful moonquake detected by Apollo astronauts to faults near the South Pole, highlighting the potential dangers. While the findings won’t affect the upcoming Artemis III mission due to its short duration, they raise concerns for long-term lunar settlements. Future site selection may consider factors like proximity to tectonic features. India becomes the fourth country to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon Yosio Nakamura, , a professor emeritus of geophysics at the University of Texas at Austin, who was among the researchers who first looked at the data collected by the Apollo seismic stations, disagreed with the study’s cause of shallow moonquakes, suggesting they originate deeper within the moon. He emphasized the need for more data. Allen Husker, a research professor of geophysics at the California Institute of Technology, said “It is very unlikely that a large moonquake will happen while they are there. However, it is good to know that these seismic sources (causing the quakes) exist. They can be an opportunity to better study the moon as we do on the earth with earthquakes,” Husker said. “By the time there is an actual moon base, we should have a much better idea of the actual seismic hazard with upcoming missions.” Jeffrey Andrews, an associate professor of planetary science at the University of Arizona, said, “Moonquakes are an incredible tool for doing science.” “They are like flashlights in the lunar interior that illuminate its structure for us to see. Studying moonquakes at the South Pole will tell us more about the moon’s interior structure as well as its present-day activity,” he added. Japan becomes the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the moon

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sounded an alarm, indicating that nearly 40% of global employment could be endangered by the burgeoning influence of artificial intelligence (AI). This stark warning, reported by CNN, underscores the seismic shifts anticipated in the global job market. IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva, in a recent blog post, stressed the critical necessity for governments worldwide to fortify social safety nets and roll out comprehensive retraining programmes. This proactive approach aims to mitigate AI's potentially dramatic effects on employment. Davos 2024: Can AI provide solutions, as Global leaders confront $88.1 trillion debt crisis? Highlighting a key concern, Georgieva pointed out the potential for AI adoption to aggravate existing inequalities, a trend that requires immediate policy intervention to avert escalating social tensions. This issue is set to be a central theme at the upcoming annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, where AI's role in the economy will be a focal point. According to the IMF's analysis, advanced economies might witness the most significant impact, with up to 60% of jobs at risk. Although AI promises to enhance productivity in about half of these roles, the remainder faces a stark reality of diminishing demand, lowered wages, and potential unemployment as AI assumes roles traditionally held by humans. UN chief warns of risks of artificial intelligence Emerging markets and lower-income countries are not immune to these challenges. Here, 40% and 26% of jobs, respectively, may feel the impact. Georgieva raised concerns about these regions' lack of infrastructure and skilled workforces, factors that intensify the risk of AI deepening existing economic divides. Georgieva also warned of an escalating risk of social unrest, especially if younger, tech-savvy workers leverage AI for productivity gains, leaving their older counterparts struggling to adapt. China warns of artificial intelligence risks, calls for beefed-up national security measures At Davos, the implications of AI on employment are a key discussion topic. Prominent figures, including Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, and Microsoft's Satya Nadella, are slated to address the impact of generative AI technologies. Despite these challenges, Georgieva did not overlook AI's positive potentials, noting its capacity to significantly boost global output and incomes. She argued that with thoughtful planning, AI could be a transformative force for the global economy, stressing the importance of channeling its benefits for the collective good. Amidst concerns over job displacement, some economists are optimistic, suggesting that AI's widespread adoption may ultimately enhance labor productivity. This could potentially lead to a 7% annual increase in global GDP over the next decade.

This week, the picturesque Swiss town of Davos becomes the epicenter of global policy discussions as world leaders convene to address a plethora of critical issues. High on their agenda are two ongoing major wars, a burgeoning shipping crisis, and the ever-increasing threat of cyber-attacks. Complicating these discussions, however, is the staggering $88.1 trillion global debt burden, a figure reported by CNN. This unprecedented surge, predominantly fueled by public borrowing during the pandemic, now significantly undermines governments’ capabilities to tackle existing and emerging global crises effectively. The soaring debt servicing costs not only strain public services, already reeling from successive budget cuts, but also limit efforts to combat climate change and provide adequate care for aging populations. UN council to hold first meeting on potential threats of artificial intelligence to global peace The risk looms larger as governments might find themselves unable to borrow more to fulfill existing obligations and fund essential services, says the report. Former Bank of England’s monetary policy committee member, Michael Saunders, warned that a government unable to finance its debt could face abrupt and painful spending cuts or tax hikes, hampering its response to future shocks, it also said. As the world faces a risky year of elections with half the global population heading to the polls, there is little incentive for belt-tightening among incumbent administrations. The prospect of new leaders implementing ambitious tax and spending plans raises concerns about the sustainability of already soaring levels of public debt, the report said. In the United States, record levels of public borrowing have become a major point of contention between Republicans and Democrats, affecting national budget negotiations and jeopardizing the functioning of federal agencies, it said. China warns of artificial intelligence risks, calls for beefed-up national security measures The implications of mounting debt are not limited to economic challenges. Political polarization has already impacted the credit rating of the United States, with agencies like Fitch downgrading its rating. Moody’s has also warned about the potential removal of the country’s last remaining perfect rating. Amidst these challenges, the increased cost of servicing debt, driven by rising interest rates, is diverting significant funds away from essential public services. In the UK, the Labour Party has scaled back green spending plans due to concerns about adding to the country's debt burden, the report further stated. As the global economy grapples with these debt challenges and slowing economic growth, some experts, including Raghuram Rajan, former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, suggest that artificial intelligence (AI) could hold the key to a relatively painless recovery. They hope for discussions at Davos to shed light on potential solutions, emphasizing the transformative power of an AI-driven productivity boom to reshape the world’s economic fortunes. UN chief warns of risks of artificial intelligence

The 2024 edition of Henley Passport Index – the most widely-accepted rating of global travel documents – places the Bangladeshi passport at 97th position, down one place from the last quarter of 2023. The latest edition of the Passport Index — published on Tuesday — features a total of 104 spots with some countries’ passports sharing the same ranking.  Bangladesh ranked 97th on the index, sharing the spot with North Korea — a country virtually isolated from the rest of the world. The ranking is based on the number of destinations passport holders can access without a prior visa. Also read: Bangladesh climbs 5 spots in latest passport ranking, still behind Sri Lanka and Libya According to the 2024 Henley Passport Index, a Bangladeshi passport entitles visa-free travel to 42 destinations. In South Asia, the Bangladeshi passport fared better compared to that of Nepal (98), Pakistan (101) and Afghanistan (104).  Maldives’ passport ranked at 58, becoming the strongest in South Asia with visa-free access to 94 countries. India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka’s passports ranked at 80th, 87th and 96th respectively. An unprecedented six countries share the top spot for the most desirable travel documents in 2024. Citizens of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain now have access to visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to a remarkable 194 destinations worldwide.  This figure marks the highest count recorded since the Henley Passport Index began monitoring global travel freedoms 19 years ago, according to CNN. Also read: Bangladesh e-Passport Information Update: Step by Step Procedure, Related Costs Apart from those 6 countries who share the top spot, other countries sharing the top 5 rankings in the Henley Passport Index are: Finland, South Korea, Sweden in the second spot with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 193 countries; Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands sharing the third spot with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 192 countries; Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal United Kingdom in fourth spot with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 191 countries; Greece, Malta, and Switzerland in the fifth spot with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 190 destinations.  Countries sharing the bottom 5 rankings as per the passport index are: Yemen, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.  The Henley Passport Index, the only one of its kind based on unique data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), has historical data going back 19 years. The database lists 227 travel destinations and 199 passports. The Henley Passport Index is updated every quarter, and is regarded as the go-to resource for global citizens and sovereign states for determining where a passport ranks on the scale of global mobility. Also read: Bangladesh passport visa free countries for 2023

In a surprising move, OpenAI, the artificial intelligence research lab, ousted its CEO, Sam Altman, raising eyebrows and leaving shareholders in the dark. While concerns about the rapid advancement of AI technology may have played a role in Altman's termination, the handling of the situation has drawn criticism from various quarters, reports CNN. The decision to remove Altman, credited with steering OpenAI from obscurity to a $90 billion valuation, was made abruptly, catching even major stakeholders like Microsoft off guard. Human drama at OpenAI: Board reportedly ‘in discussion’ with Sam Altman to return as CEO The CNN report suggests that Microsoft, OpenAI's most important shareholder, was unaware of Altman's dismissal until just before the public announcement, causing a significant drop in Microsoft's stock value. OpenAI employees, including co-founder and former president Greg Brockman, were also blindsided, leading to Brockman's subsequent resignation. The sudden departure of key figures prompted rumors of Altman and former employees planning to launch a competing startup, posing a threat to OpenAI's years of hard work and achievements, said the report. The situation worsened due to the peculiar structure of OpenAI's board. The company, a nonprofit, harbors a for-profit entity, OpenAI LP, established by Altman, Brockman, and Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever. The for-profit arm's rapid innovation to achieve a $90 billion valuation clashed with the nonprofit's majority-controlled board, resulting in Altman's dismissal, it also said. The tipping point appears to be Altman's announcement at a recent developer conference, signaling OpenAI's intention to provide tools for creating personalised versions of ChatGPT. This move, seen as too risky by the board, may have triggered Altman's removal. ChatGPT-maker OpenAI fires CEO Sam Altman Altman's warnings about the potential dangers of AI and the need for regulatory limits indicate a clash between innovation and safety within OpenAI. The board's concerns about Altman's pace of development, while perhaps justified, were mishandled, leading to a crisis that could have been avoided. The aftermath sees OpenAI scrambling to reverse the decision, attempting to entice Altman back. The incident has strained relations with Microsoft, which now demands a seat on the board. OpenAI's future hangs in the balance, with possibilities ranging from Altman's return to a potential competition with a new startup, the report also said. In the end, OpenAI finds itself in a precarious position, facing potential internal upheaval and external challenges, highlighting the importance of strategic decision-making in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. Microsoft hires OpenAI founder Sam Altman to lead AI research team

Meryl Streep and her husband Don Gummer have been living separately for more than six years, reports CNN. In a statement to People on Saturday, one of Streep’s representatives said, “Don Gummer and Meryl Streep have been separated for more than 6 years, and while they will always care for each other, they have chosen lives apart.” Also read: 12 Most Awaited South Indian Movies Releasing in November 2023: A Sneak Peek The three-time Oscar winner and Gummer, a sculptor, got married in 1978. Last month marked their 45th wedding anniversary. Streep and Gummer were photographed at numerous events together over the years but largely kept their personal lives out of the press. Also read: List of English Language Netflix Originals Coming in November 2023 In 2012, Streep paid tribute to Gummer in her best actress Oscar acceptance speech for her performance in “The Iron Lady”. “First, I’m going to thank Don because when you thank your husband at the end of the speech, they play him out with the music, and I want him to know that everything I value most in our lives, you’ve given me,” Streep said at the time. Also read: Aruna Biswas’s debut film 'Ashomvob' set to release this October

Guinness World Records declared on Monday that Pepper X has won the title of world's “hottest chilli pepper”.According to testing conducted by Winthrop University in South Carolina, this new pepper averages 2.69 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU), surpassing the previous record-holder, Carolina Reaper, which averages 1.64 million SHU, according to Guinness World Records, reports CNN. Also read: Dhaka Clean-up Campaign hits Guinness World RecordAmerican scientist Wilbur Scoville created the SHU scale to gauge the spiciness of chilli peppers in 1912, it said.According to Guinness, the typical jalapeno pepper has a SHU rating between 3,000 and 8,000. Also read: 64- year-old FF sets Guinness World Record swimming 186 kmsEd Currie, the owner of the Puckerbutt Pepper Company in South Carolina, cultivates Pepper X. The Carolina Reaper, which broke the record in 2013, was also a creation of his, the report said.“Ed cultivated Pepper X on his farm for over 10 years, cross-breeding it with some of his hottest peppers to increase its capsaicin content,” Guinness said on its website. Also read: Thakurgaon youth jumps rope to enter Guinness BookCurrie unveiled Pepper X to the public for the first time on an episode of the popular YouTube series, “Hot Ones.”There is currently no information on how a pepper that has 1 million more Scoville units than the Reaper will be characterised.

Only 37 percent of eligible American citizens voted in the three most-recent national general elections, despite those elections witnessing some of the greatest turnout in decades, according to a Pew Research Centre analysis issued on Wednesday (July 12, 2023). The study, which followed individual Americans’ voting decisions for the previous six years, emphasises both the small percentage of the population that regularly votes and the extent to which swings in turnout may alter the electoral landscape. When combined with other, often contradictory sources of electoral data, the findings assist to create a more complete image of the 2022 electorate, reports CNN. According to the study, almost one-third of eligible US citizens voted in only one or two of the past three elections, while 30 percent did not vote in any of these elections, it said. Also read: Biden, Trump to make final appeals ahead of crucial midterms Consistent voters in the previous three elections were about evenly divided between those who supported the Democratic Party (49 percent) and those who supported the Republican Party (50 percent). In contrast, the political composition of less consistent voters changed with each election. There was also substantial demographic variance in which groups regularly voted, with older and White Americans being more inclined to do so, the report also said. Regardless of what motivates an individual’s decision to vote in a particular election, turnout volatility can have a significant influence on political outcomes. According to the Pew study, changing turnout was significantly more important than changing minds in the last two midterm elections, the report added. Also read: US midterm election: Democrats repel Republicans backed by Trump in several left-leaning states “Voters who were more favorable to Republican candidates turned out at higher rates compared with those who typically support Democrats,” the report’s authors write. “Shifting preferences among individual voters – though likely consequential in some races – was a much smaller factor in the 2022 midterms compared with turnout.” Even a modest adjustment in voting preference can be significant in close elections, and the report adds that some groups, such as rural voters and White voters without a college degree, were disproportionately prone to switch sides. The biggest change, though, was who did not vote last year. People who voted in 2018, but not in 2022, favoured Democrats by an almost 2-to-1 ratio, 64% to 33%, according to the research. In contrast, 2022 voters who had not voted in the previous four years favoured the Republican Party. Also read: Trump looking to defy history with 3rd run for president The Pew Research Centre utilised the nationally representative American Trends Panel to interview 11,377 US individuals in November 2022, including 7,041 adult citizens who were 18 or older in 2018 and for whom credible statistics on turnout and vote choice are available for the previous four general elections. In November 2020, it interviewed 11,818 individuals, and in November 2018, it surveyed 10,640 adults.

According to a new Pew Research Center report released Wednesday, the Black Lives Matter movement has lost popularity among Americans in the last three years. According to Pew, 51% of Americans strongly or somewhat support the Black Lives Matter movement. According to the organisation, this is a decrease from over 70% of Americans who voiced support for the campaign in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing in 2020 and 56% last year, reports CNN. According to the report, the waning support is mostly due to a decline in the proportion of white individuals who say they support the movement. According to Pew, the total number of Black and Hispanic adults who voiced support has remained stable over the last year. Also read: Black Americans faced over 1.63 million excess deaths over 2 decades, new study finds Eighty-one percent of Black adults back the movement. According to the poll, 63% of Asians and 61% of Hispanics agreed, compared to 42% of white adults. According to the research, when asked which words best define the movement, over one-third of Americans said "dangerous" and "divisive" describe it extremely or very well, the report said. However, there were considerable disparities across races and ethnic groupings. While white adults were more likely than other groups to think the phrases "dangerous" and "divisive" characterize the Black Lives Matter movement extremely or very well, 50% of Black adults said the word "dangerous" does not describe the movement very well or at all, according to the report. Also read: Protests spread in wake of George Floyd death in US According to Pew, Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans are all more likely than white adults to say the phrase "empowering" characterizes the movement extremely or very well. However, almost one-third, or 34%, thought the same thing about the word "divisive". Adults under 30 were more likely to support the movement than those in all other age categories. The research also revealed a large ideological divide. According to the research, 84% of Democrats and Democratic leaners favour the Black Lives Matter movement, while 82% of Republicans or Republican leaners reject it, the report also said. Americans also shared their thoughts on the movement's influence on a variety of problems. According to the study, around 32% of Americans believe the movement has been extremely effective in drawing attention to racism towards Black people. According to Pew, a smaller proportion of US respondents said the movement had a similar influence on enhancing police accountability (14%), improving the lives of Black people (8%), and improving racial relations (7%). Also read: Bangladesh to show solidarity with Black Lives Matter movement These findings are based on an online survey conducted from April 10 to April 16 among a random sample of 5,073 persons in the United States, derived from panels initially recruited using probability-based approaches, the report concluded.

After much speculation, it has been confirmed that a fan favorite character will be returning to the "Fast & Furious" franchise. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, last Thursday (June 1, 2023), revealed the news on social media that he is "one hundred percent confirming" that his character Luke Hobbs will be returning to the fray. Aslo read: The Rock announces wedding on Instagram Johnson also praised viewers for their enthusiasm and support for his unexpected appearance in "Fast X," which came out in May, reports CNN. The Rock also hinted that there would be more between Hobbs and Jason Momoa's character Dante, it said. “If you thought that ‘The Rock’ versus ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin headlining three WrestleManias was earth-shattering, well, wait until you see Dante and Hobbs collide,” he said, calling back to his days as a professional wrestler. Also read: 'Hobbs & Shaw' is No. 1 but trails 'Fast & Furious' pace While Johnson wasn’t explicitly clear on what the next “Fast” installment is, The Wrap is reporting that an untitled Hobbs movie is in the works at Universal Pictures that will be a “bridge” between “Fast X” and “Fast X: Part II,” instead of Johnson returning in a “Hobbs & Shaw” sequel film (“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” was a 2019 “Fast & Furious” spinoff starring Johnson and Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw) The "Black Adam" actor starred as Hobbs in 2011's "Fast Five" and went on to star in five more flicks in the franchise.