Notley criticizes UCP for ‘chasing doctors’ away in visit to Medicine Hat
NDP leader Rachel Notley spoke outside Medicine Hat Regional Hospital Tuesday about the state of health care in Alberta, touching on the dozens of rural hospitals that have partially closed, Albertans who don’t have access to a family doctor, and the lack of continuity of care.
“We know that here there are currently no physicians accepting new patients in Medicine Hat,” stated Notley. “The total number of physicians in this city has dropped by 20 per cent over the past two years. We understand there is a shortage of doctors right across the country, but only in Alberta has the provincial government been so openly hostile and so intent on chasing doctors and other health-care professionals out of their clinics.”
Notley says the NDP wants to work with communities and city councils to foster an environment that encourages physician retention, adding they feel it is vital to re-establish a relationship between the government and all health-care workers, and to restore stability to the healthcare system. Notley stressed the push for privatization needs to end and the system must be appropriately funded.
If elected as premier in the election next year, Notley says she will attempt to reverse as many of the privatization contracts as possible.
“The plans they (UCP) have made with respect to privatization is going to have a negative impact on our overall health-care system. I suspect we would have some capacity to reverse those contracts depending on how far along they are. We would do everything we can to stop those contracts and we would not move forward with privatization.”
Not having enough front-line health-care workers is currently a primary issue, and Notley said it is a recipe for disaster to set up a private model in the middle of a public one.
Notley added the privatization of lab services is one of the more complicated matters. The NDP planned to build a public lab and the ground was being broken when the UCP was elected and work stopped, putting thousands out of work- which Notley said was a tremendous loss to the province.
The problem with privatizing labs, Notley says, is when the contracts come up for renegotiation, the price will go up and the testing capacity down.
“We don’t know the current contract or how far along it is, or the path to undoing the damage,” said Notley. “We would certainly make that a focus to try to do as much as we can in a cost-effective way because testing and diagnostics is a critical part of our health-care system,” said Notley.
SAMANTHA JOHNSON, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Medicine Hat News
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Bell: Danielle Smith, can she beat Rachel Notley? More numbers
Rick Bell - Yesterday
UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith speaks at a campaign rally in Chestermere on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.© Provided by Calgary Sun
One minute you’re thinking about whether these UCP leadership hopefuls can defeat the NDP and their leader Rachel Notley.
The next minute some numbers appear as if from the political gods.
They’re actually numbers from the well-respected ThinkHQ Public Affairs.
It is a poll of adult Albertans.
Let’s roll. What are individuals asked?
Does the prospect of Brian Jean as UCP leader make you more or less likely to vote for the UCP in the next provincial election?
More likely 21%. Less likely 28%. That’s a minus 7.
What about voting for a Travis Toews-led UCP?
More likely 17%. Less likely 22%. That’s a minus 5.
Now, Danielle Smith.
More likely to vote for the UCP with Smith at the helm 20%. Less likely 39%.
That’s a minus 19.
Now let’s look at different parts of the province, starting with battleground Calgary.
The city of Calgary.
More likely to vote for a Jean-led UCP. 17%. Less likely 33%. Not so good.
In the city of Calgary, more likely to vote for Team Toews, 16%. Less likely 22%.
Smith? You want to know about Smith?
Within the Calgary city limits, 18% are more likely to vote UCP with Smith running the show. Less likely 44%.
Ouch.
Of the three candidates, where does Smith have the highest number of people less likely to vote UCP, compared to more likely to vote UCP with her in charge?
As well as Calgary, there’s the area around Calgary, and in the city of Edmonton, and surrounding the capital, and in small urban areas, and in northern Alberta.
Yes, Smith fares better in rural Alberta, but Jean and Toews are strong there as well.
You want some more, I know you do.
Just one more helping of the political calculus.
For those identifying themselves as supporting the UCP, 35% are more likely to vote for the party in the next election with Smith in the top job and 22% less likely, numbers in the same neighbourhood as Toews and Jean.
As for those supporting the NDP, the intensity against Smith is greatest.
59% are less likely to back the UCP with Smith.
40% are less likely to back the party with a Jean-led UCP and 30% less likely with Toews holding the reins.
Of course, there is a margin of error and this is a snapshot in time, so handle the arithmetic as you see fit.
There is no conspiracy here. The numbers are the numbers.
Remember, this scribbler was the one rolling out the nose counts showing Smith as the frontrunner in the UCP leadership race by a healthy margin.
A little dessert? Who doesn’t like dessert?
Premier Jason Kenney has the approval of 30% of Albertans sampled, with 67% disapproving and few unsure how they feel.
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Jean has the approval of 33% and the disapproval of 49%. The rest are unsure.
Toews is at 29% approval and 38% disapproval with a full third of those polled unsure about him.
He’s a quiet guy.
Smith?
She has 27% approval and 58% disapproval.
Brian Jean seen as UCP candidate most likely to win next election: poll
Bell: UCP race, more poll numbers, is it all over but the shouting?
Bell: Kenney unpopular to the end, a lesson for Pierre Poilievre
Now let’s bring in Marc Henry from ThinkHQ.
If the polling of UCP members is on the money and Smith wins the party leadership Oct. 6 to become premier, Henry says the following.
“There may be some real unintended consequences.
“She’s extremely divisive. She definitely has her supporters, her strong supporters. But she’s got more detractors and they’re strong detractors.”
And …
“She will absolutely invigorate NDP turnout. They’re more motivated against Smith than the others. Danielle Smith is a lightning rod for that vote. She becomes a rallying cry.”
The pollster finally points to those unsure of who they will vote for in the next provincial election.
With these folks, 16% are more likely to vote for a Toews UCP, 19% less likely.
If Jean is UCP leader it’s 18% more likely to vote UCP, 29% less likely.
With Smith as UCP leader, 10% are more likely to vote for the party and 39% are less likely.
We are told these are individuals who probably voted UCP in the last election and are sitting out there waiting to see what unfolds.
And to end this day …
The UCP without a leader and it’s a coin toss with the NDP, says the poll. The governing party is very much in the running.
With a leader?
“With Jean or Toews, you know, they have some work to do but certainly that base is there,” says Henry, the noted nose counter.
“With Smith, they are going to be facing a headwind.”
Knowing some of the Smith team now on board, if their candidate becomes premier, they will be pulling out all the stops to win the next election.
It promises to be a fight for the ages.
Meanwhile in Medicine Hat, with this race to be premier headed for the last lap on the track, Notley the NDP leader talks to families who do not have a family doctor.
rbell@postmedia.com
Rick Bell - Yesterday
UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith speaks at a campaign rally in Chestermere on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.© Provided by Calgary Sun
One minute you’re thinking about whether these UCP leadership hopefuls can defeat the NDP and their leader Rachel Notley.
The next minute some numbers appear as if from the political gods.
They’re actually numbers from the well-respected ThinkHQ Public Affairs.
It is a poll of adult Albertans.
Let’s roll. What are individuals asked?
Does the prospect of Brian Jean as UCP leader make you more or less likely to vote for the UCP in the next provincial election?
More likely 21%. Less likely 28%. That’s a minus 7.
What about voting for a Travis Toews-led UCP?
More likely 17%. Less likely 22%. That’s a minus 5.
Now, Danielle Smith.
More likely to vote for the UCP with Smith at the helm 20%. Less likely 39%.
That’s a minus 19.
Now let’s look at different parts of the province, starting with battleground Calgary.
The city of Calgary.
More likely to vote for a Jean-led UCP. 17%. Less likely 33%. Not so good.
In the city of Calgary, more likely to vote for Team Toews, 16%. Less likely 22%.
Smith? You want to know about Smith?
Within the Calgary city limits, 18% are more likely to vote UCP with Smith running the show. Less likely 44%.
Ouch.
Of the three candidates, where does Smith have the highest number of people less likely to vote UCP, compared to more likely to vote UCP with her in charge?
As well as Calgary, there’s the area around Calgary, and in the city of Edmonton, and surrounding the capital, and in small urban areas, and in northern Alberta.
Yes, Smith fares better in rural Alberta, but Jean and Toews are strong there as well.
You want some more, I know you do.
Related video: UCP leadership candidate Danielle Smith outlines her proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act
Duration 5:51 View on Watch
Just one more helping of the political calculus.
For those identifying themselves as supporting the UCP, 35% are more likely to vote for the party in the next election with Smith in the top job and 22% less likely, numbers in the same neighbourhood as Toews and Jean.
As for those supporting the NDP, the intensity against Smith is greatest.
59% are less likely to back the UCP with Smith.
40% are less likely to back the party with a Jean-led UCP and 30% less likely with Toews holding the reins.
Of course, there is a margin of error and this is a snapshot in time, so handle the arithmetic as you see fit.
There is no conspiracy here. The numbers are the numbers.
Remember, this scribbler was the one rolling out the nose counts showing Smith as the frontrunner in the UCP leadership race by a healthy margin.
A little dessert? Who doesn’t like dessert?
Premier Jason Kenney has the approval of 30% of Albertans sampled, with 67% disapproving and few unsure how they feel.
Flameless Heaters - REQUEST A QUOTE Today
Adwww.artictherm.com
Jean has the approval of 33% and the disapproval of 49%. The rest are unsure.
Toews is at 29% approval and 38% disapproval with a full third of those polled unsure about him.
He’s a quiet guy.
Smith?
She has 27% approval and 58% disapproval.
Brian Jean seen as UCP candidate most likely to win next election: poll
Bell: UCP race, more poll numbers, is it all over but the shouting?
Bell: Kenney unpopular to the end, a lesson for Pierre Poilievre
Now let’s bring in Marc Henry from ThinkHQ.
If the polling of UCP members is on the money and Smith wins the party leadership Oct. 6 to become premier, Henry says the following.
“There may be some real unintended consequences.
“She’s extremely divisive. She definitely has her supporters, her strong supporters. But she’s got more detractors and they’re strong detractors.”
And …
“She will absolutely invigorate NDP turnout. They’re more motivated against Smith than the others. Danielle Smith is a lightning rod for that vote. She becomes a rallying cry.”
The pollster finally points to those unsure of who they will vote for in the next provincial election.
With these folks, 16% are more likely to vote for a Toews UCP, 19% less likely.
If Jean is UCP leader it’s 18% more likely to vote UCP, 29% less likely.
With Smith as UCP leader, 10% are more likely to vote for the party and 39% are less likely.
We are told these are individuals who probably voted UCP in the last election and are sitting out there waiting to see what unfolds.
And to end this day …
The UCP without a leader and it’s a coin toss with the NDP, says the poll. The governing party is very much in the running.
With a leader?
“With Jean or Toews, you know, they have some work to do but certainly that base is there,” says Henry, the noted nose counter.
“With Smith, they are going to be facing a headwind.”
Knowing some of the Smith team now on board, if their candidate becomes premier, they will be pulling out all the stops to win the next election.
It promises to be a fight for the ages.
Meanwhile in Medicine Hat, with this race to be premier headed for the last lap on the track, Notley the NDP leader talks to families who do not have a family doctor.
rbell@postmedia.com
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Upper Management's Plan to Make Employees Feel Stupid Backfires Big Time
Everyone knows that the so-called managerial class is the best at failing upwards. In many cases, it is a manager's mediocrity that allows them to climb the latter, not their intelligence. That's why it's extra funny when upper management actually believes they're smarter than everyone else and therefore deserve their inflated salaries. One particular HR department thought it would be a good idea to give IQ tests to all the software engineers, managers, directors, and VPs at the company. Can you guess who performed the worst?
“HR spent a ton of money to give us all IQ tests. We never got the results. Months later we learned they were thrown away because management performed the worst (Managers/Directors/VPs)” Posted by u/Admirable-Pepper-641
“Streaming is the best example of this. Netflix and Hulu murdered piracy. But now that everyone sees how profitable it is and are rebuilding cable packages one streaming service at a time, piracy is becoming more prevalent again.” said u/EasternShade.
“Sounds about right. And senior management somehow took a promotion to a new company after destroying the old one I bet.” said u/yingyangyoung.
“Because they have low IQ” said u/cleverbiscuit1738.
“Dunning-Kruger would like a word.” said u/Chrysis_Manspider.
“I've always maintained that senior management seem to excel at failing upwards. I'm not surprised at all either.” said u/housepuma.
“Management attracts the most cutthroat people. If they were smart, they wouldn't feel the need to be cutthroat because they would be confident in their ability to earn an honest living.” said u/Big_Goose.
“I agree.” said OP, “To answer your question, I believe they had serious doubts in management after years of a tanking stock price. A year later there was a complete overhaul, the IQ test was also given out right after we were acquired by a much larger company who frankly must’ve been sold a false bill of goods. Also, there are massive companies solely dedicated to providing IQ tests to Fortune 500 companies at a large scale. I won’t name any, but it’s a whole industry. At least when it comes to software sales, most companies require an IQ test now at the interview phase.”
Everyone knows that the so-called managerial class is the best at failing upwards. In many cases, it is a manager's mediocrity that allows them to climb the latter, not their intelligence. That's why it's extra funny when upper management actually believes they're smarter than everyone else and therefore deserve their inflated salaries. One particular HR department thought it would be a good idea to give IQ tests to all the software engineers, managers, directors, and VPs at the company. Can you guess who performed the worst?
“HR spent a ton of money to give us all IQ tests. We never got the results. Months later we learned they were thrown away because management performed the worst (Managers/Directors/VPs)” Posted by u/Admirable-Pepper-641
“Streaming is the best example of this. Netflix and Hulu murdered piracy. But now that everyone sees how profitable it is and are rebuilding cable packages one streaming service at a time, piracy is becoming more prevalent again.” said u/EasternShade.
“Sounds about right. And senior management somehow took a promotion to a new company after destroying the old one I bet.” said u/yingyangyoung.
“Because they have low IQ” said u/cleverbiscuit1738.
“Dunning-Kruger would like a word.” said u/Chrysis_Manspider.
“I've always maintained that senior management seem to excel at failing upwards. I'm not surprised at all either.” said u/housepuma.
“Management attracts the most cutthroat people. If they were smart, they wouldn't feel the need to be cutthroat because they would be confident in their ability to earn an honest living.” said u/Big_Goose.
“I agree.” said OP, “To answer your question, I believe they had serious doubts in management after years of a tanking stock price. A year later there was a complete overhaul, the IQ test was also given out right after we were acquired by a much larger company who frankly must’ve been sold a false bill of goods. Also, there are massive companies solely dedicated to providing IQ tests to Fortune 500 companies at a large scale. I won’t name any, but it’s a whole industry. At least when it comes to software sales, most companies require an IQ test now at the interview phase.”
ICYMI
Climate change at 'point of no return': primatologist GoodallAFP - Tuesday
Earth's climate is changing so quickly that humanity is running out of chances to fix it, primatologist Jane Goodall has warned in an interview.
Earth's climate is changing so quickly that humanity is running out of chances to fix it, primatologist Jane Goodall -- pictured on January 22, 2020 -- has warned in an interview© Fabrice COFFRINI
Goodall, a grandee of environmentalism whose activism has spanned decades, said time was rapidly shortening to halt the worst effects of human-caused global warming.
"We are literally approaching a point of no return," Goodall told AFP in Los Angeles.
"Look around the world at what's happening with climate change. It's terrifying.
"We are part of the natural world and we depend on healthy ecosystems."
Goodall is best known for her pioneering six-decade study of chimpanzees in Tanzania, which found "human-like" behavior among the animals, including a propensity to wage war, as well as an ability to display emotions.
Now 88 years old, the Briton is a prolific writer and the subject of a number of films. She has also been immortalized as both a Lego figure and a Barbie doll.
Goodall said her own environmental awakening came in the 1980s while working in Mongolia, where she realized that hillsides had been denuded of tree cover.
"The reason the people were cutting down the trees was to make more land, to grow food as their families grew, and also to make money from charcoal or timber," she said.
"So if we don't help these people find ways of making a living without destroying their environment, we can't save chimpanzees, forests, or anything else."
Goodall says she has seen some changes for the better over recent decades, but urged quicker action.
"We know what we should be doing. I mean, we have the tools. But we come up against the short-term thinking of economic gain versus long-term protection of the environment for the future," she said.
"I don't pretend to be able to solve the problems that this creates because there are major problems. And yet, if we look at the alternative, which is continuing to destroy the environment, we're doomed."
Goodall was speaking Sunday on the sidelines of a celebration of her $1.3 million Templeton Prize.
The prize is an annual award for an individual whose work harnesses science to explore the questions facing humanity.
The cash went to the Jane Goodall Institute, a global wildlife and environment conservation organization, which runs youth programs in 66 countries.
"The program's main message is that every single one of us makes an impact on the planet every day, and we get to choose what sort of impact we make," Goodall said.
"It’s actually my greatest reason for hope."
ekl/hg/jh
Canadian black civil servants file discrimination complaint against federal government with United Nations
David Thurton -
Black civil servants are ramping up their pressure on the federal government by filing a complaint with the United Nations alleging Ottawa violated their civil rights.
The complaint by the Black Class Action Secretariat is being sent to the UN Commission for Human Rights Special Rapporteur on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
It follows a class action lawsuit the same group filed against the federal government accusing it of systemic racism, discrimination and employee exclusion.
"This complaint details systemic and anti-Black racism in hiring and promotions within Canada's federal public service," said Nicholas Marcus Thompson, executive director of the Black Class Action Secretariat.
"With this complaint, we are elevating Canada's past failures and failure to act in the present to an international body."
Thompson told a news conference in Ottawa Wednesday that the secretariat hopes the UN special rapporteur investigates its claims and calls on Canada to meet its international obligations to Black employees by establishing a plan to increase opportunities for Black women in the government and develop specific targets for hiring and promoting Black workers.
Amnesty International threw its weight behind the complaint, noting that 70 per cent of the 1,500 employees who have joined the class action are Black women.
"This is contrary to the feminist commitments made by the Canadian government," said Ketty Nivyabandi, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada.
In addition to supporting the complaint, Nivyabandi also called on the government to establish a designated category under the Employment Equity Act for Black employees. Canada has launched a task force to review this legislation.
The stated purpose of the Employment Equity Act is to "correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment experienced by women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities.""
Nivyabandi said grouping all visible minorities together makes the unique forms of discrimination Black employees face "invisible."
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and New Democrat MP Matthew Green were at Wednesday's news conference on Parliament Hill to offer their support.
"On behalf of all New Democrats, as leader of the party, I want to express my full solidarity," Singh said. "Their call for justice, in this case, their call for equity ... is something that we fully support."
Mona Fortier, president of the Treasury Board, is set to meet with Thompson this week. She said that far too many Black Canadians still face discrimination and hate.
"The government is actively working to address harms and to create a diverse and inclusive public service free from harassment and discrimination. We passed legislation, created support and development programs, and published disaggregated data — but know there is still more to do," Fortier said in a media statement.
The lawsuit filed in Federal Court alleges that, going back to the 1970s, roughly 30,000 Black civil servants have lost out on "opportunities and benefits afforded to others based on their race."
The statement of claim says the lawsuit is seeking damages to compensate Black public servants for their mental and economic hardships. Plaintiffs are also asking for a plan to finally diversify the federal labour force and eliminate barriers that even employment equity laws have been unable to remove.
Black parliamentarians say protest convoy is a venue for 'white supremacists'© CBC
For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of.
David Thurton -
Black civil servants are ramping up their pressure on the federal government by filing a complaint with the United Nations alleging Ottawa violated their civil rights.
The complaint by the Black Class Action Secretariat is being sent to the UN Commission for Human Rights Special Rapporteur on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
It follows a class action lawsuit the same group filed against the federal government accusing it of systemic racism, discrimination and employee exclusion.
"This complaint details systemic and anti-Black racism in hiring and promotions within Canada's federal public service," said Nicholas Marcus Thompson, executive director of the Black Class Action Secretariat.
"With this complaint, we are elevating Canada's past failures and failure to act in the present to an international body."
Thompson told a news conference in Ottawa Wednesday that the secretariat hopes the UN special rapporteur investigates its claims and calls on Canada to meet its international obligations to Black employees by establishing a plan to increase opportunities for Black women in the government and develop specific targets for hiring and promoting Black workers.
Amnesty International threw its weight behind the complaint, noting that 70 per cent of the 1,500 employees who have joined the class action are Black women.
"This is contrary to the feminist commitments made by the Canadian government," said Ketty Nivyabandi, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada.
In addition to supporting the complaint, Nivyabandi also called on the government to establish a designated category under the Employment Equity Act for Black employees. Canada has launched a task force to review this legislation.
The stated purpose of the Employment Equity Act is to "correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment experienced by women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities.""
Nivyabandi said grouping all visible minorities together makes the unique forms of discrimination Black employees face "invisible."
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and New Democrat MP Matthew Green were at Wednesday's news conference on Parliament Hill to offer their support.
"On behalf of all New Democrats, as leader of the party, I want to express my full solidarity," Singh said. "Their call for justice, in this case, their call for equity ... is something that we fully support."
Mona Fortier, president of the Treasury Board, is set to meet with Thompson this week. She said that far too many Black Canadians still face discrimination and hate.
"The government is actively working to address harms and to create a diverse and inclusive public service free from harassment and discrimination. We passed legislation, created support and development programs, and published disaggregated data — but know there is still more to do," Fortier said in a media statement.
The lawsuit filed in Federal Court alleges that, going back to the 1970s, roughly 30,000 Black civil servants have lost out on "opportunities and benefits afforded to others based on their race."
The statement of claim says the lawsuit is seeking damages to compensate Black public servants for their mental and economic hardships. Plaintiffs are also asking for a plan to finally diversify the federal labour force and eliminate barriers that even employment equity laws have been unable to remove.
Black parliamentarians say protest convoy is a venue for 'white supremacists'© CBC
For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of.
Huge ancient stone murals discovered in central China
Peng Peigen,Shi Linjing,unreguser -
Photo taken on Sept. 21, 2022 shows part of a stone mural discovered in the Zhouqiao relics site in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Li An)
Huge ancient stone murals discovered in central China© Provided by Xinhua-Culture&Travel
ZHENGZHOU, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two stone murals from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) have been unearthed in central China's Henan Province, which are the largest of their kind ever found in the country, archaeologists said Wednesday.
The murals, discovered in the Zhouqiao relics site in Kaifeng City, are symmetrically distributed along the northern and southern banks at the east side of the Zhouqiao Bridge.
The murals are 3.3 meters in height, and it has been revealed that the excavated length of the south bank mural is 23.2 meters, while that of the northern one is 21.2 meters.
The stone murals are engraved with auspicious patterns of traditional Chinese culture such as seahorses, flying cranes and clouds.
Further excavation and cleanup work is still in progress, said Zhou Runshan, head of the excavation project, adding that the total length of a single mural is presumed to be about 30 meters.
It is estimated that the total length of the stone murals is expected to reach about 100 meters and the total carved area will reach around 400 square meters upon complete excavation of the murals on both east and west sides of the bridge, Zhou added.
"In terms of scale, subject and style, the stone murals can represent the highest standards of the stonework system and the highest level of carving techniques during the Northern Song Dynasty," said Zheng Yan, a professor at Peking University's School of Arts.
"It is an important discovery that enriches and rewrites the art history of the Song Dynasty," he added.
Zhouqiao Bridge was built between 780 and 783 in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) across the Grand Canal, a vast waterway connecting the northern and southern parts of China. It was a landmark structure in the central axis of Kaifeng City and was buried in 1642 by mud and sand due to the flooding of the Yellow River. Archaeological excavation of the Zhouqiao site was launched in 2018.
So far, a total of 4,400 square meters of the site have been excavated, and 117 sites of remains and ruins have been found. ■
Peng Peigen,Shi Linjing,unreguser -
Photo taken on Sept. 21, 2022 shows part of a stone mural discovered in the Zhouqiao relics site in Kaifeng City, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Li An)
Huge ancient stone murals discovered in central China© Provided by Xinhua-Culture&Travel
ZHENGZHOU, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two stone murals from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) have been unearthed in central China's Henan Province, which are the largest of their kind ever found in the country, archaeologists said Wednesday.
The murals, discovered in the Zhouqiao relics site in Kaifeng City, are symmetrically distributed along the northern and southern banks at the east side of the Zhouqiao Bridge.
The murals are 3.3 meters in height, and it has been revealed that the excavated length of the south bank mural is 23.2 meters, while that of the northern one is 21.2 meters.
The stone murals are engraved with auspicious patterns of traditional Chinese culture such as seahorses, flying cranes and clouds.
Further excavation and cleanup work is still in progress, said Zhou Runshan, head of the excavation project, adding that the total length of a single mural is presumed to be about 30 meters.
It is estimated that the total length of the stone murals is expected to reach about 100 meters and the total carved area will reach around 400 square meters upon complete excavation of the murals on both east and west sides of the bridge, Zhou added.
"In terms of scale, subject and style, the stone murals can represent the highest standards of the stonework system and the highest level of carving techniques during the Northern Song Dynasty," said Zheng Yan, a professor at Peking University's School of Arts.
"It is an important discovery that enriches and rewrites the art history of the Song Dynasty," he added.
Zhouqiao Bridge was built between 780 and 783 in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) across the Grand Canal, a vast waterway connecting the northern and southern parts of China. It was a landmark structure in the central axis of Kaifeng City and was buried in 1642 by mud and sand due to the flooding of the Yellow River. Archaeological excavation of the Zhouqiao site was launched in 2018.
So far, a total of 4,400 square meters of the site have been excavated, and 117 sites of remains and ruins have been found. ■
Battle Erupts Over Alleged Grisly Photos of Brain-Hacked Neuralink Monkeys
Noor Al-Sibai - Futurism
A California university is refusing to release a cache of grisly photos of monkeys reportedly injured during experiments testing Elon Musk's Neuralink brain implant technology, in spite of a lawsuit aiming to force the school's hand.
UC Davis is refusing to release a cache of grisly photos of the monkeys injured during experiments testing Elon Musk's Neuralink brain implant technology.
In a press release, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) advocacy group said that it had learned that the University of California, Davis is in possession of 371 photos of the experimented-upon monkeys that were subjected to Neuralink tests, which took place at the school's veterinary lab facilities.
Earlier this year, Neuralink admitted that a fifth of the 23 rhesus macaques monkeys it used to test its brain-hacking implants had been euthanized after developing infections and malfunctions. Bolstering PCRM's credibility, that admission came in the wake of its a complaint it filed against Neuralink.
Now, PCRM says it learned that UC Davis is in possession of the hundreds of photos depicting, among other things, "necropsies of animals killed" in the experiments after filing a lawsuit against the school in February over its shielding of the photos, which the university argues are "proprietary."
"UC Davis thinks the public is too stupid to know what they’re looking at," Physicians Committee research director Ryan Merkley said in the press release. "But it’s clear the university is simply trying to hide from taxpayers the fact that it partnered with Elon Musk to conduct experiments in which animals suffered and died."
The nonprofit said in the release that it had learned through its lawsuit that Neuralink paid UC Davis $1.4 million to use its facilities between 2017 and 2020.
As the release notes, the school has already released hundreds of pages of documents which "showed monkeys suffering from chronic infections, seizures, paralysis, and painful side effects following [the] experiments."
In February, UC Davis and Neuralink both responded to the lawsuit by issuing statements saying that they had complied with established research protocols and regulations. UC Davis directed Futurism to that February statement, and added that the school has "fully complied with the state law in responding to PCRM’s public records request." Futurism has also reached out to Neuralink for comment regarding the lawsuit and its plans to prevent such harm from coming to animal research subjects in the future.
For now, we don't know how gruesome the photos of the experimented-upon macaques may be — and until the school or Neuralink is forced to give them up, we'll have to contend with our imaginations.
More Neuralink nastiness: Experts Say Elon Musk Messed Up by Having Secret Children With His Employee
Rights Group Claims UC Davis Won't Release Photos Depicting Tortured Neuralink Monkeys
Mack DeGeurin -
An animal rights group wants the University of California Davis to release nearly 400 photos of test monkeys they claim were tortured and abused during testing for Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain computer interface company.
This picture taken on May 23, 2020 shows a laboratory monkey sitting in its cage in the breeding centre for cynomolgus macaques (longtail macaques) at the National Primate Research Center of Thailand at Chulalongkorn University in Saraburi.© Photo: Mladen Antonov (Getty Images)
In a press release, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine said its ongoing lawsuit surfaced 371 photos related to the monkey experiments, with 185 of them allegedly related to autopsies of monkeys that died during the procedures. The other 186 photos are reportedly related to experiments conducted on the monkeys. Previous reports claim 15 monkeys died at one UC Davis test facility between 2017 and 2020.
For those catching up, The Physicians Committee filed a legal complaint with The U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this year which provided horrifying accounts of Neuralink monkeys allegedly having their skulls pried open to insert electrodes for Neuralink brain devices. Some of the monkeys equipped with the devices allegedly experienced extreme vomiting and exhaustion while others, overcome by stress, allegedly mutilated themselves, according to a New York Post report. Others reportedly developed skin infections after having their skulls drilled open.
Though the rights groups claims UC Davis revealed the images’ existence in a recent legal filing, they said the university’s attorney wants to keep them under wraps, arguing their content could be misunderstood by the public. An attorney for the Physicians Committee argued the photos are actually public records since the university receives public funding and relies on public employees to conduct experiments.
“These photos are public records created with public funds, and the public deserves access to the research they paid for,” Physicians Committee Associate General Counsel Deborah Dubow said.
UC David did not immediately respond to Gizmodo’s request for comment about these claims, though it previously released a statement defending its reported $1.4 million partnership with Neuralink. The two ceased working together in 2020.
Monkey MindPong
“Regarding the lawsuit by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, we fully complied with the California Public Records Act in responding to their request,” UC Davis said in February. “Indeed, additional materials have been supplied to PCRM since the conclusion of the research agreement with Neuralink.”
Neuralink also vigorously defended itself earlier this year, releasing a lengthy statement saying it’s committed to working with animals, “in the most humane and ethical way possible.” In that same statement, Neuralink tried to throw water on the Physicians Committee complaint, claiming they are an absolutist organization opposed to any types of animal testing. To that end, the Physicians Committee has reportedly advocated for veganism and alternatives to animal testing and has received some funding from PETA, according to The Guardian.
And while Neuralink did not respond to Gizmodo’s request for comment, its previous statement did note it left UC Davis in 2020 partly to improve overall facility standards.
“While the facilities and care at UC Davis did and continue to meet federally mandated standards, we absolutely wanted to improve upon these standards as we transitioned animals to our in-house facilities,” the company said.
In addition to the alleged photos, the Physicians Committee says UC Davis legal documents revealed over 600 pages depicting test monkeys suffering seizures, chronic infections, and side effects from the Neuralink device. They cite documents claiming experimenters reportedly used an unapproved adhesive called BioGlue to fill the holes in the monkey’s brain following surgery. Some of that glue, according to the Physicians’ Committee, allegedly seeped into the monkey’s brains.
“UC Davis thinks the public is too stupid to know what they’re looking at,” Physicians Committee Director of Research Advocacy Ryan Merkley, said. “But it’s clear the university is simply trying to hide from taxpayers the fact that it partnered with Elon Musk to conduct experiments in which animals suffered and died.”
Noor Al-Sibai - Futurism
A California university is refusing to release a cache of grisly photos of monkeys reportedly injured during experiments testing Elon Musk's Neuralink brain implant technology, in spite of a lawsuit aiming to force the school's hand.
UC Davis is refusing to release a cache of grisly photos of the monkeys injured during experiments testing Elon Musk's Neuralink brain implant technology.
In a press release, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) advocacy group said that it had learned that the University of California, Davis is in possession of 371 photos of the experimented-upon monkeys that were subjected to Neuralink tests, which took place at the school's veterinary lab facilities.
Earlier this year, Neuralink admitted that a fifth of the 23 rhesus macaques monkeys it used to test its brain-hacking implants had been euthanized after developing infections and malfunctions. Bolstering PCRM's credibility, that admission came in the wake of its a complaint it filed against Neuralink.
Now, PCRM says it learned that UC Davis is in possession of the hundreds of photos depicting, among other things, "necropsies of animals killed" in the experiments after filing a lawsuit against the school in February over its shielding of the photos, which the university argues are "proprietary."
"UC Davis thinks the public is too stupid to know what they’re looking at," Physicians Committee research director Ryan Merkley said in the press release. "But it’s clear the university is simply trying to hide from taxpayers the fact that it partnered with Elon Musk to conduct experiments in which animals suffered and died."
The nonprofit said in the release that it had learned through its lawsuit that Neuralink paid UC Davis $1.4 million to use its facilities between 2017 and 2020.
As the release notes, the school has already released hundreds of pages of documents which "showed monkeys suffering from chronic infections, seizures, paralysis, and painful side effects following [the] experiments."
In February, UC Davis and Neuralink both responded to the lawsuit by issuing statements saying that they had complied with established research protocols and regulations. UC Davis directed Futurism to that February statement, and added that the school has "fully complied with the state law in responding to PCRM’s public records request." Futurism has also reached out to Neuralink for comment regarding the lawsuit and its plans to prevent such harm from coming to animal research subjects in the future.
For now, we don't know how gruesome the photos of the experimented-upon macaques may be — and until the school or Neuralink is forced to give them up, we'll have to contend with our imaginations.
More Neuralink nastiness: Experts Say Elon Musk Messed Up by Having Secret Children With His Employee
Rights Group Claims UC Davis Won't Release Photos Depicting Tortured Neuralink Monkeys
Mack DeGeurin -
An animal rights group wants the University of California Davis to release nearly 400 photos of test monkeys they claim were tortured and abused during testing for Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain computer interface company.
This picture taken on May 23, 2020 shows a laboratory monkey sitting in its cage in the breeding centre for cynomolgus macaques (longtail macaques) at the National Primate Research Center of Thailand at Chulalongkorn University in Saraburi.© Photo: Mladen Antonov (Getty Images)
In a press release, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine said its ongoing lawsuit surfaced 371 photos related to the monkey experiments, with 185 of them allegedly related to autopsies of monkeys that died during the procedures. The other 186 photos are reportedly related to experiments conducted on the monkeys. Previous reports claim 15 monkeys died at one UC Davis test facility between 2017 and 2020.
For those catching up, The Physicians Committee filed a legal complaint with The U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this year which provided horrifying accounts of Neuralink monkeys allegedly having their skulls pried open to insert electrodes for Neuralink brain devices. Some of the monkeys equipped with the devices allegedly experienced extreme vomiting and exhaustion while others, overcome by stress, allegedly mutilated themselves, according to a New York Post report. Others reportedly developed skin infections after having their skulls drilled open.
Though the rights groups claims UC Davis revealed the images’ existence in a recent legal filing, they said the university’s attorney wants to keep them under wraps, arguing their content could be misunderstood by the public. An attorney for the Physicians Committee argued the photos are actually public records since the university receives public funding and relies on public employees to conduct experiments.
“These photos are public records created with public funds, and the public deserves access to the research they paid for,” Physicians Committee Associate General Counsel Deborah Dubow said.
UC David did not immediately respond to Gizmodo’s request for comment about these claims, though it previously released a statement defending its reported $1.4 million partnership with Neuralink. The two ceased working together in 2020.
Monkey MindPong
“Regarding the lawsuit by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, we fully complied with the California Public Records Act in responding to their request,” UC Davis said in February. “Indeed, additional materials have been supplied to PCRM since the conclusion of the research agreement with Neuralink.”
Neuralink also vigorously defended itself earlier this year, releasing a lengthy statement saying it’s committed to working with animals, “in the most humane and ethical way possible.” In that same statement, Neuralink tried to throw water on the Physicians Committee complaint, claiming they are an absolutist organization opposed to any types of animal testing. To that end, the Physicians Committee has reportedly advocated for veganism and alternatives to animal testing and has received some funding from PETA, according to The Guardian.
And while Neuralink did not respond to Gizmodo’s request for comment, its previous statement did note it left UC Davis in 2020 partly to improve overall facility standards.
“While the facilities and care at UC Davis did and continue to meet federally mandated standards, we absolutely wanted to improve upon these standards as we transitioned animals to our in-house facilities,” the company said.
In addition to the alleged photos, the Physicians Committee says UC Davis legal documents revealed over 600 pages depicting test monkeys suffering seizures, chronic infections, and side effects from the Neuralink device. They cite documents claiming experimenters reportedly used an unapproved adhesive called BioGlue to fill the holes in the monkey’s brain following surgery. Some of that glue, according to the Physicians’ Committee, allegedly seeped into the monkey’s brains.
“UC Davis thinks the public is too stupid to know what they’re looking at,” Physicians Committee Director of Research Advocacy Ryan Merkley, said. “But it’s clear the university is simply trying to hide from taxpayers the fact that it partnered with Elon Musk to conduct experiments in which animals suffered and died.”
China's 'Rapid' Debt Buildup May Portend A Looming Financial Crisis: New York Fed
Natan Ponieman -
China’s recent debt buildup following the Covid-19 pandemic has researchers from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York wondering if the country can avoid a financial crisis in the years to come.
China's 'Rapid' Debt Buildup May Portend A Looming Financial Crisis: New York Fed© Provided by Benzinga
The consequences of a Chinese crisis may impact the entire globe, as a bad turn for the world’s second-largest economy would likely replicate across most markets.
China had already been playing around with high levels of credit as a way to navigate global and local financial instability. The country acquired substantial debt as a strategy to steer through the years following the 2008 financial crisis and had managed to bring its debt ratio under control by 2018.
Today, it's a different scenario. The pandemic and zero-COVID approach led to the country acquiring almost 30% of its GDP in debt in 2020 alone.
“While other major economies in the world are now tightening their monetary policies, expectations are for overall debt in China to rise again in 2022 to stabilize growth," New York Fed international policy advisors Hunter Clark and Jeffrey Dawson wrote.
Related: China Surprises With Exports Data: What's Triggering A Slowdown Despite Weak Yuan?
By the end of 2021, China’s total credit was almost 290% of its GDP for the nonfinancial sector, including corporate, household and government credit.
The corporate sector has been the largest borrower, taking credit for 153% of GDP. Pandemic-related stimuli were in part responsible for this quick rise in corporate borrowing.
Household debt is also rising to uncomfortable levels. According to the authors, China’s household debt (compared to GDP) is comparable to that of developed economies, standing above the median for the economies in the OECD.
The majority of this household debt — which equals 62% of the country’s GDP — comes from mortgage loans.
China's Financial And Political System
Clark and Dawson suggest that “rapid buildup of debt is often followed by financial crises or at least extended periods of much slower economic growth.”
China’s financial and political system has allowed it to navigate this debt crisis with more success than a classic democratic and capitalist economy would have.
The Communist Party’s ability to influence its own economy is very strong, backed by state ownership of most banks, and several ongoing measures to protect itself from external shocks.
However, like any economy, China is not immune to financial crises.
The current rise in credit is one mark that China’s economy could be contracting.
Capital-To-Output Ratio
Another factor is the growing capital-to-output ratio. This is the measure of how much the country’s GDP is growing in relation to the capital it injects into the economy, meaning that it’s becoming more expensive for China to grow at the same rates that it has grown in the past.
In a similar way to many other growing economies, China’s population is aging, adding extra weight to an increasingly shrinking working age population.
Current disruption in global supply chains are also a cause for concern for Chinese trade. This could cause China’s export engine to “downshift to a growth rate similar to that of world trade, or perhaps even lower,” say the analysts.
Which Stocks Might Be Affected?
A downturn for the Chinese economy would affect almost every sector, as China has become a major trading partner for most economies on earth, including the U.S. and the European Union.
China is the single largest supplier of imports for the U.S. and the third largest importer of U.S.-made products, making it America’s largest trading partner.
The latest data available puts 758,000 U.S. jobs in question depending on imports and exports with China.
The shock, however, would be felt more directly on Chinese companies and those depending directly on a healthy Chinese economy.
A number of Chinese companies list American depositary receipts in U.S. exchanges. Their stock prices would likely be affected by a financial bust. These include:E-commerce, retail, Internet, and technology giant Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) Electric vehicle makers Nio (NYSE: NIO), LiAuto (NASDAQ: LI) and Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) Multinational online travel company Trip (NASDAQ: TCOM). Internet and AI giant Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) Farming and food tech developer Pinduoduo (NASDAQ: PDD).
Natan Ponieman -
China’s recent debt buildup following the Covid-19 pandemic has researchers from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York wondering if the country can avoid a financial crisis in the years to come.
China's 'Rapid' Debt Buildup May Portend A Looming Financial Crisis: New York Fed© Provided by Benzinga
The consequences of a Chinese crisis may impact the entire globe, as a bad turn for the world’s second-largest economy would likely replicate across most markets.
China had already been playing around with high levels of credit as a way to navigate global and local financial instability. The country acquired substantial debt as a strategy to steer through the years following the 2008 financial crisis and had managed to bring its debt ratio under control by 2018.
Today, it's a different scenario. The pandemic and zero-COVID approach led to the country acquiring almost 30% of its GDP in debt in 2020 alone.
“While other major economies in the world are now tightening their monetary policies, expectations are for overall debt in China to rise again in 2022 to stabilize growth," New York Fed international policy advisors Hunter Clark and Jeffrey Dawson wrote.
Related: China Surprises With Exports Data: What's Triggering A Slowdown Despite Weak Yuan?
By the end of 2021, China’s total credit was almost 290% of its GDP for the nonfinancial sector, including corporate, household and government credit.
The corporate sector has been the largest borrower, taking credit for 153% of GDP. Pandemic-related stimuli were in part responsible for this quick rise in corporate borrowing.
Household debt is also rising to uncomfortable levels. According to the authors, China’s household debt (compared to GDP) is comparable to that of developed economies, standing above the median for the economies in the OECD.
The majority of this household debt — which equals 62% of the country’s GDP — comes from mortgage loans.
China's Financial And Political System
Clark and Dawson suggest that “rapid buildup of debt is often followed by financial crises or at least extended periods of much slower economic growth.”
China’s financial and political system has allowed it to navigate this debt crisis with more success than a classic democratic and capitalist economy would have.
The Communist Party’s ability to influence its own economy is very strong, backed by state ownership of most banks, and several ongoing measures to protect itself from external shocks.
However, like any economy, China is not immune to financial crises.
Related video: For China, economic recovery remains 'elusive,' says Credit SuisseDuration 2:04 View on Watch
The current rise in credit is one mark that China’s economy could be contracting.
Capital-To-Output Ratio
Another factor is the growing capital-to-output ratio. This is the measure of how much the country’s GDP is growing in relation to the capital it injects into the economy, meaning that it’s becoming more expensive for China to grow at the same rates that it has grown in the past.
In a similar way to many other growing economies, China’s population is aging, adding extra weight to an increasingly shrinking working age population.
Current disruption in global supply chains are also a cause for concern for Chinese trade. This could cause China’s export engine to “downshift to a growth rate similar to that of world trade, or perhaps even lower,” say the analysts.
Which Stocks Might Be Affected?
A downturn for the Chinese economy would affect almost every sector, as China has become a major trading partner for most economies on earth, including the U.S. and the European Union.
China is the single largest supplier of imports for the U.S. and the third largest importer of U.S.-made products, making it America’s largest trading partner.
The latest data available puts 758,000 U.S. jobs in question depending on imports and exports with China.
The shock, however, would be felt more directly on Chinese companies and those depending directly on a healthy Chinese economy.
A number of Chinese companies list American depositary receipts in U.S. exchanges. Their stock prices would likely be affected by a financial bust. These include:E-commerce, retail, Internet, and technology giant Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) Electric vehicle makers Nio (NYSE: NIO), LiAuto (NASDAQ: LI) and Xpeng (NYSE: XPEV) Multinational online travel company Trip (NASDAQ: TCOM). Internet and AI giant Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) Farming and food tech developer Pinduoduo (NASDAQ: PDD).
UN calls for halt to executions of two IRANIAN LGBT human rights activists
Banderas LGTB (ARCHIVO) – Europa Press/Contacto/Nikolas Georgiou
United Nations judicial experts on Wednesday called on Iran to halt immediately the executions of two women sentenced to death for their support of LGBT human rights.
Iranian judicial authorities prosecuted human rights defender Zahra Sedighi-Hamadani and Elham Choubdar in August 2022 and on September 1, 2022, respectively, notifying them that they had been convicted and sentenced to death by the Islamic Revolution Court in Urumieh.
Specifically, the two activists have been charged with carrying out offenses of «land corruption» and «trafficking,» the UN detailed in a statement.
«We strongly condemn the death sentence of Sedighi-Hamadani and Choubdar, and call on the authorities to suspend their executions and quash their sentences as soon as possible,» the UN experts have requested, assuring that the authorities «must ensure the health and well-being of both women and release them immediately.»
Iran’s legal system explicitly prohibits homosexuality and same-sex relations are punishable by death under the country’s penal code.
While the court decision and sentencing order are not public, experts have been informed that the charges related to speeches and actions in support of the Human Rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans and other gender diverse (LGBT) people who face discrimination in Iran on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Experts have also received reports detailing that the trafficking charges against the women were related to their efforts to help at-risk individuals leave Iranian territory.
The experts have expressed concern to the Government of Iran that the two women may have been arbitrarily detained, ill-treated and prosecuted on discriminatory grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, including the criminalization of LGBT persons, whose rights they were defending through peaceful action.
Sedighi-Hamedani was arrested on October 27, 2021 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards near the Iranian border with Turkey. Choubdar was arrested on an as yet unknown date somewhat later.
«We urge the Iranian authorities to investigate the alleged ill-treatment of Sedighi-Hamadani during her detention, her enforced disappearance for 53 days and the lack of due process guarantees,» the UN has called for.
«We call on Iran to repeal the death penalty and, at a minimum, reduce the scope of its application to only criminal actions that reach the threshold of the most serious crimes,» they added.
Banderas LGTB (ARCHIVO) – Europa Press/Contacto/Nikolas Georgiou
United Nations judicial experts on Wednesday called on Iran to halt immediately the executions of two women sentenced to death for their support of LGBT human rights.
Iranian judicial authorities prosecuted human rights defender Zahra Sedighi-Hamadani and Elham Choubdar in August 2022 and on September 1, 2022, respectively, notifying them that they had been convicted and sentenced to death by the Islamic Revolution Court in Urumieh.
Specifically, the two activists have been charged with carrying out offenses of «land corruption» and «trafficking,» the UN detailed in a statement.
«We strongly condemn the death sentence of Sedighi-Hamadani and Choubdar, and call on the authorities to suspend their executions and quash their sentences as soon as possible,» the UN experts have requested, assuring that the authorities «must ensure the health and well-being of both women and release them immediately.»
Iran’s legal system explicitly prohibits homosexuality and same-sex relations are punishable by death under the country’s penal code.
While the court decision and sentencing order are not public, experts have been informed that the charges related to speeches and actions in support of the Human Rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans and other gender diverse (LGBT) people who face discrimination in Iran on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Experts have also received reports detailing that the trafficking charges against the women were related to their efforts to help at-risk individuals leave Iranian territory.
The experts have expressed concern to the Government of Iran that the two women may have been arbitrarily detained, ill-treated and prosecuted on discriminatory grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, including the criminalization of LGBT persons, whose rights they were defending through peaceful action.
Sedighi-Hamedani was arrested on October 27, 2021 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards near the Iranian border with Turkey. Choubdar was arrested on an as yet unknown date somewhat later.
«We urge the Iranian authorities to investigate the alleged ill-treatment of Sedighi-Hamadani during her detention, her enforced disappearance for 53 days and the lack of due process guarantees,» the UN has called for.
«We call on Iran to repeal the death penalty and, at a minimum, reduce the scope of its application to only criminal actions that reach the threshold of the most serious crimes,» they added.
Evidence of dinosaur-killing asteroid impact found on the moon
Robert Lea -
Asteroid impacts on the moon millions of years ago correspond with large space rock strikes here on Earth — including the massive impact that wiped out the nonavian dinosaurs.
A depiction of an asteroid heading toward Earth, with the moon in the background.
Robert Lea -
Asteroid impacts on the moon millions of years ago correspond with large space rock strikes here on Earth — including the massive impact that wiped out the nonavian dinosaurs.
A depiction of an asteroid heading toward Earth, with the moon in the background.
© Juan Gartner via Getty Images
The finding reveals that major impacts during Earth's prehistory were not isolated events. Instead, these asteroid strikes were accompanied by a series of smaller hits both here and on the moon, whose surface is littered with over 9,000 craters left by space rock impacts.
The research could help astronomers better understand the dynamics of the inner solar system and assist in calculating the likelihood that our planet will be struck by potentially devastating massive space rocks in the future.
Scientists from Curtin University's Space Science and Technology Centre (SSTC) in Australia obtained the results by studying microscopic glass beads within lunar soil samples returned to Earth by China's Chang'e-5 lunar mission in 2020.
These tiny glass beads were created by the intense heat and pressure generated by meteor strikes. This means researchers can reconstruct a timeline of lunar bombardment by assessing the ages of these beads.
While doing this, the SSTC team found that both the timing and the frequency of the asteroid impacts on the moon were mirrored by space rock strikes on Earth, meaning the timeline the team built could also provide insight into the evolution of our planet.
"We combined a wide range of microscopic analytical techniques, numerical modeling and geological surveys to determine how these microscopic glass beads from the moon were formed and when," lead study author Alexander Nemchin, a professor at SSTC, said in a statement.
The ages of some of the lunar glass beads indicated they were created around 66 million years ago, around the time the dinosaur-killing asteroid, known as the Chicxulub impactor, struck Earth in what is now the Gulf of Mexico, near Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.
The impact led to what is known as the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which ultimately killed three-quarters of all life on Earth, including the nonavian dinosaurs.
The roughly 6.2-mile-wide (10 kilometers) Chicxulub impactor struck Earth at around 12 miles per second (19.3 kilometers per second), or 43,200 mph (69,524 kph), leaving an impact crater measuring about 93 miles (150 km) wide and 12 miles (19 km) deep. Aside from the shock waves generated by the initial impact, the asteroid hit caused a series of life-altering knock-on effects, including throwing up thick clouds of dust that blocked out the sun.
The new research from SSTC joins other work suggesting that this monster dinosaur-killing space rock may have been joined by other, smaller asteroids that also struck Earth and that could be revealed by studying the moon's history of asteroid impacts.
"The study also found that large impact events on Earth, such as the Chicxulub crater 66 million years ago, could have been accompanied by a number of smaller impacts," Nemchin said. "If this is correct, it suggests that the age-frequency distributions of impacts on the moon might provide valuable information about the impacts on the Earth or inner solar system."
The team now aims to compare data collected from the Chang'e-5 lunar soil samples with other soil samples from the moon and with the ages of craters across the lunar surface. This analysis could reveal other impact events across the moon and, in turn, help to uncover signs of asteroid impacts here on Earth that may have affected life.
The research was published Wednesday (Sept. 28) in the journal Science Advances.
Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
The finding reveals that major impacts during Earth's prehistory were not isolated events. Instead, these asteroid strikes were accompanied by a series of smaller hits both here and on the moon, whose surface is littered with over 9,000 craters left by space rock impacts.
The research could help astronomers better understand the dynamics of the inner solar system and assist in calculating the likelihood that our planet will be struck by potentially devastating massive space rocks in the future.
Scientists from Curtin University's Space Science and Technology Centre (SSTC) in Australia obtained the results by studying microscopic glass beads within lunar soil samples returned to Earth by China's Chang'e-5 lunar mission in 2020.
These tiny glass beads were created by the intense heat and pressure generated by meteor strikes. This means researchers can reconstruct a timeline of lunar bombardment by assessing the ages of these beads.
While doing this, the SSTC team found that both the timing and the frequency of the asteroid impacts on the moon were mirrored by space rock strikes on Earth, meaning the timeline the team built could also provide insight into the evolution of our planet.
"We combined a wide range of microscopic analytical techniques, numerical modeling and geological surveys to determine how these microscopic glass beads from the moon were formed and when," lead study author Alexander Nemchin, a professor at SSTC, said in a statement.
The ages of some of the lunar glass beads indicated they were created around 66 million years ago, around the time the dinosaur-killing asteroid, known as the Chicxulub impactor, struck Earth in what is now the Gulf of Mexico, near Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.
The impact led to what is known as the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which ultimately killed three-quarters of all life on Earth, including the nonavian dinosaurs.
The roughly 6.2-mile-wide (10 kilometers) Chicxulub impactor struck Earth at around 12 miles per second (19.3 kilometers per second), or 43,200 mph (69,524 kph), leaving an impact crater measuring about 93 miles (150 km) wide and 12 miles (19 km) deep. Aside from the shock waves generated by the initial impact, the asteroid hit caused a series of life-altering knock-on effects, including throwing up thick clouds of dust that blocked out the sun.
The new research from SSTC joins other work suggesting that this monster dinosaur-killing space rock may have been joined by other, smaller asteroids that also struck Earth and that could be revealed by studying the moon's history of asteroid impacts.
"The study also found that large impact events on Earth, such as the Chicxulub crater 66 million years ago, could have been accompanied by a number of smaller impacts," Nemchin said. "If this is correct, it suggests that the age-frequency distributions of impacts on the moon might provide valuable information about the impacts on the Earth or inner solar system."
The team now aims to compare data collected from the Chang'e-5 lunar soil samples with other soil samples from the moon and with the ages of craters across the lunar surface. This analysis could reveal other impact events across the moon and, in turn, help to uncover signs of asteroid impacts here on Earth that may have affected life.
The research was published Wednesday (Sept. 28) in the journal Science Advances.
Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
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