NASA Tests Advanced Infrared Technology to Improve Wildfire Monitoring

Wildfires in California during January caused widespread destruction, affecting communities and ecosystems. To improve wildfire monitoring and response, NASA deployed a new scientific instrument capable of capturing high-resolution thermal infrared images. The Compact Fire Infrared Radiance Spectral Tracker (c-FIRST) was tested aboard NASA's B200 King Air aircraft over fire-hit areas in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. The instrument, developed for satellite-based missions, was assessed for its ability to provide real-time data on active and smoldering fires. Scientists aim to use this technology to enhance understanding of wildfire behavior and improve mitigation strategies.

Enhanced Fire Detection and Data Collection

According to reports, the c-FIRST instrument was developed and is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), with support from NASA's Earth Science Technology Office. The compact design allows it to be deployed on airborne platforms, simulating satellite missions while providing near-instantaneous observations. The system captures a wide range of fire characteristics, including temperature variations across large areas. Unlike previous infrared imaging systems, c-FIRST can detect extremely high temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (550 degrees Celsius) with improved clarity.

In a statement, Sarath Gunapala, principal investigator for c-FIRST at NASA JPL, noted that current fire observation instruments do not fully capture fire attributes across the Earth system. He explained that limitations in past imaging technologies have resulted in gaps in data concerning wildfire frequency, size, and intensity.

Potential Benefits for Fire Management

As per sources, c-FIRST is expected to provide critical insights for firefighting agencies by identifying smoldering fires that could reignite under changing wind conditions. In a report, Gunapala stated that the instrument's ability to distinguish such fires in near real-time could support more effective wildfire management efforts.

KC Sujan, operations engineer for the B200 King Air, told that the aircraft's flight characteristics made it ideal for testing the instrument. With further evaluation, c-FIRST is expected to be integrated into future satellite missions, potentially improving global wildfire monitoring capabilities.

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Jack Daniel's CEO Says Canada Pulling US Alcohol 'Worse Than Tariff'

A trade dispute between Canada and the US has escalated, with several Canadian provinces pulling American-made alcohol from store shelves. The move is a direct response to the Trump administration's imposition of 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. Lawson Whiting, CEO of Brown-Forman, the company behind Jack Daniel's, has denounced the Canadian retaliation, calling it "worse than tariffs" and "disproportionate" to the US levies.

"I mean, that's worse than a tariff, because it's literally taking your sales away, completely removing our products from the shelves," Whiting said.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), one of the world's largest alcohol buyers, removed US-made drinks from its shelves on Tuesday. Ontario Premier Doug Ford revealed that the LCBO sells nearly $1 billion worth of US alcohol annually, emphasising that all these products are now off the shelves. The LCBO's exclusive wholesaler status in Ontario means that other retailers, bars, and restaurants in the province can no longer restock US products.

Canada has retaliated against the US tariffs with its own 25% levies on American goods, including beer, spirits, and wine. Some provinces, such as Ontario and Nova Scotia, have taken additional measures. The trade tensions have sparked a nationalist sentiment among Canadians, with some opting to buy local products instead of US-made goods.

Whiting, acknowledged that Canada accounts for only 1% of the company's total sales, making the impact of the trade dispute manageable. However, the company is also monitoring developments in Mexico, which accounted for 7% of its sales in 2024 and has also been affected by US tariffs.

The trade dispute has drawn strong reactions from Canadian leaders. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticised the US tariffs, calling them "a very dumb thing to do." He also accused President Trump of seeking to undermine the Canadian economy. Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has expressed concern over Trump's remarks about making Canada the 51st US state, taking them "very seriously".
 

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Earth's Orbit and Tilt Linked to Ice Age Cycles, Next One Delayed by Climate Change

Shifts in Earth's tilt and orbit have played a crucial role in the onset and end of ice ages over the past 800,000 years, researchers have found. A direct link between these changes and the movements of massive ice sheets has been identified, indicating that another ice age would have started within the next 11,000 years if not for the rising impact of greenhouse gas emissions. The study examined how Earth's axial tilt and orbit influence long-term climate patterns, revealing a strong correlation between these factors and the expansion and retreat of ice sheets.

Influence of Earth's Tilt and Wobble on Climate

According to the study published in Science, Earth's axis is currently tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees. Over a cycle of approximately 41,000 years, this tilt fluctuates, affecting the amount of solar radiation reaching the poles. Another factor, Earth's precession, refers to the wobble of its axis, which influences the intensity of sunlight in equatorial regions over a 21,000-year cycle. Both of these variations have been found to dictate the timing of ice ages.

In an interview with Live Science, Stephen Barker, Professor of Earth Science at Cardiff University, explained that an "amazing correlation" was observed between Earth's obliquity, precession, and ice sheet movements. The study tracked data from ocean sediment cores containing microscopic shells, known as forams, which provided insight into historical ice sheet coverage.

Impact of Human Activity on Glaciation

A timeline for the next glaciation phase was estimated based on natural climate cycles. If human activity were not a factor, ice sheets would start expanding within 10,000 to 11,000 years, reaching their peak over the next 80,000 to 90,000 years before gradually retreating. However, carbon dioxide levels continue to rise, disrupting these natural cycles. Barker noted that sustained high CO2 levels would prevent a new glacial period from occurring.

The findings contribute to a broader understanding of Earth's long-term climate changes and the extent of human influence on natural processes. Researchers emphasise the importance of studying historical climate patterns to assess future climate projections accurately.

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9 Students Who Went Missing In Mexico Found Dismembered With "Bag Of Hands"

Nine students who went missing on vacation in Mexico have been found dismembered by the side of the road along with a "bag of hands". According to the New York Post, the group, from the Mexican town of Tlaxcala, went missing on February 27. They had been travelling to the beaches in Oaxaca to celebrate their graduation. On Sunday, the cops found their remains in a truck of an abandoned vehicle in San Jose Miahuatlan on the border of the Mexican states of Puebla and Oaxaca.

According to the Post, four of the bodies were in the truck, while the other five bodies were left under the tarp. A bag of eight pairs of hands were also discovered at the scene, with two more hands left in the truck. Cops said that the bodies of the four women and five men, ages 19 to 30, all had bullet wounds and signs of torture. 

The victims, identified so far, are Angie Lizeth, 29, Brenda Mariel, 19, Jacqueline Ailet, 23, Noemi Yamileth, 28, Lesly Noya Trejo, 21, Raul Emmanuel, 28, Ruben Antonio, and Rolando Armando. The ninth victim has yet to be identified. 

A video capturing the last time they were seen alive showed their car driving along the Atlixcayotl highway, around 90 miles west of where their remains were eventually found, according to the outlet.

Also Read | UK Woman Who Has Travelled To Over 60 Countries Reveals One Place She'd Never Visit Again

Police have launched an investigation into the incident. No suspects have yet been named. The Attorney General's Office in Puebla said it is collaborating with its colleagues in Tlaxcala and Oaxaca to try and track down the killers, as per the Post. 

"So far I cannot offer information. There are lines of investigation, but I cannot reveal them due to confidentiality," the head of Puebla's State Attorney General's Office, Idamis Pastor Betancourt, said at a press conference. 

"All relevant investigations are being carried out. When we have a response and the investigation is complete, we will be in a position to provide more information," the official added. 

Notably, the murder rate in Mexico continues to rise. According to the Post, 30,000 people were killed in 2023. It reportedly marked the most violent year in the country's recent history. 

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"Delimitation Separate From Population Management": Chandrababu Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday sought to dispel confusion around delimitation, asserting that it is a separate issue from population management and should not be linked to the ongoing political discussions.

"Delimitation is a continuous process, occurring once in 25 years," Naidu told reporters here.

"Don't link all issues at a time. Delimitation and population management are different. I am talking about national interest," he added.

Discussing the ongoing political debates, Naidu emphasised, "There are reservations, and we will accommodate them. But don't link all issues at a time." Speaking about India's demographic potential, Naidu highlighted the country's unique position in the global demographic landscape, describing India as having the "biggest advantage of demographic dividend".

Naidu also drew attention to the global aging crisis, pointing out the population challenges in countries like Japan, China, and some European nations.

"Japan is minus 8 per cent. It is an important issue for the survival of human beings," Naidu said.

"Aging problem has started in south India. Only two states -- Bihar and Uttar Pradesh -- have advantages in north India. We were thinking it is a disadvantage but it is an advantage now," he said.

Challenging the traditional family planning perspectives, Naidu revealed a personal policy shift.

"Even I used to advocate family planning as a challenge. Now, I am changing my views and promoting population growth," he said.

The chief minister also suggested a new approach for resource allocation, saying, "Wealth creation and population often conflict." He proposed that "the government of India or the finance commission should promote population".

"Don't punish those who have aging problems today. Give incentives for more children," he said.

On concerns about delimitation, particularly those raised by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Naidu said, "All those things will be discussed. Sometimes some decisions are taken on the basis of assumptions. But sometimes all assumptions don't give dividends for the society. We have to change our views." "We will work out how to keep everyone's sentiments in mind," Naidu said, positioning himself as a pioneer in "demographic management".

Clarifying his approach, Naidu added, "I did not say population promotion, but demographic management. If you do demographic management, sustainability of the economy will be there, and Indians will do a great job."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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World's Biggest Iceberg Runs Aground Off Remote Antarctic Island

The world's biggest iceberg appears to have run aground roughly 70 kilometres from a remote Antarctic island, potentially sparing the crucial wildlife haven from being hit, a research organisation said Tuesday.

The colossal iceberg A23a -- which is more than twice the size of Greater London and weighs nearly one trillion tonnes -- has been drifting north from Antarctica towards South Georgia island since 2020.

This had raised fears it could collide with the island or run aground in shallower water near it, potentially disrupting the ability of penguins and seals to feed their young.

However, the gigantic wall of ice has been stuck 73 kilometres (45 miles) from the island since March 1, according to a statement from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

"If the iceberg stays grounded, we don't expect it to significantly affect the local wildlife," BAS oceanographer Andrew Meijers said.

"In the last few decades, the many icebergs that end up taking this route through the Southern Ocean soon break up, disperse and melt," added Meijers, who encountered A23a in late 2023 and has tracked its fate via satellite ever since.

Satellite images analysed by AFP showed that the closest edge of the roughly 3,300-square-kilometre iceberg had stopped more than 70 kilometres from the island in late February.

It remains unclear whether the iceberg is stuck for good.

"It will be interesting to see what will happen now," Meijers added.

Upside for wildlife?

The world's biggest and oldest iceberg calved from the Antarctic shelf in 1986.

It remained stuck for over 30 years before finally breaking free in 2020, its lumbering journey north sometimes delayed by ocean forces that kept it spinning in place.

Satellite imagery had previously suggested it was not crumbling into smaller chunks along the familiar path that such icebergs take. However a 19-kilometre chunk broke off in January.

There had been concerns for wildlife on the crucial breeding ground of South Georgia if the iceberg parked too close.

This would have forced animals like penguins and seals to travel much farther to get around the colossal block of ice.

"This could reduce the amount of food coming back to pups and chicks on the island, and so increase mortality," Meijers explained.

However in its current location, the iceberg could offer benefits to wildlife.

"Nutrients stirred up by the grounding (of the berg) and from its melt may boost food availability for the whole regional ecosystem, including for charismatic penguins and seals, Meijers said.

Along with the nearby South Sandwich islands, South Georgia is home to around five million seals and 65 million breeding birds from 30 different species.

The island's seals and penguins have already had a "bad season" due to a bird flu outbreak, Meijers told AFP in January.

What about climate change?

The iceberg poses no threat to shipping. It is so huge that vessels can easily avoid it.

However, as it breaks up into smaller pieces, certain areas could become off limits to commercial fishing ships "due to the number of smaller -- yet often more dangerous -- bergy bits", Meijers said.

There is no permanent human population on South Georgia, which the UK administers as a British overseas territory.

Argentina also claims the island -- along with the Falklands to the west which it calls Las Malvinas.

Icebergs of this size are rare but not unheard of. There have been two of similar sizes in the same area over the last five years, Meijers said.

Such huge icebergs are a "completely normal part of the lifecycle" of the Antarctic ice sheets, Meijers emphasised.

But ice shelves have lost 6,000 billion tonnes of mass since 2000, which is matched by accelerating ice loss attributed to climate change, he added.

Researchers warned last month that a rise in the planet's average temperature to between 1.5 and 2.0 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels could melt enough frozen water to lift oceans by a dozen metres -- and beyond the point of no return.

Last year -- which smashed previous heat records as the world was battered by fires, floods and storms -- was the first calendar year above 1.5C.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Tecno Camon 40 Series With One-Tap Button Unveiled at MWC 2025

Tecno unveiled its Camon 40 series of smartphones at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona. The lineup includes the Tecno Camon 40, Camon 40 Pro, Camon 40 Pro 5G, and Camon 40 Premier 5G. The phones come with a new One-Tap Button and 50-megapixel selfie shooters. They are equipped with Tecno AI, which includes several AI-backed imaging and productivity features. The handsets are expected to be available for purchase in select global markets soon.

Tecno Camon 40 Series Unveiled

In a press release, the company confirmed that the Tecno Camon 40 series phones are equipped with MediaTek Dimensity Ultimate processors. The Tecno Camon 40 Premier 5G is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate AI SoC. It is said to be the first ever handset to get this chipset. The series supports 12GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage,

The Tecno Camon 40 Premier 5G, along with the Camon 40 Pro and Camon 40 Pro 5G handsets, arrives with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection. They are claimed to meet the IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings. They carry TÜV Rheinland certifications and are said to offer 72-month lag-free performance. Meanwhile, the vanilla Tecno Camon 40 is said to get an IP66-rated build against dust and water ingress.

All variants of the Tecno Camon 40 series have AMOLED displays. They also carry stereo dual speaker units with Dolby Atmos audio. The top-of-the-line Premier 5G variant is backed by a 5,100mAh battery with 70W wired fast charging support. For optics, all handsets are equipped with 50-megapixel selfie shooters. The One-Tap Button paired with the AI-backed FlashSnap mode allows users to capture images instantly, without considerable lags. 

The Tecno Camon 40 Premier 5G, with a swan-neck curve design, comes with a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-701 sensor, which is said to collect 56.25 percent more light than other competing sensors, ensuring better night photography results. The handset's camera setup includes a 50-megapixel ultrawide angle shooter and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto camera at the back. It has a 50-megapixel front camera sensor with auto focus for selfies and video calls as well. It can capture 4K 60fps Pre-ISP videos at night or in low light conditions thanks to an "independent imaging chip."

The AI features in the Tecno Camon 40 series phones include AI Eraser 2.0, AIGC Portrait 2.0, AI Perfect Face, AI Sharpness Plus, AI Image Extender, Universal Tone, AI Writing, and AI Translate. The Ella AI Assistant is said to help users with scheduling, navigation, and image recognition. The handsets support Google's Circle to Search feature and an AI Call Assistant with Call Translation and Call Summary tools. 

The company has not yet revealed the price and availability details for the Tecno Camon 40 series handsets. However, their other key specifications are expected to be revealed soon.

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