For Planet Earth,
This Might Be the Start of
a New Age
A panel of experts has spent more than a decade deliberating on how, and whether, to mark a momentous new epoch in geologic time: our own.
The official timeline of Earth’s history — from the oldest rocks to the dinosaurs to the rise of primates, from the Paleozoic to the Jurassic and all points before and since — could soon include the age of nuclear weapons, human-caused climate change and the proliferation of plastics, garbage and concrete across the planet.
In short, the present.
Ten thousand years after our species began forming primitive agrarian societies, a panel of scientists on Saturday took a big step toward declaring a new interval of geologic time: the Anthropocene, the age of humans.
How Putin’s alleged ‘business associate’ made $400m from a major Russian gas deal
French oil group Total writes off Novatek shareholding as Guardian investigation raises questions over ties to Kremlin and ownership of superyacht used by Russian president
by Juliette Garside and Kalyeena Makortoff
In the icy waters of a Siberian harbour, the Christophe de Margerie, a Russian ship with an unusual French name, was ready for loading. The world’s first ice-breaking gas tanker had been designed for a very specific purpose: opening up Russia’s Arctic shipping routes towards Europe and Asia during the winter months.
It was December 2017, and the temperatures had plunged to -27C, but the politicians and oil executives gathered in Sabetta, on the Yamal peninsula, were jubilant. Vladimir Putin had flown in for the event. At the president’s signal, gas began to pump into the tanker.
“This is probably the biggest step in the development of the Arctic,” Putin declared.
How Qatar turns its cash into foreign policy power
For years, Qatar has pursued a "soft" foreign policy that helped make international friends and influence the powerful. It includes spending billions on everything from fashion, art and sport, to charities and industry.
The glamorous event was covered in all the best magazines. The exhibition in Qatar, coming shortly before the start of the football World Cup and featuring Italian brand Valentino was described as "panoramic." At the exhibition's opening, former supermodel Naomi Campbell was "the belle of ball," journalists enthused.
But it was not just the fine weather in Qatar drawing high profile fashion names to the small Persian Gulf state.
A Qatari investment fund, Mayhoola, actually owns Valentino, having brought the struggling Italian luxury brand back in 2012. And Campbell was there to launch Emerge, a new fashion charity to promote young designers from emerging economies, in partnership with a Qatari arts initiative, called Qatar Creates.
Contentious major defense policy shift shows Japan wariness of China
By Keita Nakamura
Japan's controversial major defense policy shift to obtain an enemy base strike capability underscores that the Asian country has become seriously wary of China's possible use of military force against Taiwan, security experts said.
By reviewing its exclusively defense-oriented postwar policy, Japan would put more emphasis ahead on thwarting China's ambition to bolster its military presence in nearby waters than on guarding against North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons threats.
But it is uncertain whether Japan's possession of what the government calls a "counterstrike capability" can work as a deterrent against China, as the concept is not designed to enable Tokyo to boost its defense capabilities to pose a threat to Beijing.
A-League Melbourne derby abandoned after fans invade pitch, injuring goalkeeper
An A-League derby match in Australia was abandoned after fans invaded the pitch, injuring a goalkeeper in an ugly scene on Saturday.
Video shows chaos erupting after a flare landed on the pitch, with fans pouring onto the field and surrounding match official Alex King and Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover.
Moments later, a fan threw what appeared to be a metal trash bin at Glover’s head.
City said Glover received medical treatment and “likely” has a concussion. The club later said Glover needed several stitches for a laceration to his face and he was taken to the hospital for further check-ups.
Shanghai schools to go online as Covid spreads in China
China's largest city, Shanghai, has ordered most of its schools to take classes online as Covid cases soar.
Nurseries and childcare centres will also shut from Monday, according to Shanghai's education bureau.
Restrictions were eased by Chinese authorities earlier this month following a wave of protests targeting China's zero-Covid strategy.
But the easing of strict lockdown measures has led to growing concerns over the spread of Covid in China.
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