A hole in the ozone layer over antarctica, thats fuelled by smoke from Wildfire Events in australia, is exposing wildlife to protentially damaging levels of uv light. Scientists from the University Of Wollongong say animals and plants are having to put more energy into avoiding the rays. Heres our science correspondent victoria gill. The ozone layer that protects us from the suns most harmful rays is healing gradually. But in antarctica, in cold high atmospheric clouds, a hole in that layer still appears every year. That Ozone Thinning or loss used to peak in september or october, when animals and plants are tucked under winter snow and marine animals are protected by sea ice. But its now lingering until december, well into the antarctic summer, when wildlife is much more vulnerable. Researchers say thats been driven in part by smoke from the australian wildfires in 2019 and 2020, which were fuelled by climate change. The researchers found evidence that antarctic plants might have to p
Are at risk from the rays. Welcome to bbc news. President zelensky has renewed his appeal for allies to provide ukraine with more air defences, after another night of russian bombardment caused serious damage to Energy Infrastructure. He called for decisive action, saying the world could shoot down every missile and drone launched by, what he called, russian terrorists. Four power plants were hit in three regions, and Gas Infrastructure was also struck. An oil refinery in occupied slavyansk was damaged. Reports indicate a second oil refinery was also hit, and video has emerged of destruction at an airbase. A little earlier i spoke to victoria vdovychenko programme directorfor Security Studies at the centre for defence strategies, a Ukrainian Security think tank. The most important is the time space and that is very important also, our allies understand that the shortage of the weapons on the ground, in the field, on the ukrainian battlefield in particular, therefore, it was so timely,
Scotlands First Minister, humza yousaf, is insisting he will not resign despite a week pof political turmoil. Heres a quick recap of whats been happening. The crisis began when humza yousaf, who leads the Scottish National party, ended its Governing Coalition with the scottish greens. Both parties are pro scottish independence. Thered been trouble in the coalition about the decision to scrap climate targets, and gender policy issues. Theoretically, mr yousaf could lead a minority government, but he faces a Confidence Vote in his leadership and all the main scottish parties say they will vote against him. There is also expected to be a Confidence Vote in his government. Theres the possibility that a former snp member ash regan who defected to another nationalist party could save mr yousaf. But thats highly uncertain. The big picture in all of this is that the position of the Scottish National party is weakening with uk elections due. And that also has implications for the likelihood of
Will focus on air defence. This includes interceptor missiles, anti drone systems and artillery ammunition. Whats not included are the new patriot air defence batteries, something ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky says are critical. The us defence secretary lloyd austin has been speaking about the importance of the aid. Take a listen. The outcome in ukraine will determine the trajectory of our times. If putin prevails in ukraine, the Security Consequences will be grave and global. Europe would face a Security Threat that it hasnt seen in our lifetimes. As President Biden has noted, russia will not stop in ukraine. If the kremlin gets its way, if putins war and imperial aggression succeeds, every tyrant on earth will take note. Americas top diplomat is warning china that washington will act, if beijing doesnt stop providing russia with supplies, for its war in ukraine. Antony blinken says hes made it clear to his chinese counterparts that theyre helping fuel the biggest threat to Eu