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Inside the depths of planets, where extreme pressures and temperatures reign, matter takes on some truly bizarre forms. While iron atoms are believed to dance within Earth's solid inner core, the gas giants Uranus and Neptune likely host an unusual type of ice, known as superionic ice, which exists as both a solid and a liquid simultaneously. This extraordinary form of ice was first recreated in laboratory experiments five years ago and its existence and crystalline structure were confirmed four years later.

Over the past 30 years, the world has witnessed a staggering loss of an estimated $3.8 trillion in crops and livestock production due to disasters. This equates to an average annual loss of $123 billion, amounting to a substantial 5 percent of the global agricultural gross domestic product (GDP). These alarming figures come from a recently released report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), titled "The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security."

Amidst the challenging macroeconomic landscape in many countries and growing concerns about public debt sustainability, the progress in financing climate action in Asia and the Pacific continues to lag. This issue becomes increasingly critical as global emissions and energy demands rise. A new report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) sheds light on the pressing matter of sustainable finance in the region. It addresses the challenges and opportunities for policymakers, regulators, and private finance in bridging the financing gap.

A new study reveals that climate change has become a significant driver of amphibian declines worldwide. Climate change effects have emerged as the most common primary driver of deteriorating amphibian populations from 2004 to 2022, affecting 39% of species, compared to just 1% during the previous two decades (1980-2004).

The global economy stands at a pivotal moment, marked by a stark contrast between thriving and struggling economies, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). In Trade and Development Report 2023, UNCTAD forecasts a slowdown in world economic growth from three percent in the previous year to 2.4 percent in 2023, with limited signs of recovery in 2024.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has issued a stark warning, stating that an additional $8 billion to $28 billion annually will be required to decarbonize the global shipping sector by 2050. Furthermore, substantial investments ranging from $28 billion to $90 billion annually will be necessary to develop infrastructure for 100% carbon-neutral fuels by the same deadline.

Two years after the Taliban takeover of Kabul, the Afghan embassy in New Delhi has announced the suspension of its operations. The decision was attributed to a lack of cooperation from both the Taliban regime and the Indian government, marking a significant development in the ongoing power struggle within Afghanistan's diplomatic missions.

As women's representation in U.S. politics has increased, a significant majority of Americans, 53%, express the view that there are still insufficient women in high political offices in the United States. Moreover, many Americans perceive significant obstacles for women candidates aspiring to such positions, according to the latest data from PEW Research Centre.

The state of Earth's polar ice regions is raising alarm bells as Arctic sea ice reaches its sixth-lowest annual minimum extent, and Antarctic sea ice experiences a record-low growth. According to findings by NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), these developments hold profound implications for our planet's ecosystems and climate.

Among the negative impacts of extreme weather events around the world is one that most people may not think of: an increase in child marriages.