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Concerning scenario: Earth’s population could decline for these reasons...

Scientists are warning of a possible major decline in the world’s population in the coming decades which in the “worst case scenarios” could reach a halving of the current population by 2064 due to multiple factors.The Earth’s population currently stands at about 8.3 billion people. However scientists from the University of Milan present hypothetical scenarios in a recent study that rely on mathematical models simulating the future of population growth under severe environmental and economic pressures.The researchers explain that their study is not intended to provide direct predictions of the future but rather to test how population growth would be affected if the Earth’s “carrying capacity” the maximum number of people that can be sustainably supported were to drop suddenly and sharply in one scenario to as low as about two billion people.According to the mathematical model used in the study published in Chaos Solitons and Fractals such a sharp decline in carrying capacity could lead to a rapid decrease in the global population potentially reaching nearly half within the coming decades.The research is based on an analysis of population data spanning more than 12,000 years aiming to understand patterns of human growth throughout history from the slow growth periods of ancient times to the rapid population surges of the modern era.The scientists note that the current overall population growth trend remains relatively stable and does not indicate an imminent collapse but they warn that sudden changes in environmental or health conditions could drastically reshape this trajectory.Experts caution that such a collapse could result from climate breakdown a global pandemic international conflict or severe resource shortages.In a related context the study also discusses what is known in demography as the “doomsday scenario” proposed since the 1960s which predicted population growth reaching unsustainable levels. However the global decline in fertility rates has so far helped avoid those projections.Nevertheless recent data shows that fertility rates in several countries have fallen below the population replacement level of about 2.1 children per woman. The rate is 1.41 in the United Kingdom and 1.62 in the United States raising concerns about future labor shortages and increasing pressures on elderly care systems.Some experts warn that continuing this trend could worsen economic and social challenges which business figures and analysts including Elon Musk interpret as one of the most serious long term threats to human civilization’s stability amid declining global birth rates.

27-05-2026 15:40

Concerning scenario: Earth’s population could decline for these reasons...

Scientists are warning of a possible major decline in the world’s population in the coming decades which in the “worst case scenarios” could reach a halving of the current population by 2064 due to multiple factors.The Earth’s population currently stands at about 8.3 billion people. However scientists from the University of Milan present hypothetical scenarios in a recent study that rely on mathematical models simulating the future of population growth under severe environmental and economic pressures.The researchers explain that their study is not intended to provide direct predictions of the future but rather to test how population growth would be affected if the Earth’s “carrying capacity” the maximum number of people that can be sustainably supported were to drop suddenly and sharply in one scenario to as low as about two billion people.According to the mathematical model used in the study published in Chaos Solitons and Fractals such a sharp decline in carrying capacity could lead to a rapid decrease in the global population potentially reaching nearly half within the coming decades.The research is based on an analysis of population data spanning more than 12,000 years aiming to understand patterns of human growth throughout history from the slow growth periods of ancient times to the rapid population surges of the modern era.The scientists note that the current overall population growth trend remains relatively stable and does not indicate an imminent collapse but they warn that sudden changes in environmental or health conditions could drastically reshape this trajectory.Experts caution that such a collapse could result from climate breakdown a global pandemic international conflict or severe resource shortages.In a related context the study also discusses what is known in demography as the “doomsday scenario” proposed since the 1960s which predicted population growth reaching unsustainable levels. However the global decline in fertility rates has so far helped avoid those projections.Nevertheless recent data shows that fertility rates in several countries have fallen below the population replacement level of about 2.1 children per woman. The rate is 1.41 in the United Kingdom and 1.62 in the United States raising concerns about future labor shortages and increasing pressures on elderly care systems.Some experts warn that continuing this trend could worsen economic and social challenges which business figures and analysts including Elon Musk interpret as one of the most serious long term threats to human civilization’s stability amid declining global birth rates.

27-05-2026 15:40

Spanish government confirms new case of hantavirus

The Spanish government said Monday it has confirmed a new case of hantavirus connected to the cruise ship MV Hondius, which became the center of an outbreak that killed three people earlier this month.A Spanish national who has been in preventive quarantine at a hospital in Madrid tested positive for the virus, the Health Ministry said in a statement.The new case involves a “close contact” of a person connected to the initial outbreak. The patient who tested positive has been under clinical surveillance and isolation at Gómez Ulla Hospital, according to the Health Ministry.The patient’s positive case was detected during periodic testing of contacts of people associated with the outbreak. Following the positive test, the patient was transferred to the high-level isolation unit at Gómez Ulla Hospital and placed under specialized medical supervision, the statement continued.Hantavirus is endemic in parts of South America but remains very rare among humans and has never before been recorded on a cruise ship. Global and U.S. health officials have consistently attempted to calm fears of a wider outbreak.The Spanish Health Ministry said the latest recorded case does not change the risk to the general public, nor the epidemiological response measures in place, as the case involved someone already within its activated isolation system.The incubation period for hantavirus is up to six weeks. There have been no new deaths since May 2, when the outbreak was first reported to the World Health Organization.Twenty crew members and two medical staff members disembarked from the cruise ship in the Netherlands last week, Oceanwide Expeditions said. The cruise ship’s arrival ended its seven-week, 8,500-mile journey that was hit by up to 11 infections and three deaths from the rare disease.Most passengers, including 18 Americans, are under quarantine in their home countries.

26-05-2026 12:32

Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza Built With Sophisticated Quake Resistance

If ever there were a structure built to stand the test of time, it surely would be the Great Pyramid of Giza, a transcendent monument to human imagination and ambition. Since ​being erected during the Old Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, it has stood impassively as time marched on and civilizations rose and fell.Researchers now have discovered one of ‌the reasons for its astonishing durability - it was designed and built with structural features that have helped it withstand the destructive energy of earthquakes since its construction about 4,600 years ago as the tomb of the pharaoh Khufu.The scientists assessed its structural dynamics by using devices called seismometers to record ambient vibrations - continuous subtle background shaking generated by natural forces and human activity - at 37 locations in and around the pyramid. It exhibited a ​remarkably homogeneous and stable structural response to these vibrations despite its size and complexity.The four sides of the pyramid, located in Giza right outside the Egyptian capital Cairo ​and built of massive limestone blocks, each measure about 755 feet (230 meters) at the base, and it covers about 13 acres (5.3 hectares).It originally stood ⁠about 480 feet (147 meters) tall. Natural erosion over time and the removal centuries ago of its smooth outer casing stones for building material left it at its current height of approximately 455 ​feet (138.5 meters). It was the world's tallest structure for some 3,800 years.The scientists identified several characteristics that gave the pyramid earthquake resistance. It has an extremely broad base with low center of ​gravity, highly symmetrical geometry, a gradual reduction in mass toward the top and sophisticated internal design including internal chambers that blunt vibration amplification. It also was constructed on strong limestone bedrock."These elements together create a well-balanced, coherent structure," said seismologist Mohamed ElGabry of the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, or NRIAG, in Egypt, lead author of the study published on Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports."Ancient Egyptian builders clearly possessed practical knowledge ​related to stability, foundation behavior, mass distribution and load transfer," NRIAG seismologist and study senior author Asem Salama said.The researchers found that most vibrations recorded within the pyramid had a frequency that ​indicated that mechanical stress was evenly distributed throughout."So while I would hesitate to claim that they intentionally designed the pyramid specifically for earthquake resistance, I do think they developed architectural and geotechnical solutions that naturally ‌produced structures ⁠with exceptional long-term resilience," Salama said.This was learned over time through trial and error, as some flawed pyramids that preceded this one demonstrate.The researchers collected seismic data from various passages and chambers built inside the pyramid, including the primary burial room called the King's Chamber, as well as the surrounding bedrock and soil.They found that vibration amplification increased with elevation inside the pyramid, a normal phenomenon for tall structures. But they observed a reduction in amplification within five special chambers built above the King's Chamber, despite their higher position."This suggests these chambers effectively help dissipate seismic energy and ​protect the King's Chamber - one of the most ​critical areas - from excessive shaking," ElGabry said.The ⁠most recent earthquakes in the region included notable ones in 1847 and 1992, both of which heavily damaged thousands of buildings and the latter of which killed more than 560 people. The pyramid experienced scant damage.It is part of a large complex, alongside other pyramids and the Great ​Sphinx of Giza - all drawing throngs of visitors since ancient times."The Great Pyramid is not only an extraordinary engineering achievement but also a ​profound work of art ⁠and human vision. Its perfect symmetry, monumental scale and elegant proportions create a timeless beauty that continues to inspire awe even after 4,600 years," ElGabry said."Beyond its physical beauty, what impresses me most is the incredible project management and organizational mastery it represents. Building such a monument took approximately 20 years and required sustaining a clear, long-term vision, an extremely complex supply chain and the coordination of tens ⁠of thousands of ​skilled workers, engineers, and administrators," ElGabry said.This would have included managing human resources, training specialized labor forces, ensuring a ​continuous food supply for the workers, and logistics for massive quantities of stone."It reminds us what human civilization is capable of when vision, science, organization and determination come together," ElGabry said."They really did," Salama said, "build 'one for the ages'."

21-05-2026 18:51

Health Ministry monitors Ebola outbreak developments in Congo, Uganda

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said it was closely monitoring developments related to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, following the World Health Organization’s declaration of the situation as a "public health emergency of international concern."In a statement, the ministry said it is coordinating daily with the World Health Organizationregarding any recommendations or health measures issued in line with the evolving epidemiological situation.The ministry also stressed the importance of strengthening epidemiological surveillance measures in healthcare institutions, noting that no international recommendations have so far been issued to impose travel or trade restrictions or adopt special measures at border crossings.

21-05-2026 11:45

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WHO Reassures Public Over Hantavirus Outbreak

World Health Organization announced that it has kept its risk assessment of the Hantavirus infection outbreak at “low,” despite the cruise ship linked to the virus nearing the coast of the Netherlands.The organization said that a reassessment based on the latest available information showed that the global public health risk remains low, noting that the likelihood of transmission is expected to decline after passengers disembark and health monitoring measures are implemented.The vessel, MV Hondius, is expected to dock at the Port of Rotterdam with 27 people on board, including 25 crew members and two medical staff.The ship, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, made headlines after three passengers died after contracting Hantavirus infection, a rare disease for which no specific vaccine or treatment is currently available.

18-05-2026 07:33

Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza Built With Sophisticated Quake Resistance

If ever there were a structure built to stand the test of time, it surely would be the Great Pyramid of Giza, a transcendent monument to human imagination and ambition. Since ​being erected during the Old Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, it has stood impassively as time marched on and civilizations rose and fell.Researchers now have discovered one of ‌the reasons for its astonishing durability - it was designed and built with structural features that have helped it withstand the destructive energy of earthquakes since its construction about 4,600 years ago as the tomb of the pharaoh Khufu.The scientists assessed its structural dynamics by using devices called seismometers to record ambient vibrations - continuous subtle background shaking generated by natural forces and human activity - at 37 locations in and around the pyramid. It exhibited a ​remarkably homogeneous and stable structural response to these vibrations despite its size and complexity.The four sides of the pyramid, located in Giza right outside the Egyptian capital Cairo ​and built of massive limestone blocks, each measure about 755 feet (230 meters) at the base, and it covers about 13 acres (5.3 hectares).It originally stood ⁠about 480 feet (147 meters) tall. Natural erosion over time and the removal centuries ago of its smooth outer casing stones for building material left it at its current height of approximately 455 ​feet (138.5 meters). It was the world's tallest structure for some 3,800 years.The scientists identified several characteristics that gave the pyramid earthquake resistance. It has an extremely broad base with low center of ​gravity, highly symmetrical geometry, a gradual reduction in mass toward the top and sophisticated internal design including internal chambers that blunt vibration amplification. It also was constructed on strong limestone bedrock."These elements together create a well-balanced, coherent structure," said seismologist Mohamed ElGabry of the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, or NRIAG, in Egypt, lead author of the study published on Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports."Ancient Egyptian builders clearly possessed practical knowledge ​related to stability, foundation behavior, mass distribution and load transfer," NRIAG seismologist and study senior author Asem Salama said.The researchers found that most vibrations recorded within the pyramid had a frequency that ​indicated that mechanical stress was evenly distributed throughout."So while I would hesitate to claim that they intentionally designed the pyramid specifically for earthquake resistance, I do think they developed architectural and geotechnical solutions that naturally ‌produced structures ⁠with exceptional long-term resilience," Salama said.This was learned over time through trial and error, as some flawed pyramids that preceded this one demonstrate.The researchers collected seismic data from various passages and chambers built inside the pyramid, including the primary burial room called the King's Chamber, as well as the surrounding bedrock and soil.They found that vibration amplification increased with elevation inside the pyramid, a normal phenomenon for tall structures. But they observed a reduction in amplification within five special chambers built above the King's Chamber, despite their higher position."This suggests these chambers effectively help dissipate seismic energy and ​protect the King's Chamber - one of the most ​critical areas - from excessive shaking," ElGabry said.The ⁠most recent earthquakes in the region included notable ones in 1847 and 1992, both of which heavily damaged thousands of buildings and the latter of which killed more than 560 people. The pyramid experienced scant damage.It is part of a large complex, alongside other pyramids and the Great ​Sphinx of Giza - all drawing throngs of visitors since ancient times."The Great Pyramid is not only an extraordinary engineering achievement but also a ​profound work of art ⁠and human vision. Its perfect symmetry, monumental scale and elegant proportions create a timeless beauty that continues to inspire awe even after 4,600 years," ElGabry said."Beyond its physical beauty, what impresses me most is the incredible project management and organizational mastery it represents. Building such a monument took approximately 20 years and required sustaining a clear, long-term vision, an extremely complex supply chain and the coordination of tens ⁠of thousands of ​skilled workers, engineers, and administrators," ElGabry said.This would have included managing human resources, training specialized labor forces, ensuring a ​continuous food supply for the workers, and logistics for massive quantities of stone."It reminds us what human civilization is capable of when vision, science, organization and determination come together," ElGabry said."They really did," Salama said, "build 'one for the ages'."

21-05-2026 18:51

Health Ministry monitors Ebola outbreak developments in Congo, Uganda

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said it was closely monitoring developments related to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, following the World Health Organization’s declaration of the situation as a "public health emergency of international concern."In a statement, the ministry said it is coordinating daily with the World Health Organizationregarding any recommendations or health measures issued in line with the evolving epidemiological situation.The ministry also stressed the importance of strengthening epidemiological surveillance measures in healthcare institutions, noting that no international recommendations have so far been issued to impose travel or trade restrictions or adopt special measures at border crossings.

21-05-2026 11:45

WHO Sounds Alarm Over Ebola Outbreak Across Congo and Uganda

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and neighboring Uganda a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday after more than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths.In a post on X, the World Health Organization said the outbreak does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency like the Covid-19 pandemic, and advised against the closure of international borders.WHO said a laboratory-confirmed case has also been reported in Congo’s capital of Kinshasa, which is about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the outbreak's epicenter in the eastern province of Ituri, suggesting a possible wider spread. It said the patient had visited Ituri and that other suspected cases have also been reported in North Kivu province, which is one of Congo’s most populous and borders Ituri.Ebola is highly contagious and can be contracted via bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen. The disease it causes is rare, but severe and often fatal.Health authorities say the current outbreak, first confirmed on Friday, is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare variant of the Ebola disease that has no approved therapeutics or vaccines. Although more than 20 Ebola outbreaks have taken place in Congo and Uganda, this is only the third time the Bundibugyo virus has been detected.Congo accounts for all except two of the cases, both of which were reported in Uganda, the WHO said.The Bundibugyo virus was first detected in Uganda’s Bundibugyo district during a 2007-2008 outbreak that infected 149 people and killed 37 people. The second time was in 2012 in an outbreak in Isiro, Congo, where 57 cases and 29 deaths were reported.WHO’s emergency declaration is meant to spur donor agencies and countries into action. However, the global response to previous declarations has been mixed. In 2024 when the WHO declared mpox outbreaks in Congo and elsewhere in Africa a global emergency, experts at the time said it did little to get supplies like diagnostic tests, medicines and vaccines to affected countries quickly.Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya said Saturday that a high number of active cases remain in the community, particularly in Mongwalu where the first cases were reported, “significantly complicating containment and contact tracing efforts".Violent conflict with militants, some backed by the Islamic State group, as well as constant population movement due to mining, both within Congo and across the border with Uganda, have also posed a major challenge to response efforts. Officials first reported the spread of the disease in Ituri province, close to Uganda and South Sudan, on Friday. On Saturday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 336 suspected cases and 87 deaths in Congo.“There are significant uncertainties to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread associated with this event at the present time. In addition, there is limited understanding of the epidemiological links with known or suspected cases,” Tedros said.The two cases in Uganda include one person whom the country said had traveled from Congo and died at a hospital in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, and another the WHO said had also traveled from Congo.The WHO said the high percentage of positive cases among samples tested, the spread to Kampala and Uganda and the clusters of deaths across Ituri “all point towards a potentially much larger outbreak than what is currently being detected and reported, with significant local and regional risk of spread".Kaseya said slow detection delayed the response and gave the outbreak time to spread.“This outbreak started in April. So far, we don’t know the index case. It means we don’t know how far is the magnitude of this outbreak,” said Kaseya, using a term for the first detectable case of an epidemic.The earliest known suspected victim, a 59-year-old man, developed symptoms on April 24 and died at a hospital in Ituri on April 27.By the time health authorities were first alerted to the outbreak via social media on May 5, 50 deaths had already been recorded, the Africa CDC said. The WHO said at least four deaths have been reported among healthcare workers who showed Ebola symptoms.

17-05-2026 11:53

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