Climate researchers are concerned that the lack of ice cover on the Great Lakes may have consequences. They suspect that warming waters may result in less oxygen reaching the lower parts of the Lakes. That causes plankton and other organisms to die, reducing a food source for fish. Warmer lakes could also fuel algae blooms that spoil beaches and clog shipping channels.

Lake Michigan

Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently amid rising sea-levels and increasing temperatures.

Climate Crisis

Climate researchers are expressing concerns over the notable lack of ice cover on the Great Lakes, indicating potential environmental repercussions. They highlight a cascade of ecological impacts, starting with the warming waters which may lead to decreased oxygen levels in the deeper regions of the lakes. This reduction in oxygen could result in the death of plankton and other organisms, which serve as a crucial food source for fish populations in these waters.

Furthermore, the increasing temperatures of the lakes are feared to encourage the growth of algae blooms. These blooms not only damage the aquatic ecosystem by depleting oxygen levels further and blocking sunlight from reaching underwater plants but also pose significant problems for human activities. They spoil the beaches, making them less appealing for recreational activities, and can clog shipping channels, potentially disrupting economic activities reliant on these waterways.



Lack of ice in the great lakes concerns climate scientists

Wisconsin scientist Madeline McGee tells DAP that while the mild midwestern winters of the last few years may be a delight for most folks, climate researchers like her are concerned that the lack of ice cover on the Great Lakes may have consequences. If we lose ice cover, we really are changing the fundamental ecosystem of the Great Lakes in ways that we don't really understand right now. By mid-February, the Great Lakes, the world's largest freshwater system, often looks like this South Haven, Michigan scene from 2019. Over the last 50 years, mid-February would see Great Lakes ice cover at about 40% and as much as 91%. This year, on February 11th, ice coverage was measured by federal researchers at 2.7%, an historic low. The winter period is really important because it helps set the stage for spring and summer conditions on the Great Lakes. Scientists suspect that lack of ice makes the water warm up more quickly, resulting in less oxygen reaching the lower parts of the lakes. That causes plankton and other organisms to die, reducing a food source for fish. Warmer lakes could also fuel algae blooms that spoil beaches and clog shipping channels. Less ice could also mean shrinking beaches. The most, I would say, immediate and kind of observable effect of lack of ice cover is actually going to be shoreline erosion. In a project led by Michigan Tech, scientists have been collecting winter-specific data to compare to summer conditions. We want to understand winter conditions right now, and moving forward, understand winter conditions as we start to see greater climate changes. More frequent cases of no ice conditions compared to ice conditions. An effort trying to unlock the mysteries of winter under climate change today to prepare for the winters and summers of tomorrow on the Great Lakes. And to give you a better idea of how warm it's been lately, the planet reached record heat for eight straight months in January, according to the European Climate Agency.

The bodies of Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson have been formally identified after their grieving family arrived in Mexico. Authorities have arrested four people in connection with the alleged murders.

Baja California

Grieving family arrives in Mexico to identify brothers remains

Hamas says it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar. Israeli officials are now examining the Hamas response which could potentially halt the seven-month war in Gaza.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel-Gaza War

Hamas accepts ceasefire proposal; Israel reviewing deal

Israel's military has carried out airstrikes in Rafah, residents said, hours after Israel told Palestinians to evacuate parts of the southern Gaza city where more than a million people uprooted by the war have been sheltering.

Jerusalem

Israel strikes Rafah after evacuation order, residents say

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered tactical nuclear weapon drills as part of a military exercise to "deter" the West. It comes as Russian forces continue to make incremental gains on the ground, capturing two villages in Kharkiv and the Donetsk region, as well as the village of Soloviove in eastern Ukraine.

Soloviove

Ukraine Invasion

Russia advances in Ukraine's east, announces nuclear drills

Chinese President Xi Jinping awoke in Paris on Monday on his first visit to the region in five years, with trade and Russia's war with Ukraine on the agenda in talks with France's Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Paris

China's Xi Jinping pays state visit to France

Israel has ordered civilians in Rafah to move towards Khan Younis, in the clearest sign yet that a military operation is imminent. A ceasefire in Gaza looks as distant as ever with Hamas refusing to lay down arms unless there is a complete cessation of the war. Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would go it alone if necessary, even in the face of criticism from its Western allies.

Rafah

Israeli army orders Palestinians to evacuate parts of Rafah

The bodies Australian brothers, Jake and Callum Robinson have been identified by authorities in Baja California, Mexico. It comes as their grieving parents arrive in the country.

Council of the City of Sydney

Brothers identified as victims of Mexico robbery

Qantas has been ordered to compensate passengers following revelations that it sold tickets on thousands of flights that had already been cancelled. The airline has agreed to pay a $100 million fine and $20 million in compensation to affected passengers.

Mascot

Qantas ordered to pay compensation over 'ghost flight' scandal

A former detective is facing allegations of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman whose case he was initially assigned to investigate. Accused of exploiting his authority, Glenn Coleman, 55, has been charged with 10 offences,

Penrith

Police officer accused of assaulting rape victim

The death toll from heavy rains that have caused flooding in Brazil's southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to at least 78, local authorities said, with more than 115,000 people displaced.

State of Rio Grande do Sul

Death toll rises in record-breaking Brazil floods

China's President Xi Jinping has arrived in France for a rare visit with President Emmanuel Macron. They are set to discuss trade, amid growing tension between Europe and China over an imbalance between China's exports and European imports.

China's Xi Jinping visits Europe amid global tensions

While several pro-Palestinian campus protests in the U.S. were dismantled over the weekend, others became more disruptive and interrupted at least one graduation ceremony.

Chicago

Protests disrupt graduation ceremonies at U.S. universities

Prospects for a Gaza ceasefire appeared slim as Hamas reiterated its demand for an end to the war in exchange for the freeing of hostages, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flatly ruled that out.

Gaza truce hopes fade as Israel, Hamas trade blame

The Israeli cabinet has voted to unanimously shut down Al Jazeera's operations in the country. That's according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement on X. 
It is not clear when this decision will take effect.

Israel announces ban of Al Jazeera channel, website

Australian police said they have shot dead a boy after he stabbed a man in Western Australia's capital Perth, in an attack authorities said indicated terrorism.

Perth

Australian police shoot boy dead after stabbing

Sadiq Khan has been elected mayor of London, winning a historic third term after a dramatic contest. Khan was declared the winner over the Conservative candidate, Susan Hall with 43.8% of the vote.

London

Sadiq Khan elected London mayor for third term

Floods have killed at least 58 people in southern Brazil. Nearly 70,000 have been forced from their homes. Tens of thousands of people have been left without drinking water or electricity. It's the worst flooding the region has seen in more than 80 years.

'It's going to get worse': Brazil braces for flood peaks

Students at the University of California in Irvine say they will remain on campus until all their demands are met. School officials say they'll continue to negotiate with the protesters -- and are hoping to reach a deal soon.

Irvine

Police, protesters in stand-off at California university

The Federal Government will cut $3 billion in student debts, in measures to be announced in next week's budget. The reforms will see the student loans of three million graduates by an average of $1200 and changes to loan indexation.

Camperdown

Labor to wipe $3 billion of student debts

Mexican authorities have charged three suspects over the disappearance of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad. It's believed the tourists became embroiled in a bungled robbery. Four bodies were found near the trio's abandoned campsite, but are yet to be formally identified.

Mexican authorities lay charges over Australian brothers' disappearance

A knife-wielding teenage boy has been shot dead by police in Bunnings carpark in Willetton, Perth. The 16-year-old boy had phoned Triple Zero saying he planned ‘acts of violence’ and stabbed a male member of the public. The WA Police Commissioner says the teenager had ‘mental health and radicalisation issues’.

Willetton

Police shoot dead ‘radicalised’ teenage boy in Perth

The death toll from rains in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul rose to 57, local authorities said on Saturday (May 4) afternoon, while dozens still have not been accounted for.

Dozens missing amid record-breaking Brazil flooding

There are renewed hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza after a Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo to continue talks amid reports of a proposal agreed to by Israel to halt fighting for an initial 40 days in exchange for the release of hostages.

Hopes rise for Gaza ceasefire amid Hamas talks

Students showing support for Palestinians have set up camp outside the University College London. They say they'll continue their protest until the university divests from Israeli institutions that 'profit from the war in Gaza'.

Pro-Palestine university protests spread to London

Dozens of Palestinians have held a demonstration in the West Bank, to condemn the killing of five Palestinian fighters. Crowds rallied hours after Israeli troops attacked the fighters in the village of Deir al Ghoson.

Five Palestinian fighters killed during West Bank raid

Dozens of people in two rubber dinghies have reached the southern coast of England, the latest among thousands of asylum-seeking migrants to make the risky sea crossing from France this year.

Dover

Asylum seekers arrive in England despite Rwanda threat

A former immigration detainee has been bailed after allegedly threatening police with a knife in Melbourne. It follows the recent violent home invasion allegedly committed by another released detainee in Western Australia Pressure is mounting on Federal Immigration Minister Andrew Giles to be held to account.

Canberra

Pressure mounts on Immigration Minister after latest detainee incident

Mexican authorities have reportedly discovered a fourth body near the cliff site where Perth brothers Jake and Callum Robinson disappeared, along with their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad. The Australian family of the brothers are en route to Mexico. The bodies are yet to be formally identified.

Ensenada

Fourth body discovered in Mexico search for Australian brothers

Ukraine is eagerly waiting for Western aid as Russia racks up more victories on the battlefield. Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on a visit to Kyiv gave Ukraine the go-ahead to use British weapons to strike directly at Russia.

Kyiv

U.K. allows its weapons to be used on Russian soil

Canadian police have charged three Indian men with the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year and said they were probing whether the men had ties to the Indian government.

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Climate Crisis