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'Dark oxygen': a deep-sea discovery that has split scientists
'Dark oxygen': a deep-sea discovery that has split scientists
by  AFP

Could lumpy metallic rocks in the deepest, darkest reaches of the ocean be making oxygen in the absence of sunlight? This cast doubt on the long-established view that life was made possible when organisms started producing oxygen via photosynthesis, which requires sunlight, about 2.7 billion years ago.

Race to name creatures of the deep as mining interest grows
Race to name creatures of the deep as mining interest grows
by  AFP

In the cold, lightless Pacific Ocean deep, the seabed is scattered with metal-rich rocks coveted by miners -- and huge numbers of strange and rare animals almost entirely unknown to science. There are "huge numbers of rare species", said Horton, adding that much of the diversity was among the creatures living in the mud.

Asian markets start week on front foot as China unveils consumer plan
Asian markets start week on front foot as China unveils consumer plan
by  AFP

Asian markets rose on Monday as investors welcomed Chinese plans to kickstart consumption in the world's number two economy, though worries about Donald Trump's tariffs war continue to cast a shadow over trading floors. However, observers warned that leaders had a tough job ahead of them amid Trump's trade war.

Wind-powered mast to cut emissions sets sail to Canada
Wind-powered mast to cut emissions sets sail to Canada
by  AFP

A pioneering rigid shipping mast has set off on its first journey, harnessing the wind to propel a cargo ship from England to Canada and using less fuel to help reduce emissions. It harnesses the wind that hits its surface to propel the ship.

Giant mine machine swallowing up Senegal's fertile coast
Giant mine machine swallowing up Senegal's fertile coast
by  AFP

Like something from the science fiction film "Dune", the "world's biggest mining dredger" has been swallowing acre after acre of the fertile coastal strip where most of Senegal's vegetables are grown. In the meantime, the dredger continues to swallow up the dunes of Lompoul, Africa's smallest and one of its most scenic deserts. lp/mrb/els/fg/yad

China's Baidu releases new, free AI model to compete with DeepSeek
China's Baidu releases new, free AI model to compete with DeepSeek
by  AFP

Chinese internet search giant Baidu released a new artificial intelligence reasoning model Sunday and made its AI chatbot services free as ferocious competition grips the sector. Baidu also made the models free to use, more than two weeks ahead of schedule.

Rare iconic movie posters to be auctioned in US
Rare iconic movie posters to be auctioned in US
by  AFP

Dozens of rare posters from some of the 20th century's most iconic films will go under the hammer this month as an American collector relinquishes some of his most precious possessions. Other rare finds going under the hammer include a 1953 Italian poster for the 1942 film "Casablanca" starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.