Atmospheric energy escaped from the Tibetan Plateau
Beijing (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
The increase of green-house gases in the atmosphere reduces outgoing radiation and thus causes global warming. About 93% extra energy trapped by the greenhouse gases is stored in oceans and only 1% is used to heat the atmosphere. As a main reservoir of heat sink, Oceans are slowing down the global warming magnitude by absorbing the extra energy.
Global warming hiatus was observed since 199 ...
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Soft, energy-efficient robotic wings
Washington DC (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
Dielectric elastomers are novel materials for making actuators or motors with soft and lightweight properties that can undergo large active deformations with high-energy conversion efficiencies. This has made dielectric elastomers popular for creating devices such as robotic hands, soft robots, tunable lenses and pneumatic valves - and possibly flapping robotic wings.
Reporting this week i ...
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Israeli options limited despite warnings on Iran deal
Jerusalem (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
Israel has warned relentlessly against a nuclear deal with Iran, but experts say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's options are limited and immediate military action is unlikely.
Netanyahu slammed Thursday's announcement in Lausanne on the framework of a potentially historic deal, saying that if implemented it would jeopardise the Jewish state's very existence.
"PM Netanyahu to Pres Oba ...
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Nuclear sanctions on Iran to be lifted if it meets deal
Lausanne (AFP) April 2, 2015 -
A raft of biting global sanctions imposed on Iran for its suspect nuclear activities will be lifted over time, if the Islamic republic sticks to the terms of a final deal with global powers.
Under a framework struck Thursday, the US and EU will lift all nuclear-related sanctions after the UN atomic watchdog, the IAEA, has verified that Iran has taken key steps laid out in the final comprehen ...
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Despite nuclear deal, US-Iran relations far from rosy
Washington (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
US President Barack Obama, eager to resolve at least one intractable conflict in his final two years in office, has his eye on a major prize: reconciliation with Iran.
Thursday's agreement on a road map for the final phase of negotiations on a nuclear accord could open a way to a broader realignment that would redraw the map of the Middle East.
But analysts warn that the long-time foes r ...
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Even full deal with Iran could fail to stabilise Mideast: analysts
Paris (AFP) April 2, 2015 -
Negotiators hope a nuclear deal will bring Iran back into the diplomatic fold, but experts are divided on whether it will douse the many fires of the Middle East.
Iran and six world powers agreed Thursday on the outline of a potentially historic deal to curtail its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of economic sanctions on the Islamic republic.
Even while struggling under sanct ...
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Iran, world powers agree 'historic' framework nuclear deal
Lausanne (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
Iran and six world powers agreed Thursday on the framework of a potentially historic deal aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear drive, marking a major breakthrough in a 12-year standoff after marathon talks in Switzerland.
The framework, agreed between Iran and the West - which has long feared Tehran wants to build a nuclear bomb - raised hopes the deal could help stability in the Middle East. ...
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