Friday, May 26 — 6 significant news stories

Melting ice threatens Antarctica's currents and 5 other significant news stories

Today ChatGPT read 956 top news stories and gave 8 of them a significance score over 6.5.

After removing duplicates and repeats, here is today’s significant news:

[7.1] Antarctica's melting ice threatens vital ocean currents and climate stability. — The Conversation

The Antarctic's "bottom water" is slowing down, causing a decline in deep ocean oxygen levels and disrupting the connection between the Antarctic coasts and the deep ocean, according to research published in the journal Nature Climate Change. The slowdown is happening decades earlier than predicted and has the potential to disrupt the global network of ocean currents called the "overturning circulation" that redistributes heat, carbon and nutrients around the globe. The overturning is crucial to keeping Earth’s climate stable and is the main way oxygen reaches the deep ocean.

[6.9] Biden and McCarthy close to deal on U.S. debt ceiling. — Reuters

President Joe Biden and top Republican lawmaker Kevin McCarthy are nearing a deal on the US debt ceiling, with the parties just $70bn apart on discretionary spending, according to a source familiar with the talks. The agreement is expected to be a slimmed-down version with a few key numbers, rather than a lengthy bill. The negotiators are likely to hammer out top-line numbers for discretionary spending, including a number for military spending, but leave lawmakers to work out the details of categories like housing and education through the normal appropriations process in the months ahead. The deal would likely put guardrails on future budget talks, not spell out detailed spending.

[6.7] Insurance companies leave UN climate alliance over political opposition. — Reuters

Three more insurance companies have left a global climate alliance created by the United Nations, including the chair of the group, due to opposition from some US politicians. This group, launched in 2021, aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but has faced criticism for potentially violating competition laws. These laws are intended to prevent collusion among businesses to manipulate markets; critics argue that companies in the alliance might be seen as forming a cartel by limiting services to high-carbon emission clients. Amid these allegations, seven members have now withdrawn from the alliance. Despite the criticism and subsequent departure from the alliance, these companies have reassured the public of their continued individual commitment to tackling climate change. This situation raises questions about the effectiveness of collective efforts to address climate change in the financial sector.

[6.6] Clean energy investment to surpass fossil fuels by 2023, says IEA. — Reuters

Investment in clean energy is set to surpass spending on fossil fuels by 2023, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The Paris-based watchdog said that solar projects are expected to outpace oil production for the first time. Investment in renewable energy has risen by almost a quarter since 2021, compared to a 15% increase for fossil fuels. However, the IEA suggests that current fossil fuel spending is higher than necessary to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century.

[6.6] US and China discuss trade and investment issues in high-level talks. — Reuters

The US and China held high-level talks, where issues related to trade, investment, and export policies were openly discussed. The meeting marked a rare exchange between the two nations, which have seen their economic relations strained over recent months. Concerns raised by both sides included actions taken against US companies operating in China and US policies on high tech goods and foreign investments. Despite the difficulties, the two countries agreed to maintain open communication channels to better manage their relationship, with both sides expressing hope for potential cooperation and addressing specific economic trade issues.

[6.5] Scientists use AI to discover new antibiotic to fight deadly hospital infections. — The Independent

The researchers in Canada have used AI to predict previously unknown classes of antibacterial molecules and identified a new compound, abaucin, which targets Acinetobacter baumannii, one of the world’s most dangerous drug-resistant bacteria. The bacterium is known to cause pneumonia, meningitis and infect wounds, and is found in hospital settings. The new drug could make it less likely for the bacterium to rapidly develop drug resistance and help create new precise and effective treatments.

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