Latest news with #Equator
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Earth braced for shortest day in recorded history as experts warn of dire effects of faster-spinning planet
Our planet is expected to see one of the shortest days in recorded history on Tuesday. Scientists say the moon's gravitational pull will cause Earth to spin slightly faster at its poles, shaving 1.25 milliseconds off the usual 24-hour day. It will be too slight to be noticed by humans, but experts fear the long-term effects could be dire - including severe flooding of coastal cities. As the planet spins faster, centrifugal force would begin pushing ocean water away from the poles and toward the equator. Even a modest increase of just one mile per hour could raise sea levels by several inches in equatorial regions, enough to swamp low-lying settlements already on the brink. In more extreme scenarios, where Earth spins 100 miles per hour faster, vast areas around the equator could disappear under rising water as polar seas surge southward. For those who survive the flooding, scientists warn that daily life would grow increasingly hostile as the planet's balance shifts, making this seemingly minor change far more ominous than it appears. A faster spin would not just shorten the day, it could throw human biology into chaos. If Earth's rotation continues to accelerate, the solar day could shrink to just 22 hours, disrupting circadian rhythms and effectively shifting everyone's internal clock two hours earlier each day without time to adjust. Such a disruption wouldn't be minor. Studies have shown that even small changes, like daylight saving time, are linked to spikes in heart attacks, strokes, and traffic accidents. A permanent shift would be even more dangerous. NASA astronomer Dr Sten Odenwald also warned that weather patterns would become more extreme. As the planet spins faster, the Coriolis effect, which causes storms to rotate, intensifies. 'Hurricanes will spin faster and carry more energy,' Dr Odenwald explained. These minute deviations in Earth's rotation are tracked using atomic clocks, which measure time by counting the oscillations of atoms in a vacuum chamber. This forms the basis of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global timekeeping standard. In recent years, Earth has seen a growing number of 'short days.' On July 19, 2020, the day was 1.47 milliseconds shorter than average. June 30, 2022, came in 1.59 milliseconds short. But the current record was set just last year, on July 5, 2024, when Earth completed a full rotation 1.66 milliseconds faster than usual, the shortest day recorded since atomic clocks were introduced in 1949. Graham Jones, an astrophysicist at the University of London, discovered the change earlier this year, noting that Earth's rotation could speed up noticeably on July 9, July 22 and August 5. Earth normally takes 24 hours, or exactly 86,400 seconds, to complete one full rotation, which is called a solar day. Earth's rotation is not always perfect, as it can shift by a tiny amount over time, a few milliseconds. That is likely due to the Earth's spin being influenced by natural forces, like earthquakes and ocean currents. Melting glaciers, movement in Earth's molten core, and large weather patterns like El Nino can also slightly speed up or slow down the planet's rotation. These changes are measured using atomic clocks, which track time more accurately than regular watches. The recent spin-up has surprised researchers. The fastest day recorded so far was on July 5, 2024, when Earth spun 1.66 milliseconds faster than the standard 24 hours. Although Jones does not know the exact reason for the acceleration, he is studying what's happening inside the Earth. That includes shifting molten layers in the core, ocean currents, and high-altitude winds as they affect the Earth's spin.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Mysterious change in Earth's rotation set for TODAY as scientists warn of catastrophic consequences
Earth's rotation is set to mysteriously speed up on Wednesday, a puzzling phenomenon that has left scientists concerned about its potential long-term effects. The change, influenced by the moon's gravitational pull, will cause the planet to spin slightly faster at its poles, shaving approximately 1.25 milliseconds off the usual 24-hour day. While too small for humans to notice directly, experts warn that if this acceleration continues unchecked, it could trigger catastrophic consequences. As the planet spins faster, increased centrifugal force would push ocean water away from the poles toward the equator. Even a modest increase, just one mile per hour, could raise sea levels by several inches in equatorial regions, threatening to flood low-lying coastal cities already vulnerable to rising waters. In extreme scenarios, where Earth spins up to 100 miles per hour faster, vast equatorial areas could be submerged as polar seas surge southward, dramatically reshaping coastlines and displacing millions. Beyond flooding, a faster spin would also shorten the solar day. Scientists warn that if acceleration persists, the day could shrink to just 22 hours. This rapid change would disrupt human circadian rhythms, effectively shifting internal clocks two hours earlier every day with no time to adjust, a biological upheaval with serious health consequences. Studies have shown even small time shifts, like daylight saving changes, are linked to spikes in heart attacks, strokes, and traffic accidents. A permanent, drastic shift could prove far more dangerous. NASA astronomer Dr Sten Odenwald added that faster rotation would intensify the Coriolis effect, which governs storm rotation, leading to more extreme weather. 'Hurricanes will spin faster and carry more energy,' he explained. Scientists track these minute changes using atomic clocks, which measure time by counting oscillations of atoms. This technology forms the basis of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global time standard. In recent years, Earth has recorded a growing number of 'short days.' On July 19, 2020, the day was 1.47 milliseconds shorter than average, and June 30, 2022 came in at 1.59 milliseconds short. The current record was set just last year, on July 5, 2024, when Earth completed a rotation 1.66 milliseconds faster than usual, the shortest day recorded since atomic clocks were introduced in 1949. Graham Jones, an astrophysicist at the University of London who discovered this recent pattern, notes that Earth's rotation could speed up noticeably on specific dates this summer, including July 9, July 22, and August 5. Earth's rotation naturally fluctuates by tiny amounts over time due to forces such as earthquakes, ocean currents, melting glaciers, movement in the molten core and large weather patterns like El Niño. However, the recent spin-up has surprised researchers. Jones is now investigating internal Earth processes, such as shifting molten layers in the core, ocean currents, and high-altitude winds, that could be influencing this unexpected acceleration. Although scientists do not know the exact reason for the acceleration, they are studying what's happening inside the Earth. That includes shifting molten layers in the core, ocean currents, and high-altitude winds as they affect the Earth's spin. Earth is not solid all the way through. Its core is made of hot, swirling liquid metal. As that molten metal moves, it can change the planet's shape and balance, similar to how a figure skater spins faster by pulling in their arms. Ocean currents and jet streams, fast-moving ribbons of air in the atmosphere, also shift mass around the planet, causing small wobbles or changes in spin speed.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Earth's rotation will mysteriously speed up TOMORROW as scientists contemplate unprecedented move
Scientists have warned that Earth's rotation is set to speed up on Tuesday, resulting in one of the shortest days in recorded history. The change, driven by the moon's gravitational pull, will cause the planet to spin slightly faster at its poles, shaving 1.25 milliseconds off the usual 24-hour day. While the shift is too small for humans to notice, experts said the long-term implications could be catastrophic. However, scientists said that unchecked acceleration would eventually lead to disastrous consequences. If Earth's rotation continues to accelerate unchecked, scientists warn it could trigger disastrous consequences across the globe. As the planet spins faster, centrifugal force would begin pushing ocean water away from the poles and toward the equator. Even a modest increase of just one mile per hour could raise sea levels by several inches in equatorial regions, enough to swamp low-lying coastal cities already on the brink. In more extreme scenarios, where Earth spins 100 miles per hour faster, vast areas around the equator could disappear under rising water as polar seas surge southward. For those who survive the flooding, scientists warn that daily life would grow increasingly hostile as the planet's balance shifts, making this seemingly minor change far more ominous than it appears. A faster spin would not just shorten the day, it could throw human biology into chaos. If Earth's rotation continues to accelerate, the solar day could shrink to just 22 hours, disrupting circadian rhythms and effectively shifting everyone's internal clock two hours earlier each day without time to adjust. Such disruption wouldn't be minor. Studies have shown that even small changes, like daylight saving time, are linked to spikes in heart attacks, strokes, and traffic accidents. A permanent shift would be even more dangerous. NASA astronomer Dr Sten Odenwald also warned that weather patterns would become more extreme. As the planet spins faster, the Coriolis effect, which causes storms to rotate, intensifies. 'Hurricanes will spin faster and carry more energy,' Dr Odenwald explained. These minute deviations in Earth's rotation are tracked using atomic clocks, which measure time by counting the oscillations of atoms in a vacuum chamber. This forms the basis of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global timekeeping standard. In recent years, Earth has seen a growing number of 'short days.' On July 19, 2020, the day was 1.47 milliseconds shorter than average. June 30, 2022, came in 1.59 milliseconds short. But the current record was set just last year, on July 5, 2024, when Earth completed a full rotation 1.66 milliseconds faster than usual, the shortest day recorded since atomic clocks were introduced in 1949. Graham Jones, an astrophysicist at the University of London, discovered the change earlier this year, noting that Earth's rotation could speed up noticeably on July 9, July 22 and August 5. Earth normally takes 24 hours, or exactly 86,400 seconds, to complete one full rotation, which is called a solar day. Earth's rotation is not always perfect, as it can shift by a tiny amount over time, a few milliseconds. That is likely due to the Earth's spin being influenced by natural forces, like earthquakes and ocean currents. Melting glaciers, movement in Earth's molten core, and large weather patterns like El Niño can also slightly speed up or slow down the planet's rotation. These changes are measured using atomic clocks, which track time more accurately than regular watches. The recent spin-up has surprised researchers. The fastest day recorded so far was on July 5, 2024, when Earth spun 1.66 milliseconds faster than the standard 24 hours. Although Jones does not know the exact reason for the acceleration, he is studying what's happening inside the Earth. That includes shifting molten layers in the core, ocean currents, and high-altitude winds as they affect the Earth's spin.
Globe and Mail
25-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Altisource Q2 Revenue Up 11 Percent
Key Points - Revenue (GAAP) rose 11% to $43.3 million in Q2 2025, reflecting year-over-year improvement in Adjusted EBITDA across both major business segments. - Net income turned positive at $16.6 million, driven by an $18.5 million one-time tax reserve reversal for India in Q2 2025. - But underlying operating cash flow (non-GAAP) remained negative. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Altisource Portfolio Solutions (NASDAQ:ASPS), a provider of services and technology for the mortgage and real estate industries, published its Q2 2025 earnings on July 24, 2025. The most notable news was a sharp swing to positive net income (GAAP), largely due to a substantial tax benefit from reversing reserves tied to prior uncertainties with Indian tax positions. Revenue climbed 11% to $43.3 million, up from $39.1 million in the same quarter last year, with adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) rising 23% to $5.4 million. With no available analyst consensus, it is not possible to gauge this quarter's results against Street expectations. Overall, the second quarter showed stronger service revenue and profitability compared to the same period in 2024, but the headline numbers were heavily influenced by non-operational gains and persistent cash outflows. Metric Q2 2025 Q2 2024 Y/Y Change Diluted EPS (GAAP) $1.48 ($2.33) $1.86 Adjusted Diluted EPS (Non-GAAP) $0.19 ($1.67) — Revenue (GAAP) $43.3 million $39.1 million 11% Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $5.4 million $4.4 million 23% Net Income (GAAP) $16.6 million ($8.3 million) $24.9 million Business Overview and Strategic Focus Altisource is a specialized services and technology company concentrated in the mortgage, real estate, and loan origination markets. It offers a portfolio of technology platforms and business process services supporting mortgage servicing, property management, and mortgage origination. Key product lines include technology solutions such as Equator, a loan servicing platform, and RentRange, which provides data analytics for real estate investment. Its growth strategy depends on deep relationships with major clients, technology-enabled solutions, and effective management of debt and overall financial leverage. One customer, Onity, accounts for a substantial portion of revenue, leading to client concentration risk. The company also emphasizes innovation in software-as-a-service (SaaS) and automation, while actively managing debt and seeking opportunities in evolving regulatory and market conditions. Quarter Highlights: Revenue Growth, One-Off Gains, and Debt Moves During Q2 2025, Altisource saw service revenue rise 11%, supported by improvements in Adjusted EBITDA in both the Servicer and Real Estate, and Origination segments. Service revenue increased by $3.9 million year over year, Segment-level margins increased slightly. However, gross margin on service revenue dipped from 34% in Q2 2024 to 32% in Q2 2025 (GAAP). This decline occurred despite top-line growth. The most significant profit driver was the $18.5 million reversal of reserves related to uncertain Indian tax positions, including $9.6 million for taxes and $9.0 million for accrued interest. This non-operational item transformed the company's net income for the period; without it, adjusted net income would have been much lower at $2.2 million (non-GAAP). Excluding this effect, adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) moved to $0.19 from a loss a year earlier, demonstrating improvement, but on a much smaller scale than the GAAP figures. Debt reduction and restructuring were also major features. After a term loan exchange in Q1 2025, long-term debt consisted of a $160.0 million senior secured term loan and a $12.5 million super senior term loan, compared to $232.8 million at the end of 2024, aided by a $12.5 million Super Senior facility and $45.4 million in equity issued in exchange for debt. Net debt (non-GAAP) at quarter end was $142.2 million. This reduction is expected to lower annual GAAP interest expense to approximately $9.5 million, creating future savings in cash flow and improving the balance sheet. The company also implemented a 1-for-8 reverse stock split on May 28, reducing shares outstanding and altering share price dynamics. Despite the positive headline results, operating cash flow (GAAP) remained negative at ($0.3) million for the quarter and ($5.3) million for the first six months of 2025. Negative cash flow from operations (GAAP) signals continued pressure on the ability to fund future investments internally, even as the company works to stabilize its financial base. Corporate and other segment losses offset improvements in the main business lines, underscoring ongoing challenges with cost discipline outside core operating units. No dividend was declared or paid during the quarter. ASPS does not currently pay a dividend. Industry and Market Context Market conditions during the quarter shaped Altisource's growth in important ways. The broader mortgage industry saw a modest pickup: foreclosure initiations were up 22% for the five months ended May 31, 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, but volumes remain well below pre-pandemic levels, with foreclosure initiations still 22% lower than in 2019 and foreclosure sales 51% below that benchmark for the same period. Mortgage origination volumes rose 14% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, driven mainly by a 58 % jump in refinancing activity, while purchase activity fell slightly. However, management noted that the current environment remains 'close to historically low' in terms of industry delinquencies, continuing to constrain organic growth for foreclosure- and default-related services, as referenced in recent disclosures. The company reported some wins in new business during the period, estimating annualized stabilized service revenue from sales wins of $1.1 million in its Servicer and Real Estate business and $3.3 million in Origination. Technology remains a central theme, but the company reported no quantitative progress on platforms like Equator or in SaaS adoption metrics. Management continues to describe technology-enabled solutions as an area of focus, yet offered no new data to measure this area's contribution during the period. Regulatory factors impacted results through the tax reversal in India—removing significant uncertainty and legal overhang. Though management underscored that regulation remains an ever-present aspect of operating in the mortgage and real estate services sector. Outlook and What to Watch Management offered no explicit financial guidance for the next quarter or the full year. Executives highlighted their expectation that higher industry defaults and foreclosure volumes would boost results in Altisource's most profitable business lines. They noted a weighted average sales pipeline between $36 million and $44 million in potential annualized service revenue, with the majority of future opportunities likely to be realized in 2026 and beyond. The company remains focused on growing business lines with favorable industry trends, managing costs, and building financial flexibility following the recent debt restructuring. Investors may want to monitor whether operating cash flow can turn positive, how well sales pipeline wins convert to recurring revenues, and any changes in client concentration or major contract renewals. Revenue and net income presented using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) unless otherwise noted. Where to invest $1,000 right now When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,037%* — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 182% for the S&P 500. They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 JesterAI is a Foolish AI, based on a variety of Large Language Models (LLMs) and proprietary Motley Fool systems. All articles published by JesterAI are reviewed by our editorial team, and The Motley Fool takes ultimate responsibility for the content of this article. JesterAI cannot own stocks and so it has no positions in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Associated Press
21-07-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
EUMETSAT Takes Control of Europe's First Geostationary Sounder Satellite
DARMSTADT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 21, 2025-- After more than two weeks of complex manoeuvring, precise positioning and meticulous checks, EUMETSAT assumed control of the Meteosat Third Generation Sounder 1 (MTG-S1) spacecraft on 18 July 2025, the latest addition to its fleet of geostationary meteorological satellites. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: MTG-S1 in orbit Following MTG-S1's successful launch on 1 July 2025, the satellite, which carries the Infrared Sounder (IRS) and the European Union's Copernicus Sentinel-4 mission, has completed its launch and early operations phase (LEOP) and is now in orbit around 36,000km above the Equator at 3.4°W longitude. MTG-S1 will now begin months of intensive testing by experts at EUMETSAT with partners from the European Space Agency (ESA) and in industry to prepare for the delivery of vital data and products to specialists across EUMETSAT member states and beyond. Once fully commissioned, the satellite will deliver entirely new streams of atmospheric sounding data, enabling national meteorological services to deliver earlier and more accurate warnings that will save lives and protect property and infrastructure. 'The successful completion of the LEOP confirms that the MTG-S1 satellite platform is functioning as expected and ready for the next stage,' said Julia Hunter-Anderson, EUMETSAT's Meteosat Third Generation LEOP Manager. 'Taking control of the satellite in a healthy condition marks a major milestone for EUMETSAT and our partners. This achievement is the culmination of the immense dedication and hard work of hundreds of people over many years. 'For EUMETSAT, it is also the beginning of another journey: together with ESA and industry to commission the satellite and prepare its remarkable instruments to deliver critical near-real-time sounding data and products. These observations will inform decision makers, help protect societies, improve lives and livelihoods, and enhance how we monitor the climate and forecast weather across our member states and beyond.' For further updates on MTG-S1, visit EUMETSAT's launch hub, which features news, interviews, and insights into the satellite's journey. Find all relevant information, biographies of speakers, videos and testimonials on our dedicated press page. About EUMETSAT EUMETSAT, Europe's meteorological satellite agency, monitors the weather and climate from space. Based in Darmstadt, Germany, EUMETSAT provides its 30 member states with meteorological imagery and data that are essential for keeping their communities safe and for the benefit of critical sectors of their economies. For more information: EUMETSAT. View source version on CONTACT: Media Relations EUMETSAT: Tel. : +49 6151 807 7320 Email:[email protected] KEYWORD: GERMANY EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SATELLITE SCIENCE OTHER SCIENCE RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY SOURCE: EUMETSAT Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 07/21/2025 02:00 AM/DISC: 07/21/2025 02:01 AM
