Latest news with #Zachariah
Euronews
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Euronews
Scientists slam ‘injustice' of scarce Global South climate studies
Unclear results from a study into the heavy rain which triggered a deadly landslide in Colombia and floods in Venezuela reflect a 'scientific injustice' between rich and poor countries, scientists have warned. The rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution could not find clear evidence that climate change influenced these downpours. But the researchers highlight that high uncertainties in the results mean the possibility of heavier rain should not be ruled out. Like many Global South countries, Colombia and Venezuela are highly vulnerable to climate change, but their complex tropical climates are severely under-researched. 'A core aim of World Weather Attribution is to improve understanding of extreme weather in Global South countries,' says Dr Mariam Zachariah, research associate at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London. 'Many have tropical climates, which are inherently difficult to study – a combination of mountains, coasts, rainforests and complex weather systems means rainfall is varied, intense and challenging to capture in climate models. 'Unfortunately, many countries with tropical climates have limited capacity to do climate science, meaning we don't have a good understanding of how they are being affected by climate change.' Did climate change make heavy rainfall worse in Colombia and Venezuela? In late June, intense rainfall swept across Colombia and Venezuela, causing widespread flooding and deadly landslides. Near Medellín in Colombia, a landslide buried homes and killed 27 people. In Venezuela, overflowing rivers ruined homes, wiped out crops and displaced thousands of people. To try and work out the role climate change played in this heavy rain, scientists looked at rainfall over two regions: the Colombian Andes and the Venezuelan Llanos. Historical data showed that neither event was particularly rare. In today's climate with 1.3°C of warming, the three months of rainfall in Colombia can be expected every ten years on average, while in Venezuela, similar five-day spells of heavy rain can be expected every three years. The study also found a drying trend with seasonal rainfall in Colombia, now 12 per cent less likely and less intense, while the chance of heavy rainfall over Venezuela was 9 per cent lower. Climate models also showed a drying trend in Colombia, but that was less clear in Venezuela. There were high uncertainties in the global data sets and models that the researchers looked at. Both Colombia and Venezuela have complex tropical climates, and they say the possibility of heavier rain shouldn't be ruled out. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projects a range of changes in rainfall in the region - but that prediction also has low confidence. Why are weather attribution studies in the Global South often inconclusive? World Weather Attribution says high uncertainty is typical in rainfall studies of Global South countries. Dr Zachariah points to another recent study on deadly floods in the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this year, which also returned inconclusive results. The DRC is a developing country with a tropical climate. Historically, climate science has focused on wealthier countries, making data sets and models less accurate for places like these. Latin America is one of the most understudied regions in the world – this analysis is the first attribution study on a weather event in Venezuela and just the third for Colombia. 'Yet again, we've studied an extreme rainfall event in a Global South country and come up with unclear results,' explains Dr Joyce Kimutai, research associate at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London. 'This is a scientific injustice.' Dr Kimutai emphasises that rich countries, which have contributed the most to global warming, are able to invest in research to understand how they will be affected by changing weather extremes. Poor countries, which have contributed the least but are the most vulnerable, have limited funds for climate research. 'This reduces their ability to understand what the future might bring and how they should prepare.' She adds that Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa need more extreme weather attribution studies. But the global data sets and climate models they use for these studies often perform poorly in these regions. 'Investing in weather stations and climate science will help. That money really should come from rich countries.' 'More science will save lives' While landslides and flash floods are common in both countries, the expansion of informal communities on hillsides is increasing the risk of disaster, the study highlights. And, while the landslide in Colombia was not extreme by historical standards, it still led to a significant loss of life. Researchers say many people living in these areas have been displaced by past disasters or conflicts and are moving closer to cities to search for better job opportunities. The experts add that adaptation efforts such as early warning systems and forest conservation can be cost-effective ways to reduce risks. 'Extreme weather is non-stop in Colombia and Venezuela. One year we face devastating flash floods; the next, severe droughts and wildfires,' says Professor Paola A. Arias, Professor at the Universidad of Antioquia in Colombia. 'It doesn't take much for a weather event to become a disaster because many people are already vulnerable. The late June downpours weren't especially unusual, however, they still triggered a landslide that killed 27 people.' Professor Arias adds that, while it's unclear if climate change increased rainfall in this case, it's almost certainly increasing the risk of drought, heatwaves and wildfires in both countries. 'We urgently need more investment in climate science to understand shifting risks and prepare for what's ahead. More science will save lives.'
Euronews
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Euronews
Scientists slam ‘scientific injustice' in Global South climate studies
Unclear results from a study into the heavy rain which triggered a deadly landslide in Colombia and floods in Venezuela reflect a 'scientific injustice' between rich and poor countries, scientists have warned. The rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution could not find clear evidence that climate change influenced these downpours. But the researchers highlight that high uncertainties in the results mean the possibility of heavier rain should not be ruled out. Like many Global South countries, Colombia and Venezuela are highly vulnerable to climate change, but their complex tropical climates are severely under-researched. 'A core aim of World Weather Attribution is to improve understanding of extreme weather in Global South countries,' says Dr Mariam Zachariah, research associate at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London. 'Many have tropical climates, which are inherently difficult to study – a combination of mountains, coasts, rainforests and complex weather systems means rainfall is varied, intense and challenging to capture in climate models. 'Unfortunately, many countries with tropical climates have limited capacity to do climate science, meaning we don't have a good understanding of how they are being affected by climate change.' Did climate change make heavy rainfall worse in Colombia and Venezuela? In late June, intense rainfall swept across Colombia and Venezuela, causing widespread flooding and deadly landslides. Near Medellín in Colombia, a landslide buried homes and killed 27 people. In Venezuela, overflowing rivers ruined homes, wiped out crops and displaced thousands of people. To try and work out the role climate change played in this heavy rain, scientists looked at rainfall over two regions: the Colombian Andes and the Venezuelan Llanos. Historical data showed that neither event was particularly rare. In today's climate with 1.3°C of warming, the three months of rainfall in Colombia can be expected every ten years on average, while in Venezuela, similar five-day spells of heavy rain can be expected every three years. The study also found a drying trend with seasonal rainfall in Colombia, now 12 per cent less likely and less intense, while the chance of heavy rainfall over Venezuela was 9 per cent lower. Climate models also showed a drying trend in Colombia, but that was less clear in Venezuela. There were high uncertainties in the global data sets and models that the researchers looked at. Both Colombia and Venezuela have complex tropical climates, and they say the possibility of heavier rain shouldn't be ruled out. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projects a range of changes in rainfall in the region - but that prediction also has low confidence. Why are weather attribution studies in the Global South often inconclusive? World Weather Attribution says high uncertainty is typical in rainfall studies of Global South countries. Dr Zachariah points to another recent study on deadly floods in the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this year, which also returned inconclusive results. The DRC is a developing country with a tropical climate. Historically, climate science has focused on wealthier countries, making data sets and models less accurate for places like these. Latin America is one of the most understudied regions in the world – this analysis is the first attribution study on a weather event in Venezuela and just the third for Colombia. 'Yet again, we've studied an extreme rainfall event in a Global South country and come up with unclear results,' explains Dr Joyce Kimutai, research associate at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London. 'This is a scientific injustice.' Dr Kimutai emphasises that rich countries, which have contributed the most to global warming, are able to invest in research to understand how they will be affected by changing weather extremes. Poor countries, which have contributed the least but are the most vulnerable, have limited funds for climate research. 'This reduces their ability to understand what the future might bring and how they should prepare.' She adds that Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa need more extreme weather attribution studies. But the global data sets and climate models they use for these studies often perform poorly in these regions. 'Investing in weather stations and climate science will help. That money really should come from rich countries.' 'More science will save lives' While landslides and flash floods are common in both countries, the expansion of informal communities on hillsides is increasing the risk of disaster, the study highlights. And, while the landslide in Colombia was not extreme by historical standards, it still led to a significant loss of life. Researchers say many people living in these areas have been displaced by past disasters or conflicts and are moving closer to cities to search for better job opportunities. The experts add that adaptation efforts such as early warning systems and forest conservation can be cost-effective ways to reduce risks. 'Extreme weather is non-stop in Colombia and Venezuela. One year we face devastating flash floods; the next, severe droughts and wildfires,' says Professor Paola A. Arias, Professor at the Universidad of Antioquia in Colombia. 'It doesn't take much for a weather event to become a disaster because many people are already vulnerable. The late June downpours weren't especially unusual, however, they still triggered a landslide that killed 27 people.' Professor Arias adds that, while it's unclear if climate change increased rainfall in this case, it's almost certainly increasing the risk of drought, heatwaves and wildfires in both countries. 'We urgently need more investment in climate science to understand shifting risks and prepare for what's ahead. More science will save lives.'
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Love Island stars split for second time just months after taking huge step
Love Island fans have been told tonight that former finalists Molly Marsh and Zachariah Noble have now split up again after having met on the ITV2 show two years ago A couple who reached the final of Love Island together have split up, it's been announced this week. Molly Marsh has shared that she's no longer in a relationship with Zachariah Noble after starting a romance two years ago. Molly, 23, and Zachariah, 28, met on the tenth series of the ITV2 show, which aired in 2023. They remained together after leaving the villa, though briefly separated last year before rekindling their romance months later. It's now been announced that they have parted ways once again. Molly shared the news with fans through a statement that she posted on her Instagram Story this evening, with her suggesting to fans that they remain "friends". She wrote in her post: "I just want to confirm the rumours. Myself and Zac have split up and are no longer together. We have parted ways as friends and thank you all for your love and support of our relationship over the past 2 years." A source has told the Sun that "nothing bad" has happened between them. The source said: "They just made the decision to split on a mutual basis. The pair have no bad blood between them and will continue to be friends." The source added that the exes want to "cherish" the memories that they have made together. They concluded: "Sometimes relationships work, and sometimes they don't but they want to continue to be friends and cherish the couple of years they have spent together and are both grateful for Love Island bringing them into each others lives." Molly and Zachariah were original islanders on Love Island in 2023, but the former's time was cut short when she was dumped from the villa just weeks in. She left after Kady McDermott coupled up with Zachariah upon her arrival. A twist for Casa Amor however saw Molly return just days after her departure. She then ended up recoupling with Zachariah and the pair later reached the final. They placed fourth, with Jess Harding and Sammy Root winning instead. Molly and Zachariah continued their relationship after returning to the UK following the final. It was however announced in March last year that they had decided to separate, with the relationship said to have ended on "good terms". Just months later, it was reported that they were back together and they went on to move in together. Molly later opened up about the relationship and said that they were "definitely stronger" after taking some time apart. She told OK! magazine last year: "When you think about it, we fell in love in reverse. When we were on Love Island we lived together, really, then you go your separate ways and get to know each other more. It was completely backwards." Molly also revealed at the time that as well as having moved in with each other, the couple had got a dog after getting back together. It was revealed that they had adopted a Doberman puppy named Scooby.
The Age
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘The epitome of suave, and achieved so much'
Returning to Melbourne aged 15, he completed his schooling back at Brighton Grammar, where his father had been appointed deputy headmaster. After matriculating, Richard secured a much sought after cadetship at The Age newspaper in 1964 under the editorship of Keith Sinclair. Coincidentally, it was pretty much the start of Australia's great 30-year newspaper boom. Curiosity, winning ways, reporting skills, and a shrewd grasp of the paper's power centres, stood Zachariah in good stead, and he was transferred to work at The Age bureau in Canberra's Parliament House. He was also blessed with being at The Age during the early years of its great renaissance under the editorship of Graeme Perkin, who led the paper until his untimely death in 1975. But for Richard Zachariah, the call of a bigger world was overwhelming. In 1969, he joined Donald Hewett, also a former reporter on The Age, and travelled to England and the 'swinging London' scene of the late 1960s. While living in London, Richard worked in BBC current affairs and spent many nights socialising with figures like Barry Humphries and British movie heart-throb David (Blow Up) Hemmings. There were also raucous parties at a Holland Park Mews house he shared with, among others, distinguished former Age and Guardian journalist Jackie Leishman, and Perth architect Zdenka Underwood. One of Zachariah's less remarked upon European exploits was just about single-handedly torpedoing a high-budget British made-for-TV cigarette advertisement set on the Italian island of Capri. As the ad's putative 'talent', he became over-excited at a crucial stage of filming on a Capri nightclub dance floor. Returning to Australia, he married Diane Webster, who hailed from a beef and dairy farming family near Maffra in Victoria's Gippsland, and was appointed Melbourne correspondent for Rupert Murdoch's short-lived Sunday Australian newspaper. After The Sunday Australian folded in 1972, the couple moved to the Webster family property, where he worked for a time as a farm hand, enjoying regular horse rides into the magnificent Gippsland hinterland. By the mid-1970s Zachariah, Don Hewett, Di Webster and former model Helen Homewood opened the Sale Country Kitchen, a high-end restaurant in what Zachariah called 'the gourmet end of Sale'. His local interests expanded to calling local Australian football games for Victorian country radio stations and reading the news for TV station GLV8, based in Traralgon. As the 1970s merged into the 1980s, Richard spent more time in Sydney and became inseparable from fashion icon and broadcaster Maggie Tabberer. He moved to Sydney in 1985 and the two lived in a roomy, stylish, two-storey home in Hamden Avenue, Darling Point, with its regular background clink of cocktail glasses. As legendary Sydney eastern suburbs real estate agent Billy Bridges, with a penchant for the argot, remarked: 'You're farting through silk here.' By early 1986, Zachariah was hosting the Seven Network's national morning news program Eleven AM. Two years later, he was promoted by former school colleague and then Seven owner Christopoher Skase to read the revamped Seven Nightly News in Sydney with Ann Sanders. In 1988, he and Maggie Tabberer embarked on a joint venture to host a highly successful lifestyle program The Home Show on the ABC, which ran for three years. At the height of his fame, it seemed that everyone – from governors-general to racecourse touts – wanted to meet Richard Zachariah. He enjoyed notoriety but was never seduced by it. A journalist above all else, Richard had a remarkable capacity to relive various encounters with figures like Gough Whitlam, John Howard, Barry Humphries, Graham Kennedy and Donna Koran, and laugh uproariously – and equally – at the awkward moments and social triumphs. After separating from Tabberer, he employed his passion, remarkable breeding knowledge and contacts in racing to write a regular column for The Sun-Herald and later The Sunday Telegraph. The latter splashed with a 'Zac's Racy New Lady' headline, a reference to Zachariah squiring UK former model and author, Tessa Dahl, daughter of renowned British children's author, Roald Dahl, around Royal Randwick racecourse. Soon after, Richard briefly married Gold Coast publicist Louise Carroll, and the two lived in a spacious Point Piper apartment with its panoramic harbour views. After the break-up of his second marriage, Zachariah continued his racing columns, and became close to Sarah Hyde, a pharmaceutical company marketing executive, and the two lived in a spacious terrace house in Annandale, an inner-Sydney suburb.
Sydney Morning Herald
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘The epitome of suave, and achieved so much'
Returning to Melbourne aged 15, he completed his schooling back at Brighton Grammar, where his father had been appointed deputy headmaster. After matriculating, Richard secured a much sought after cadetship at The Age newspaper in 1964 under the editorship of Keith Sinclair. Coincidentally, it was pretty much the start of Australia's great 30-year newspaper boom. Curiosity, winning ways, reporting skills, and a shrewd grasp of the paper's power centres, stood Zachariah in good stead, and he was transferred to work at The Age bureau in Canberra's Parliament House. He was also blessed with being at The Age during the early years of its great renaissance under the editorship of Graeme Perkin, who led the paper until his untimely death in 1975. But for Richard Zachariah, the call of a bigger world was overwhelming. In 1969, he joined Donald Hewett, also a former reporter on The Age, and travelled to England and the 'swinging London' scene of the late 1960s. While living in London, Richard worked in BBC current affairs and spent many nights socialising with figures like Barry Humphries and British movie heart-throb David (Blow Up) Hemmings. There were also raucous parties at a Holland Park Mews house he shared with, among others, distinguished former Age and Guardian journalist Jackie Leishman, and Perth architect Zdenka Underwood. One of Zachariah's less remarked upon European exploits was just about single-handedly torpedoing a high-budget British made-for-TV cigarette advertisement set on the Italian island of Capri. As the ad's putative 'talent', he became over-excited at a crucial stage of filming on a Capri nightclub dance floor. Returning to Australia, he married Diane Webster, who hailed from a beef and dairy farming family near Maffra in Victoria's Gippsland, and was appointed Melbourne correspondent for Rupert Murdoch's short-lived Sunday Australian newspaper. After The Sunday Australian folded in 1972, the couple moved to the Webster family property, where he worked for a time as a farm hand, enjoying regular horse rides into the magnificent Gippsland hinterland. By the mid-1970s Zachariah, Don Hewett, Di Webster and former model Helen Homewood opened the Sale Country Kitchen, a high-end restaurant in what Zachariah called 'the gourmet end of Sale'. His local interests expanded to calling local Australian football games for Victorian country radio stations and reading the news for TV station GLV8, based in Traralgon. As the 1970s merged into the 1980s, Richard spent more time in Sydney and became inseparable from fashion icon and broadcaster Maggie Tabberer. He moved to Sydney in 1985 and the two lived in a roomy, stylish, two-storey home in Hamden Avenue, Darling Point, with its regular background clink of cocktail glasses. As legendary Sydney eastern suburbs real estate agent Billy Bridges, with a penchant for the argot, remarked: 'You're farting through silk here.' By early 1986, Zachariah was hosting the Seven Network's national morning news program Eleven AM. Two years later, he was promoted by former school colleague and then Seven owner Christopoher Skase to read the revamped Seven Nightly News in Sydney with Ann Sanders. In 1988, he and Maggie Tabberer embarked on a joint venture to host a highly successful lifestyle program The Home Show on the ABC, which ran for three years. At the height of his fame, it seemed that everyone – from governors-general to racecourse touts – wanted to meet Richard Zachariah. He enjoyed notoriety but was never seduced by it. A journalist above all else, Richard had a remarkable capacity to relive various encounters with figures like Gough Whitlam, John Howard, Barry Humphries, Graham Kennedy and Donna Koran, and laugh uproariously – and equally – at the awkward moments and social triumphs. After separating from Tabberer, he employed his passion, remarkable breeding knowledge and contacts in racing to write a regular column for The Sun-Herald and later The Sunday Telegraph. The latter splashed with a 'Zac's Racy New Lady' headline, a reference to Zachariah squiring UK former model and author, Tessa Dahl, daughter of renowned British children's author, Roald Dahl, around Royal Randwick racecourse. Soon after, Richard briefly married Gold Coast publicist Louise Carroll, and the two lived in a spacious Point Piper apartment with its panoramic harbour views. After the break-up of his second marriage, Zachariah continued his racing columns, and became close to Sarah Hyde, a pharmaceutical company marketing executive, and the two lived in a spacious terrace house in Annandale, an inner-Sydney suburb.
