nature & planet·ScienceDailymore than 20 million years ago · Europe
Scientists discover Europe's ancient forests were nothing like we imagined
from ScienceDaily
Scientists have uncovered evidence that Europe was dominated for more than 20 million years by open woodlands, colorful meadows, and large grazing animals, not the dense forests long considered its natural state. The surprising discovery challenges modern reforestation strategies, suggesting that planting thick forests could actually harm the biodiversity conservationists hope to protect.
so what
It questions the reforestation strategies that assume dense forest is the natural baseline, which could change how conservation projects are planned.
Illustrative photo · Nemracc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
history·Wikipedia·classic1336–1565 · Karnataka, India
Hampi was once one of the world's largest cities, until its Vijayanagara capital was destroyed in 1565
the gist
Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Karnataka, India, with more than 1,600 surviving remains spread over 4,100 hectares. It was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1565. Travellers from Persia and Portugal described it as a prosperous, wealthy and grand city with temples, markets and farms along the Tungabhadra River. By 1500 it was estimated to be the world's second-largest city after Beijing, and probably India's richest at the time. In 1565 a coalition of Muslim sultanates defeated the Vijayanagara Empire, its capital was conquered and destroyed, and the city was left in ruins. Hampi remains a religious centre, with the active Virupaksha Temple at its heart.
how it works
The city was built around a fortified core with temples, markets and water structures along the river, supplied by an extensive network of roads and waterworks. When the empire fell, the city was not rebuilt, so its stone monuments were left standing.
so what
Hampi shows how quickly a great city can vanish after a military defeat, and how a ruined capital can remain sacred. Its ruins give historians a view of medieval South Asia that few other sites can match.
fun fact
The name Hampi comes from Pampa, an old name for the Tungabhadra River.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · text CC BY-SA 4.0
False allegations about Singapore’s hand in Indonesia’s markets and a made-up meeting
from CNA
CNA Verify has found close to 400 posts pushing falsehoods tying Singapore to Indonesia’s stock market rout and to a secret meeting that never took place. Together, they drew nearly 12 million views, and some were circulated by accounts that appeared to be working in concert, across multiple social media platforms.
Here’s how the disinformation campaign targeting Singapore was uncovered.
