
Subrata Roy: The chequered legacy of India's 'rags-to-riches' tycoon
Subrata Roy, who owned a multibillion dollar business conglomerate, died on Tuesday at the age of 75.
2023-11-15 16:04

Two giant structures deep within the Earth could be the remains of an ancient planet
Many of us look to the stars for answers to life’s most complex questions. But actually, some of the greatest mysteries lie beneath our very feet. One might think we’d know the Earth pretty well by now but, in fact, our planet’s core remains shrouded in enigma. Indeed, there are two gigantic blobs located beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean that occupy around six per cent of the world’s entire volume. And yet, we’re still not entirely sure what they’re made of or where they came from. There are a number of hypotheses, including that they are piles of oceanic crust that have accumulated over billions of years. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter But a more interesting theory is that they are huge chunks of an ancient planet that hit the Earth around 4.5 billion years ago. To give an indication of just how massive these things are, the structure under Africa – an area known as Tuzo – is thought to be around 800km (497 miles) tall – the equivalent of some 90 Mount Everests stacked on top of one another, as IFLScience notes. The problem with determining the origin of these monster formations is that there are no direct ways of observing the Earth’s core. The deepest hole humans have ever dug – branded the "entrance to hell" – reached a pretty staggering 12,263m (40,230ft), but that doesn’t even come close to breaking through the crust to the layers beneath. Our most effective tool for analysing what lies beneath the ground is a technique called seismic tomography, which looks at how waves of energy travel when earthquakes occur. Since rocks and liquids have different densities, the waves move through them at different speeds. By measuring the tremors from different points on the surface, geologists can determine what kind of material the waves are travelling through and, in so doing, map out the Earth’s interior. It was by using this technique that the two unusual structures – known as large low shear velocity provinces (LLSVPs) – were found. Waves travel more slowly in these areas – fondly known as “blobs” – than through the surrounding lower mantle, indicating that they’re made of something different. We can’t tell what this material is based on seismic tomography data alone, but some scientists like to believe that they are the remnants of an ancient planet called Theia – an idea known as the “giant impact hypothesis”. According to this hypothesis, around 4.5 billion years ago, a Mars-sized object collided with the Earth. This impact not only created the planet we call home today, but also threw off enough rock to form the moon that lights up our night skies. Some scientists suggest that some of Theia’s leftovers also sunk to the bottom of the planet, probably settling somewhere above the core – thereby forming at least one of the two LLSVPs. More Updates About Strange Blob Structures Inside Planet Earth youtu.be Experts have been investigating the area for decades but there’s still no way of knowing for sure just what these two giant blobs are. Still, studies into Theia have offered important insights into how the possible collision might have kickstarted key plate tectonic and mantle motion inside our planet – crucial processes for establishing the world on which we live. It’s also a useful reminder that we still have so much to learn about our planet and where we came from. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-06-12 16:47

Big Ten schools obviously uniting to topple Michigan as sign stealing scandal grows
The latest report from ESPN on the Michigan sign-stealing allegations makes it very clear the rest of the Big Ten is coming together to take down Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines.
2023-10-24 04:57

Kylie Minogue accused of being an 'illuminati puppet' by conspiracy theorists
Conspiracy theorists believe that Kylie Minogue is being used as an "Illuminati puppet" after making a comeback with her new single, 'Padam Padam'. The run-up to her 16th album Tension has already caused a storm among theorists, who believe there's more to the so-called symbolism than meets the eye. The album cover shows the 55-year-old holding a diamond up to one of her eyes. A pose that many conspiracy theorists believe is associated with the Illuminati. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Of course, there is no evidence that the Australian popstar worships the devil – but they ran with it anyway. Some Twitter users lost their minds over the cover, with one passionate user writing: "I loved Kylie Minogue I made excuses for her, but her latest album is in-your-face Illuminati symbolism from one-eye cover to dancing in devil red on the debris of Western Civilization in the 'Padam Padam' video. Looking back, it was there from the start, on 'I Should Be So Lucky'". Another added: "Oh dear! So the illuminati has a new toy puppet, and she’s a pop princess! Caution lovers. Be kind, enjoy her music but don’t be led. Your choice is free." Many more poked fun at the claims, with one tagging the star herself, writing: "Love the song. Sucks you’re getting slammed for being Satanic. Like? Aren’t we all? Illuminati is soooo 2006." Meanwhile, a third person joked: "If Kylie Minogue was really part of the Illuminati then she would get the respect that she deserves." Kylie Minogue - Padam Padam (Official Video) www.youtube.com Illuminati claims are nothing new, with the likes of Beyonce and Sam Smith being tarnished with the same brush. Even the Church of Satan believes social media is getting out of hand, with Bill M saying he "can't believe the holy-rollers keep taking the bait," describing them as "so passé" to Indy100. "I really have no idea where these Illuminati believers are getting their information on 'Satanism' and 'Satanic ritual' from," the Magister of the Church of Satan said. "It's certainly not from any actual Satanic literature." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-06-01 18:37

Micky van de Ven set for Tottenham medical
Wolfsburg defender Micky van de Ven is set to undergo a medical with Tottenham ahead of a switch to the Premier League, 90min understands.
2023-08-05 17:45

Silvio Berlusconi dead: Billionaire former Italian prime minister dies aged 86
The former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has died at the age of 86, Italian media reported on Monday. Berlusconi dominated Italian politics for almost twenty years, leading the centre-right party Forza Italy from 1994 to 2009, before taking the helm of successor party The People of Freedom until 2013. The right-wing populist enjoyed three spells as prime minister of Italy – from 1994 to 1995, from 2001 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2011. His last few years in the country’s top job were marred by allegations of corruption and tales of “bunga bunga” sex parties at his lavish villa outside Milan. He was accused of unlawful sex with 17-year-old nightclub dancer known only as “Ruby the Heartstealer” – but he was acquitted on appeal in 2014, after several women testified that his bung bunga parties were merely “elegant dinners”. Berlusconi had amassed a huge fortune through his business dealings. He was the controlling shareholder of Italian media giant Mediaset, and owned the football club AC Milan from 1986 to 2017. More follows Read More Reports: Former Italian Premier Berlusconi readmitted to hospital 3 weeks after release Mapped: Ukraine claims four villages captured in first gains of counteroffensive British girl killed during barbecue in France as father fights for life – latest
2023-06-12 16:48

Why did Octavia Spencer warn Sam Asghari? Actress defends Britney Spears after estranged husband files for divorce
Sam Asghari filed for divorce from Britney Spears on August 16
2023-08-19 02:46

Trump Indictment in Florida Heads Off Defense Attack on Venue
Special Counsel Jack Smith’s decision to indict Donald Trump in southern Florida puts the prosecution on the former
2023-06-09 12:23

EBRD head says Turkey's U-turn must carry on to entice investors
By Jonathan Spicer ANKARA Turkey must forge ahead with its new and more sustainable economic strategy in order
2023-11-24 18:10

Federal bank records emerge as focus of GOP's Biden probes
House Republicans are facing growing pressure to show progress in their investigations
1970-01-01 08:00

Pep Guardiola: Spurs under Ange Postecoglou an ‘incredible advert’ for football
Pep Guardiola expects Tottenham to come at his Manchester City side at full throttle this weekend. Spurs caught the eye playing dynamic and attacking football in a strong start to the Premier League season under new manager Ange Postecoglou. The Londoners have come unstuck in recent weeks, losing their last three games and suffering injuries to key players, but their Australian manager has determinedly stuck to his principles. “He’s been there from day one, from the first game of the Premier League,” said City boss Guardiola, whose treble winners host Spurs at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. “I have the feeling it doesn’t matter the result, it doesn’t matter the opponent, home or away – they do what they have to do. “I like that. I think that is so incredible an advert for our game, for our sport. When two teams (decide it) doesn’t matter what happens, I do my game, I go forward, there are always nice things to watch, all the time. “It’s impossible you don’t see an interesting game where both teams want to try to do it.” City midfielder Mateo Kovacic is back in contention after injury and John Stones, and unused substitute for the last games, is also close to returning to action. Kyle Walker, who has taken over the City captaincy so far this season with Kevin De Bruyne out injured, will face his old club. “I’m really, really pleased about what he’s doing,” said Guardiola of the 33-year-old right-back. “He’s the same guy who was involved before, when he wasn’t captain, but now the players decided to pick him, so he now has a little more responsibility. “When there’s some problems in the locker room or whatever, captains tend to solve it.” Read More ‘We never lost trust’: Sarina Wiegman remained confident of England comeback Erik ten Hag backs under-fire Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana Mauricio Pochettino understands reason behind early struggles for Moises Caicedo
2023-12-02 17:00

Mamma Mia! and The Dark Knight were the original Barbenheimer
The same-day release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has sparked a frenzy on social media in recent weeks. But as cotton candy plastic pop meets death, destroyer of worlds on Friday 21 July, it’s worth pointing out that, incredibly, this has happened before. Fifteen years ago on 18 July 2008, dark versus light had another box office showdown, when Nolan’s The Dark Knight was released on the same day as Abba-inspired musical sensation Mamma Mia! Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Of course, social media was a very different beast back then. We can only dream of what the meme machine would have churned out with Christian Bale’s foreboding Batman and Amanda Seyfreid’s bride-to-be Sophie. Or what about Heath Ledger’s terrifying Joker and Pierce Brosnan’s smooth-as-you-like Sam Carmichael? The Dark Knight won the opening weekend by some distance, bringing in $158.4m in ticket sales compared to $27.7m for Mamma Mia! However, the Abba extravaganza clawed back some ground in the end, earning $611m in total, though still far less than The Dark Knight’s $1bn. Of course, theatre fans will point to the resounding success of Mamma Mia! the musical, which is the second-most successful production of all time with $4bn in total revenue, only lagging behind The Phantom Of The Opera. And beyond the numbers, news outlet Vulture even positioned the event as a good versus evil, light versus dark battle “for the soul of America” ahead of opening weekend. Sounds familiar, right? “It’s tempting to look at this weekend, in fact, as a mandate on how Americans feel about the state and future of our great nation,” the publication wrote at the time. “Is America optimistic? Do we essentially view ourselves as attractive, tan actresses frolicking on the beach to ABBA songs? Or is the soul of America chaotic and violent, like the deranged anti-hero whose electrifying presence animates The Dark Knight?” Twitter users tried to give the 15-year-old film pairing the Barbenheimer treatment. One person wrote: “Just realised the dark knight/mamma mia release day could have been called “Abbatman”. Why wasn’t I on Twitter in 2008?” It’s too early to say which of Barbie or Oppenheimer will come out on top on their opening weekend – though analysts have predicted a win for the former. But with the films hitting cinemas on 21 July, we don’t have long until we find out. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-07-19 18:09
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