roanmitch15

Space junk map tracks 200 ‘ticking time bombs’ Space junk map tracks 200 ‘ticking time bombs’ Close Thousands of human-made objects orbit earth and the majority of them no longer work. There’s a risk this space debris could collide with functioning satellites, which provide vital services like GPS and weather warnings. To track and predict its behaviour, Prof Moriba Jah and his colleagues built AstriaGraph – a near real-time map of where each object is located in space. He explains that the system is monitoring around 200 ‘super-spreaders’ – large rocket bodies that have the potential to break into thousands of pieces.

Chernobyl nuclear disaster: ‘Three-day evacuation lasted 35 years’ Chernobyl nuclear disaster: ‘Three-day evacuation lasted 35 years’ Close Thirty-five years ago an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in Ukraine released lethal radiation into the atmosphere. The nearest city, Pripyat, home to around 50,000 people, was evacuated along with other communities in a 4,000 sq km zone. Lyudmila Honchar was four years old at the time and lived in Pripyat with her parents. We joined her as she returned to try and find her family home, 35 years on.

'Apocalyptic' landscape in aftermath of volcanic eruptions on St Vincent 'Apocalyptic' landscape in aftermath of volcanic eruptions on St Vincent Close The Caribbean island of St Vincent has been blanketed in ash after the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano. Over 15,000 people have been displaced, only weeks away from hurricane season. Infrastructure and agriculture have also been severely impacted - and experts say the eruptions may continue for weeks or months. The UN has launched a $29m (£20.9m) fundraising appeal to aid with and recovery.

Chloé Zhao has made history by becoming the first woman of colour to win the best director award at the Oscars for film drama Nomadland. Sir Anthony Hopkins, 83, also broke a record as the oldest winner of best actor, while Daniel Kaluuya became the first black British actor to win an Oscar - in the supporting category.

India Covid: 'A person cannot even die peacefully in Delhi' India Covid: 'A person cannot even die peacefully in Delhi' Close India is suffering critical shortages of medical equipment and oxygen amid a devastating surge in Covid-19 cases. With the death toll steadily increasing, families are being forced to find their own oxygen and to wait to cremate their loved ones. The country has so far confirmed more than 186,000 deaths and 16 million cases but journalists in various cities have challenged official figures.

Relief at return from India before travel ban imposed Relief at return from India before travel ban imposed Close The last scheduled flight from India ahead of new coronavirus travel curbs has arrived in the UK. Some passengers arriving at Heathrow on Thursday had been trying for weeks to get a flight home, as the Covid-pandemic in India worsened. They told the BBC of their relief at landing before the new restrictions come into force. India is on the UK's travel "red list" from 04:00 BST on Friday. After that, UK and Irish nationals and those with residency rights arriving from India must quarantine in a government-approved hotel. Other nationalities who have been in India within the past 10 days will be refused entry to the UK. India has seen soaring infection rates, a rapidly rising death toll, the discovery of a new virus variant and the world's highest number of daily recorded coronavirus cases.

Daunte Wright funeral: As Minneapolis mourns, what next for police reform? Daunte Wright funeral: As Minneapolis mourns, what next for police reform? Close Warning: This video contains scenes from a public viewing of Daunte Wright's open casket the day before his funeral. Soon after a historic guilty verdict in the George Floyd murder trial, Minneapolis mourned the loss of another black man killed by police. Daunte Wright was shot dead by police during a traffic stop. The officer, who reportedly thought she was firing her Taser not her gun, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter.

SpaceX Dragon crew of four astronauts blast off to the International Space Station Close Four astronauts have lifted off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the International Space Station (ISS). Americans Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, Frenchman Thomas Pesquet and Akihiko Hoshide from Japan went into orbit in a SpaceX Dragon capsule launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket. They should arrive at the space station on Saturday to begin a six-month tour of duty.

India Covid crisis: Inside the Delhi hospital running low on beds and oxygen India Covid crisis: Inside the Delhi hospital running low on beds and oxygen Close India's deadly second wave is continuing to set world records for its daily total of coronavirus cases. New coronavirus infections were the highest in the world for the third day running on Saturday. Thousands of people have died. The country's hospitals are reporting dangerously low oxygen levels and no empty beds. The BBC's India correspondent Yogita Limaye went to one of the hospitals in Delhi.

'I would like Russia to be more free' 'I would like Russia to be more free' Close Russia has rarely been out of the news in recent weeks. Whether being sanctioned by the US for alleged hacking and election interference, or being threatened with punishment over its treatment of opposition activist Alexei Navalny, Moscow has been repeatedly criticised by world leaders. Whilst trying to analyse Russia’s next moves, Kremlin watchers have been grappling with some big questions: What does Russia want? What is President Putin thinking? And where is this vast country going? As President Putin prepares for his State of the Nation speech, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg travels 2,000 miles (3,200 km) east of Moscow, to the city of Krasnoyarsk in Siberia, to gauge the mood amongst ordinary Russians.

Alexei Navalny: Police detain hundreds of protesters across Russia Alexei Navalny: Police detain hundreds of protesters across Russia Close Thousands of people around Russia have joined unauthorised rallies to protest against the detention of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Demonstrators are calling for Navalny, who has been on hunger strike for weeks, to receive proper medical care. He was jailed in February and is demanding medical attention for acute back pain and leg numbness.

India's second wave: 'We were not prepared' India's second wave: 'We were not prepared' Close India is being ravaged by a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is accelerating beyond anywhere else in the world. In the past 24 hours alone, more than 2,000 people have died and nearly 300,000 new cases have been reported in the country.

Shanghai Auto Show: Five electric car brands to look out for in China Shanghai Auto Show: Five electric car brands to look out for in China Close The BBC's Shanghai correspondent Robin Brant talks through five brands showcasing electric vehicles at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show.

A rail worker sprang into action when a six-year-old boy fell on to the tracks in India. The child was with his partially sighted mother and was struggling to get back onto the platform before Mayur Shelke ran up and saved him.

Navigating a mini Suez Canal in France Navigating a mini Suez Canal in France Close Mariners in France are being taught how to navigate a mini Suez Canal. The replica waterway is part of the Port Revel Training Facility.

George Floyd: Crowd outside court reacts to Derek Chauvin guilty verdicts George Floyd: Crowd outside court reacts to Derek Chauvin guilty verdicts Close People gathered outside court in Minneapolis erupted in cheers upon hearing that Derek Chauvin had been found guilty of all charges over George Floyd's death. The former police officer has been convicted on all three charges - second degree murder, third degree murder and manslaughter. Chauvin was filmed with his knee on George Floyd's neck last May, sparking global protests against racism.

Ohio bodycam footage released after police shooting of young black girl Ohio bodycam footage released after police shooting of young black girl Close Columbus police have released bodycam footage of an incident that left a teenage black girl dead. The unnamed police officer has been placed on administrative leave while an inquiry is under way.

George Floyd: Family reacts to Derek Chauvin murder conviction George Floyd: Family reacts to Derek Chauvin murder conviction Close The family of George Floyd have expressed relief over the murder conviction of Derek Chauvin - who knelt on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes during his arrest. His death and last words "I can't breathe" sparked global protests against racism and excessive police force. Speaking after the verdict, brother Philonise Floyd said "today we are able to breathe again".

Cages around houses: Life at Belfast's peace wall Cages around houses: Life at Belfast's peace wall Close There are over 20 miles of peace walls - or peace lines - across Northern Ireland. In Belfast they separate many nationalist Catholic and unionist Protestant areas of the city. The barriers run through some of the city's most deprived areas and were the backdrop for some of the recent rioting in Belfast. Some homes beside the peace walls are covered by metal cages. Residents on both sides say the walls are necessary to prevent violence and enable them to continue living there.

Coronavirus: The Indian factory making 6,000 syringes a minute Coronavirus: The Indian factory making 6,000 syringes a minute Close Rajiv Nath, who heads India's largest syringe factory, says he is turning down as many as 40 requests for syringes from across the world. Mr Nath's Hindustan Syringes & Medical Devices (HMD) is in huge demand now as countries try to ramp up vaccination against Covid-19. The factory is currently producing some four million syringes a day but Mr Nath says that's still not enough given that the world needs 10 billion syringes to vaccinate just 60% of its population. He hopes that better coordination between the WHO, governments and syringe makers will smooth the way going forward.

Coronavirus India: Death and despair as migrant workers flee cities Coronavirus India: Death and despair as migrant workers flee cities Close India’s strict lockdown to halt the spread of coronavirus meant that most factories and businesses shut down, rendering millions jobless. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to businesses to keep paying their workers, including daily-wage labourers. But that didn’t happen, and most of the workers were left with little money and food. With no prospect of income, they took long journeys to go back to their villages. Some managed to get transport, but those who couldn’t, walked hundreds of miles. And some of them never made it home as they died because of exhaustion or in accidents.

Notre Dame: President Macron visits cathedral two years after fire Notre Dame: President Macron visits cathedral two years after fire Close French President Emmanuel Macron has visited Notre Dame on the two-year anniversary of the devastating fire that destroyed much of the cathedral. He spoke of the "collective pride" of the reconstruction efforts, and looked to the future and completion targets that have been impacted by the pandemic.

Senegal: The HIV success story that’s failing gay men Senegal: The HIV success story that’s failing gay men Close Senegal has long been praised for its progressive stance on AIDS prevention and today has one of the lowest levels of HIV in Africa. But despite this success in recent years rates have risen within the gay community – more than one in four are HIV positive. West Africa Correspondent Ben Hunte reports on the struggle to protect people from HIV in a country where homosexuality is illegal and carries a five-year prison sentence.

Torres Strait 8: Australian Islanders in landmark climate fight Torres Strait 8: Australian Islanders in landmark climate fight Close A group of Indigenous islanders from Australia’s Torres Strait has launched a world-first legal battle in a bid to protect their homes. They argue Australia has breached their rights to culture and life by failing to adequately address climate change. The low-lying islands, located on the northern tip of Australia, have seen rising sea levels, coastal erosion and flooding in recent years. It’s the first time a claim of this kind has been taken to the UN Human Rights Committee.

Sir David Attenborough has urged people to remember their impact on the natural world, ahead of his new documentary on the impacts of lockdown on nature. He spoke to the BBC's David Shukman about his hopes for the project, the upcoming global climate summit and his young fan base. 'The Year Earth Changed' airs Friday 16 April on Apple TV+.