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World at risk of entering Hothouse conditions even if emission targets are met

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World at risk of entering Hothouse conditions even if emission targets are met

As the world experiences unprecedented heatwaves nearly all over, a new report by scientists says the world is at risk of entering “hothouse” conditions where global average temperatures will become four to five degrees Celsius higher even if emissions reduction targets under a global climate deal are met.

Temperatures have risen about 1.1°C (or about 2 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. Virtually the entire scientific community has concluded that Earth’s temperature is climbing considerably faster than it did prior to the industrial era, and that greenhouses gases generated by human activities are the principal cause.

A new study published in the US Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on Monday said it is likely that if a critical threshold is crossed, it may lead to a cascading effect with several tipping points being crossed leading to abrupt change.

Such processes include permafrost thaw; the loss of methane hydrates from the ocean floor; weaker land and ocean carbon sinks; the loss of Arctic summer sea ice and the reduction of Antarctic sea ice and polar ice sheets, said the report.

“These tipping elements can potentially act like a row of dominoes. Once one is pushed over, it pushes Earth towards another,” said Johan Rockstrom, co-author of the report and executive director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre, according to media reports.

“It may be very difficult or impossible to stop the whole row of dominoes from tumbling over. Places on Earth will become uninhabitable if ‘Hothouse Earth’ becomes the reality,” he added.

A 2015 Paris climate agreement aimed to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celcius, compared with pre-industrial levels. But according to the report, the risk of tipping cascades could be significant at a 2C temperature rise — and could increase sharply beyond that point.

“This cascade of events may tip the entire Earth system into a new mode of operation,” warned co-author Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

“The feedback process becomes self-perpetuating after a critical threshold is crossed,” the study said. “The ‘earth system’ may be approaching a planetary threshold that could lock in a continuing, rapid pathway towards much hotter conditions — Hothouse Earth.”

Thus, even if humanity slashes greenhouse gas emissions in line with Paris climate treaty goals, the planet could overwhelm such efforts and irretrievably tip into a hellish ‘hothouse’ state.  Under such a scenario, the earth’s average temperature would stabilise 4 or 5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, rather than the 1.5 ° C to 2 ° C cap called for in the 196-nation pact.

As it is, the world is struggling to curb the man-made carbon pollution that amplifies the likelihood and intensity of deadly heatwaves, droughts and superstorms: climate change continues to outpace the transition to a green, clean global economy.

But that challenge will become exponentially more difficult if the earth itself gets into the act, the researchers said. Scientists from the Stockholm Resilience Centre, the University of Copenhagen, Australian National University and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research worked on the study.

They said that “Hothouse Earth” is likely to be dangerous to many and uncontrollable.

Rivers would flood, storms would wreak havoc on coastal communities and coral reefs would be eliminated – all by century’s end or even earlier.

Global average temperatures would exceed those of any interglacial period — meaning warmer eras that come in between Ice Ages — of the past 1.2m years. Melting polar ice caps would lead to dramatically higher sea levels, flooding coastal land that is home to hundreds of millions of people, reported Al Jazeera about the study.

The “carrying capacity” of a 4C or 5C degree world could drop to a billion people, co-author of the study Hans Joachim Schellnhuber has said previously.

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Amazon launches new Kindle Paperwhite with 16 GB storage

The global e-reader market continues to grow, with readers increasingly embracing digital platforms that blend convenience with expansive content libraries, a trend Amazon leverages with this launch.

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Amazon headquarters with workforce restructuring news

On Wednesday, Amazon introduced the latest Kindle Paperwhite in India, elevating the e-reading experience with cutting-edge upgrades. The U.S.-based tech leader announced that the new model boasts 25% faster page turns, ensuring a seamless and immersive reading journey for book enthusiasts.

The Kindle Paperwhite features a 7-inch waterproof display with a crisp 300 ppi resolution, powered by an oxide thin-film transistor for a sharper contrast ratio that enhances text clarity. Its improved keyword touch-response system makes navigation intuitive, catering to users who value speed and precision. Readers can personalize their experience with adjustable warm light settings and a dark mode option, ideal for day or night reading.

Amazon touts an impressive battery life of up to 12 weeks on a single charge, making the device a reliable companion for avid readers. With 16 GB of storage, the Kindle Paperwhite accommodates a vast library, supported by features like X-Ray, which offers instant insights into characters, places, or terms within a book. The built-in dictionary provides quick word lookups and translations, while Word Wise displays simple definitions above challenging words, aiding language learners.

The device grants access to over 1.5 crore titles across genres, including eBooks in regional languages like Hindi, Tamil, and Marathi. Kindle Unlimited subscribers can explore more than 20 lakh eBooks, while Amazon Prime members enjoy a rotating selection of titles at no extra cost. The global e-reader market continues to grow, with readers increasingly embracing digital platforms that blend convenience with expansive content libraries, a trend Amazon leverages with this launch.

Priced at ₹16,999, the Kindle Paperwhite is available in Black and can be purchased on Amazon’s platform. This release underscores Amazon’s commitment to refining e-reader technology, blending user-friendly design with robust functionality. As digital reading gains traction in India, the new Kindle Paperwhite is poised to capture the attention of both casual readers and literary aficionados, offering a gateway to a world of stories in a sleek, portable package.

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HP launches new range of Copilot+ AI laptops in India

This enables AI functionalities to operate offline, ensuring faster processing and enhanced data privacy—a boon for users in India’s fast-evolving digital landscape.

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HP has unveiled an exciting new lineup of Copilot+ PCs in India, introducing four laptops crafted to deliver cutting-edge AI experiences directly on the device. Launched under the HP EliteBook, ProBook, and OmniBook series, these models cater to a wide range of users, from corporate professionals to creative minds like graphic designers and content creators.

Powered by processors from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm, these laptops feature dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) that perform 40 to 55 trillion operations per second. This enables AI functionalities to operate offline, ensuring faster processing and enhanced data privacy—a boon for users in India’s fast-evolving digital landscape.

The laptops come loaded with HP’s AI-driven tools, including the AI Companion, myHP software, and Poly Camera Pro, designed to streamline productivity and elevate communication. These tools offer real-time file analysis, crystal-clear voice output, and smart camera features for seamless video calls, making them ideal for both professional and creative tasks.

The EliteBook series, starting at Rs 87,440, targets business users with models like the EliteBook 8 and 6 series, alongside the ProBook 4. These machines boast extended battery life, robust security features, and noise-cancellation technology for distraction-free meetings. Meanwhile, the OmniBook series, priced from Rs 78,999, is tailored for content creators and collaborative professionals. This range includes the OmniBook Ultra 14, 5 16, 7 Aero 13, and X 14, offering versatility for dynamic workloads.

HP’s AI Companion enables offline file searches, saving time for busy users. The Poly Camera Pro transforms video calls with multi-camera support, background effects, and streaming-ready features, while Poly Audio ensures clear conversations by filtering out background noise and balancing volume levels.

“India is poised to lead the global AI revolution, with its vibrant talent pool and dynamic growth,” said Ipsita Dasgupta, Managing Director of HP India. “Our expanded Copilot+ portfolio empowers everyone—from entrepreneurs to students—with AI tools to thrive in this new era.”

These Copilot+ PCs will soon be available through HP’s online store and retail partners across India, promising to redefine how Indians work and create.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 FE may skip chip upgrade, could reuse Exynos 2400e

Samsung’s next Fan Edition smartphone, the Galaxy S25 FE, is likely to feature the same Exynos 2400e processor as last year’s model, according to new leaks.

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Samsung appears to be following a conservative route for its upcoming Galaxy S25 FE, with reports suggesting that the smartphone will feature the same Exynos 2400e chipset used in last year’s Galaxy S24 FE. While the tech giant has not officially confirmed the device’s launch, leaks hint that the handset—codenamed R13—is already under development.

According to internal code seen by the media, the Galaxy S25 FE carries the codename siop_r13s_s5e9945, confirming its chipset as Exynos 2400/2400e. This is the same processor seen in the Galaxy S24 FE, indicating that Samsung may skip a processor upgrade this year.

If accurate, this decision places the S25 FE behind newer premium chipsets like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Snapdragon 8 Elite, and MediaTek Dimensity 9400, potentially making the device less powerful in comparison to flagship competitors in 2025.

The Galaxy S25 FE is expected to launch towards the end of Q3 or early Q4 2025, as a more affordable variant of the Galaxy S25 series. Much like its predecessor, it will likely aim to strike a balance between performance and price, appealing to cost-conscious consumers.

Last year’s Galaxy S24 FE, launched in September 2024, came at a price of Rs. 59,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model. It featured a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, 50MP triple rear camera, 10MP selfie camera, 4700mAh battery, and support for Galaxy AI features. If Samsung follows suit, the S25 FE could retain many of these specifications, making only minor hardware or software tweaks.

The report also mentions that the Indian variant of the Galaxy M36 5G may be powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset, the same one used in the Galaxy M35 5G. This suggests Samsung might be keeping things uniform across its mid-range portfolio for 2025.

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