The Daily Populous

Monday February 16th, 2026 night edition

image for China has planted so many trees around the Taklamakan Desert that it's turned this 'biological void' into a carbon sink

The Taklamakan Desert (also spelled Taklimakan or Takla Makan) is slightly larger than Montana, stretching across about 130,000 square miles (337,000 square kilometers).

Over 95% of the Taklamakan Desert is covered in shifting sand, meaning it has long been considered a "biological void," according to the study.

The desert has been growing since the 1950s, when China underwent massive urbanization and farmland expansion.

Heavy machinery is used to level sand dunes where China wants to plant trees and shrubs along the edges of the Taklamakan Desert.

Previous research indicated that the Taklamakan Desert may be a carbon sink, but those studies focused on CO 2 that is absorbed by the desert's sand.

"Based on the results of this study, the Taklamakan Desert, although only around its rim, represents the first successful model demonstrating the possibility of transforming a desert into a carbon sink," Yung said.

The Great Green Wall's potential to slow desertification remains unclear, but its role as a carbon sink "may serve as a valuable model for other desert regions," he added. »

Trump's plot to 'steal' the midterm elections is becoming clear

Authored by inews.co.uk
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The other missing Democrat is Black and has drawn his own conclusions about why he is NFI.

Proof is piling up that he plans to “steal” the November midterm elections for the Republicans – if he can.

This month, Trump told former FBI deputy director Dan Bongino on a podcast that Republicans should “nationalise” elections. »

Jesus Was a Psychedelic Mushroom, a Controversial Theory Suggests. Could It Reshape Christianity Forever?

Authored by popularmechanics.com

Titled The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross, the book argued through linguistic analysis of the Bible’s New Testament that Jesus Christ was, in fact, actually a psychedelic mushroom .

Essentially, Allegro tried to convey that the New Testament brims with code words for psychedelic rituals.

But now, 55 years later, there appears to be renewed interest in Allegro’s most controversial work. »

Silent Hill: Townfall reveals first-person gameplay in a new trailer

Authored by blog.playstation.com

I am thrilled to finally be able to deliver updates on Silent Hill: Townfall, following our announcement back in 2022.

In today’s State of Play, we revealed a new trailer that gives you a glimpse into the world that awaits.

To explain more, I will hand it over to Jon McKellan, Writer and Director at Screen Burn Interactive on Silent Hill: Townfall. »