UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday defended his decision to snub Kyriakos Mitsotakis, accusing his Greek counterpart of playing to the gallery in...

A group of geologists has recently achieved a breakthrough in identifying potential sites for the formation of diamonds. Diamonds, the hardest naturally occurring material we have found, originate under the extreme conditions of immense pressure and high temperatures deep within the Earth's interior. These precious gems are occasionally pushed to the surface in molten rock formations known as kimberlite. However, there are currently two competing theories regarding what is responsible for this rush of kimberlite which brings diamonds to the surface. In a recent study, these theories were closely examined by a research team. In a piece for The Conversation study author and Associate Professor in Earth Science at the University of Southampton, Thomas Gernon explained: “one proposes that kimberlite magmas exploit the ‘wounds’ created when the Earth’s crust is stretched or when the slabs of solid rock covering the Earth - known as tectonic plates - split up.” “The other theory involves mantle plumes, colossal upwellings of molten rock from the core-mantle boundary, located about 2,900km [1,802] beneath the Earth’s surface.” However, neither of these theories adequately explains how magma manages to find its way through the Earth's crust, or the specific composition of the resulting kimberlite. By employing statistical analysis and machine learning, the team analysed the breakup of continents and its correlation with kimberlite formation. Their findings indicated that the majority of kimberlite volcanoes erupt 20 to 30 million years after tectonic breakup. “It also added a major clue,” Gernon explained. “Kimberlite eruptions tend to gradually migrate from the continental edges to the interiors over time at a rate that is uniform across the continents.” Delving deeper into their investigation through computer-generated models, the team ultimately concluded that diamond eruptions stem from a "domino effect." As continents gradually drift apart from each other, they generate rifts of thinned crust. As this happens, regions of thick, cold rock descend into the hot magma beneath, inducing an upsurge of the mantle, which in turn triggers a similar flow in nearby continents. Gernon elaborated on the team's findings, saying, "Various other results from our computer models then advance to show that this process can bring together the necessary ingredients in the right amounts to trigger just enough melting to generate gas-rich kimberlites,” Gernon explained. “Once formed, and with great buoyancy provided by carbon dioxide and water, the magma can rise rapidly to the surface carrying its precious cargo.” Moreover, the same methodology could potentially be employed to locate diamonds and other rare elements. “The processes triggering the eruptions that bring diamonds to the surface appear to be highly systematic,” Gernon siad. “They start on the edges of continents and migrate towards the interior at a relatively uniform rate.” The study is published in the journal Nature. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter 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.

School bus driver Imunek Williams was just two blocks away from dropping a group of students off at the Milwaukee Academy of Science on Wednesday morning when she suddenly smelled something burning. Minutes later, the bus was engulfed in flames.

Ben Cohen’s ex-wife Abby has been diagnosed with cancer. The professional photographer, 44, who shares two children with Cohen, shared a video to her Instagram account documenting her experience with cancer, describing it as the “toughest yet”. In the video, Abby is seen walking into a hospital before undergoing different tests. Several clips show her in a hospital bed, wearing a stoma bag while she is surrounded by her loved ones. Writing on Instagram, Abby recalled that she visited a doctor after having experienced only one symptom. She did not specify where the cancer had been found. “This was and is the toughest yet. I’m unlucky, but lucky, to have been warned only once with a symptom of this terrible illness,” wrote Abby in the post’s caption. She thanked the NHS for “saving” her “life” and taking care of her when she was so “scared and most vulnerable”. The photographer urged her followers to “never ignore” their bodies when warning signs present themselves. “I didn’t [ignore them] and it’s given me a chance to live my new life. In time and with the right treatment, I’m hoping this WILL all be a distant memory for me,” she said. Abby and Ben share twin 15-year-old daughters, Harriette and Isabelle. In the video, the children are seen supporting their mother during her time in hospital. Their father Ben, who is a former England Rugby player, and Abby were married for 11 years before they split in 2014. Cohen went on to start a relationship with his Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff, whom he was partnered up with during his appearance on the show in 2013. Ben and Kristina welcomed a daughter, Mila, in 2016. The photographer went public with her new partner, David, in 2020. Speaking to MailOnline previously, Abby said that she did not want to be known for her past relationship. “I thought, ‘Everyone still labels me Ben’s ex’ but I’m not that Abby any more. I’m me. I’ve got my two girls. My life. I’ve finally met a really nice man. I want to be known as ‘Abby the good photographer’ or ‘Abby the great mum’. I’m very different. I’m stronger,” she said. Abby has continued to praise Ben as a “fantastic hands-on father”. Read More Woman shares co-worker’s ‘infuriating’ response to her decision to not have children Buckingham Palace responds to Joe Biden’s ‘protocol breach’ with King Charles 5 late summer blooms to plant now Maria Menounos says her tumour ‘doubled’ after first cancer symptoms were overlooked How to check if you have skin cancer: Symptoms and signs to look out Jonnie Irwin makes rare red carpet appearance as he says ‘every day is a gift’

OTTAWA Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday condemned an attack on a Jewish community center in Montreal

Escaped prisoner Danelo Cavalcante has been captured after almost two weeks on the run. The convicted killer was tracked down using thermal imaging technology before a Border Patrol tactical team surrounded him at around 8am on Wednesday morning. Law enforcement officials had the “element of suprise” over Cavalcante, police said in a press conference. Pennsylvania State Police Lt Col George Bivens said that Cavalcante began to crawl through heavy underbrush as agents closed in on him. Yoda, a four-year-old Belgium Malinois, then set out to subdue Cavalcante and left the escaped killer with a gnarly scalp wound that bled onto his face. Cavalcante escaped Chester County Prison on 31 August – days after he was sentenced to life for fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao. He is also wanted for a 2017 murder in Brazil. His escape kicked off a desperate manhunt as he repeatedly evaded authorities. On Tuesday, officials revealed that he had broken into a garage and stolen a firearm. In an interview with The New York Times, Cavalcante’s mother Iracema Cavalcante defended her son’s actions, saying that he killed Brandao after she reportedly threatened to tell American authorities he was being sought by Brazilian police. Read More Where has Danelo Cavalcante been spotted since his Pennsylvania jailbreak? Fugitive Danelo Cavalcante’s mother defends his murders and says ‘everyone is lying about him’ Dog the Bounty Hunter may join search for Danelo Cavalcante

Stocks in Asia traded mixed at the open on Wednesday as investors await the Federal Reserve’s rate decision.

A motorcycle courier describes how he confronted a man stabbing children outside a school.

Leo Varadkar says there is "no place for racism in sport" after viral gymnast video controversy.

Megyn Kelly also called Megan Rapinoe a 'malignant narcissist' over her opinions

Craig Kimbrel became the eighth pitcher in major league history to earn 400 saves, Brandon Marsh hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the sixth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves 6-4

By Daren Butler ISTANBUL Turkish citizens based abroad began voting on Saturday in Turkey's presidential runoff election between