I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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  • Water released from hydrous minerals identified as a viable trigger for slow earthquakes

    ByReet Kaur

    Researchers have identified a geological mechanism that may explain why slow earthquakes occur in recurring cycles, concluding that episodic dehydration of hydrous minerals can generate intermittent pulses of fluid capable of triggering slow-slip events in subduction zones. The findings, published in Geology on June 18, 2026, combine field observations from New Caledonia with thermodynamic and mechanical modelling to explain how water released during metamorphism may initiate these elusive earthquakes.

  • Large wedge tornado strikes the Huanggang–Ezhou area in China’s Hubei Province, causing extensive damage

    ByReet Kaur

    A large wedge tornado struck the Huanggang–Ezhou area of Hubei Province, China, on July 6, 2026, during severe thunderstorms associated with the remnants of Typhoon Maysak. Numerous videos and photographs shared on Chinese social media appear to show a large condensation funnel moving through urban areas, while unconfirmed reports claim widespread damage, at least two fatalities, and hundreds of injuries.

  • LaGuardia records highest midnight temperature on record as New York City heat wave persists

    ByReet Kaur

    LaGuardia Airport recorded an official temperature of 34.4°C (94°F) around midnight into July 4, 2026, establishing the station’s highest midnight temperature on record as an intense heat wave affected New York City and much of the northeastern United States. According to National Weather Service observations, the reading surpassed the previous midnight record of 33.9°C (93°F) set on July 18, 2013. The National Weather Service maintained Extreme Heat Warnings across much of the New York metropolitan area as dangerous heat persisted through the overnight hours.

  • First indication of diffuse supernova neutrino background emerges from Super-Kamiokande

    ByReet Kaur

    Researchers with the Super-Kamiokande Collaboration have reported the first observational indication of the Diffuse Supernova Neutrino Background (DSNB), a long-predicted flux of neutrinos produced by core-collapse supernovae throughout cosmic history. Based on approximately 5 000 days of observations, the result, presented on June 25, 2026, during the XXXII International Conference on Neutrino Physics and Astrophysics (Neutrino 2026) at the University of California, Irvine, represents the strongest observational evidence to date for one of neutrino astronomy’s most persistent experimental goals.

  • Adelaide hit by 70% of its July rainfall in one day as successive cold fronts bring flooding and damaging winds to South Australia

    ByReet Kaur

    Heavy rain from successive winter cold fronts flooded roads and properties across South Australia during July 2–3, 2026, prompting hundreds of State Emergency Service (SES) call-outs, disrupting transport, triggering a statewide Code Blue response for vulnerable people and delivering more than 100 mm (3.9 inches) of rain to parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and the SES.

  • Peru declares state of emergency ahead of 2026–2027 El Niño rains

    ByReet Kaur

    Peru has declared a 60-day state of emergency in 796 districts across 22 departments and the Constitutional Province of Callao on July 2, 2026, because of the imminent threat of intense rainfall associated with the 2026–2027 El Niño phenomenon, activating nationwide preparedness and disaster risk reduction measures.

  • New gravitational-wave measurement brings astronomers closer to resolving the Hubble tension

    ByReet Kaur

    Researchers have produced one of the strongest independent measurements yet of the Universe’s expansion rate by revisiting the landmark neutron star merger GW170817 with improved radio observations and gravitational-wave data. The study finds a value for the Hubble constant that is more consistent with measurements of the early Universe than with those based on nearby galaxies, adding important new evidence to one of cosmology’s longest-running debates.

  • Hungary sets new all-time temperature record as heat wave rewrites national and Budapest records

    ByReet Kaur

    Hungary recorded its highest temperature since observations began on June 30, 2026, when the temperature reached 42°C (107.6°F) in Szécsény, surpassing the previous national record of 41.9°C (107.4°F) measured in Kiskunhalas in 2007. The same heat wave also established a new all-time temperature record in Budapest and rewrote numerous national and capital daily maximum and minimum temperature records between June 29 and July 1, according to HungaroMet.

  • Slovakia sets all-time temperature record as heat wave brings record June nights

    ByReet Kaur

    Slovakia set a new national all-time temperature record of 41°C (105.8°F) at Turňa nad Bodvou on June 29, 2026, as a late-June heat wave brought record daytime and overnight warmth to the country. The minimum temperature at Bratislava–Koliba fell only to 26.3°C (79.3°F) on June 27, the highest June minimum recorded within the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) network since 1951.

  • Czech Republic records hottest day on record with 41.9°C (107.4°F)

    ByReet Kaur

    The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) has confirmed a new all-time maximum air temperature for the Czech Republic after the Doksany meteorological station measured 41.9°C (107.4°F) on June 28, 2026, surpassing the previous national record of 40.4°C (104.7°F) set in 2012 during a historic late-June heatwave.