I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.

  • New lunar mineral identified in first lunar meteorite found in China

    ByTeo Blašković

    China Geological Survey (CGS) reported that Chinese scientists identified a new lunar mineral, Magnesiochangesite-(Ce), in Pakepake 005, the first lunar meteorite found in China, and formally approved through meteorite nomenclature. The rare-earth-bearing phosphate was approved by the International Mineralogical Association’s Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification. It represents the 11th lunar mineral discovered worldwide.

  • At least 21 dead after extreme rainfall hits southern and central China

    ByTeo Blašković

    Torrential rain triggered widespread flooding across southern and central China from May 16 to 19, 2026, killing at least 21 people and disrupting schools, businesses, transport, and power supplies. China’s National Meteorological Center keeps a yellow rainstorm warning in force, with heavy rain forecast to continue across parts of southern and eastern China through May 20.

  • ESA and JAXA sign planetary defence agreement for Ramses mission to Apophis

    ByTeo Blašković

    The European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on planetary defence and a dedicated Ramses mission agreement in Berlin, Germany, on May 7, 2026. Ramses is planned to rendezvous with asteroid (99942) Apophis before its safe close flyby of Earth on April 13, 2029.

  • PDS tornado watch followed by 19 tornado reports, large hail and damaging winds across central U.S.

    ByTeo Blašković

    A Particularly Dangerous Situtation (PDS) Tornado Watch issued for northeast Kansas and southeast Nebraska on May 18, 2026, was followed by multiple tornado reports, hail up to about 7 cm (2.75 inches), and damaging wind reports across the central U.S. Preliminary SPC storm reports included 19 tornadoes, damage to farm structures, grain bins, trees, and power lines.

  • SPC issues Moderate Risk for strong to intense tornadoes and giant hail across Kansas and Nebraska

    ByTeo Blašković

    The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) placed portions of central and northeastern Kansas into far southeastern Nebraska under a Moderate Risk for severe thunderstorms on Monday, May 18, 2026. Supercells are forecast to produce all severe hazards, including 5–10+ cm (2–4+ inches) hail and strong to intense tornadoes, mainly from central Kansas into southeastern Nebraska.

  • WHO declares PHEIC over cross-border Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda

    ByTeo Blašković

    The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026, after confirmed international spread and concerns that undetected transmission could complicate containment efforts. The declaration, issued under the International Health…