The Antarctic is turning from a fridge for the world – keeping temperatures down – to ‘a radiator’, scientists warned yesterday.

Ice on land and sea in the Antarctic would normally reflect the sun’s rays back into space, but as water forms ponds and lakes on Antarctica, this absorbs heat.

Professor Martin Siegert said the South Pole continent ‘is an enormous, vast white surface…it does an enormous job for the planet in terms of a lot of solar radiation bounced back into space’. 

The same process – where ice has melted exposing the ocean – is already happening in the Arctic, he said.

Professor Siegert, a glaciologist at the University of Exeter, said sea ice around the frozen continent is currently at its lowest level since satellites began observing it in 1979, beating the previous minimum record set last year.

A winter heatwave in March 2022 saw temperatures soar nearly 40C above the norm in East Antarctica, from around -50C to -10C, and had it happened in summer it would have began melting the surface of the ice sheets which scientists said they have never seen before.

Professor Siegert said: ‘I think the scientific community has been shocked by this season’s lack of sea ice, so much lower than has happened in previous years’.

Because of Antarctica’s harsh environment and remote location, there is less data available to unequivocally link events like these with human-induced climate change, but scientists say they are to be expected on a warming planet.

Professor Siegert added: ‘I think it’s reasonable to assume that with the Antarctic heat event that we’ve seen, that is the sort of thing that has been expected with global heating because of burning fossil fuels and it has happened.

‘It could be, because we’ve done a lot of scientific evidence, that it was just one of those one-in-1,000 year events, but that’s so unlikely, and I think it’s perfectly scientifically reasonable to make the assumption that it is linked to our heating planet.’

Together with scientists from across the UK, Chile and South Africa, Professor Siegert has been examining evidence of extreme events in Antarctica and said it is ‘virtually certain’ that their severity will increase unless greenhouse gas emissions are controlled.

Publishing their work in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science, they identified nearly a dozen ways that human impacts are changing the Antarctic, from melting sea and land ice, collapse of ice shelves, warming oceans and atmosphere, near-extinction of marine animals and introduction of foreign species such as moss and grass.

Scientists are particularly concerned about what might happen over the next few years as the warming effects of El Nino take hold.

Dr Anna Hogg of the University of Leeds said: ‘As somebody who watches this happen on a day-to-day basis, I’m finding it really surprising and staggering to see the changes occur at the scale that they are already.’ She said it would take centuries for collapsed ice shelves to recover, if it was even possible.

These collapses do not directly add to sea level rise as the ice is already floating, but it means ice from the land pours into the sea much faster via glaciers, which is speeding up the rate of sea level rise.

If all the ice in Antarctica were to melt, although scientists do not believe this will happen anytime soon, it would push up the global sea level by 57 metres.

Extreme events such as ice shelf collapse or heatwaves combine in cascading, or multiplying effects that reach across the world but also threaten native species.

The team of scientists are calling for more environmental protection measures to be put in place to help conserve increasingly fragile ecosystems that are becoming more exposed.

Melting ice could result in better access for ships which bring more people for example, who therefore must take more care not to bring non-native seeds on their boots.

The UK Foreign Office is looking to give better protection to emperor penguins, who are a ‘climate vulnerable’ species, said the department’s head of polar regions Jane Rumble.

A Japanese man who dresses in his bespoke collie costume has said that online trolls are making fun of his desire to be a dog.

Known only as Toco, the man spent two million Yen – which equates to £12,480 – on a lifelike costume to fulfil his lifelong fantasy of ‘becoming an animal’. 

Toco waited for 40 days before the special suits and makeup company Zeppet finished his dog costume and he finally realised his dream.

In some of his most recent updates to his almost 30,000 YouTube subscribers, Toco was seen playing in his backyard – on all fours – and attempting to perform tricks in exchange for fake dog food.

But he also recently ventured into the outside world to meet other people and animals for the first time.

In a pair of surreal videos posted to his YouTube channel ‘I want to be an animal’, Toco is first seen being taken out for a walk on a leash, and is later seen sniffing at other dogs in a park before rolling around on the floor.

Toco has now claimed that he is being bullied online. 

One Twitter user said: ‘A Japanese man spent over $20K for this border collie costume. You cannot convince me this isn’t some weird sex thing.

‘Men will literally spend $20,000 to transform into a border collie instead of going to therapy.’

Responding to the comments, Toco said: ‘I’m just sad that people can think that. I love animals and enjoy play-acting like a collie. This is my hobby, so I will carry on. It makes me happy and other people happy, too.’

Toco’s antics were seemingly well-received in the video by passers-by and other dogs, who seemed inquisitive above all else.

But despite having built a cult following, Toco is not yet ready to take off his mask.

Toco told MailOnline in May last year: ‘Ever since I was a small child, I wanted to be an animal. I think it is a desire to transform.

‘I’ve thought about it since I can remember.’

The dog-lover said he has hidden his identity and his human face from the world because he doesn’t want to be judged by people he knows. 

‘I don’t want my hobbies to be known,’ he said, ‘especially by the people I work with.’

‘They think it’s weird that I want to be a dog. For the same reason why I can’t show my real face.’

Then late last year, Toco told the Mirror he’s still not yet built up enough confidence to tell some of his closest friends about his hobby.

‘I rarely tell my friends because I am afraid they will think I am weird,’ he said. ‘My friends and family seemed very surprised to learn I became an animal.’ 

Toco said he enjoys ‘doing things that only dogs do’.

In September, Toco first attempted an outdoor walk. He said in a YouTube video documenting the experience he felt ‘nervous and a little scared’.

‘I’m wearing a leash because people are surprised when they see me. I’m very nervous,’ he said in the video.

‘Do you remember your dreams from when you are little? You want to be a hero or a wizard.

‘I remember writing in my grade school graduation book that I wanted to be a dog and walk outside.’ 

He noted how nice the wind felt in his fur, and rolled in the grass in his backyard.

Toco said he wears sandals to protect his feet and the bottom of the costume from getting dirty, after spending almost £13,000 getting it custom-made.  

His now viral videos have attracted like-minded fans, with one saying: ‘You inspire us to fulfil our dreams too.’

Another wrote: ‘I hope I become the animal I want to be as well. You’re an inspiration to us.’

Japanese company Zeppet, which creates costumes for TV commercials and films, spent 40 days making the outfit.

A spokesman said: ‘Modelled after a collie dog, it reproduces the appearance of a real dog walking on four legs.’ 

European flight prices for US travelers are currently at an all-time high – with an eye-wateringly expensive average of $1,167 per ticket – and in a bid to save dollars, ‘skiplagging’ has reemerged as a popular travel trend. 

The concept works like this: A passenger books a flight from Point A to Point B with a stopover at their desired destination, and doesn’t board the connecting flight to Point B. This often results in substantial savings on tickets. 

For example, Skyscanner says a roundtrip flight from New York to Amsterdam in mid June with the Dutch flag carrier KLM will cost from $2,457.

However, readjusting the booking by setting the final destination as London with a layover in Amsterdam and using two different airlines, brought Google Flight’s roundtrip price down to $1,208.

But these so-called ‘hidden city’ fares only work with no checked baggage and come with considerable risk.

American Airlines, for example, calls it ‘unethical’ and threatens to deny boarding, cancel the return flight or charge the price difference to those who are caught.

Insiders suggest those who take a risk on a ‘hidden city’ fare book a one-way ticket to avoid having the return flight cancelled.

Some airlines have taken a very firm stand on the matter.

In 2019, Lufthansa tired suing a passenger for skiplagging. The airline claimed the passenger exploited the ticketing system. 

The man was supposed to fly from Seattle to Frankfurt and then to Oslo – but he failed to fly from Frankfurt to Oslo and flew to Berlin instead in April 2016. 

The passenger saved $2,308 when he made the original booking by buying a multiple stop ticket rather than a single stop. 

He paid 6,224 Norwegian Krone ($560) for his return ticket to Seattle. 

But Lufthansa claimed that he should have paid €2,769 ($2,963), and went on to demand €2,112 ($2,260) plus interest.   

According to German court documents, the case was thrown out because the airline failed to fully explain how it had arrived at the compensation figure of €2,112 ($2,260). 

Lufthansa tried appealing the case but it later withdrew the lawsuit.

The Germain carrier took stand because it is hit harder than most other airlines by the practice.

That is because so many of their flights are routed through the hubs of Frankfurt and Munich. 

Like many airlines the terms and conditions when buying tickets through Lufthansa do, however, make it clear the practice is not allowed. 

But travel pros highlight that the money-saving technique is not illegal. 

Taking advantage of this loophole is flight-booking website Skiplagged.com. The site even boasts: ‘Our flights are so cheap, United (Airlines) sued us… but we won.’

It has dozens of flights on offer, with the ‘skiplagged’ rates exhibited alongside the standard prices.  

However, it does warn travelers not to indulge in the practice too often as airlines could pick up on it and penalize you.

It also recommends not associating ‘skiplagged’ flights with a frequent flyer accounts as if you do, ‘the airline might invalidate any miles you’ve accrued with them.’

On Reddit, dozens of travelers have shared their views on ‘skiplagging.’

One commenter wrote: ‘One-off likely fine, but don’t make it a pattern.’

Echoing similar sentiments, another warned: ‘You’ll only get banned if you do it frequently. 

‘I’ve done it a few times with a few different airlines but the last I did it was before Covid lol. So… use but don’t abuse.’ 

Offering a couple of tips to others, one ‘skiplagger said sometimes they have ‘said nothing and just left the airport with no consequence.’ 

While on a couple of other occasions, they went about calling the airline to declare fake personal emergency ‘preventing me from flying the final legs.’ 

It’s ‘disturbing’ Biden family whistleblower has gone missing, top Republican says: Mike Turner says FBI ‘isn’t doing its job’ and ‘turning a blind eye’ after colleague said they have lost informant dishing on Hunter and the first family’s business

By James Franey, Senior U.S. Political Reporter For Dailymail.Com

Published: 13:45 EDT, 16 May 2023 | Updated: 13:45 EDT, 16 May 2023

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Check your heating is turned off and make sure your none of your lights run in the daytime.

They are just two ways to avoid falling victim to the heat this summer, according to the Government’s top health experts.  

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) chiefs today issued a 13-step checklist on how to gear your home up for the sunny weather.

Hot homes can worsen existing health conditions and be fatal, the quango warned. Risks are especially high for the elderly, the severely ill and kids. 

But critics today mocked the UKHSA’s tips, calling them ‘indispensable’ and joking: ‘I wish I’d seen this advice earlier.’  

Split into two sections, the advice covers how to prepare your home for hot weather and what to do once the Caribbean-esque temperatures have already hit.  

Under ‘things you can do to prepare your home for hot weather’, the UKHSA advises ensuring your ventilation system — if you have one — is operating in summer mode, and checking that your fridge or freezer works. 

Other recommendations include installing internal blinds or curtains, growing plants outside to provide shade and storing medication appropriately. 

Meanwhile, UKHSA advice for what to do ‘in your home during hot weather’ includes checking ‘your heating is switched off’. 

Turning off the lights and electrics not in use will also ‘reduce heat generated in the home’, it said. 

Cooking at cooler times during the day and moving to a cooler part of the house — especially when trying to sleep — is also advised.  

Christopher Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs think-tank, told MailOnline: ‘The government’s advice to turn off the heating and open some windows when the weather is hot could be a game-changer for me and millions of others this summer.

‘Other tips, such as checking your fridge works by seeing whether the food is cold, are also indispensable.’ 

He added: ‘I only wish I’d seen this advice earlier.

‘My usual practice on hot days is to put on a thick jumper and eat lots of salty snacks, but this year — if summer ever arrives — I’m going to try it the UKHSA way.’ 

The tips are designed to reduce the risk of a home overheating.  

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: ‘Our analysis shows that in the summer of 2022, there were an estimated 2,803 excess deaths for those aged 65 and over due to extreme heat.

‘Evidence shows that hot weather increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, lung illnesses and other diseases, particularly amongst the most vulnerable. 

‘Evidence also shows some settings are at risk of overheating. 

‘It’s therefore our responsibility to publish advice on how to prevent these illnesses and excess deaths in order to reduce unnecessary pressure on health services.’

During spells of high temperatures, health officials urge people to stay indoors with curtains closed and to avoid caffeine and alcohol and physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day. 

The UK faced record breaking heatwaves last summer as the mercury surpassed 40C (104F) for the first time ever. 

At the time, health chiefs warned the UK must adapt to living safely with even hotter summers inevitable in the future as a result of climate change. 

It also saw Britain’s deadliest ever summer, with 2,800 extra fatalities logged over the five heatwave periods. 

Hot weather can cause dehydration, which causes blood to thicken. 

It also lowers blood pressure, making it harder to push blood around the body. 

This can lead to blood clots and strokes.

Overheating could make symptoms worse for anyone battling heart and breathing problems.