5,000 new species discovered in the Pacific Ocean

A ‘gummy squirrel’ on the Pacific Ocean floor

(Image credit: SMARTEX Project/Natural Environment Research Council UK/smartexccz.org)

published 1 June 2023

Scientists have discovered more than 5,000 previously unknown species living at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. The creatures, which were spotted by remote-controlled vehicles sent down to the ocean floor, include worms, octopuses, corals and “gummy squirrels” – neon-coloured sea cucumbers with large tails that roam the seabed like “wildebeests travelling across the Serengeti”, according to a co-author of the study. They were found in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a vast area of the ocean floor between Hawaii and Mexico that has been identified as a future hotspot for deep-sea mining.

Paper-wrapped Mars bars go on sale

Mars is swapping the wrapping on its eponymous bars from plastic to recyclable paper as part of a drive to make its products more environmentally friendly. The paper-wrapped bars have gone on sale at 500 Tesco stores. If the trial goes well, the wrappers will be rolled out to all retailers, and to other Mars treats, such as Snickers. Mars said it had been difficult to find a paper wrapping that kept the chocolate fresh. It thinks it has, but customers can get a refund if they’re not convinced.

Hundreds of people crowded into a church in central London last week to pay their respects to one of the RAF’s last black Second World War veterans. Flt Sgt Peter Brown, who died aged 96 with no known relatives, was born in Jamaica, enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1943, and flew Lancaster bombers. His funeral had been due to take place in April in a small chapel, but was rescheduled when a search for relatives sparked public interest. A cousin from Jamaica, other veterans and senior RAF officers were among the mourners.