LONDON

Study sees pollution causing bumpier Atlantic flights

Tourists, exchange students, masters of the financial universe and other business travelers: It’s time to buckle up.

More pollution is likely to mean bumpier flights for trans-Atlantic travelers, researchers say, predicting increased turbulence over the North Atlantic as carbon dioxide levels rise. University of East Anglia climate expert Manoj Joshi said scientists have long studied the impact of the carbon-heavy aviation industry on climate change but he took a new tack.

In a paper published Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change, Joshi and colleague Paul Williams ran a climate simulation that cranked up the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to twice its pre-industrial level.

Williams said the results showed a 10-to-40 percent increase in the median strength of turbulence and a 40-to-170 percent increase in the frequency of moderate-or-greater turbulence. He described the latter as shaking that is “strong enough to force the pilot to switch on the seat-belt sign, knock over drinks, and make it difficult to walk.”

Gardeners find World War II bomb in their flowerbeds

Gardeners in Britain who were digging flowerbeds for a village horticultural competition have instead uncovered a World War II bomb.

Police say a bomb disposal unit was sent to a crossing near Nafferton train station in the northeast of England after residents reported finding the explosive device.

Officers said Wednesday the object turned out to be an inert two-pound aircraft bomb. They have removed the device to safely dispose of it.

PARIS

Louvre closes as workers protest rise in pickpockets

The Louvre was closed Wednesday after its workers walked off their jobs to protest what is said to be a rising problem of pickpockets haunting the famed Paris museum’s vast galleries.

Louvre spokeswoman Sophie Grange was unable to say when the museum, which normally attracts up to 30,000 visitors a day at this time of year, would reopen. Museum staff organized the protest to draw attention to the problem, which they say is hindering their ability to welcome visitors and protect the Louvre’s collections.�

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