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Chinese ship scouts deep-ocean floor in South Pacific

A Chinese research vessel docked in the Cook Islands Saturday as it probed the Pacific nation's deep-sea mining potential, a fledgling industry of mounting interest to both Beijing and Washington.

At COP30, nations target the jet set with luxury flight tax

France, Spain and Kenya are among a group of countries spearheading a drive at the COP30 climate summit for a new tax on luxury air travel, a source close to the matter told AFP.

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Worry, frustration as UN tries to finally agree high seas treaty

UN member states have much work to do to finally agree a treaty to protect the high seas before scheduled negotiations close in five days, participants and observers say.

Iran fears for health of rare cheetah cub

The only survivor of three Asiatic cheetah cubs born in captivity was in hospital Monday, leaving Iranians fearing for the life of the endangered animal.

China ramps up coal plant approvals despite emissions pledge: report

China last year approved the largest expansion of coal-fired power plants since 2015, according to a study published Monday, despite its vow to begin phasing down use of the fossil fuel in just three years.

War-weary Yemenis fell trees for fuel, cash

The sound of an electric saw rips through a lush mountain landscape in southern Yemen, where years of conflict and soaring prices have left people desperate for fuel and income.

Brazil storm death toll rises to 54

The death toll from floods and landslides in southeast Brazil has risen to 54 people, the authorities said Friday, as Pope Frances sent a message of condolences.

Ayahuasca, 'source of knowledge' in the heart of the Amazon

In the heart of the Ecuadoran Amazon live the Cofan Avie, masters of ayahuasca -- the powerful hallucinogenic concoction said to open the door to the "spirit" world.

Global wildlife contaminated by 'forever chemicals'

From pandas to sea lions to tigers, hundreds of wildlife species across the globe are contaminated by potentially harmful "forever chemicals", according to a review of hundreds of peer-reviewed studies.

'Always together': Brazil community mourns dead after landslides

Watching an emergency crew recover his parents' bodies from the landslide-obliterated spot in southeastern Brazil where their house used to be, Marcio managed to get just a few words out before breaking down in sobs.

Pet-lovers protest demolition of Turkey quake building

Animal lovers in a Turkish city ravaged by a deadly earthquake protested Wednesday after officials sought to demolish a damaged building thought to contain several animals, AFP correspondents saw.

Paris protest against TotalEnergies East Africa oil pipeline

Activists in Paris Wednesday called out two banks involved in the financing of a controversial fossil fuel project in East Africa, part of a coordinated protest across a dozen cities worldwide.

Energy-starved S.Africa offers tax breaks to boost green power

South Africa unveiled Wednesday new tax incentives to encourage investment in the production of clean power to help the country battle an energy crisis that has sparked worsening blackouts.

Narwhals' hungry summers as climate warms

Narwhals may not be much good at hunting in summer, according to new research that warns the unicorn-tusked whales may be dangerously reliant on their ice-bound winter habitat that could "disappear" with climate change.

Wetter storms, deforestation: Manila faces worsening floods

From her house in a Manila suburb, Rowena Jimenez can't see the bare mountains around the built-up city. But she feels the impact of deforestation every time her living room floods.

France matches dry spell record of 31 days without rain

France has matched its record dry spell of 31 days without significant rainfall, the country's weather service said Tuesday, amid concerns over water reserves in parts of Europe still reeling from last year's severe drought.

In Old Cairo, residents reconnect with their heritage

For most of their lives, children from historic Cairo's Al-Khalifa district only saw the mausoleums, mosques and madrasa schools that pepper their neighbourhood from outside heavy bronze doors.

Protecting high seas off Chile's coast depends on UN vote in New York

In international waters off the coasts of Chile and Peru, the ocean teems with plant and animal species -- some do not exist anywhere else and many are endangered.

Recycling gives Rio carnival costumes new life

Holding a dazzling jewel-encrusted crown decorated with green and orange feathers, Brazilian art teacher Regina Coeli places it on her head, making sure the fit is just right for her upcoming carnival parade.

Winter snow no barrier for cyclists in Montreal

Sporting four layers of clothing, a neck warmer pulled up to her ears, large goggles and a safety helmet, Montrealer Marie-Pierre Savard is ready to face the Canadian winter on her bicycle.

'Feedback loops' worsening climate crisis: report

Global warming melts sea ice, which leads to further warming because water absorbs more heat than ice, creating what scientists call a "climate feedback loop."

Escaped pet leopard runs amok in Pakistan capital

A pet leopard escaped from a house in the Pakistan capital and roamed the streets for hours before being shot with a sedation dart, wildlife officials said Friday.

Drought and frost batter vital potato crops in Bolivia

Dozens of furrows lie barren in a dusty field on the Bolivian highlands. It should be replete with potato plants ready for harvest, but a deadly combination of drought and frost proved too much for the crop.

Amazon pollution: the stain on Ecuador's oil boom

Lago Agrio is where it began in February 1967: Ecuador's first oil well drilled by the US Texaco-Gulf consortium to ring in an era of black gold for the Ecuadoran Amazon.

Sun sets waterfall ablaze in Yosemite 'firefall'

A spectacular "firefall" wowed nature-watchers in California's Yosemite National Park on Wednesday, with the setting sun lighting up a waterfall like a ribbon of fire.

Residents near toxic US train derailment told water 'safe' to drink

The governor of Ohio told residents living near the site of a toxic train derailment that it was "safe" to drink the water, as authorities investigate potential environmental fallout from the accident earlier this month.

David Malpass: World Bank chief pressed by climate questions

In his four years as World Bank President, David Malpass oversaw its response to crises ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and food and energy shortages.

Residents near toxic US train derailment urged not to drink water

The governor of Ohio warned residents living near the site of a toxic train derailment to drink bottled water Wednesday, as authorities investigate potential environmental fallout from the accident earlier this month.

The controversial plan to release Fukushima plant's wastewater

Twelve years after a nuclear catastrophe triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami, workers at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in northeast Japan are preparing to release treated wastewater into the sea.

Too warm in Canada: world's largest ice rink may not open

The Canadian capital's iconic Rideau Canal Skateway -- the largest outdoor rink in the world and a UNESCO heritage site -- may not open this winter for the first time in five decades, due to a lack of ice.

Major firms not doing enough to curb deforestation: report

Many major global firms and financial institutions that directly or indirectly contribute to deforestation do not have any policies in place to protect forests, increasing the risk for catastrophic nature loss, a report said Wednesday.

Six arrested as climate activists block road near UK parliament

Climate activists blocked a road near the UK parliament on Tuesday with a Valentine's-themed protest, before being dragged away by members of the public, with police making six arrests.

Sri Lanka bans single-use plastics to save elephants

Sri Lanka will ban single-use plastics, the government said Tuesday, in a move that follows a series of wild elephant and deer deaths from plastic poisoning.

Colombia's bull fighting custom under fire for animal abuse

Eliecer Molina climbs the stands to receive his monetary prize after excelling in a corraleja in Colombia's Caribbean north.

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