Bulgaria reports bird flu outbreak on three farms
Bulgaria reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza on three farms in the southern part of the country, the World Organisation for Animal...
Colombia lost nearly 88,900 hectares of forest — an area larger than New York City — in just six months, according to a new report from the country’s public watchdog.
The report by the procurator’s office, released Monday, points to illegal roadbuilding, coca cultivation, and unregulated mining as the main drivers of deforestation between October 2024 and March 2025. The damage is concentrated in ecologically vital southern regions like Caquetá, Guaviare, Putumayo, and Meta — areas that form part of the Amazon basin.
Investigators documented over 1,100 kilometers of illegal roads cutting through national parks such as Chiribiquete, Nukak, and Farallones de Cali. These roads not only clear forest but also support the transport of illicit goods and expansion of illegal activities.
“The construction of these routes would consolidate a terrestrial corridor that significantly facilitates the development of illicit economies and environmental damage,” the report warned.
While coca remains the leading cause of forest loss — especially in Meta, Putumayo, and the Naya River region — illegal gold mining is emerging as a major threat. The report highlights activity near Indigenous reserves in Buenaventura’s rural zone, where heavy machinery has been found operating inside protected areas and along new trafficking routes to the Pacific.
Caquetá saw the highest deforestation rate, with nearly 30,000 hectares cleared, followed by Guaviare and Putumayo. Much of the destruction occurred close to Indigenous lands and critical wildlife corridors.
The watchdog urged authorities to investigate the legality of the new roads and immediately shut down unauthorized ones.
Although Colombia’s government reported a 36% drop in deforestation in 2023 — the lowest since records began — the trend reversed in early 2024, with forest loss jumping 35%, driven largely by activity in the Amazon.
The environment ministry had not responded to the findings by the time of publication.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
Kuwait says oil prices will likely stay below $72 per barrel as OPEC monitors global supply trends and U.S. policy signals. The remarks come during market uncertainty fueled by new U.S. tariffs on India and possible sanctions on Russia.
Pakistan’s eastern towns of Chiniot and Hafizabad are at risk of devastating floods if an irrigation barrage on a major upstream river collapses after torrential rains pushed it beyond capacity, officials warned on Thursday.
Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain have signed an agreement with China to jointly develop a $220 million solar energy project.
A deadly landslide triggered by heavy rain struck a major Hindu pilgrimage route in Jammu, killing at least 30 people and disrupting communication across the region.
Wind farm developer Orsted's plan to raise much-needed capital is at risk following a U.S. order to halt construction of a near-complete project, and the Danish group's share price could come under pressure on Monday, analysts said.
Brazil’s government has ruled out subsidising hotel costs for delegates attending the COP30 climate summit in Belém this November, despite growing concerns over soaring accommodation prices.
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