A large dark stain was spotted off Barra da Tijuca beach in Rio de Janeiro this week, prompting concern from locals and environmental experts over its cause and potential impact.
A massive dark stain appeared in the ocean off Rio de Janeiro’s Barra da Tijuca beach on Wednesday, May 14, raising environmental concerns among residents, beachgoers, and researchers. The discolored water was clearly visible in aerial footage captured by Reuters drones, showing a stark contrast between the murky brown patch and the surrounding blue sea.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo, the dark waters originated from the Barra and Jacarepaguá lagoon complex. The state environment institute, Inea, explained that an ebb tide - dropping from 1.1 meters (3.6 feet) to just 0.2 meters (0.65 feet) - carried organic material from the lagoons into the sea. The resulting interaction between warmer seawater and cooler lagoon water caused a change in color.
Preliminary assessments from Inea suggest that the phenomenon does not negatively affect seawater quality or pose a health risk to swimmers. The institute has collected water samples and plans to release detailed analysis results by Friday, May 16.
Despite the early reassurances, experts are pointing to deeper structural issues. Biologist Mario Moscatelli attributed the stain to long-standing urban development problems and inadequate sanitation in the region. “The sewage flows down the rivers, into the lagoon, and from the lagoon into the sea,” he said in a statement to Reuters.
While authorities continue their investigation, the incident has reignited calls for better urban planning and sewage treatment infrastructure to protect Rio’s waterways and coastal ecosystems.
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Türkiye for their first direct peace talks since 2022, with discussions lasting under two hours.
Ten Baltic Sea NATO states and the EU signed a memorandum to enhance cooperation on protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
The World Bank has approved a $100 million concessional loan to Uzbekistan to help integrate renewable energy into power grids and enhance electricity reliability in key regions. The national grid operator will contribute an additional $50 million to the five-year program.
The sixth European Political Community summit opens this Friday in Tirana, Albania, bringing together 47 heads of state and EU institutions—alongside Türkiye, the UK, Norway, Switzerland and Ukraine—to forge unified strategies on European security, defense and continued support for Ukraine.
Transport ministers from China and Central Asian countries signed two memoranda of understanding to enhance digitalization and streamline cross-border freight operations, aiming to unlock greater economic, trade, and humanitarian cooperation potential in the region.
Ten Baltic Sea NATO states and the EU signed a memorandum to enhance cooperation on protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
The World Bank has approved a $100 million concessional loan to Uzbekistan to help integrate renewable energy into power grids and enhance electricity reliability in key regions. The national grid operator will contribute an additional $50 million to the five-year program.
The sixth European Political Community summit opens this Friday in Tirana, Albania, bringing together 47 heads of state and EU institutions—alongside Türkiye, the UK, Norway, Switzerland and Ukraine—to forge unified strategies on European security, defense and continued support for Ukraine.
Transport ministers from China and Central Asian countries signed two memoranda of understanding to enhance digitalization and streamline cross-border freight operations, aiming to unlock greater economic, trade, and humanitarian cooperation potential in the region.
The number of billionaires in the UK has dropped for the second year in a row, hitting the lowest level in over a decade, according to The Sunday Times Rich List 2025.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
The UK is heading into summer with a growing threat of drought, as river flows across the country hit exceptionally low levels.
The Central Asian Conference on Climate Change, organized by Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Environmental Protection in collaboration with the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC), has launched in Ashgabat.
With a global outlook and local context, Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW) will convene key stakeholders—from policy and finance to science, culture, and civil society—to help lay the foundations for a successful COP30. This will be the second time Azerbaijan has hosted BCAW.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has established the Climate Diplomacy Department to strengthen Baku's diplomatic role in the Baku-Belém Roadmap, aiming to foster international cooperation for a significant increase of financial resources to support developing countries.
Azerbaijan showcased its green transition plan at the Copenhagen Ministerial, targeting 30% renewable energy by 2030. The country also secured a $300 billion climate finance pledge and helped finalize a key carbon market agreement, highlighting its growing role in global climate action.
Ten Baltic Sea NATO states and the EU signed a memorandum to enhance cooperation on protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
The World Bank has approved a $100 million concessional loan to Uzbekistan to help integrate renewable energy into power grids and enhance electricity reliability in key regions. The national grid operator will contribute an additional $50 million to the five-year program.
The sixth European Political Community summit opens this Friday in Tirana, Albania, bringing together 47 heads of state and EU institutions—alongside Türkiye, the UK, Norway, Switzerland and Ukraine—to forge unified strategies on European security, defense and continued support for Ukraine.
Transport ministers from China and Central Asian countries signed two memoranda of understanding to enhance digitalization and streamline cross-border freight operations, aiming to unlock greater economic, trade, and humanitarian cooperation potential in the region.
The number of billionaires in the UK has dropped for the second year in a row, hitting the lowest level in over a decade, according to The Sunday Times Rich List 2025.
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