Iran and Europe meet in Istanbul amid threats of sanctions
Iran is currently facing threats of a reimposition of sanctions at the UN security council that were originally lifted under a deal made ten years ago...
The Great Barrier Reef has suffered its most significant coral decline in nearly four decades, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS).
The reef’s northern and southern zones recorded the steepest annual drop in hard coral cover since AIMS began monitoring the ecosystem 39 years ago. Coral loss ranged from 25% to 33%, reversing recent years of steady growth.
Mike Emslie, who leads AIMS' long-term monitoring programme, said the system is displaying signs of distress.
“We are now seeing increased volatility in the levels of hard coral cover,” he explained, adding, “This is a phenomenon that emerged over the last 15 years and points to an ecosystem under stress.”
The reef, which stretches 2,400 kilometres off Queensland's coast, is the world’s largest living structure and a critical marine habitat. It has endured five mass coral bleaching events since 2016, caused by extreme heat linked to climate change.
The 2024 bleaching episode was the most extensive ever recorded, with “high to extreme” bleaching reported across all three reef regions, AIMS said.
Despite these alarming findings, the Great Barrier Reef has not been added to UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites in danger. However, the UN body has maintained its recommendation for such a listing, citing ongoing environmental threats.
Australia, which earns A$6.4 billion ($4.2 billion) annually from reef-related tourism, has repeatedly lobbied against the designation, warning it could affect international visitor numbers.
The federal government has committed funding and introduced climate adaptation measures, but environmental groups say more aggressive action is needed to curb carbon emissions and protect the reef.
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.
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.
Spain is still battling massive wildfires, but cooler weather has given firefighters a much-needed boost in their fight against the flames.
A Portuguese firefighter was severely injured on Thursday after flames suddenly engulfed his fire engine during a wildfire sweeping through central and northern Portugal.
A study published in Nature on Thursday highlights that the rapid decline of Antarctic sea ice may represent a crucial tipping point for the global climate.
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