A seabird chick found with 778 plastic pieces inside its body on a remote island between Australia and New Zealand has become a powerful symbol of the global plastic pollution crisis. Scientists say the plastic has caused chronic illness and cognitive decline in the bird, raising urgent concerns abo
On Lord Howe Island, a protected area known for its pristine environment, researchers discovered a sable shearwater chick that had ingested 778 pieces of plastic—more than any seabird ever recorded. This shocking find comes from a study published in Science Advances, which examines how plastic ingestion disrupts internal body functions in marine birds.
The study revealed that plastic-laden seabirds showed signs of chronic diseases, including liver and kidney damage, and had lower levels of a key brain protein necessary for recognizing mating calls. This suggests that even when plastic doesn’t kill marine animals outright, it may silently erode their ability to survive and reproduce.
The research, conducted by the international Adrift Lab, emphasized that many chicks were fed plastic by their parents daily, mistaking it for food. Some birds even made an audible crunch when scientists pressed their stomachs, underscoring the severity of the contamination.
“This may make it more difficult for them to successfully find mates and produce chicks,” the authors wrote, highlighting the long-term survival risks to the species.
Beyond individual animals, plastic is wreaking havoc across entire marine ecosystems. Even deep-sea environments more than three miles below the ocean’s surface are saturated with microplastics. Protected areas offer little defense, as plastic pollution drifts freely across boundaries.
In a parallel study, scientists discovered that 99% of seafood samples from the Oregon coast contained microplastics, showing how deeply the problem has infiltrated the human food chain.
While efforts like marine protected areas and ocean clean-up technologies have helped, experts agree that they are not enough. The core of the problem lies in rising plastic production, most of which comes from fossil fuels.
Over 175 countries are negotiating a global plastics treaty to curb production, but talks have been delayed due to disagreements. Until a binding agreement is reached, plastic waste will continue to flood ecosystems—at a rate equivalent to 140,000 truckloads dumped into waterways between now and the next negotiation round in August.
“This crisis is escalating, and we're only just beginning to understand the full health consequences,” said Ryan Bos, a marine researcher at Harvard University. “We need bold, systemic action to stem the tide.”
China on Friday defended its recent export control measures on rare earth elements, insisting the restrictions are in line with international norms and not directed at any specific country.
Federal authorities have arrested 14 suspects in Los Angeles linked to an Armenian organized crime ring accused of stealing $30 million in COVID relief and Small Business loans intended to support American taxpayers.
Banksy has returned with a mysterious new artwork—this time, possibly in France—and fans are buzzing with theories.
Paul Doyle, a 53-year-old man from West Derby, Liverpool, has appeared in court after a car was driven into a crowd during Liverpool FC’s trophy parade earlier this week. The incident took place on Water Street, where thousands of fans had gathered to celebrate the team’s Premier League title win.
Model Hailey Bieber is selling her skincare brand Rhode to e.l.f. Beauty in a deal worth up to $1 billion (£790 million), with plans for international expansion and continued viral success.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s enduring support for United Nations peacekeeping operations, highlighting the country’s historic contributions and calling for renewed international resolve to strengthen peacekeeping efforts in a rapidly evolving global security landscape.
China on Friday defended its recent export control measures on rare earth elements, insisting the restrictions are in line with international norms and not directed at any specific country.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF)-backed project, “Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Iraq” (SRVALI), was officially launched on the sidelines of the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference.
Federal authorities have arrested 14 suspects in Los Angeles linked to an Armenian organized crime ring accused of stealing $30 million in COVID relief and Small Business loans intended to support American taxpayers.
Banksy has returned with a mysterious new artwork—this time, possibly in France—and fans are buzzing with theories.
AnewZ takes to the streets of Yerevan and Baku to ask a simple yet deeply complex question: How do you see peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan? In the first part of our special report, we hear the hopes, doubts, and scars still shaping people’s perspectives on both sides.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Kyiv faced a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault overnight, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the city, forcing residents to shelter in subway stations.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF)-backed project, “Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Iraq” (SRVALI), was officially launched on the sidelines of the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference.
A staggering 4 billion people—half of the world’s population—experienced at least 30 additional days of extreme heat over the past year due to human-induced climate change, a new international study revealed Friday.
The next five years are likely to be the warmest in recorded history, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), as rising global temperatures push the planet closer to surpassing key climate thresholds with wide-ranging consequences.
Tajikistan is hosting the International Conference on Glacier Preservation from May 29 to June 1, 2025, in Dushanbe, aiming to highlight the urgent need to halt glacial retreat and elevate the issue on the global climate agenda.
PennEnergy Resources has withdrawn its permits to draw water from Big Sewickley Creek in western Pennsylvania, a decision welcomed by environmentalists who say the move reflects growing concerns over climate variability and surface water demand from the fracking industry.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s enduring support for United Nations peacekeeping operations, highlighting the country’s historic contributions and calling for renewed international resolve to strengthen peacekeeping efforts in a rapidly evolving global security landscape.
China on Friday defended its recent export control measures on rare earth elements, insisting the restrictions are in line with international norms and not directed at any specific country.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF)-backed project, “Strengthening Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Livelihoods in Southern Iraq” (SRVALI), was officially launched on the sidelines of the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference.
Federal authorities have arrested 14 suspects in Los Angeles linked to an Armenian organized crime ring accused of stealing $30 million in COVID relief and Small Business loans intended to support American taxpayers.
Banksy has returned with a mysterious new artwork—this time, possibly in France—and fans are buzzing with theories.
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