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Anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson arrives in France

Freed anti-whaling activist Paul Watson on Friday arrived in France after five months in detention in Greenland pending an extradition demand from Japan, an airport source told AFP.

Mayotte hospital on life support after cyclone

The haggard faces in the wreckage-and-water-strewn corridors betrayed the nerves and exhaustion of those soldiering on at the main hospital on the French archipelago of Mayotte, ravaged by a deadly cyclone last weekend.

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Cute carnivores: Bloodthirsty California squirrels go nuts for vole meat

Squirrels might look like adorable, nut-hoarding furballs, but some are ruthless predators that hunt, tear apart, and devour voles.

Serbia's capital Belgrade to make public transport free

All public transport in Serbia's capital Belgrade will be free from next month -- the latest European city to adopt the radical measure to counter gridlocked roads.

After long delay, French nuclear plant coming on stream

France's flagship nuclear reactor at Flamanville in Normandy will finally enter service on Friday after a dozen years of delay, operator EDF said Wednesday.

Japan 'regrets' release of anti-whaling activist Watson

Japan's government voiced dismay on Wednesday over the release of anti-whaling activist Paul Watson after Danish authorities refused Tokyo's extradition request.

Critically endangered elephant found dead in Bali river

A critically endangered elephant living at a zoo on the Indonesian resort island of Bali was found dead in a river Tuesday after being swept away by strong currents following days of torrential rain, officials said.

Japan to make renewables top power source by 2040

Japan wants renewable energy to be its top power source by 2040 in a push to reduce dependence on coal and gas and become carbon neutral by mid-century, government plans showed on Tuesday.

Bosnia hits hottest year on record in 2024: meteorologists

After a scorching drought emptied one of Bosnia's largest lakes, the Balkan country is set to mark its hottest year on record in 2024, its Institute of Meteorology said Monday.

Scientists artificially inseminate leopard sharks to boost diversity

A black-and-cream leopard shark enters a hypnotic-like state of relaxation as scientists at Sydney Aquarium carefully roll her onto her back in a small pool.

Paris-Berlin direct daytime highspeed rail link launched

French and German rail operators launched the first direct high-speed rail link between Paris and Berlin on Monday, in response to growing European demand for train travel.

Scientists struggle to explain record surge in global heat

The world has been getting hotter for decades but a sudden and extraordinary surge in heat has sent the climate deeper into uncharted territory -- and scientists are still trying to figure out why.

At least two killed as Cyclone Chido batters France's Mayotte

At least two people were killed Saturday as fierce winds from Cyclone Chido lashed French Indian Ocean territory Mayotte, with authorities warning of severe damage and residents fearing the worst.

Six rare giant catfish surface in Cambodia

Conservationists in Cambodia on Friday celebrated the discovery of six highly endangered Mekong giant catfish in the critical Southeast Asian waterway plagued by illegal fishing, habitat loss and plastic waste.

Ukraine facing 'massive' Russian attack on energy sector

Ukraine said Friday that it was fending off a new missile attack on its energy system, the latest in Russia's campaign targeting the war-torn country's power grid during the winter season.

Climate change intensified back-to-back Philippines storms: study

Human-induced climate change fuelled a rare string of back-to-back typhoons that battered the Philippines this year and boosted the chances of powerful storms making landfall, a new study said on Thursday.

Blown off course, turbine giant Orsted seeks second wind

Long dependent on fossil fuels before emerging a champion of offshore wind power, Danish company Orsted is now struggling to restore its business after dropping several major projects.

US moves to save once-common monarch butterflies from extinction

The United States is moving to grant federal protections to the monarch butterfly -- a once-common species recognizable by its striking black and orange patterns that has faced a dramatic population decline in recent decades.

Fine particle pollution blamed for nearly 240,000 EU deaths in 2022

Fine particle air pollution killed nearly 240,000 people in the European Union in 2022, a five percent fall on the previous year, the European Environment Agency said in a report published Tuesday.

President's push to scrap gold mining ban causes outcry in El Salvador

El Salvador's gang-busting strongman President Nayib Bukele has set out on a new mission: to kickstart his country's sputtering economy by inviting back the mining companies that were barred seven years ago.

2024 'certain' to be hottest year on record: EU monitor

This year is "effectively certain" to be the hottest on record and the first above a critical threshold to protect the planet from dangerously overheating, Europe's climate monitor said Monday.

'David v Goliath' battle at ICJ climate hearings

Halfway through marathon climate change hearings at the world's top court, battle lines are being drawn between developed countries urging judges to stick to current legal obligations and vulnerable nations pleading for more.

World's oldest known wild bird is expecting again, aged 74

Parenting can be tough, even for the young and energetic, but one elderly albatross is about to go through it all again -- at the ripe old (and apparently record-setting) age of 74.

With blasts and grit, Colombia fights gold mines run by crime gangs

A thin detonating cord snakes its way into an illegal gold mine drilled high up on a mountain near the Colombian city of Cali, exploding with a roar and destroying a lucrative source of money for armed groups that include leftist rebels.

'Scary' drought empties one of Bosnia's largest lakes

Staring across what was once one of Bosnia's largest expanses of water, all that Saliha Kuljanin can see is boats left high and dry after months of drought emptied Lake Jablanicko.

China reports warmest autumn since records began

China reported its warmest autumn this year since records began decades ago, its National Climate Centre announced on Wednesday.

Hong Kong mega development plan to devour villages, wetlands

For almost half a century, Kwok Hoi-yin's humble cottage on Hong Kong's border with mainland China was surrounded by leagues of fishponds and green fields, buffering the modern highrises of megacity Shenzhen to the north.

Relief as Delhi schools reopen but smog crisis persists

Teenage student Aniksha is relieved to be back in class in India's capital -- even if the choking smog that prompted her school to close last month has yet to dissipate.

US 'disappointed' after plastic pollution talks collapse: White House

The US government said Tuesday it was "disappointed" after nations negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic waste failed to reach a deal, blaming a "small group" of countries and producers for blocking progress.

Japan witnesses warmest autumn on record

Japan has recorded its warmest autumn since records began 126 years ago, the weather agency said, delaying the country's popular displays of seasonal foliage into December.

Third death as Storm Bora batters Greece

A storm sweeping through Greece has claimed a third victim, state TV reported Monday, after damaging roads and buildings on the islands of Lemnos, Rhodes and other parts of the country.

New Zealand scientists dissect world's rarest whale

New Zealand scientists on Monday began dissecting a whale considered the rarest in the world, a species so elusive that only seven specimens have ever been documented.

Sixth Greenland hearing for anti-whaling activist Watson

A Greenland court will decide on Monday whether to further extend the four-month-long detention of anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, pending a decision on his extradition to Japan.

Plastic pollution talks fail to reach landmark deal

Deeply divided negotiators failed on Sunday to reach a landmark global treaty to curb plastic pollution, missing a self-imposed deadline, and agreed to extend their talks.

Zürcher Nachrichten - Nature (English)