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Tunisian startup turns olive waste into clean energy

In a northern Tunisian olive grove, Yassine Khelifi's small workshop hums as a large machine turns olive waste into a valuable energy source in a country heavily reliant on imported fuel.

Clouds changing as world warms, adding to climate uncertainty

People have always studied the skies to predict the weather, but recently scientists have noticed that clouds are changing on a global scale -- posing one of the greatest challenges to understanding our warming world.

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A stream turns blood red in Argentina, residents blame pollution

A stream on the outskirts of Buenos Aires turned blood red on Thursday, causing anxiety among residents who blamed it on pollution.

Hong Kong scientists fight to save fragrant incense trees

Geneticist Zhang Huarong walks through the forest near his Hong Kong research lab, gesturing towards a rotting incense tree stump that is one of over a dozen illegally felled for the valuable wood inside.

Fighting global warming in nations' self-interest: UN climate chief

The UN's climate chief, seeking to shore up solidarity on combating global warming as the United States retreats from its leadership role, appealed to nations' self-interest in a speech Thursday.

Real Betis don new shirt to raise environmental concerns

Spanish La Liga club Real Betis launched a new kit made out of an invasive algae on Thursday to raise awareness of an ecological crisis on the Andalucian coast.

January sets 'surprising' heat record: EU monitor

Last month was the hottest January on record, Europe's climate monitor said Thursday, despite expectations that cooler La Nina conditions might quell a streak of record-breaking global temperatures.

Five ways in which Argentina's Milei has mirrored Trump

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as the saying goes, and Argentina's President Javier Milei has made clear his admiration for Donald Trump by liberally borrowing from the US president's playbook.

Trump taps 'Sharpiegate' meteorologist to lead top science agency

A meteorologist who caved to political pressure during Donald Trump's first administration to mislead the public about a hurricane forecast was nominated by the president Tuesday to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Scottish whisky makers fear return of Trump tariffs

At the end of a wild peninsula battered by winds in west Scotland is a zero-carbon whisky distillery that's bracing for the possible return of US tariffs.

Nepal hikes Everest climbing fee by a third

Nepal has hiked the cost of an Everest climbing permit by a third, arguing it will help tackle pollution and boost safety on the world's highest mountain, the tourism chief said Tuesday.

Biathlon great Fourcade refuses to 'sacrifice convictions' for 2030 Olympics presidency

French biathlon great Martin Fourcade said Monday he would "not sacrifice his convictions" as he spurned the presidency of the 2030 Winter Olympics.

Cash-keen Taliban betting on Afghanistan's mines

A miner in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan poured water over a block of jade, exposing the green stone that is part of the Taliban authorities' push to capitalise on the country's rich mineral resources.

First major chunk breaks off world's biggest iceberg

An enormous chunk has broken off the world's largest iceberg, in a possible first sign the behemoth from Antarctica could be crumbling, scientists told AFP on Friday.

Green energy projects adding to Sami people's climate woes: Amnesty

Climate change and efforts to curb it by moving away from fossil fuels are both threatening the rights and livelihood of Sami indigenous people in the Arctic, Amnesty International said Friday.

Indonesia deforestation rises for third year running: NGO

Deforestation in Indonesia rose in 2024 for a third year running, a local environmental NGO said Friday based on satellite image analysis and fieldwork.

Indonesia deforestation rose again in 2024: NGO

Deforestation in Indonesia rose again last year, a local environmental NGO said Friday based on satellite image analysis and fieldwork.

Scottish court rules against two new North Sea oil and gas fields

A Scottish court on Thursday ruled against the development of two oil and gas fields in the North Sea in a "historic win" for two environmental groups.

Mafia waste victims seek justice in Italy's 'Land of Fires'

After years of feeling "invisible" as she managed her daughter's cancer, Antonietta Moccia said she hopes a European court on Thursday will recognise the Italian government's failures to protect her from toxic waste.

Australia says reliance on coal-fired power drops to record low

Australia's reliance on coal-fired power stations has dropped to a record low, accounting for less than 50 percent of its electricity for the first time, the market operator said Thursday.

Lion cub gifted to Pakistani YouTube star causes wedding chaos

A Pakistani YouTube star who was gifted a lion cub on his wedding day has avoided jail after promising a judge to upload animal rights videos for a year.

Red tape and rare earths: EU 'compass' charts economic future

Promising a "simplification shock", the EU will unveil a much-anticipated blueprint to revamp Europe's economic model on Wednesday, as the bloc struggles to keep up with China and the United States.

New strain of bird flu confirmed in US

A new strain of bird flu has been confirmed at a duck farm in California, the first time the variant has been discovered in poultry in the United States, an international agency said.

Royal diplomacy: how UK govt will seek to charm Trump

Britain's Labour government hopes to stay in US President Donald Trump's good books by mobilising the royal family and a former spin doctor dubbed the "Prince of Darkness".

German man sets world record living for 120 days underwater

A German aerospace engineer celebrated setting a world record Friday for the longest time living underwater without depressurization -- 120 days in a submerged capsule off the coast of Panama.

Mega-iceberg drifts towards Antarctic penguin island

The world's biggest iceberg -- more than twice the size of London -- could drift towards a remote island where a scientist warns it risks disrupting feeding for baby penguins and seals.

Drifting mega-iceberg could threaten remote baby penguins

The world's largest iceberg -- a behemoth more than twice the size of London -- is drifting towards a remote island where scientists say it could run aground and threaten baby penguins and seals.

Pandas, like Trump, are back in Washington

Move over President Trump -- the newest stars in Washington are two giant pandas who made their public debut on Friday in front of hundreds of adoring fans.

Bangkok air pollution forces 352 schools to close

Air pollution in the Thai capital forced the closure of more than 350 schools on Friday, city authorities said, as Bangkok was ranked the world's seventh-most polluted major city by air quality monitor IQAir.

'I rip out my lashes to ease pain': Eye disease afflicts Ethiopia

Scheicho Scheifa is haunted by the fear of going blind.

Ice in the sky: Thailand's fight against air pollution

Flying through Bangkok's cloudless blue skies, a small aircraft sprays a white mist over a thick haze of pea soup smog below.

Smog chokes Baghdad as oil-fired factories belch out smoke

Iraqi grocery store owner Abu Amjad al-Zubaidi is grappling with asthma, a condition his doctor blames on emissions from a nearby power plant that fills his Baghdad neighbourhood with noxious smoke.

US lawmakers advance forest management bill as fires scorch LA

Legislation to reduce the impact of increasingly devastating forest fires on US federal land passed the House of Representatives on Thursday as firefighters battled to tame the latest in a series of blazes threatening southern California.

More than 250 Bangkok schools close over air pollution

More than 250 schools in Bangkok were closed on Thursday due to pollution, authorities said, as officials urged people to work from home and restricted heavy vehicles in the city.

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