Author: Grace Johnson

US agriculture trade gains are on the rise under the United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement (USMCA). Recent reports show that U.S. agricultural exports to Canada have grown by $7.6 billion since the trade deal took effect. Congressional leaders from the USMCA Trade Caucus emphasized the importance of this growth for the American farming sector. They said the increase in exports highlights the benefits of modern trade rules and stronger cross-border cooperation. The USMCA, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020, was designed to create a fairer trade environment for U.S. farmers and producers. It included updated rules on…

The urgent hunt for the rare hairy snail Scientists and volunteers launch a major effort to save the rare German hairy snail. The species ranks among the most endangered molluscs in the UK, yet new conservation work could revive its numbers. More than 100 volunteers take part in surveys led by Citizen Zoo and the Zoological Society of London. They aim to map the snail’s presence across London and create stronger protection plans. The snail measures only the size of a fingernail, which makes each search difficult. Every confirmed sighting counts as progress for the team. A charming creature with…

Bird flu viruses worry scientists because they keep multiplying at fever temperatures. Fever usually slows viruses, yet new research from Cambridge and Glasgow shows that avian strains resist heat that disables human strains. A study published on November 28 in Science identifies a gene that strongly influences heat sensitivity. This gene jumped from bird flu strains to human strains during the 1957 and 1968 pandemics and helped those human strains spread. Seasonal flu infects millions each year and thrives in cooler upper airways at about 33°C. It spreads less effectively in warmer regions of the respiratory tract, where temperatures reach…

Reform Deal Ends Long StalemateAustralia prepares the biggest overhaul of its nature laws in decades as the government pushes major reforms with an independent environment regulator. The Labor government secured support from the Greens after talks with the opposition collapsed. The reforms add new protections for native forests, tighten land-clearing rules and restrict fast-tracking for coal and gas projects. Critics argue the plan still lacks ambition. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the laws will support nature and business while accelerating major projects linked to housing, renewable energy and critical minerals. With Greens backing, the package will likely clear the Senate…

Record floods hit Thailand Parts of Thailand face record floods that have killed at least 33 people as authorities deploy military ships and helicopters to support relief efforts. The deluge has battered ten southern provinces for a week. Hat Yai, a key business hub near Malaysia, reports its heaviest rainfall in 300 years with 335 millimetres in one day. Photos show submerged streets and houses while desperate residents wait on rooftops for rescue. Neighbouring countries face rising devastation Relentless rain also strikes nearby nations. In Vietnam, the death toll climbs to 98 within a week. In Malaysia, more than 19,000…

Hidden Lifelines for Migratory BirdsBillions of migratory birds rely on Central America’s Five Great Forests as winter shelters and vital stopover points. These forests hold up to half the global populations of several declining species, making them irreplaceable. Rapid deforestation now puts their future at serious risk.Every spring, the songs of Wood Thrushes and warblers return to parks and neighborhoods across eastern North America. Few people know that these birds spend most of their lives far to the south and depend on the remote forests of Central America for survival during the rest of the year.A new study from the…

Ash cloud reaches IndiaA plume of volcanic ash from Ethiopia swept across the Red Sea through Oman and Yemen before reaching Delhi, according to the India Meteorological Department. The Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted on Sunday morning after several thousand dormant years and sent a towering ash column into the atmosphere. Several Indian flights were cancelled, delayed or rerouted as aviation officials asked airlines to avoid affected routes. Experts said the level of ash contamination remains unclear but Delhi’s already poor air quality should not worsen. Threats to aircraft and satellite systemsVolcanic ash contains tiny abrasive particles that damage aircraft engines,…

The UK now ranks as the most expensive country to develop nuclear power, a government review found. Officials blamed the sector’s “overly complex” bureaucracy for high costs. The review, commissioned by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, called for a “radical reset” of the government’s nuclear strategy. Experts say a streamlined approach could save Britain tens of billions of pounds and reverse years of industry decline. The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce emphasized the urgency as the UK seeks to expand nuclear capacity to meet future energy needs and achieve net zero targets. Complex regulation drives up costs The report highlighted a fragmented…

In three decades of climate summits, COP30 in Belém, Brazil, stands out as one of the most divisive. Many countries left the meeting furious that the final agreement made no mention of fossil fuels, the main driver of global warming. Others, especially nations benefiting from continued fossil fuel production, felt validated. The summit revealed how fractured global consensus has become on tackling climate change. Observers called this event the “COP of truth,” highlighting both the confrontations and the small wins. Brazil struggles to unite participants The most notable outcome from COP30 is that the global climate process remains alive, but…

Legend says the Santiago River once swallowed any canoe that dared explore it. Today, an indigenous community uncovers surprising species in its waters. We stepped into a wooden canoe floating on the murky Santiago River, ready to enter one of the Amazon’s least-studied ecosystems. Until recently, scientists had no clear record of which fish inhabited this stretch of water. After a two-day journey from Quito, Ecuador’s capital, photographer Karen Toro and I neared Kaputna, an indigenous community that has revealed new species in these remote waters. Kaputna, the community at the heart of discovery Kaputna lies surrounded by untouched jungle,…