Author: Grace Johnson

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,…

Australia steps back from its bid Turkey now appears set to host COP31 after Australia withdrew its offer. UN rules give hosting rights for 2026 to a group including Western Europe, Australia and others. Both sides refused to yield for months. Australia now supports Turkey after talks at COP30 in Brazil. In return, Australia’s minister will chair the negotiations. Observers express surprise because host nations usually hold the presidency. Experts now wait to see how this partnership works in practice. Mixed reactions across the Pacific Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls the deal an “outstanding result” in an interview with…

A new crisis unfolds as African penguins clash with fishing fleets for dwindling fish stocks. A sweeping analysis shows how these birds now enter direct competition with commercial vessels when prey runs low. This pressure intensifies the struggle of a species already near collapse. Growing Threat from Fishing Fleets A study from the University of St Andrews reveals that Critically Endangered African penguins forage far more often in the same waters as commercial fishing boats in years with scarce fish. This pattern raises the stakes for a species suffering rapid decline. The research, published on November 17 in the Journal…

Brazil Expands Protected LandsBrazil, host of COP30, creates ten new Indigenous territories as protests intensify around the climate summit. The designation protects culture and environment under national law, although authorities do not always enforce these rules. The move follows earlier actions by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose government recognised eleven territories last year. Dinamam Tuxu from the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil says every new territory gives communities a reason to celebrate. Legal Recognition and Global ImpactThe government will formalise the step through a presidential decree. Tuxu calls for more legal recognition to give Indigenous groups control…

A deadly meal in the Amazon Ten snakes faced a harsh situation. Researchers collected them in the Colombian Amazon and kept them several days without food. Then the animals received highly unappealing prey. The scientists offered them three-striped poison dart frogs. These frogs carry toxins like histrionicotoxins and pumiliotoxins. Such substances disrupt vital cell proteins. Six royal ground snakes refused the toxic meal. Four moved in and attacked. Yet they did not swallow the frogs immediately. They dragged them across the ground first. Biologist Valeria Ramírez Castañeda recognised a behaviour similar to birds that rub poison off their prey. Three…

Google Research, in collaboration with Stanford University, has launched AI Quests for students aged 11 to 14. The program is designed to introduce middle schoolers to real-world applications of artificial intelligence in areas like climate change, healthcare, and scientific research. The initiative provides a hands-on learning experience where students can explore AI concepts, develop problem-solving skills, and understand ethical considerations. Each quest focuses on practical projects that allow learners to see how AI tools can address real-world challenges. Educators say programs like AI Quests are vital for building early AI literacy. By engaging students with interactive activities, the program makes…

From creation myths to political omens, cultures across the world have long tried to explain the dramatic dance of the Northern Lights. These vivid displays of colour have inspired awe, fear, and imagination for millennia. Visions Across the Sky In the aftermath of the Jacobite uprising in England in 1716, strange lights streaked across the night sky. Witnesses described them as “pure flame,” “like the pipes of an organ,” and even a “shower of blood.” Interpretations ranged from giants wielding flaming swords to armies clashing in the heavens. The meaning depended heavily on political and religious leanings. During the Jacobite…