Author: Grace Johnson

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…

Volunteers across Tees Valley are celebrating a notable rise in the local barn owl population. Significant increase in barn owl sightings Tees Valley Wildlife Trust reported that in 2025, the number of barn owls ringed in their area rose by 42%, from 249 in 2024 to 354. This growth offers hope for the species’ future. Colin Gibson, volunteer barn owl coordinator and retired police officer, said he believes the increase results from better habitat protection, improved nesting sites, and favorable climate conditions. He highlighted the combined efforts of volunteers and local communities as essential to this success. Nest boxes play…

A Florida International University scientist has developed a groundbreaking test to detect rare hammerhead sharks without spotting them in the water. This method could transform conservation efforts for species on the brink of extinction. The technique identifies traces of sharks in seawater, acting like faint biological footprints. It detects fragments of genetic material, revealing the animals’ presence without catching or disturbing them. In a study published in Frontiers in Marine Science, marine biologist Diego Cardeñosa showed how environmental DNA can help locate and protect endangered shark species. Tracking elusive and endangered species Small hammerhead species, including the scalloped bonnethead, scoophead,…

A quiet beginning sparks a global shift China had only two EV battery makers in 2005. Twenty years later, it produces over three-quarters of the world’s lithium-ion cells. The journey began with sleek electric buses at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which carried visitors between venues. Those buses ran on lithium-ion packs and marked China’s first major step into EV battery production. This Olympic project created early momentum and laid foundations for China’s later dominance. Beijing had planned this push since winning the Olympic bid in 2001. But developing EV batteries for the Games challenged Chinese labs and factories. Researchers at…

The world is set to release more carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels this year than ever before. New data shows that global efforts to cut emissions remain far too slow to meet international climate goals as nations gather in Brazil for the UN climate summit COP30. Yet, the rapid growth of renewable energy offers hope that the global warming trend might still be contained. A Slower Rise in Emissions Brings Some Optimism Emissions have grown far less quickly over the past decade, thanks to the rise of clean energy. According to clean energy think tank Ember, fossil fuel use…