Author: OMN AI

Governments are facing growing pressure to tackle the climate impact of the world’s wealthiest. Activists are urging action to ban carbon-heavy luxury goods and tax fossil fuel profits as essential steps to meet global climate targets and reduce inequality. New research from Oxfam highlights the extreme imbalance in emissions. The richest one per cent of people have already used up their annual carbon budget just 10 days into 2026 — a milestone dubbed “Pollutocrat Day.” Even more striking, the top 0.01 per cent exceeded their carbon limit within the first 72 hours of the year. To align with the Paris…

Fireguards, strips of cleared land designed to slow the spread of wildfires, are changing the landscape across the Canadian Rockies — and not just for humans. From Lake Louise to Banff, Canmore, and into Kananaskis Country, hundreds of hectares of forest have been cleared over the past five years, with more projects planned. Balancing Fire Safety and Wildlife Benefits While the primary goal of fireguards is to protect residents, visitors, and communities from wildfires, wildlife has also found unexpected advantages. Elk, grizzly bears, and various bird species are making use of the open spaces for movement and feeding. “They use…

The world’s oceans absorbed unprecedented amounts of heat in 2025, setting another record and amplifying climate disasters, scientists report. Oceans take up more than 90% of the excess heat from carbon pollution, making them the clearest measure of global warming’s pace and persistence. The added heat fuels stronger hurricanes and typhoons, heavier rainfall and flooding, and longer marine heatwaves that devastate ocean life. It also accelerates sea-level rise through thermal expansion, threatening coastal communities worldwide. The analysis, published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, shows the top 2,000 metres of the oceans now hold heat equivalent to more than 200 times…

US President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to leave dozens of international organisations. Many of these groups focus on climate change and environmental protection. Nearly half of the 66 affected organisations are linked to the United Nations. The list includes the Framework Convention on Climate Change, which serves as the foundation of global climate cooperation. The decision also targets organisations working on development, gender equality, and conflict prevention. The administration has repeatedly criticised these areas as ideological or globalist. The White House said these organisations no longer serve American interests and promote hostile or ineffective agendas. White House…

Authorities in the Philippines intercepted a boat carrying rare and exotic animals, highlighting the ongoing challenges of wildlife trafficking in the region. Shocking Discovery on the Lower Makar River According to GMA News, the Philippine National Police’s Maritime Group inspected a vessel on the Lower Makar River in General Santos City. Inside, they found over 20 leopard tortoises, native to sub-Saharan Africa, and several Nicobar pigeons, a colorful species from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, all crammed into two small crates. Six Indonesian nationals aboard the boat were arrested, while authorities continue searching for the Filipino boat operator from Sarangani…

Scientists have revealed a striking list of plants and fungi named in 2025, highlighting both nature’s creativity and its growing vulnerability. Researchers from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and international partners described 125 new plant species last year, selecting 10 of the most unusual for a “weird and wonderful” showcase. Among them is a so-called zombie fungus from Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest that infects trapdoor spiders, bursting through their underground lairs to spread spores. The list also includes a dramatic bloodstained orchid from Ecuador that mimics female flies to lure pollinators, and a flame-coloured shrub from Peru named after Calcifer, the…

Lawmakers from both parties reached a bipartisan deal in late 2025 to keep the federal government funded and prevent further shutdowns. The agreement highlights how cooperation across party lines can lead to practical solutions for national governance. The deal ensures that federal agencies continue operating without interruption. Funding covers essential services, including healthcare programs, national defense, and public safety initiatives. Officials say the agreement provides stability for government employees and the communities they serve. Congressional leaders emphasized the importance of compromise and dialogue in reaching the deal. Both parties recognized the consequences of a shutdown, including delayed services and economic…

Conservationists have confirmed the birth of rare mountain gorilla twins in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The birth occurred inside Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest protected area. Experts describe the event as exceptional for this endangered species. Community trackers discovered the 22-year-old mother, Mafuko, on Saturday. She cradled her newborn twins closely. Observers reported that the mother and her two baby sons appeared healthy. Twin births represent about one percent of all mountain gorilla births. Precise figures remain limited. Specialists therefore consider each case extremely significant. Life in a Conflict-Affected Region Virunga National Park lies in a region affected by…

Colorado’s high-profile wolf restoration program is facing new pressure from Washington, after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service warned it could strip the state of its authority to manage gray wolves if it fails to meet federal reporting requirements. The warning raises fresh questions about who should be in charge of the controversial program, which has drawn praise from conservationists and sharp criticism from ranchers and some federal officials. Federal Ultimatum Puts State Program at Risk In a letter dated Dec. 18, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik told Colorado Parks and Wildlife that the federal agency could…

Until recently, the butterfly pea flower ranked as just another climbing plant in rural Assam. Nilam Brahma, who lives in Anthaigwlao village, watched it grow unnoticed for years. Locals treated the vine as ornamental, not commercial. The plant carries a vivid blue flower and grows easily across fences and fields. In India, people also call it aparajita. About two years ago, Brahma noticed women earning money by selling the flowers. They sold them dried, brewed them into tea, or used them as natural dye. Brahma decided to join them and test the market herself. The results changed her expectations and…