Author: OMN AI

Researchers warn Australian governments fail to protect native wildlife from road fatalities effectively.Every year, millions of animals die in collisions, creating risks for both fauna and humans.Road crashes involve drivers, rescuers, and veterinary staff, adding social and economic costs.Wildlife Victoria reported a 288% rise in calls about animal collisions over the past decade.The organisation helped 311 species, with kangaroos accounting for 50–60% of cases.The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) recorded nearly 7,000 claims linked to animal impacts last year.Experts estimate Australia kills up to 10 million animals annually on roads. Existing Measures Remain Patchy Road tunnels, rope bridges, land…

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…

The ArtEast cultural event is growing across the Metro East region of Illinois. This year, 25 studios and galleries in cities including Edwardsville, Alton, and Troy are participating. The expanded program offers open studios, live demonstrations, and community engagement activities. Visitors can meet artists, watch them at work, and explore a wide range of creative practices. Organizers say the expansion reflects growing interest in local arts and community participation. The event aims to make art more accessible and encourage connections between artists and the public. Participants include painters, sculptors, photographers, and mixed-media artists. Each studio showcases unique work, offering visitors…

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,…

A person in the United States has been reported as the first known human to die from the rare H5N5 strain of bird flu, though health officials say the risk to the general public remains low. The victim was an older adult from Grays Harbor County in Washington state who had underlying health conditions. According to the Washington State Department of Health, the individual was hospitalized in early November after developing a high fever, confusion and respiratory symptoms. Health officials said the person kept a backyard flock of domestic poultry that had been exposed to wild birds, which is believed…

A long-time campaigner called the destruction of a local wildlife corridor heartbreaking as builders cleared the land.Phil Shakespeare described the green strip as an oasis that offered calm beside an Asda store in Oldbury.He led residents in efforts to protect the site, but an appeal allowed plans for 60 homes to proceed in April.Developers have now flattened the area, and new aerial images show stark changes from last year.Local people raised concerns about wildlife loss, increased congestion and privacy issues.They also feared rising pollution from the nearby M5 motorway.Shakespeare said the felled trees once helped absorb harmful emissions from heavy…

Millions of Mexicans are holding on to the country’s 50 peso banknote, which features the beloved axolotl, turning it into one of the most hoarded notes in recent history. First released in 2021, the note – inspired by a real axolotl named Gorda from a Mexico City museum – was named “Note of the Year” by the International Bank Notes Society. A new report from the Bank of Mexico shows that around 12.9 million people are actively holding onto the note, with roughly $150m worth currently out of circulation. Many people say they keep the note simply because they love…

U.S. authorities helped Peru seize about 10,000 shark fins destined for China, one of Latin America’s largest wildlife trafficking cases.Police arrested three men linked to a transnational network involved in illegal fishing and smuggling.Peru’s Organized Crime Investigation Division led the operation, targeting fins from threatened species including blue and thresher sharks. Cruel Trade Fuels Extinction Traffickers slice fins off live sharks, discarding them to die from blood loss, suffocation, or predation.Shark fins sell for up to $100 a bowl in Chinese cuisine, maintaining high profits for traffickers.The illegal wildlife trade generates up to $20 billion annually, rivaling drug and arms…

The Trump administration has unveiled a plan to weaken key protections under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), prompting strong concern from conservation experts who warn the changes could accelerate the extinction crisis. The proposal would give the federal government more flexibility to weigh economic impacts when designating critical habitats, remove safeguards that account for future threats such as climate change, and end the long-standing rule that automatically gives threatened species the same protections as endangered ones. Newly listed species could also face delays in receiving protections while tailored rules are developed. The plan would narrow the definition of “critical habitat,”…

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…