Author: OMN AI

Amazon lakes have hit dangerously high temperatures amid record drought and heatwaves, turning once-vital ecosystems into deadly hot tubs. Researchers from Brazil’s Mamirauá Institute for Sustainable Development recorded water temperatures of up to 41°C (106°F) in Lake Tefé, where the shallow, two-metre-deep waters grew so hot that “you couldn’t even put your fingers in the water,” said lead scientist Ayan Fleischmann. The extreme heat led to mass die-offs of fish and endangered pink river dolphins, with around 200 dolphin carcasses found floating in the lake over six weeks in late 2023. Half of the 10 lakes studied across the central…

DISTRICT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A trio of African servals slipped out of their pen at a Berks County wildlife refuge after powerful winds brought down a tree that tore through part of their habitat, the center confirmed this week. The Cricket Wildlife Center, located along Bitting Road near Alburtis, reported that a storm late Tuesday night caused heavy damage when a falling tree crushed fencing around the servals’ outdoor area. Staff discovered the breach the next morning and found the cats missing. In a message posted to Facebook, the center urged local residents not to panic or attempt to capture…

As the COP30 summit begins in Belém, world leaders have sharply criticised US President Donald Trump for rejecting climate science. Trump, who skipped the gathering in the Amazonian city, was called a liar by the presidents of Colombia and Chile for denying global warming. Global unity on climate falters UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer admitted that international consensus on climate action has weakened. He said it had once united countries across political lines but added, “today sadly that consensus is gone.” Over the next two weeks, nations will negotiate a new deal focused on funding forest protection. However, leaders…

Britain’s once-common red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) has declined sharply over the past 30 years, largely due to intensive farming that has stripped away its habitat. But researchers believe an unlikely ally — solar farms — could aid the species’ recovery. A study of more than 1,000 solar farms found that sites managed for wildlife, with wildflower planting and hedgerows, hosted more than twice as many bumblebees as those covered only in turf. While the boost in numbers was mainly within the farms themselves, scientists say that creating a network of pollinator-friendly solar farms could significantly improve bee populations across the…

The Prince of Wales has announced the five winners of this year’s Earthshot Prize, describing them as “an inspiration that gives us courage”. During the awards ceremony at Rio de Janeiro’s Museum of Tomorrow, Prince William said their work showed that “progress is possible”. Winners include a project that makes South America’s Atlantic Forest financially sustainable and a global ocean treaty aiming to protect marine life. Brazilian football icon Cafu, Olympic gymnast Rebeca Andrade, and former Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel helped present the awards. Pop star Kylie Minogue thrilled the crowd with a medley of hits, including Padam Padam…

Palo Alto officials introduced a sweeping “dark sky” ordinance that requires residents to turn off outdoor lights by midnight. The City Council will review the proposal on November 10, aiming to protect wildlife and reduce light pollution across the region. Under the new policy, light trespass limits would tighten from 0.5 to 0.1 foot-candle. The rule would affect most outdoor areas, including trails in the Baylands Nature Preserve. Officials said the measure would protect nocturnal species, reduce disorientation among birds, and restore natural habitats. “This law focuses on protecting ecosystems from constant artificial light,” city planners explained in a report.…

U.S. autonomous-security drone startup Sunflower Labs has closed $16 million in Series B funding and received nationwide Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. This milestone opens large new markets and technology applications for the company. Sunflower Labs specializes in autonomous drones designed for security and surveillance. Its drones can patrol large areas, detect intrusions, and provide real-time alerts, enhancing safety for commercial, industrial, and residential clients. The Series B funding will accelerate product development, expand manufacturing capabilities, and scale operations. The investment also supports software improvements, including enhanced AI for object detection, flight path optimization, and automated threat response.…

U.S. startup Teleskope, based in New York, has raised $25 million in Series A funding to advance its platform for detecting, classifying, and protecting sensitive enterprise data. The company focuses on securing information across cloud environments, SaaS applications, and endpoint devices. Teleskope’s platform uses advanced analytics and machine learning to identify sensitive data, monitor access, and enforce security policies in real time. This approach helps organizations prevent data breaches, comply with regulations, and safeguard critical information. The new funding will accelerate product development, expand the team, and drive innovation in data security. Teleskope plans to enhance its platform with automated threat…

Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary in Whangārei announced it will euthanize seven elderly lions after exhausting all financial options. The sanctuary confirmed its permanent closure on Tuesday, citing the inability to fund care for the aging animals. “There were no real options left,” said sanctuary operator Janette Vallance. “The staff and I are devastated.” The lions, aged between 18 and 21, have already surpassed their typical lifespan in the wild. The sanctuary explored relocation but found no realistic rehoming opportunities within New Zealand. “The memories and legacy of these incredible animals will live on in many hearts,” the park said in a…

New modelling from the University of Queensland has found the Great Barrier Reef could suffer a “rapid coral decline” by 2050, but may still recover if global heating is limited to under 2C. The study, published in Nature Communications, challenges previous assumptions that the reef’s collapse would be irreversible beyond 1.5C of warming. However, scientists warn that the reef’s natural resilience will be overwhelmed if temperatures rise much higher. “If we stay on the pathway we’re on, it’s a very bad and grim future for corals,” said Prof Peter Mumby, who co-led the research. Current global climate policies are expected…