Author: Rachel Maddow

Wildlife experts accused the UK government of ignoring environmental promises in its new Planning and Infrastructure Bill. The proposed legislation, designed to “speed up and streamline” housing and infrastructure projects, has passed the House of Commons and now sits before the House of Lords. Conservation groups insist there is still time to oppose what they call a “disastrous” attack on nature. The government described the Bill as “central to Britain’s economic growth and housing revival.” However, The Wildlife Trusts warned ministers are “digging graves for wildlife.” Campaigners from Protect the Wild said, “We cannot stand by while nature is destroyed…

A neglected patch of land near Derby County’s Pride Park stadium has been transformed into a thriving habitat for ground-nesting birds. Derby City Council invested £43,237.01 to create ideal breeding conditions at The Sanctuary Bird and Wildlife Reserve, located between the River Derwent and the stadium. Workers developed plots with short vegetation, bare soil, gravel areas, and permanent water pools to attract various bird species. The new environment now supports lapwings, plovers, skylarks, reed buntings, sand martins, and blackcaps. Officials hope the site will become one of the region’s key breeding areas. Investment Strengthens Local Conservation Efforts The Sanctuary, established…

Conservationists in New South Wales released fourteen endangered Tasmanian devils back into the wild after devastating weather destroyed their habitats. The release followed months of care and restoration efforts led by the wildlife organization Aussie Ark. Their ordeal began in May 2025 when severe floods inundated large parts of Australia. Entire towns were cut off, farmland disappeared underwater, and national parks shut down. Two months later, a rare “bomb cyclone” battered the east coast, unleashing hurricane-force winds and further flooding. In August, New South Wales faced another blow as heavy snowfall blanketed the region with up to 16 inches—the thickest…

Mumbai Airport Customs officers arrested a passenger for smuggling 154 exotic animals into India, officials confirmed on Friday. Acting on specific intelligence, officers intercepted the suspect at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after he arrived from Bangkok. Authorities detained him immediately for inspection. Officials Seize Hidden Exotic Species During inspection, Customs officers discovered a large collection of rare wildlife concealed inside the passenger’s trolley bag. The recovered species included 66 corn snakes, 31 hognose snakes, 26 armadillo lizards, 11 bearded dragons, 4 yellow anacondas, 4 water monitor lizards, 3 yellow-footed tortoises, 3 albino snapping turtles, 2 red-footed tortoises, 2 iguanas,…

The Trump administration announced new actions to open Alaskan wilderness for energy and infrastructure expansion, including oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Officials outlined several policy changes affecting the vast refuge, home to polar bears, Porcupine caribou, migratory birds, and other species. The Interior Department confirmed it will reopen the full 1.56-million-acre Coastal Plain of the ANWR for leasing, overturning restrictions imposed by the Biden administration. Lawmakers and tribal corporations in Alaska support drilling for jobs and revenue, while environmentalists push to protect the fragile ecosystem. Officials Highlight Energy Independence and Growth The ANWR spans 19…

The European Union faces growing pressure to tighten its wildlife trade laws as weak regulations keep it a major hub for trafficked species. Conservation groups and lawmakers demand stronger rules, including criminalising the import of illegally sourced wildlife and creating an EU-wide tracking database. Europe’s current system still allows loopholes. Species protected abroad often enter the EU and are sold freely once inside. Traffickers exploit this gap by labelling wild-caught animals as captive-bred, avoiding detection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). “Despite progress, the EU remains one of the world’s largest markets and transit hubs for…

SINGAPORE, Oct 20 — Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks) seized several endangered animals during coordinated raids earlier this month. Officers confiscated a leopard tortoise, a spiny-tailed monitor lizard, and 14 other wildlife specimens on October 9. NParks said in a statement to The Straits Times that enforcement teams raided six locations island-wide. The operation targeted individuals selling wildlife illegally through online platforms, including Telegram. Among the rescued animals were yellow-headed day geckos and an Argentine black-and-white tegu. NParks staff transported all the animals to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation in Lim Chu Kang, where veterinarians now provide care. Operation Targets…

Environmental groups have warned that a new government levy could put dormice, otters, and other vulnerable species at serious risk. The Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL) — a coalition of 90 environmental organizations — released a report warning of a “black hole” in scientific evidence supporting the plan. Under the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill, developers could pay a “nature restoration levy” instead of following current rules protecting wildlife. Ministers claim the levy will balance economic growth and conservation, but environmentalists argue it may accelerate species decline. Officials pointed to the district-level licensing system for great crested newts as a…

European real estate continues to show resilience, even amid market volatility and economic uncertainty. Prime properties across major cities are maintaining value, driven by strong demand, low vacancy rates, and limited supply in key segments. Analysts report that certain parts of the market are generating pricing power for property owners. Investors who adopt hands-on operational strategies can optimize returns by actively managing assets, from tenant relations to property improvements. Low vacancy rates remain a central factor in market stability. Many urban centers in Europe are seeing high occupancy levels in office, residential, and mixed-use developments. This trend helps landlords sustain…

The Trump administration plans to allow oil and gas leasing across the entire Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) coastal plain, ending over four decades of protection, according to documents reviewed by POLITICO. Officials expect the Interior Department to announce the decision later this month, though the government shutdown could delay it. The move would fulfill Donald Trump’s 2017 promise to expand energy production on Alaska’s North Slope. It also continues a ten-year regulatory battle over drilling in the 1.56-million-acre tundra that President Biden later paused during his term. The Interior Department will also reinstate seven leases that Alaska acquired in…