Environment

A powerful typhoon has struck Japan, with authorities issuing evacuation orders or advisories to nearly two million residents as the storm brings heavy rain and damaging winds. Coverage focuses on evacuation zones, transport disruption and the risk of flooding and landslides, with officials urging people in vulnerable areas to move to safety.

A Marathi-language news report warns that a possible Super El Nino event, intensified by global warming, could lead to as many as 450,000 deaths. The claim is circulating widely, drawing attention to the risks of extreme heat and climate disruption linked to a strong El Nino pattern, and prompting concern about preparedness and the growing human cost of climate change.

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze across the sea toward Singapore, just as the city-state prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans in case air quality deteriorates further. The regional haze is an annual problem linked to seasonal burning in Indonesia, and its arrival ahead of the major sporting event is drawing wide attention and concern.

Authorities in Japan have urged nearly two million people to evacuate as a powerful typhoon batters the country, bringing destructive winds and heavy rain. Emergency warnings have been issued across affected regions, with residents told to move to safety ahead of the storm's peak. The scale of the evacuation order reflects concerns about flooding, landslides and widespread damage.

The Pope has celebrated a large open-air Mass in Paris during a landmark visit to France, drawing crowds in the French capital. The trip is being closely watched as a significant moment for the Catholic Church's relationship with France, though further details of the visit and reactions to it remain limited in available reports.

Climate discussions in New York are being reshaped by two converging pressures: rising energy costs and the surging power demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure. Commentators note that the growing electricity needs of data centres are complicating emissions goals and forcing policymakers to rethink how climate commitments and energy affordability can be balanced in the years ahead.

Germany has committed for the first time to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The pledge marks a significant shift in the country's climate policy and is being widely discussed as one of the most ambitious timelines among major industrial economies, drawing attention to how Europe's largest economy plans to overhaul its energy system.

A powerful storm is sweeping through the northeastern United States, causing significant flooding and widespread power outages. Heavy rain and strong winds have disrupted communities across the region, with utility crews working to restore electricity. News outlets are tracking the storm's progress as residents brace for further impacts and local authorities respond to damaged and waterlogged areas.

A powerful nor'easter is battering the US East Coast, producing significant coastal flooding along the shores of New York and New Jersey. Both states have declared states of emergency as officials urge residents to avoid flooded roads and coastal areas. Heavy rain, strong winds and rising tides are expected to continue, with communities along the seaboard bracing for further disruption.

Donald Trump has touted an oil deal with Venezuela as the biggest in world history, but reporting by The Guardian finds the agreement faces serious legal and logistical obstacles. Questions remain over whether the deal can actually be implemented, casting doubt on the scale and feasibility of what the US president has promised.

Powerful storms are striking opposite sides of the United States at the same time, and forecasters point to El Niño as the driving force. The climate pattern, marked by warmer Pacific waters, is reshaping jet stream paths and steering severe weather toward both the West and East coasts, prompting warnings and preparedness efforts nationwide.

The Pacific Ocean is currently experiencing a cluster of hurricane activity, with The Atlantic reporting that the basin has become unusually crowded with storms. Multiple simultaneous hurricanes in the region raise concerns about potential impacts on coastal communities, shipping and Pacific island nations, and underscore broader questions about storm season intensity and ocean conditions.

Hurricane Polo has intensified into a powerful Category 4 storm while swirling off Mexico's Pacific coast. Forecasters are tracking its projected path as it moves through the eastern Pacific, with residents along Mexico's coastline watching closely for any shift in trajectory. Coverage is focusing on the storm's strength, expected movement, and potential impacts on coastal areas.

Climate activists are campaigning against AI data centers and Amazon's plan to build what would be the largest gas-fired power plant in the United States. Protesters argue that the booming energy demands of artificial intelligence are driving new fossil fuel infrastructure, undermining climate goals. The story, reported by Democracy Now!, highlights growing tension between the tech industry's expansion and environmental commitments.

Hurricane Polo has intensified into a major Category 3 storm while moving along Mexico's Pacific coast, with forecasters tracking its projected path. News outlets are publishing updates and tracking maps as residents and authorities in potentially affected coastal areas monitor the hurricane's strength and trajectory closely.

Two Pacific storms are threatening land simultaneously. Hurricane Nolo is taking aim at Hawaii, while Hurricane Polo, a powerful Category 4, is churning toward Mexico's Pacific coast. Officials in both regions are monitoring the storms' tracks and urging residents to prepare for possible heavy rain, high surf and strong winds as forecasts firm up.

A powerful storm struck the northeastern United States, forcing airlines to cancel flights and leaving large numbers of residents without electricity. The storm brought damaging winds and heavy precipitation across the region, with utility crews working to restore outages and travelers facing significant delays. Coverage of the disruption has drawn broad attention as the region assesses the damage.

New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency as a Nor'easter storm moves through the region, forcing the cancellation of events across both states. Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads as heavy snow, coastal flooding and strong winds disrupt travel and daily life, with conditions expected to worsen before the storm passes.

A powerful nor'easter storm is battering the northeastern United States, bringing heavy snow, strong winds and coastal flooding. Hundreds of flights have been canceled as airports work to clear runways and de-ice aircraft. Travelers are being warned of continued disruption, and officials are urging residents to stay off the roads as conditions remain hazardous across the region.

Reporting examines what climate justice would mean for Nepal after a deadly flood, highlighting the gap between the country's low greenhouse gas emissions and its heavy exposure to climate-driven disasters. The discussion centres on whether wealthy, high-emitting nations owe support to vulnerable countries like Nepal for loss and damage, and what fair recovery would require.

The European Union is moving to limit the energy and water consumption of data centres, according to Euronews. The proposed measures target the rapidly growing resource demands of digital infrastructure, which has drawn scrutiny amid rising electricity costs and water scarcity concerns across Europe. Commenters are discussing the potential impact on the tech industry and whether regulation can keep pace with expanding computing demand.

Global energy commentary highlights a paradox: wind and solar power capacity continues to expand rapidly, yet fossil fuel use is also climbing rather than declining. Analysts point out that renewables are adding to the energy mix without yet displacing coal, oil and gas, raising questions about whether climate targets can be met at current rates of transition.

Flash floods have struck Nepal, and an expert says climate change is to blame. Rising temperatures are believed to intensify monsoon rainfall, making sudden floods more frequent and severe in the Himalayan region. The comments add to a wider debate about how a warming climate is driving extreme weather disasters across South Asia.

Hurricane Polo has strengthened to a Category 4 storm and is bearing down on Mexico's Pacific coast, with landfall expected on Monday. Authorities in coastal states are expected to brace for damaging winds, heavy rain and storm surge. Forecasters warn the storm could weaken before landfall, but residents are being urged to monitor official advisories closely.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about extending Serbia's gas supply agreement, and Belgrade says it hopes the deal will be prolonged. Serbia relies heavily on Russian gas, and the call signals continued energy cooperation between the two countries despite pressure on European states to reduce dependence on Russian energy supplies.

The Guardian has published an explainer on El Niño, the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific that can drive droughts, floods and heatwaves across the globe. The piece outlines what causes the phenomenon, how it disrupts weather patterns, and what steps communities and governments can take to reduce the risks it poses.

Climate rallies are being organised across France following a summer of record-breaking heat. Demonstrators are expected to gather in multiple cities to demand stronger government action on climate change, after months in which temperature records were broken nationwide. The events highlight growing public pressure on French authorities over environmental policy and the country's response to increasingly extreme summer weather.

The UN's humanitarian chief has said preventing a third world war is now the organisation's top priority, pointing to militarised artificial intelligence and climate change as key risks. The remarks, reported by Caliber.Az, also referenced a proposed 'Board of Peace' as part of discussions on global governance and conflict prevention.

Researchers have detected a direct radio signal from a planet outside the solar system for the first time. The detection, reported by media outlets, marks a milestone in the search for planets around other stars, as radio emissions from exoplanets had previously only been theorized. Scientists say such signals could offer a new way to study magnetic fields and habitability of distant worlds.

Iraq has resumed oil trucking operations after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted tanker shipments, a key export route for its crude. Baghdad is relying on overland routes and its pipeline through Turkey to keep oil moving while the vital waterway remains shut. The move highlights how the closure is reshaping global energy flows.

Severe storms swept across parts of North America over the weekend, bringing dangerous weather conditions to communities in the United States and Canada. News outlets are publishing photo galleries documenting the damage and dramatic scenes, as residents and officials assess the aftermath and warn of continued hazards.

A climate lawsuit brought by the City of Boulder against fossil fuel companies is set to reach the US Supreme Court, according to reporting from CU Boulder Today. The case is considered a landmark in climate litigation, and observers are weighing what is at stake: whether cities can hold energy companies financially liable for local climate damages. The outcome could shape similar lawsuits across the country.

New reporting suggests India has warmed more slowly than many regions, but researchers caution this apparent slower warming may be deceptive. Pollution particles and cloud cover are believed to be masking the true extent of heat buildup across the country, meaning underlying warming could be far greater than surface temperature records indicate, with potentially serious implications for India's climate future.

California has declared a state of emergency covering the entire state as officials prepare for a strong El Niño forecast to bring heavy rain, flooding and storms. The declaration allows agencies to mobilise resources, pre-position equipment and respond quickly as conditions deteriorate. News coverage across the state is drawing wide attention as residents brace for severe winter weather.

The Trump administration's crackdown on solar companies with Chinese ties is slowing the wave of new solar manufacturing factories that had been planned or under construction in the United States. The measures, aimed at curbing Chinese influence in the supply chain, are reportedly causing investment delays and putting the momentum of the domestic solar factory boom at risk.

The US Energy Information Administration projects that solar power will generate more electricity than coal in Texas in 2026, marking a historic shift in the state's energy mix. Texas, the leading US energy producer, has seen rapid solar capacity growth alongside declining coal generation. The projection highlights the accelerating pace of the energy transition in a state long defined by oil and gas.

California is looking to turn a potentially wet El Niño winter into an opportunity, pursuing efforts to capture stormwater from the big storms expected to hit the state. Officials want to store runoff to recharge groundwater supplies and boost reservoirs, rather than letting it flow out to sea, as drought-strained water systems seek any advantage from the pattern.

Hurricane Nolo is expected to hit Hawaii with powerful winds and flash flooding, according to Canadian Press reporting. Forecasters warn residents to prepare for dangerous conditions as the storm approaches the islands. The approaching hurricane is drawing wide attention as authorities and locals brace for potential damage and disruption across affected areas of Hawaii.

A powerful Nor'easter is set to strike the US East Coast, bringing heavy rainfall, coastal flooding and significant beach erosion. Forecasters warn that strong onshore winds and prolonged precipitation could cause dangerous conditions in coastal communities as the storm moves up the seaboard. Residents in affected areas are being urged to monitor warnings and prepare for possible flooding and property damage.

Some television meteorologists are working to connect weather forecasts to climate change, a practice known as climate reporting on-air. Many viewers, and some broadcasters, remain resistant to hearing climate context during routine forecasts. The debate reflects broader tension between scientists' urgency and audience pushback, as local weather presenters become a frontline channel for climate communication.

A major battery storage facility is being built in Waltrop, Germany, at a cost of around 500 million euros. The project would use 800 containers of lithium batteries to store up to 1,800 megawatt-hours of electricity and deliver up to 900 megawatts of power, allowing surplus wind and solar energy to be fed into the grid. It is being discussed as an example of Germany's push to expand grid-scale storage for renewable energy.

A new player has emerged in the growing conflict over siting solar farms on agricultural land, according to Politico. The dispute pits renewable energy developers seeking open space for large-scale solar projects against farmers and rural communities concerned about losing productive farmland. The identity and motives of this unlikely influential figure are drawing attention as the battle over land use and clean energy intensifies across rural areas.

Winemakers are adopting new strategies to cope with climate change, as rising temperatures and extreme weather threaten harvests and grape quality. Reported approaches include experimenting with drought-resistant grape varieties, shifting vineyards to cooler elevations and latitudes, adjusting harvesting times, and using new vineyard water and soil management techniques. The story highlights how a traditionally tradition-bound industry is rethinking production methods to protect its future.

Palm Beach County, Florida — Donald Trump's home county — has placed a moratorium on new data center projects, citing worries about environmental impacts and rising electricity bills for residents. The decision comes as communities across the United States grapple with the rapid growth of energy-hungry data centers fuelled by the AI boom, with local officials weighing economic benefits against costs to ratepayers and natural resources.