Environment

Forest fires in Indonesia are sending smoke and haze toward Singapore just as the city prepares to host its Formula One Grand Prix. Race organisers are drawing up contingency plans in case air quality deteriorates further, with the regional haze posing a threat to one of the country's biggest sporting events, according to Al Jazeera reporting from the region.

Singapore's national water agency PUB has urged the public to avoid several areas in the city-state due to flash flood risks. The advisory follows heavy rainfall affecting parts of the island, with the agency warning people to stay clear of flood-prone locations for their safety. Updates on affected areas are being circulated widely as residents check conditions during the wet weather.

Donald Trump has touted an oil deal with Venezuela as the biggest in world history, but reporting points to major obstacles. The arrangement faces legal challenges and logistical problems, with questions over whether it can actually be implemented. Observers are questioning the scale of the claims and the feasibility of the agreement between Washington and Caracas.

A new Guardian documentary, 'Prison Letters', follows Max, a 14-year-old struggling with climate anxiety, as he writes letters to climate activists who have been imprisoned for direct action. The film traces his search for hope and his quest to understand the human stories behind protest movements and why so many climate demonstrators have served time in prison.

Singapore's national water agency PUB is urging the public to avoid numerous areas across the island because of flash flood risks. The advisory covers multiple locations as heavy rain raises the chance of sudden flooding, and residents are being told to stay clear of affected spots until conditions improve. The warning is drawing wide attention as Singaporeans check which areas are at risk.

Small island nations facing existential threats from rising seas and climate change are pressing the international community for stronger action, declaring 'we're not giving up.' The widely syndicated AP story frames these states as the moral voice of global climate negotiations, highlighting their activism despite limited power. The coverage is being picked up by outlets across the United States.

The United States has revoked federal limits on climate pollution from power plants, removing restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector. The move, reported by Human Rights Watch, is drawing attention as a significant rollback of US climate policy, with critics likely to raise concerns about its impact on emissions goals and air quality.

A typhoon has struck Japan, with authorities issuing evacuation orders or advisories to nearly two million residents as the storm brought heavy rain and damaging winds. The BBC reports on the scale of the warning and emergency response. People are closely following the storm's path and any reports of casualties or damage.

New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency as a powerful Nor'easter bears down on the region, forcing the cancellation of events and prompting officials to urge residents to stay off the roads. The storm is expected to bring heavy precipitation, strong winds and hazardous travel conditions, with authorities warning of possible power outages and coastal flooding across the two states.

Residents of a storm-damaged neighborhood in Wyandotte County, Kansas, learned a month after the fact about a savings arrangement with the Board of Public Utilities that could reduce their bills. The delay in notifying affected homeowners has drawn attention to how utility assistance and storm recovery information is being communicated in the area.

Hurricane Nolo has weakened as it approaches Hawaii, but the storm continues to bring heavy rain to the islands. Forecasters are tracking its path and warning residents about possible flooding and hazardous conditions, even as the system loses strength.

Warnings are circulating that a possible super El Nino event, amplified by global warming, could put as many as 450,000 lives at risk. The claim, highlighted in Marathi-language news coverage, links the intensifying El Nino pattern to deadly heatwaves, droughts and crop failures. Commenters are debating how far climate change is making these warming episodes stronger and more dangerous for vulnerable populations.

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.

Singapore's national water agency PUB says the flash flood at the junction of Neo Pee Teck Lane and Pasir Panjang Road has subsided. The flooding had disrupted the busy west coast junction, and PUB confirmed water levels have returned to normal. Residents have been sharing updates as heavy rain again tested Singapore's drainage network.

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.

Firefighters in Emerald Isle, North Carolina are responding to an active structure fire on Ocean Drive, according to local officials. Details about injuries, the extent of the damage, or what caused the blaze have not yet been released as crews work at the scene.

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.

Island nations facing rising seas and intensifying storms say they will not abandon their fight against climate change, despite mounting setbacks. Leaders and residents of low-lying states are pressing for stronger global action on emissions and climate finance as their homelands face existential threats from warming oceans and coastal erosion.

Winemakers worldwide are adopting new strategies to cope with climate change, which is altering growing seasons, harvest times and grape quality in traditional wine regions. Reported approaches include shifting to more resilient grape varieties, moving plantings to cooler altitudes and latitudes, changing vineyard management techniques and experimenting with new irrigation and shading methods. The story highlights how a sector closely tied to stable weather patterns is being forced to adapt its centuries-old practices.

Al Jazeera is reporting that climate change is redrawing coastlines, warning that rising sea levels pose a growing threat to coastal cities around the world. The coverage highlights how flooding, erosion and land loss are expected to displace communities and strain infrastructure in low-lying urban areas as warming oceans continue to expand and ice sheets melt.

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.

The European Union is moving to restrict the energy and water use of data centres, as the sector's rapid growth strains power grids and water supplies across the bloc. The proposal targets the booming infrastructure behind cloud computing and artificial intelligence, and is drawing debate about how far regulators should go in limiting an industry seen as key to Europe's digital economy.

A letter to the editor published in Mountain Xpress calls on readers to speak up in support of the Roadless Rule, arguing the policy is needed to protect wildlife habitats from road construction in national forests. The piece adds to ongoing public debate in the United States over whether roadless-area protections should be maintained, weakened or repealed.

Germany has for the first time formally committed to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The pledge, reported by the Guardian, marks a significant step in the country's climate policy and signals a planned end to reliance on coal, oil and gas. Reaction online has been largely focused on the ambition of the timeline and what it means for Europe's largest economy.

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.

Hurricane Polo has strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm while churning off Mexico's Pacific coast. Forecasters are tracking its projected path as residents and authorities along the coastline monitor for possible impacts, including heavy rain, dangerous surf and wind. News outlets are publishing maps of the storm's forecast track as it moves through the region.

Researchers are calling on organisers of the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, to use the Games as a catalyst for improving the region's air quality. Utah's valleys regularly suffer from pollution-trapping inversions, and scientists argue the Olympic spotlight should be leveraged to push for lasting clean-air policies rather than short-term measures.

An approaching storm on the US East Coast has led sports leagues and organizers to postpone or cancel scheduled events across the region. Teams and venues have adjusted calendars as conditions are expected to disrupt travel and outdoor competition. The Athletic reports the changes are spread across multiple sports throughout the affected area.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Kern County as a powerful El Niño-driven storm approaches the region. The move allows state resources to be mobilized quickly to support local response efforts. Residents in Bakersfield and surrounding communities are being urged to prepare for heavy rain, flooding and dangerous conditions.

Southern California is preparing for the effects of Hurricane Polo, with forecasters warning of potential rain, flooding and coastal impacts across the region. Emergency officials are urging residents to stay updated on alerts as the storm moves along the Pacific coast, though the exact track and severity remain uncertain.

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.

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.

Singapore recorded its joint-highest daily maximum temperature for September after the Woodlands Avenue 9 climate station reached 35.8°C at 3.27pm on Saturday, 26 September 2026. The reading ties the national September record and adds to ongoing concerns about rising heat in the city-state, with observers linking the milestone to broader climate change trends in Southeast Asia.

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.

Supporters of ending the US roadless rule argue it would let land managers build roads that help fight forest fires and improve wildlife access to habitats. Critics have long warned that opening protected roadless areas to development could harm ecosystems, making the proposal a flashpoint in forest policy debates.

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.

Energy costs and surging electricity demand from artificial intelligence are reshaping climate negotiations underway in New York. Delegates are weighing how to meet climate goals while power-hungry AI data centres drive up consumption, making affordability and grid capacity central issues alongside emissions targets.

A coastal storm has damaged or destroyed the ADA-accessible ramp at Ocean View Park in Norfolk, Virginia, knocking out a key access point for visitors with disabilities. The storm's impact on the beachfront park has drawn attention locally, with residents and accessibility advocates concerned about when the ramp will be repaired and what the damage means for public access to the waterfront.

Researchers report the first direct radio signal detected from a planet outside the solar system, a milestone in the search for worlds beyond our own. The detection, picked up by astronomers studying distant planetary systems, could open a new way to study exoplanets' magnetic fields and potential habitability. Scientists caution that more observations are needed to confirm the signal's origin.

Hurricane Nolo is bearing down on Hawaii, with forecasters warning of powerful winds and flash flooding as the storm approaches the islands. Residents are being told to prepare for dangerous conditions, including potential damage from high winds and rapid flooding in low-lying areas. The storm is drawing wide attention as Hawaii rarely faces direct hurricane threats.

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.

A powerful nor'easter storm is approaching the East Coast of the United States, prompting residents and officials to prepare for severe weather conditions. The New York Times is providing ongoing updates as the storm nears. Coastal communities are expected to face strong winds, heavy precipitation, and possible flooding, with emergency services on alert across affected states.