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Mosquitoes: bloodsuckers and flower lovers

When a mosquito tries to bite biology professor David Inouye during fieldwork among orchids in Colorado, he pauses before swatting the bug. If it's dusted with pollen, he lets it live.

New Zealand moves to halt lawsuits over climate damage

New Zealand will change the law to prevent courts from holding companies liable for "climate change damage" linked to greenhouse gas emissions, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said on Tuesday.

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Dirty diapers born again in Japan recycling breakthrough

Billions of dirty diapers end up buried or burned every year in Japan -- more from seniors than babies -- but a recycling breakthrough has given them a new lease of life, one hot mess at a time.

Eight people arrested in Brazil for 'brutal' attack on capybara

Rio de Janeiro police said Monday they had arrested eight people for brutally beating a capybara -- the world's largest rodent whose chill demeanor has inspired countless memes online in recent years.

Middle East war to dominate Houston's 'Davos of Energy'

Energy industry leaders will converge on Texas this week for an annual conference dominated by oil and gas supply disruptions from the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Records shattered as US heatwave moves eastward

A record-breaking heatwave afflicting the western half of the United States moved eastward Saturday toward the center of the country, bringing unseasonably warm temperatures to places that were at freezing or below just a week prior.

In Finland, divers learn to explore icy polar waters

In a square hole carved out of the thick ice, two divers vanished into the depths of an Arctic lake, leaving nothing but bubbles at the surface.

Vanishing glacier on Germany's highest peak prompts ski lift demolition

Vanishing glaciers atop Germany's highest mountain prompted the demolition of a ski lift Friday, as global warming reshapes the Alps.

Somaliland centre saves cheetahs from trafficking to Gulf palaces

The 127 cheetahs living in a Somaliland sanctuary were all torn away from their mothers to be kept as pets in the Gulf, survivors of a trade that threatens the very survival of the species.

Wild possum shelters with plush toys in Australian airport shop

A wild possum joined stuffed furry friends in an Australian airport gift shop this week, surprising travellers in an adorable case of hide and squeak.

TotalEnergies faces ruling in Belgian farmer climate case

A Belgian judge will rule Wednesday in a closely watched case pitting French oil giant TotalEnergies against a farmer seeking compensation for damage to his farm caused by climate change.

Two men in Kenyan court for ant-smuggling

Two men appeared in a Nairobi court on Tuesday accused of attempting to smuggle thousands of ants to China, a lucrative trade exposed last year in the east African country.

During Ramadan, Senegal's Baye Fall community lives to serve

Thousands of followers of a unique Senegalese Muslim community, the Baye Fall, worked with electric fervour on a recent morning preparing iftar meals for breaking the Ramadan fast, even though they themselves were not fasting.

In sea-change, UK may abandon homes to coastal erosion

In an English seaside village, researchers discuss options for relocating a graveyard threatened with slipping into the sea, or moving back a car park perilously close to a cliff edge.

With new ships, Canada aims to be 'icebreaking superpower'

At a massive shipyard in North Vancouver, Canadian workers grind metal beams for a powerful new icebreaker crucial to cementing the country's presence in the increasingly contested Arctic.

The rain in Spain was worst in nearly 50 years

Spain endured its wettest January and February in almost half a century, with a string of deadly storms lashing the country, national weather agency AEMET said Thursday.

Earth's ice is melting: where and how fast?

Melting glaciers and ice sheets are raising sea levels while the Arctic is poised to log one of its worst winters on record.

Yak hack: Kyrgyz want the world to love their blonde bovine beauties

Dozens of white yaks frolicked in the pristine snow of the vast Kyrgyz mountains, butting heads and locking horns as their herders watched on from their horses.

Greece hopes eco moorings will protect vital seagrass colonies

At the popular yachting harbour of Porto Rafti near Athens, a project is underway to protect a vulnerable seagrass species vital to the health of the Mediterranean.

Iran launches missiles as Khamenei's son takes charge

Iran fired missiles at Israel and Gulf nations early Monday after the Islamic republic named Mojtaba Khamenei its new leader to succeed his late father despite threats by the United States and Israel to target him next.

Philippines' 'Cockroach Lord' goes to bat for misunderstood bugs

A thin band of light from Cristian Lucanas's headlamp pierces the blackness of a Philippine rainforest as he digs through the underbrush before gently scooping up a cockroach with his bare hands.

Grooming makes Crufts debut as UK dog show widens offer

With her nose pointing high in the air, back arched and legs suitably astride, Raven stood proud on the grooming table as an expert judge appraised her condition.

El Nino may return in 2026 and make planet even hotter

The warming El Nino weather phenomenon could form later this year, potentially pushing global temperatures to record heights.

Activists pressure Milan Fashion Week to go fully fur-free

Animal activists have been turning up the heat on Milan Fashion Week to adopt a fully fur-free policy, with dozens of protesters demonstrating outside the Giorgio Armani show on Sunday.

UK supermarket suspends mackerel sales in 'stand against overfishing'

British supermarket chain Waitrose on Thursday said it was suspending the sale of mackerel to take "a decisive stand against overfishing".

Automaker Stellantis posts massive loss, pivots from EV

Troubled automaker Stellantis, behind brands like Jeep and Fiat, announced Thursday a net loss of 22.3 billion euros ($26.3 billion) for last year, blaming a lack of demand for electric vehicles.

Hope fades in search for missing after Brazil rains kill 46

Despair hung over two cities in southeastern Brazil on Wednesday as rescuers and residents searched for 21 people missing after torrential rains unleashed flooding and landslides that killed at least 46.

New Zealand mayor swims to allay sewage contamination fears

The mayor of New Zealand's capital city took an afternoon dip on Wednesday hoping to assuage public fears after a breakdown at a local wastewater treatment plant pumped raw sewage into the ocean and sprayed faecal matter on coastal homes.

Post-it maker 3M on trial in Belgium over 'forever' chemicals

Belgians living near a 3M plant called for justice Tuesday at the opening of a trial against the US multinational maker of Post-it and Scotch tape over pollution from so-called forever chemicals.

Italy's Enel to invest 20bn euros in renewables by 2028

Italian power giant Enel said Monday it was boosting investment in renewables, with planned spending of 20 billion euros ($23.6 billion) by 2028 focused on Europe and the United States.

'Solar sheep' help rural Australia go green, one panel at a time

Australian farmer Tom Warren's solar panels look like any other -- until you spot the dozens of sheep grazing and napping, helping the country transition to green energy and earning him a decent income while doing it.

Virus kills dozens of tigers in Thailand park

A deadly virus and bacterial infection have killed at least 72 tigers at a private animal park in Thailand's north in recent weeks, authorities said.

158 giant tortoises reintroduced to a Galapagos island

More than 150 giant tortoises have been reintroduced to Floreana Island in Ecuador's famed Galapagos archipelago where they disappeared more than a century ago, the environment ministry said Friday.

Turkey, Saudi sign major solar power deal

Saudi Arabia will help Turkey build solar plants capable of powering more than two million homes, under a deal the two countries signed Friday that aims to deepen energy cooperation between the key regional players.

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