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Nepal hikes Everest climbing fee by a third

Nepal has hiked the cost of an Everest climbing permit by a third, arguing it will help tackle pollution and boost safety on the world's highest mountain, the tourism chief said Tuesday.

Biathlon great Fourcade refuses to 'sacrifice convictions' for 2030 Olympics presidency

French biathlon great Martin Fourcade said Monday he would "not sacrifice his convictions" as he spurned the presidency of the 2030 Winter Olympics.

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Key Spanish lagoon dries out due to drought, overexploitation

The largest permanent lagoon in drought-hit southern Spain's Donana natural park, home of one of Europe's largest wetlands, has completely dried out for the second summer in a row.

UN finishes removing oil from decaying Yemen tanker

The United Nations said Friday that it had successfully transferred more than one million barrels of oil from a dilapidated Yemeni tanker, removing the imminent risk of a spill.

Indonesia says capital pollution spike due to weather, vehicles

Indonesia's government on Friday blamed a pollution spike in traffic-clogged capital Jakarta on weather patterns and vehicle emissions after the city topped global rankings four days this week.

Hawaii fire death toll expected to rise 'very significantly': governor

The death toll from a terrifying wildfire that razed a historic Hawaiian town is expected to rise "very significantly", the state's governor said Thursday, with 36 people already known to have perished.

Rio Tinto to build largest solar plant in Canada's north

Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto announced on Thursday that it will begin construction of the largest solar power plant in northern Canada on the site of its Diavik diamond mine.

Major-winner Morikawa pledges $1,000 per birdie to Hawaii fire relief

Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa has pledged to donate $1,000 for every birdie he makes in the US PGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs to fire relief efforts in Hawaii.

Indonesia capital hit by major pollution spikes: monitor

Indonesian capital Jakarta has been the world's most polluted city on four days this week, according to air quality monitor IQAir, as authorities fail to grapple with a spike in toxic smog.

Fast-moving wildfire kills at least 6 as it razes Hawaiian town

A wildfire that turned a historic Hawaiian town to ashes killed at least six people, officials said Wednesday, with desperate residents jumping into the ocean in a bid to escape the fast-moving flames.

Pakistan climber cleanses K2 as shrine to fallen father

Gazing up from K2 Basecamp, Sajid Ali Sadpara sees Earth's second-highest mountain, his father's final resting place, and a blight of litter on the furthest reaches of the natural world.

Israel's pioneering use of water 'to the last drop'

In the scorching summer heat, an Israeli farmer tends to a dripline taking a mix of ground and recycled water to palm trees -- an approach honed for decades in the arid country and now drawing wide interest abroad.

At least 6 dead as wildfire razes Hawaiian town

At least six people have been killed in a wildfire that has razed a Hawaiian town, officials said Wednesday, as desperate residents jumped into the ocean in a bid to escape the fast-moving flames.

'Mother Nature needs money,' Lula tells rich countries at summit

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged wealthy nations Wednesday to fulfill their unkept promises to fund developing countries' fight against climate change, at a summit on saving the world's tropical forests.

Wind-whipped Hawaii wildfires force evacuations, water rescues

Wildfires whipped by hurricane winds triggered evacuations in parts of Hawaii on Wednesday with the Coast Guard rescuing some residents forced into the ocean to escape the smoke and flames, officials said.

Land and sea efforts to save reefs must work together: study

A new study offers a glimmer of hope in efforts to save the world's coral reefs, which play a vital role in underwater life but have been put under threat by rising ocean temperatures.

Hawaii wildfires force evacuations, water rescues

Wildfires whipped by hurricane winds triggered evacuations in parts of Hawaii early Wednesday with some residents forced into the ocean to escape the smoke and flames, officials said.

El Nino could imperil Australia's Great Barrier Reef

Australia's Great Barrier Reef could deteriorate if warming ocean temperatures spark another mass coral bleaching event later this year, the country's top marine science body said Wednesday.

Biden, in environment push, protects lands near Grand Canyon

Joe Biden used the backdrop of the Grand Canyon Tuesday to champion the climate fight -- and distinguishing himself from the Republican right -- by designating large swathes of surrounding sacred land with protective status.

With Grand Canyon visit, Biden champions the environment

Joe Biden will draw on an awe-inspiring backdrop Tuesday to present himself as an environmental champion: At the Grand Canyon, the US president will formally unveil a nearby protected area designed to curb uranium mining.

July hottest month on record: EU climate observatory

July was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth, the European Union's climate observatory confirmed Tuesday.

Erdogan defends expansion of controversial coal mine

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday dismissed environmental protests over the felling of trees to expand a coal mine in southwest Turkey, saying the campaign was led by "marginals".

Relief and despair: repeal of logging ban divides Kenya

It was the news Kenya's timber industry had waited over five years to hear: a ban on logging was over, and the country's forests were once again open for business.

Huge blue whale washes ashore in southern Chile

An enormous blue whale, considered the largest animal on Earth, has washed up onto a beach in southern Chile, probably after dying at sea, local authorities said Sunday.

Tunisian brand turns sea plastic into green couture

The two men in bright overalls rooting for plastic on a Tunisian beach do so to make a living, but also in the knowledge that they are helping the environment.

Scots train ancient dog breed to deter eagle attacks

Dotted among a small flock of sheep in a field in the Scottish Highlands, Luigi and Peaches, two young working dogs with thick white coats, are busy being trained to keep watch on the skies above.

Antivenom shortages, ignorance plague snakebite victims in Venezuela

When a girl suffered a snakebite in Venezuela, her family had her injected with deer urine along with antivenom, opting in part for a home remedy. Her leg later had to be amputated.

Death toll rises to 30 in northern China floods

At least 10 people were killed in floods in a city near Beijing, officials said Saturday, bringing the death toll from recent torrential rains in northern China to at least 30.

Lula to host S.American summit on saving the Amazon

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will host a regional summit next week with planetary stakes, as leaders of the countries that share the Amazon seek a roadmap to save the world's biggest rainforest.

Drought-hit Panama Canal must 'adapt or die' as water levels drop

The Panama Canal, an engineering wonder allowing ships to travel between two oceans, is seeking to adapt to climate change after a biting drought has seen traffic and income dry up.

World's oceans set new surface temperature record: EU monitor

The world's oceans set a new temperature record this week, raising concerns about knock-on effects on the planet's climate, marine life and coastal communities.

Discarded plastic blights Honduran mangrove island

A heron chick flutters clumsily after hatching in a nest on a mangrove island littered with plastic waste in the Gulf of Fonseca, along the Pacific Coast of Central America.

London mayor unveils new support over road pollution charge

London's mayor announced Thursday increased financial support for owners of more polluting vehicles impacted by his contentious extension of a daily charge when driving them in the British capital.

Half million youths give pope rock star welcome in Lisbon

Half a million young people chanted, cheered and shouted on Thursday as they packed a Lisbon park to give Pope Francis a rock star welcome at the official opening ceremony of a global Catholic youth festival.

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