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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.

Cash-keen Taliban betting on Afghanistan's mines

A miner in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan poured water over a block of jade, exposing the green stone that is part of the Taliban authorities' push to capitalise on the country's rich mineral resources.

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Heat wave set to sizzle southern California

A dangerous heat wave was settling over southern California on Monday, as temperature records continued to fall across the United States, from Texas to Tampa Bay.

Global goals on fighting poverty, inequality 'in peril': UN

The goals the world set to ease extreme poverty, improve access to drinking water and take steps toward sustainable development for all humanity are "in peril," the United Nations has said in a report published Monday.

Top French photo fest shows unseen work by US legend Saul Leiter

A host of never before seen work by the late great US artist Saul Leiter is being showcased at one of the world's biggest photography festivals in France.

Saudi should 'review' emissions targets: French minister

Saudi Arabia should review its goals for lowering carbon emissions and consider adopting targets to be met as soon as 2030, France's energy transition minister told AFP in the kingdom.

Sweet success: Jordan's beekeepers busy as honey demand soars

Jordan's key tourism industry may have been hammered by Covid, but the pandemic gave a boost to another sector, keeping its beekeepers busy as demand for honey has soared.

Yellen urges 'direct' talks, US-China climate collaboration

Washington and Beijing should communicate "directly" on concerns about specific economic practices, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Saturday, urging greater cooperation between the two biggest economies despite fraught ties.

Three charged over Wimbledon climate protests

London police on Friday charged three people with aggravated trespass over two incidents at the Wimbledon tennis tournament, when climate protesters interrupted play and scattered jigsaw pieces on the court.

At least 50 dead in Pakistan monsoon floods

At least 50 people, including eight children, have been killed by floods and landslides triggered by monsoon rains that have lashed Pakistan since last month, officials said Friday.

Germany's new big hope against warming - heat pumps

As Germany looks to a future without fossil fuels, a big white boxy appliance is generating a lively debate -- and often a heated one -- for its potential to replace emissions-heavy oil and gas boilers.

Seeking an 'angel': African startups face funding challenge

Kubik is proud of its pioneering, climate-friendly technology that recycles one of the world's environmental curses -- plastic waste -- into construction blocks.

Amazon deforestation down sharply under Brazil's Lula: govt

Deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon fell by one-third in the first six months of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration compared to the same period of last year, the government said Thursday.

Furious French cherry farmers protest over insecticide ban

Angry French cherry farmers dumped a tonne of rotting fruit in front of a government building in southern France on Thursday to protest against an insecticide ban that has left them vulnerable to fruit flies.

From soup stock to supercrop: Japan shows off its seaweed savvy

Seaweed has long been a staple food in Japan, but the chunky, slimy kelp hauled into fisherman Ryoichi Kigawa's boat is also starting to attract international attention for its potential as an eco-friendly supercrop.

NGO accuses Chinese renewables firms of abuses in 18 countries

Chinese companies investing in minerals used in the renewable energy industry have been accused of more than 100 human rights and environmental abuses around the world since 2021, according to a report released on Thursday.

Greta Thunberg charged over Swedish climate protest

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been charged with disobeying police during a June climate protest in southern Sweden, the public prosecutor said Wednesday, most likely risking a fine.

Texas scraps 'water break' law for construction workers, as heat bakes

Texas has scrapped a law that guaranteed construction workers in some cities the right to water breaks on the job, drawing anger Wednesday from unions and local authorities as much of America endured a brutal heat wave.

El Nino spells trouble for vulnerable Galapagos iguana

Unusually warm for this time of year, the waters of the Pacific signal hard times for the reptilian inhabitants of Ecuador's iconic Galapagos Islands.

Two dead as strongest summer storm blasts Netherlands, Germany

A record-breaking summer storm hammered the Netherlands and Germany on Wednesday, killing two people and throwing international air and rail travel into chaos.

IAEA chief reassures Fukushima residents over water release

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog tried to reassure local residents and representatives on Wednesday that the planned release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant is safe.

UK saw hottest June on record in 2023: Met Office

The UK this year has seen its hottest June on record, both in terms of mean temperature and the average maximum temperature, the British Meteorological Office said Monday.

EU official sees 'contradiction' between China's climate goals, coal plants

A top EU climate official said Monday there is a "contradiction" between China's ambitious goals to combat global warming and its continued building of coal-fired power plants.

Climate change spells 'terrifying' future: UN rights chief

Climate change threatens to deliver a "truly terrifying" dystopian future of hunger and suffering, the United Nations' human rights chief warned Monday.

Brussels looks to relax curbs on genetically modified crops

The European Commission will on Wednesday put forward a proposal to ease current restrictions on genetically modified crops, which is already being denounced by environmental groups and leftwing lawmakers.

'Drive-throw' recycling aims to ease Lebanon garbage crisis

Beirut motorists pull up to a drive-through counter -- not for fast-food, but to exchange empty bottles and cardboard for cash, a novelty in a country long plagued by garbage crises.

Nestle steps up reforestation project in Ivory Coast

Nestle is stepping up its project to combat deforestation in Ivory Coast caused by the growth of cocoa farming, bringing cocoa trading companies directly on board.

Neglected elephant boards jumbo flight home to Thailand

A Thai elephant gifted to Sri Lanka two decades ago was flown back to its birth country on Sunday after a diplomatic spat over the animal's alleged mistreatment.

Meet the French luthier making music out of mushrooms

Leave mushroom spores in a mold for a couple weeks and they'll bloom into a puffy material akin to brie, says Rachel Rosenkrantz, a sustainability-minded guitar-maker innovating with biomaterials.

Canada wildfire smoke chokes millions in North America

A deep orange-brown sun shined through hazy skies as smoke from Canadian wildfires spread across North America and beyond, choking millions of people and triggering severe air quality alerts.

For kids on summer break, Canada's wildfire smoke hits hard

For many Canadian parents, the start of the summer holidays is turning into a headache, as thick wildfire smoke forces them to check air quality indices the same way they might normally check the weather forecast.

Turning over a new leaf, Colombian ranchers plant trees

In Colombia's southern Guaviare department, on the doorstep of the Amazon, cattle ranchers are engaged in a practice that belies their jungle-wrecking reputation. They plant trees.

Living near green space makes you 2.5 years younger: study

City parks and green spaces help counter heat, boost biodiversity, and instill a sense of calm in the urban jungle.

France badly hit by climate change and ill-prepared: report

France is being badly hit by climate change, is not prepared for its effects and is failing to sufficiently reduce its emissions, an independent climate body warned Wednesday.

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