Environment

Tuesday, December 15th 2020 - 09:01 UTC
Thousands turn out in Chilean and Argentine Patagonia to watch the solar eclipse

Thousands of people turned their heads to the sky to watch a solar eclipse that lasted around two minutes on Monday as southern Chile and Argentina were plunged into darkness. Heavy rain had threatened to prevent star gazers in Chile from seeing the eclipse but at the last moment, the clouds parted just enough for the phenomenon to be partially visible.
Tuesday, December 15th 2020 - 08:58 UTC
Honduras claims two hurricanes caused damage equivalent to half its GDP

Hurricanes Eta and Iota have caused about US$10 billion in damages in Honduras and affected more than 4 million people, the Central American country's foreign minister said on Monday as he called for international support.
Friday, December 11th 2020 - 09:37 UTC
EU leaders unblock massive €1.8 trillion financial package for the recovery of the economy and linked to climate change

European Union leaders unblocked on Thursday a €1.8 trillion financial package to help the economy recover from the pandemic-induced recession after reaching a compromise with Poland and Hungary, the chairman of EU leaders Charles Michel said.
Friday, December 11th 2020 - 08:40 UTC
Brazil lowers corn production forecast because of dry weather in the south

Brazil's corn production forecast for 2020-21 has been cut to 102.6 million mt from 104.9 million mt projected in November, Brazil's national agricultural agency, Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (Conab), said in its latest forecast.
Friday, December 11th 2020 - 08:35 UTC
The “Last Shark” and the Amazon dolphin in the endangered species list

A shark only just formally discovered might already be extinct - a fate no shark has yet suffered in the human era - while an Amazon river dolphin has become endangered, a Red List of species in trouble showed on Thursday.
Thursday, December 10th 2020 - 09:29 UTC
A new beaked whale species discovered off Mexico's western coast?

Researchers believe they have found a previously unknown species of beaked whale in waters off Mexico's western coast. If confirmed, the new species would mark a significant discovery among giant mammals.
Wednesday, December 9th 2020 - 08:05 UTC
Panda diplomacy survives current US/China confrontation

Giant pandas will remain at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington for another three years under an agreement reached with Chinese wildlife officials, the zoo said on Monday.
Wednesday, December 9th 2020 - 08:01 UTC
Venice off guard and under water as flood gates did not function on time

Venice was underwater on Tuesday as heavy rain and strong winds pushed into the lagoon city, catching the authorities off guard before they could activate the huge flood barriers that were rolled out two months ago.
Tuesday, December 8th 2020 - 14:26 UTC
Nepal and China agree that Mount Everest is 86cm higher: 8,848.86m

The highest point on Earth got a bit higher on Tuesday as China and Nepal finally agreed on a precise elevation for Mount Everest after decades of debate. The agreed height unveiled at a joint news conference in Kathmandu of 8,848.86m is 86cm higher than the measurement previously recognized by Nepal, and more than 4m above China's official figure.
Tuesday, December 8th 2020 - 09:41 UTC
Curbing Amazon deforestation conditions EU/Mercosur trade deal

Until Brazil makes a political commitment to curb deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, the trade deal between the European Union and South America’s Mercosur trade bloc will not advance toward ratification in Europe, the EU’s envoy in Brasilia said.