Breaking Waves: Ocean News

UK makes huge aid cuts to Commonwealth nations despite warm words at Chogm summit

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 17:22:58 +0000

Nations in the group fare worse than others, with funding for nature projects especially hard hit even as climate crisis intensifies global need

The UK government has slashed overseas aid to Commonwealth countries, the Guardian can reveal, in contrast to the warm words for the group from King Charles and the prime minister, Andy Burnham, this week.

Great Britain’s worst-ever bluetongue season ‘a major animal welfare crisis’

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 15:50:12 +0000

British Veterinary Association president tells MPs surge in cases putting farmers under severe pressure and stress

The worst bluetongue season on record has been a major animal welfare crisis in Great Britain, MPs have been told, putting farmers under “severe emotional stress”.

Bluetongue, a viral disease that affects sheep, cattle and goats, can cause fever, lesions, stillbirths and death. The tongue may go blue and protrude from the mouth.

Snowy Hydro 2.0 executives awarded bonuses totalling $751,925 despite cost blowout

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 14:00:44 +0000

Annual reports show NSW renewable company’s CEO opted out of cash bonus, while CSIRO’s chief received an extra $200,000

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New tool will help gardeners move away from thirsty English classics to drought-resistant plants

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 13:05:28 +0000

Garden Climate Assessment Tool will allow users to predict a plant’s response to the projected climate in a given location

“In the 20th century, we could pretty much grow the same things with confidence, we could learn from previous generations,” said Prof Sam Brockington, a curator at Cambridge University Botanic Garden.

“But now we’re moving into climate scenarios that we just don’t have the traditions to understand fully.”

Brazil publishes first global ‘roadmap’ for phasing out fossil fuels

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 13:00:07 +0000

Cop30 host sets out steps to break link with coal, oil and gas as it aims to move focus from negotiating to implementing

All countries can start to break their dependence on fossil fuels now without needing to wait for new technologies or economic changes, Brazil’s government has said ahead of a global climate summit.

North America’s most widely distributed game bird is under threat

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 13:00:07 +0000

For the first time since 1937, no open permits to hunt ruffed grouse in Ohio have been issued due to falling numbers

Every November, hundreds of hunters descend on four designated wilderness areas in southern Ohio in pursuit of the elusive ruffed grouse.

But not this year.

UK’s most polluting power plant could power country’s largest AI datacentre

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 11:55:28 +0000

Drax’s FTSE 250 owner strikes £20bn deal to build infrastructure in what it says is site’s ‘next chapter’

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Britain’s most polluting power plant could soon power the country’s largest datacentre under a £20bn deal to build AI infrastructure on the site of the Drax power plant in North Yorkshire.

UK ministers told not to engage formally with Indian mega-zoo after lobbying

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 06:00:39 +0000

Guardian and Mongabay reveal approaches to officials and MPs on behalf of Vantara zoo ahead of UK-chaired Cites meeting on endangered animal imports

British government ministers were told not to engage formally with Vantara, the controversial mega-zoo run by the Indian billionaire Anant Ambani, after lobbying efforts by the private animal sanctuary in the run-up to a UK-chaired meeting on the trade in endangered species, according to documents.

Red gold from purple flowers: saffron harvest in Kashmir – in pictures

admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 23:37:16 +0000

Kashmiri saffron is one of the world’s most expensive spices. It’s primarily cultivated in the Pampore region of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Often referred to as ‘red gold’ because of its high value, saffron is prized for its rich aroma, distinctive flavour and quality

Control of Britain’s 39m smart meters passes to non-profit startup

admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 18:13:35 +0000

The handover marks the end of a 13-year licence for Smart DCC, a subsidiary of Capita, after years of spiralling costs and delays

Control over Great Britain’s 39m smart meters has passed to a non-profit startup after its former owner presided over more than a decade of spiralling costs and delays in the troubled network.

The company owned by crisis-hit outsourcing firm Capita has promised a “seamless transition” to its not-for-profit successor, which will take over running the data network connecting the smart meters from this week.