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Relief as Delhi schools reopen but smog crisis persists

Teenage student Aniksha is relieved to be back in class in India's capital -- even if the choking smog that prompted her school to close last month has yet to dissipate.

US 'disappointed' after plastic pollution talks collapse: White House

The US government said Tuesday it was "disappointed" after nations negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic waste failed to reach a deal, blaming a "small group" of countries and producers for blocking progress.

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Push to salvage climate talks after poor nations bristle at cash

Key nations raced Saturday to salvage UN climate talks after the poorest countries pushed back angrily for more than $300 billion a year in help from historic wealthy emitters.

Climate-threatened nations stage protest at COP29 over contentious deal

The world's most climate-imperilled nations stormed out of consultations in protest at the deadlocked UN COP29 conference Saturday, as simmering tensions over a hard-fought finance deal erupted into the open.

Failure haunts UN environment conferences

Negotiators were struggling to reach a deal Saturday at UN climate talks in Baku. If they fail, it would not be the first time.

Children suffer as schools go online in polluted Delhi

Confined to her family's ramshackle shanty by the toxic smog choking India's capital, Harshita Gautam strained to hear her teacher's instructions over a cheap mobile phone borrowed from her mother.

Gabon forest elephant forays into villages spark ire

In heavily forested Gabon, elephants are increasingly wandering into villages and destroying crops, angering the local population who demand the power to stop the critically endangered animals in their tracks.

'Moment of truth' for world-first plastic pollution treaty

Plastic pollution litters our seas, our air and even our bodies, but negotiators face an uphill battle next week to agree on the world's first treaty aimed at ending the problem.

Common water disinfectant creates potentially toxic byproduct: study

A group of chemical compounds used to disinfect water for one-third of the US population and millions of others globally produces a potentially toxic byproduct, according to new research published Thursday, sparking calls for an "immediate" investigation into possible health impacts.

Fears rise of gender setbacks in global climate battle

As global climate negotiators seek to eke out progress, participants say they are witnessing backsliding in one unexpected area -- gender.

World still split over money as clock ticks on COP29

A fresh draft deal published Thursday at the deadlocked COP29 climate talks shows rich and poor countries still divided as time runs out to strike a finance agreement for developing nations.

Brazil will not 'shy away' from fossil fuels as COP30 host: envoy

Brazil will not "shy away" from championing a phaseout of fossil fuels as host of COP30 next year, even if it is a major oil producer, the country's climate envoy said Wednesday.

Awaiting Trump, US auto execs further temper EV push

US auto giants signaled Wednesday they could further slow the ramp-up of electric vehicle production as Detroit awaits the arrival of a Trump administration eager to reverse key Biden climate initiatives.

Rich nations pressed to put money on table at UN climate talks

Pressure mounted on wealthy nations Wednesday to put a figure on the table as time runs out at COP29 to strike a deal on climate assistance for poorer countries.

Pakistan reopens Punjab schools after smog improves

Schools reopened Wednesday in Pakistan's most populated province after authorities announced a drop in dangerous air pollution, with parents rejoicing their children's return to classes.

As Trump returns, China seizes chance for climate mantle

With Donald Trump expected to take the United States again out of climate diplomacy, China, the world's largest emitter but green energy powerhouse, is seizing on the chance to project itself as the global leader.

'Steep climb' ahead as clock ticks on stalled climate talks

Pressure mounted on rich nations Wednesday to commit nearly $1 trillion a year in assistance for poorer countries as time runs out to strike a deal at the COP29 climate talks.

Europe's pivotal role in bid to strike COP29 climate deal

The European Union is key to a deal being done at UN climate talks in Baku by Friday -- viewed as a bridge both with China and poorer nations -- after climate sceptic Donald Trump's triumph in the US elections.

Ukraine war and climate stalemate loom over G20 summit

The escalating war in Ukraine and stalled UN climate negotiations dominated the final day of a G20 summit in Brazil on Tuesday, held in the shadow of Donald Trump's looming US presidency.

Negotiators seek to break COP29 impasse after G20 'marching orders'

Negotiators sought Tuesday to break a deadlock at UN climate talks after G20 leaders backed the need for "trillions" of dollars for poorer countries but left key sticking points unresolved.

Illegal farm fires fuel Indian capital's smog misery

The illegal burning of farm fields in northern India reached a record high this season, fuelling a toxic smog choking millions including in the capital New Delhi, government monitors said Tuesday.

Russian delegations visit Pyongyang as Ukraine war deepens ties

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russia's natural resources minister in Pyongyang, state media said Tuesday, as visiting delegations from Moscow highlighted deepening ties amid the Ukraine war.

Hopes set on G20 spurring deadlocked UN climate talks

Nations return to deadlocked UN climate talks Monday, with hopes that G20 leaders meeting on the other side of the world can rally support behind a deal for poorer countries.

Stray dogs in Giza become tourist draw after 'pyramid puppy' sensation

Beneath the blazing Egyptian sun, crowds at the Giza Pyramids gazed up at the ancient wonders, but some had their eyes peeled for a new attraction.

Fifth of dengue cases due to climate change: researchers

Climate change is responsible for nearly a fifth of the record number of dengue cases worldwide this year, US researchers said on Saturday, seeking to shine a light on how rising temperatures help spread disease.

Macron to press Milei on climate action, multilateralism in Argentina talks

French President Emmanuel Macron will stress the importance of international action on climate change at talks Saturday with his right-wing Argentine counterpart Javier Milei who pulled his country out of the COP29 climate talks.

All eyes on G20 for breakthrough as COP29 climate talks stall

Negotiations were deadlocked Saturday at the midway point of the UN climate summit, with hopes pinned on G20 leaders intervening to strike a critical finance pact at the crunch talks.

German Greens' Robert Habeck to lead bruised party into elections

Germany's Greens have been environmental trailblazers but their top candidate, Robert Habeck, goes into snap national elections bruised by three stormy years in government that ended in a political crisis.

World not listening to us, laments Kenyan climate scientist at COP29

Being an expert on global warming from an African nation prone to disaster can depress Joyce Kimutai during the creaking COP climate summits, where politics often drowns out science.

Primary schools empty as smog persists in Indian capital

Residents in India's capital New Delhi again woke under a blanket of choking smog on Friday, a day after authorities closed primary schools and imposed measures aimed at alleviating the annual crisis.

Nature pays price for war in Israel's north

Across northern Israel's lush, green nature reserves, the ecological toll of the war between Israel and Hezbollah militants is laid bare: wild boar hit by shrapnel, trees reduced to ashes and swathes of charred vegetation.

India's capital shuts all primary schools due to smog

India's capital New Delhi ordered all primary schools to cease in-person classes until further notice on Thursday night due to worsening smog in the sprawling megacity.

Climate finance: who is being asked to pay what at COP29?

"You owe us!" screamed a protest banner at the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, where negotiations over how much rich nations most responsible for climate change should pay poorer ones are getting heated.

COP29 host tries to calm waters after diplomatic turmoil

Host Azerbaijan tried to bring down the diplomatic temperature in Baku on Thursday after a French minister cancelled her trip to the UN climate talks and Argentina withdrew its delegation.

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