New megaflash lightning record exceeds distance of pilgrimage route
The new record for longest lightning flash is 829 kilometers (515 miles), which would take at least 90 minutes in a plane.
Argentina
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Extreme temps grip Europe as heat islands increase risks for millions
Urgent early warning systems and urban heat protections are needed with extreme heat events becoming more frequent.
Climate action to save glaciers 'a matter of survival' for people too
More than 275,000 glaciers cover 700,000 square kilometers of the planet. Glaciers and ice sheets store 70% of all freshwater.
S. Africa to focus G-20 on 'solidarity, equality, sustainable development'
The South African president invoked Nelson Mandela's emphasis on global 'interdependence' and cooperation.
WEF says Trump to join Davos virtually after retaking White House
Børge Brende, WEF's president, said there is "a greater level of global uncertainty than we have seen in a generation."
Nations seek U.N. top court's opinion on Gaza humanitarian access
A U.N. resolution with overwhelming support asks the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion.
Atmospheric CO2 is accumulating faster than any time we've known
In 1958, climatologist Charles David Keeling pioneered CO2 measurement in the atmosphere on a Hawaiian volcano.
Global water supplies stressed as rivers dry at highest rate in 30 years
The U.N. weather agency calls for urgent action to protect water supplies, the ‘canary in the coalmine of climate change.'
U.N.: Rising seas pose threat to coastal cities, island nations
With the Earth growing hotter and the oceans becoming warmer, rising sea levels threaten islands and coastal areas.
Evidence of escalating atrocities committed by Myanmar military
The report for the year ending on June 30 observes that armed conflicts increased as challenges to military rule intensified.
G-20 finance ministers agree higher taxes on super-rich are a priority
A proposed 2% minimum tax on billionaires will be taken up at Brazil's G-20 Leaders' Summit in November.
U.N. revives Palestinians' bid for membership with vote on new rights
The 143-9 vote with 25 abstentions urged the U.N. Security Council to favorably reconsider the Palestinians' request.
U.N. climate chief says next 2 years will be 'essential' to saving the planet
This year and next mark the countdown to a 2025 deadline for governments to strengthen their carbon-cutting plans.
U.N. weather agency has ‘red alert’ warning as Earth grows ever hotter
WMO reports 2023 smashed climate records at previously unimaginable levels, bringing 'misery and mayhem.'
Progress is 'slow and mixed' for women joining national parliaments
IPU's chief Martin Chungong says its statistics show that 'women bear the brunt of the hate in the political space.'
Global climate change is pushing natural systems to the 'tipping point'
Warming threatens to upend ecosystems from Mongolia and the Amazon to crucial ocean currents in the North Atlantic.