Floating anti-plastic waste dam to be tested in North Sea 31/12/2015

A revolutionary floating dam that traps plastic bags, bottles and other waste choking the world's oceans will be tested at sea for the first time in 2016, the Ocean Cleanup foundation said. ...more

Freak heatwave pushes temperatures at North Pole above freezing 31/12/2015

Temperatures at the North Pole rose above freezing point Wednesday, 20 degrees Celsius above the mid-winter norm and the latest abnormality in a season of extreme weather events. ...more

Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan sign new Grand Renaissance Dam agreement 30/12/2015

Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan signed an agreement on Tuesday finalizing the two firms tasked with carrying out studies on the potential impact of Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam on the flow of the Nile, their foreign and water ministers said. ...more

Giant squid that swam into Japanese bay guided back out to sea by diver 30/12/2015

A giant squid, rarely seen outside of deep waters, has been filmed swimming near a pier in central Japan. ...more

Smog-choked Delhi gears up for car ban 30/12/2015

Millions of Delhi residents will have to find alternative ways to work from Friday, when authorities launch a trial of draconian traffic restrictions to try to clean up the world's most polluted capital. ...more

London Heathrow Marriott slashes water waste with smart pot-washing system 30/12/2015

Heathrow's London Marriott has drastically cut its water use, after installing a smart dish-washing system which uses high pressure water and small granules to blast pots and pans clean. ...more

Beijing pollution soars but no red alert 30/12/2015

Parts of China's capital Beijing suffered air pollution more than 20 times recommended levels on Tuesday, but authorities refrained from issuing the highest smog alert. ...more

Saudi posts record deficit, cuts fuel subsidies 29/12/2015

Saudi Arabia announced a record budget deficit and cuts to fuel and utility subsidies as the oil powerhouse suffers from a drastic fall in global crude prices. ...more

Switzerland headed for record warm December 29/12/2015

Switzerland will mark its warmest December since the country that founded winter tourism began keeping records 150 years ago. ...more

Tens of millions of California trees threatened by drought 29/12/2015

As many as 58 million large trees in California are threatened by record drought afflicting the state since 2011, says a study. ...more