Severe wildfires are ravaging southern Europe. In Andalusia, in southern Spain, at least eleven people have lost their lives in what a Spanish regional minister has called “the worst wildfires ever” in the region.
A code orange heat warning has been in effect since Saturday in the French departments of Hérault and Pyrénées-Orientales, and on Sunday, the departments of Ardèche, Aude, Drôme, Gard, and Vaucluse will also be added to the list. France is bracing for a new heat wave.
For now, the Great Barrier Reef will not be added to UNESCO’s list of endangered World Heritage sites. In a draft decision, the World Heritage Committee commends Australia’s efforts to protect the reef, but at the same time warns that coral bleaching is placing increasing pressure on the ecosystem’s resilience.
Restaurant Konijnenvoer in Arnhem faces backlash after announcing that it will now also use eggs and honey. The restaurant, which has long been a flagship of plant-based cuisine, is facing fierce criticism on social media from disappointed vegans, although the chef says the decision is intended to promote even greater sustainability.
If you’ve ever been on vacation in Malta, chances are you’ve taken a snapshot of the famous “Kissing Elephants Arch.” This week, however, things went terribly wrong at the tourist hotspot.
A shocking case has come to light in Northern California at Miranda’s Rescue, a shelter that marketed itself as a “no-kill” facility. Investigators found the remains of at least 117 dogs there, many of which, according to an initial analysis, showed signs of gunshot wounds or bullet fragments.
The world will be less peaceful in 2026 than it was a year earlier, but a small group of countries remain remarkably stable. According to the Global Peace Index, the peace situation deteriorated in 99 countries, though Iceland, New Zealand, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Ireland in particular remain at the top of the rankings. This is according to the 2026 Global Peace Index.
Swiss glaciers are once again losing ice at an alarming rate this year, due to the ongoing heat wave in Europe. According to Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland (GLAMOS), the snow and ice cover that built up last winter will have completely melted away by Monday. This means that the so-called “glacier loss day” will once again occur exceptionally early.
When the summer heat in Rome becomes unbearable, residents are increasingly seeking relief underground. After all, beneath the city lies a vast network of catacombs, caves, tunnels, and ancient ruins where the temperature remains remarkably constant, usually around 17 to 18 degrees.
After nearly two weeks on the run, Gracie the giraffe has been found in the rugged Texas Hill Country. The three-year-old giraffe was suddenly spotted from a helicopter on Friday morning, about six kilometers south of the ranch where she lives.