Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Labour blocks proposal for ‘swift bricks’ in all new homes

admin — Fri, 23 May 2025 18:17:40 +0000

MPs had previously backed Conservative amendment to ask developers to provide hollow bricks for endangered birds

Providing every new home with at least one “swift brick” to help endangered cavity-nesting birds has been rejected by Labour at the committee stage of its increasingly controversial planning bill.

‘I photographed the world’: the career of Sebastião Salgado – in pictures

admin — Fri, 23 May 2025 16:27:44 +0000

The Brazilian photographer has died at 81, leaving behind a career filled with striking images taken around the world. ‘Through the lens of his camera, Sebastião tirelessly fought for a more just, humane and ecological world,’ a statement from his family read.

Sebastião Salgado, photographer known for Amazon rainforest images, dies aged 81

Sebastião Salgado, photographer known for Amazon rainforest images, dies aged 81

admin — Fri, 23 May 2025 15:45:57 +0000

Brazilian photographer’s work highlighted injustice and introduced rainforest to the world

‘I photographed the world’: the career of Sebastião Salgado – in pictures

Reform UK promises to reverse ban on new North Sea oil drilling if elected

admin — Fri, 23 May 2025 14:45:12 +0000

Party spokesperson says policy has ‘clear benefits for securing jobs and energy independence’

Reform UK has promised to reverse the government’s ban on fresh North Sea oil and gas drilling as a “day one” priority if elected to power, with the taxpayer taking a stake in the projects.

Thames Water boss ordered to tell MPs if executives received bonus payments

admin — Fri, 23 May 2025 14:30:43 +0000

Chris Weston, CEO of Britain’s biggest water company, faces questions over ‘paused’ executive bonus scheme

The chief executive of Thames Water has been ordered to tell MPs whether any executives have received payments from a controversial bonus package taken from a £3bn loan.

Trump vowed to help US farmers. These four say his policies are ‘wreaking havoc’

admin — Fri, 23 May 2025 13:00:31 +0000

Farm country voted for Trump in 2024, but many of his actions – from tariffs to federal cuts – are hurting growers

Climate change could bring insect-borne tropical diseases to UK, scientists warn

admin — Fri, 23 May 2025 11:38:09 +0000

Mosquito experts say cuts in aid will lead to collapse of crucial surveillance and control in endemic countries

Climate change could make the UK vulnerable to insect-transmitted tropical diseases that were previously only found in hot countries, scientists have warned, urging ministers to redouble efforts to contain their spread abroad.

Wildfire warning signs put up in Peak District as climate crisis increases threat

admin — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:46:52 +0000

Signs more typically seen in Australia aim to raise awareness after more than 30 moorland fires since March

Wildfire warning signs normally seen in the parched Australian outback have been installed on English moorland for the first time.

In a stark illustration of the worsening impact of the climate emergency, signs have been put up in the Peak District and south Pennines, where there have been more than 30 moorland fires since March.

California hummingbird beaks transformed by feeders: ‘more tapered and longer’

admin — Fri, 23 May 2025 10:00:27 +0000

Study details evolutionary change of Anna’s hummingbirds and finds ranges have expanded to follow such devices

Which came first: the feeder or the bird?

A seemingly straightforward question, but the answer might not be so simple. According to a recently published study in Global Change Biology, the use of human-made hummingbird feeders has changed the beak sizes and shapes of Anna’s hummingbirds, and spread their range from a narrow pocket of California all the way up the coast to British Columbia.

Week in wildlife: blue waterfowl, a rescued baby orangutan and a real-life Pikachu

admin — Fri, 23 May 2025 06:00:23 +0000

The best of this week’s wildlife photographs from around the world