Climate Initiative

For years, many parts of the country have been considered a haven where one can freely live one's sexual and gender identity.

Canadian LGBTQ community denounces alarming rise in attacks Montreal (AFP): Members of Canada's LGBTQ community have denounced a resurgence of "hateful comments and attacks," including seeing rainbow flags burned, Pride marches disrupted and increasing violence targeting them -- all a stark contrast to the country's reputation of...

A university in the United Kingdom has published a first-of-its-kind study on the release of carbon emissions from wildfires. In its first edition, it found that wildfires last year caused 8.6 billion tons of CO2 emissions.

Wildfires in 2023 caused massive CO2 emissions, compounding climate change A university in the United Kingdom has published a first-of-its-kind study on the release of carbon emissions from wildfires. In its first edition, it found that wildfires last year caused 8.6 billion tons of CO2 emissions. Wildfires made more frequent and intense by climate change released...

In Afghanistan's capital, shop windows display dazzling ball gowns and three-piece wedding suits -- with the face of each mannequin covered.

Faceless mannequins show off clothes in Afghanistan Kabul (AFP): In Afghanistan's capital, shop windows display dazzling ball gowns and three-piece wedding suits -- with the face of each mannequin covered. The morality police have asked stores to hide the mannequins' faces and photographs of models, according to a clothes seller in...

Thousands hit the streets in Serbia's capital Belgrade Saturday to protest the rebooting of a controversial lithium mine set to serve as a vital source to power Europe's green energy transition.

Thousands protest in Serbian capital against lithium mine Belgrade (AFP): Thousands hit the streets in Serbia's capital Belgrade Saturday to protest the rebooting of a controversial lithium mine set to serve as a vital source to power Europe's green energy transition. Ahead of the rally, two leading protest figures said security officials...

Olympic Refugee Team breakdancer Manizha Talash from Afghanistan was disqualified from the breaking competition after she wore a cape saying "Free Afghan Women", the World DanceSport Federation told AFP on Saturday.

'Free Afghan Women': Olympic refugee breakdancer disqualified for slogan Paris (AFP): Olympic Refugee Team breakdancer Manizha Talash from Afghanistan was disqualified from the breaking competition after she wore a cape saying "Free Afghan Women", the World DanceSport Federation told AFP on Saturday. B-girl Talash, 21, unveiled the blue top with the...

False or misleading US election claims posted on X by Elon Musk have amassed nearly 1.2 billion views this year, a watchdog reported Thursday

Musk's misleading election posts viewed 1.2 billion times: study Washington (AFP): False or misleading US election claims posted on X by Elon Musk have amassed nearly 1.2 billion views this year, a watchdog reported Thursday, highlighting the billionaire's potential influence on the highly polarized White House race. Ahead of the November election,...

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest increased in July for the first time in 15 months, according to official data released Wednesday.

Amazon deforestation rises for the first time in 15 months Rio de Janeiro (AFP): Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest increased in July for the first time in 15 months, according to official data released Wednesday. An area of 666 square kilometers (250 square miles) was destroyed in the Amazon last month, up 33 percent from the 500 square...

Human-induced climate change is significantly increasing the number of hot nights for nearly one in three people around the world, a global analysis said Thursday.

Climate change is fuelling rise in hot nights: analysis Paris (AFP): Human-induced climate change is significantly increasing the number of hot nights for nearly one in three people around the world, a global analysis said Thursday. High nighttime temperatures can become dangerous if they prevent the human body from cooling off and recovering...

Thousands of anti-racism protesters took to the streets in several English cities on Wednesday to oppose days of far-right violence that have UK police on high alert.

Anti-racism protesters out in force as UK police gird for far-right unrest London (AFP): Thousands of anti-racism protesters took to the streets in several English cities on Wednesday to oppose days of far-right violence that have UK police on high alert. Nightly riots, during which mosques and migrant targets have been attacked, have erupted across towns and...

The report's researchers said that human-induced climate change was most likely responsible for the warmer waters.

Hottest oceans in 400 years making Great Barrier Reef 'increasingly vulnerable', scientists say In this underwater photo taken on April 5, 2024, marine biologist Anne Hoggett snorkels to inspect and record bleached and dead coral around Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, located 270 kilometres (167 miles) north of the city of Cairns. Photo: © David Gray, AFP   Ocean...

After 15 years of leading Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina fled the country on Monday as protesters stormed her palace in Dhaka.

Iron lady Sheikh Hasina ends 15-year rule and flees Bangladesh After 15 years of leading Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina fled the country on Monday as protesters stormed her palace in Dhaka. Daughter of a murdered revolutionary who helped Bangladesh gain independence, Hasina was once hailed for rescuing the country from military rule. But her iron fist and...

Simone Biles is targeting two more Olympic golds on Monday to crown a historic Games in Paris as pole vault king Armand Duplantis aims for yet another world record.

Biles seeks to extend Olympic gold rush as Duplantis targets world record Paris (AFP): Simone Biles is targeting two more Olympic golds on Monday to crown a historic Games in Paris as pole vault king Armand Duplantis aims for yet another world record. Biles, widely considered the greatest gymnast in history, can end all debate if she triumphs in the balance beam and...