Breaking Waves: Ocean News

US says chemical giant Chemours to pay $450m to settle ‘forever chemicals’ case

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:29:47 +0000

Agreement is first by federal government to resolve enforcement claims against a major Pfas manufacturer

The Trump administration on Wednesday reached a multi-state settlement with chemical giant Chemours Co over years-long, illegal discharges of synthetic “forever chemicals” used to make products resistant to water, grease and stains. The settlement is the first by the federal government to resolve enforcement claims against a manufacturer of harmful chemicals known as Pfas.

UK records its hottest June day, beating highs from 1957 and 1976

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:12:19 +0000

Temperature of 35.8C recorded in West Sussex, beating previous record of 35.6C, while France records hottest day nationally

Europe heatwave live – latest updates

The UK has broken its all-time temperature record for June, as the World Health Organization chief says Europe’s heatwave is “putting lives at risk”.

‘Instant connection to the past’: how the Major oak affected those who saw it

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:47:06 +0000

Readers remember the Sherwood Forest tree that has failed to produce leaves for the first time in 1,000 years

Farm workers at higher risk amid screwworm outbreak in US south-west

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:00:44 +0000

Those who work with animals are at greater risk for infection, but face challenges in accessing healthcare

Agricultural workers are among the highest risk group for human infection during the screwworm outbreak in the American south, yet they frequently face challenges in accessing public health – an ongoing concern amid zoonotic spillovers such as H5N1 bird flu.

‘No one believed it’: how a YouTube video accidentally proved Libya’s sand cat really does exist

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:00:43 +0000

Wildlife photographer Mohammed Almuntasir had no idea what he had found until scientists started to get in touch

When wildlife photographer Mohammed Almuntasir uploaded 18 seconds of footage to YouTube, he thought little more about the small, pale cat seen digging a hollow in the sand in the remote dunes of south-west Libya.

‘Carspreading’ could lead to extra 2,600 crash deaths a year by 2040, study finds

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:11:57 +0000

Analysis shows cars in Europe have grown longer, taller and wider every year since 2000

Cars have grown 1.2cm longer, 0.5cm taller and 0.5cm wider each year on average since 2000, analysis of new vehicles sold in Europe has found, in what green groups call “relentless carspreading”.

24-hour parks and alcohol bans: what cities could learn from Paris’s ‘heatwave mode’ | Helen Massy-Beresford

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:00:38 +0000

Following a devastating heatwave in 2003 that killed 15,000, France has adopted four alert levels to help people cope with extreme temperatures

Helen Massy-Beresford is a British journalist and editor who lives in Paris

Wednesday briefing: How can the UK protect its landscape in an increasingly hot world?

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:47:22 +0000

In today’s newsletter: As heatwaves intensify, Britain’s ecosystems are being pushed beyond their evolutionary limits

Our green and pleasant land is sizzling. This week, millions of us across the UK are baking in unprecedented heat. The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning from 9am today in parts of southern Wales, and central and southern England. The temperature record for June of 35.6C is almost certain to be broken; Bristol is forecast to hit an alarming 39C tomorrow.

Europe heatwave live: UK breaks temperature record for June as parts of France hit 40C – as it happened

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:16:40 +0000

West Sussex reports temperature of 35.8C, beating previous record from 1976; red weather alert extended to 72 of France’s 96 mainland departments

Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesperson, said the agency is forecasting 39C as a headline maximum temperature on Thursday in the UK, most likely for somewhere in London or the south-east.

“It is possible we could see temperatures higher than the 39C if the final values are at the upper end of our narrow range,” he said, according to the Press Association.

Different sperm whale ‘dialects’ detected on separate sides of the Mediterranean

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:00:36 +0000

Matriarchal groups in east and west exhibit distinct click patterns, used to form social structures

From “Howdy” to “G’day”, English – like other languages – is rich in dialects. Now researchers have found sperm whales on different sides of the Mediterranean show similar variations in their vocalisations.

Sperm whales communicate vocally using sequences of short clicks called codas. However, the rhythmic pattern of these clicks, known as the dialect, can differ between different matriarchal groups.