A selection of news stories from the UK and around the world
From the 9th June, the Environment pages can continue to be read HERE
 ExtinctionScientists predict hundreds of extinctions this century.
This report by the BBC
Image by McGill Library |  The rainforest is burningThe Amazon rainforest is now fighting for its' life. This report details why.
Story by The Guardian |  Camper mayhemTaynuilt, in Scotland, has been experiencing bad behaviour from visiting campers.
This report by The Oban Times |
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 Red Tree VolesA small species of rodent, the Red tree Vole, is in decline.
This report by Natural Resouces Defense Centre
Image by Sebastian Unrau |  Biffa waste fineWaste company Biffa has been fined after being found guilty of exporting contaminated waste to China.
This report by The Guardian
Image by Kevin Butz |  Salmon farmers kill sealsScottish salmon farmers doubled the number of seals legally shot in 2020 ahead of an expected ban on the practice
This report by The Ferret
Image by Keith Luke |
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 New school timetablesWhen schools in Scotland reopen in August it is likely that the school week may be as short as one or two days.
This report by The Scotsman |  A Panda named BrianResearchers have been fitting Red Pandas with satellite tracking collars in a bid to monitor their numbers and movements. 10 of the animals have so far been 'collared' and each one given a name.
This report by The BBC
Image by michael schaffler |  Amsterdam's trashing ideaAuthorities in Amsterdam have come up with a novel way of trying to reduce littering around public trash containers
This report by The Guardian
Image by Shane Rounce |
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 Futuristic propulsionEver heard of the EMDrive? It's not science fiction, but a reality - we're just not sure how it works...
This report by National Geographic
Image by NASA |  Oxford statue argumentsIt could be argued that there are more important things than the fate of a statue - This debate about a statue of Cecil Rhodes first surfaced in 2016 in Oxford
Report by The BBC
Image by Sidharth Bhatia |  Greece on the brinkThere is anger in Greece at a new energy deregulation law that was passed while in lockdown - it could pave the way for wholesale environmental damage
This report by The Guardian |
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 Coal-free energyBritain marks two months of coal-free energy consumption
This report by The BBC
Image by Juan Encalada |  Peatland damageRecent satellite imagery is showing the extent of peat-land drying out in south-east Asia.
This report by Science Daily
Image by Bre Smith |  Masks outnumber jellyfishA French Non-profit organisation is finding an increase in disposable gloves and masks in the Mediterranean.
This report by The Guardian |
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 A sad taleA report says that people are littering a Scottish beauty spot, causing damage. One man assaulted.
This report by The Scotsman
Image by Roan Lavery |  Oban cleanupVolunteers find a large haul of rubbish in a woodland area of Oban, Scotland
This report by The Oban Times
Image by Gunnar Ridderström |  Arctic diesel spill20 thousand tonnes of diesel are spilled into a river system in Russia, prompting a state of emergency from President Putin's government
This report from The Guardian |
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 Undiscovered ColombiaDespite years of guerilla warfare and loss of habitat due to deforestation, the rainforests of Colombia still contain some of
the planet's rarest species
This report by the BBC
Image by Fernanda Fierro |  Aboriginal site destroyedAn ore mining company in Australia 'accidentally' destroys a 46,000 year old aboriginal site.
This report by The Guardian
Image by Simon Maisch |  Holiday hopes quelledA previous report that Japan is going to heavily subsidise foreign tourists is quashed by Japan's tourism body.
This report by the Japan Times
Image by Jérémy Stenuit |
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 Bad beefDo you know where your meat originates? It could just be sourced from deforested land in the Amazon.
This report by The Guardian |  Media under attackThe US media is reporting a worrying surge in attacks on reporters by the police.
This report by The Guardian |  Singapore grows it aloneThe world has changed and amid concerns of shortages of certain foods, more and more people are growing their own. This article explores how one couple in Singapore are faring in their urban farm.
Report by Channel News Asia |
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 SNH defends geese cullingScottish Natural Heritage plans to start killing greylags in Orkney again later this year, citing 'damage' they are apparently causing. Is this a sensible way of keeping their numbers down or is it just another symptom of humans' inability to live with the natural environment?
Report by SNH
Image by Arvid Høidahl |  Renewables on targetScotland is about to reach 100% renewable electricity. Good news for the environment, but we should not get complacent
This report by The Scotsman |  Transport changes afootIt is not just social systems that are changing due to the pandemic - The urban environment could see an upsurge in alternative modes of transport as cities review their options
This report by The Telegraph |
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 Subsidised trips to Japan?The Japanese government is considering paying people to go on vacation in the country in a bid to restart its' tourism industry.
This report by Japan Today |  Dolphin watchingCharlie Phillips used to spend his time watching and photographing Bottlenose dolphins - the better to understand their behaviour and movements. The lockdown has put this valuable work on hold. Here he describes his job.
This report by The BBC |  Oxfam pulling outOxfam, the charity, is pulling its' aid programmes in 18 countries. What does this mean for the people left behind?
This report by The Guardian |
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 15 year old cycles 745 milesA young girl cycles 745 miles home with her disabled father as a passenger. An amazing story of endurance.
This report by The Guardian
Image by Jiri Moonen |  School sagaThe proposed return to lessons is causing a rift. The Seattle Times reports on how the debate is being framed in England.
Image by Andy Falconer |  Mossmorran plant flaringSEPA are to seek prosecution against the Mossmorran plant in Fife, Scotland, over emergency flaring that has disturbed residents in recent years.
This article by The Scotsman |
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 Monster find in MexicoArchaeologists have uncovered a vast deposit of mammoth bones at the site of a new airport in Mexico.
This report by Mexico News Daily
Image by Tristan Colangelo |  Astronauts to launchTwo astronauts are set to travel to the International Space Station in the world's first commercial launch.
This report by The Telegraph
Image by SpaceX |  Fire in San FranciscoA large fire has destroyed a popular tourist area known as Fishermans Wharf in the city. There are no reports of casualties.
This report from The Guardian |
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 Oban Fireman recruitA recruit from Balloch has recently joined the ranks of firefighters in Oban.
Jack Lamont completed his training and has taken up his post at Oban fire station.
This report by The Oban Times |  Argyll schools open AugustArgyll and Bute council is working on plans to re-open schools by August, but not everything will be back to normal.
This report by the Argyllshire Advertiser |  Testing in IcelandIceland plans to test up to a thousand arrivals to the country per day when restrictions ease.
This report by the Iceland Monitor |
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 Heating with hydrogenScottish homes could benefit from using hydrogen gas for heating and cooking.
This report by The Scotsman |  Perseverence set for launchNASA is still on course to launch Perseverence, an advanced Mars rover, together with its' companion mini helicopter. A new push begins for answers about the red planet's past and the possibility of detecting microbial life.
This report by NASA. |  Moving Uni work onlineUniversities are increasingly likely to offer online learning, but it must be delivered in the right way.
This article by the BBC discusses the issue |
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 New school rulesHow do you tell a primary school child about social distancing?
This report by The Telegraph
Image by Ivan Aleksic |  Flooding in New OrleansParts of New Orleans suffers from the ravages of climate change.
This report by NOLA.com
Image by Rosie Kerr |  An end to plastic?A process that uses plant sugars could make 'plastic' bottles that degrade within a year
This report by The Guardian |
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 Schools still outTeaching unions in Scotland are cautious about re-opening schools in June.
This report from The BBC |  A novel ideaA household in Greenwood, North-central Seattle, is giving away face masks in exchange for food.
This report from The Seattle Times
Image by Amanda Snyder |  Tourism woesIt is not only Scotland that relies on tourism. People in Jordan are suffering the loss of visitors too.
This report from The Guardian
Image by Brian Kairuz |
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 A lighter momentA video was recently posted of a mother duck and her brood walking down an Edinburgh street.
This report by The Scotsman |  Stop walking in the road!Police have appealed for sense over some people walking into the road to ensure social distancing.
This report from The Telegraph |  Scotland to make masksMatt Hancock unveils plans for a Scots firm to make millions of face masks.
Report by The Telegraph.
Image by Ani Kolleshi |
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 Chlorinated chickenMSPs are to urge a ban on US imported chlorinated chicken.
This report from the BBC |  Raptor killings on the riseThe RSPB is concerned about a sudden rise in the number of birds of prey being found shot.
This report from the BBC.
Image by Keith Luke |  Shipping damageLast month a beached ship in Taiwan devastated local wildlife.
This report from Taiwan News Online |
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 East Africa experiences floodCountries in East Africa have faced flooding due to heavy rain which has killed hundreds in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Rwanda and Ethiopia.
Report by Al Jazeera |  Tension in TurkeyTurkey has taken on 3.5 million refugees fleeing from war.
Report by LE MONDE Diplomatique |  Preventing another virusIt is believed that Covid-19 originated in wild animals used for human consumption. It's time to look at the implications for these types of market.
This report from The Seattle Times |
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 Mask minefieldIf you are thinking of buying a face mask, read this first
Report by The Telegraph |  SNH call for helpScottish Natural Heritage has a range of projects that need your help
This report from The Scotsman |  Uk zoos threatened by covid-19141 zoos and aquariums are in trouble due to no visitors.
The Government is working on a fund to support these zoos but some fear that this may not be enough for them to stay operational.
Report by Aljazeera |
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 17 inmates dead in prison riotA prison riot in Venezuela has resulted in 17 death and 9 injuries.
The cause of these riots was caused by a ban on visitors giving food to inmates.
The prisoners were distressed after not allowed to have any visits or food or water.
There may be more dead as assumed by the military.
Report by Aljazeera |  UK air cleaner than everEver since covid-19 occured there are reports of cleaner air all across the UK
Report by Sky news |  Virgin mediaLast week's report about Virgin media being down is updated here. Report by The Scotsman |
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 A lesson for Scotland?Tree planting and climate change - A lesson for Forestry and Land Scotland.
This report by The Telegraph
Image by Madison Nickel |  Gardening for survivalThis is one man's story about greening up his neighbourhood.
Report by The Guardian |  The secret gardenThis Guardian report describes a secret garden in the heart of London |
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 Emissions plans on holdScotland has had to scale back its emissions reduction plans due to the Coronavirus.
This report by The Scotsman |  Microplastics are sinking deepA recent study of the seafloor has revealed where most of our plastic pollution goes.
This report from the BBC |  Captain Cook - A celebration?It's 250 years to the day Captain Cook sailed into Botany Bay, but not all are celebrating.
Image by Joey Csunyo
Report by 9News Australia |
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 Film trailers from Studio GhibliIf you have never watched a Ghibli movie, here's your chance.
Image by Matt Popovich
Report by the Japan Times |  Sense or Censorship?A school in Alaska has censored its reading list. Read why.
Report by NBC News |  How do you cook?Some chefs describe their approach to cooking in quarantine.
This report from Times of India |
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 US releases UFO videosStill not explained...
Image by Artem Kovalev
Report by the BBC |  Free electricity?A new film by Michael Moore seeks to cast doubts on a green future, but not everyone agrees. |  More attacks on 5G infrastructureMore attacks on 5G infrastructure in Scotland. This report from The Scotsman.
Image by Macau Photo Agency |
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 Virgin media reported downAre you affected? Read the latest reports from The Scotsman |  Friends as bubbles?The FM may consider allowing you to have friends around - but with caveats... |  Good for businessesHouse builders are gearing up to go back to work. Is it too soon?
This report from The Telegraph. |
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 Must we all wear masks?The BMA wants the UK government to ask everyone to wear a mask. This report from The Telegraph. |  New rules aheadThe FM is deciding our future for us.
This report from The Scotsman. |  Forest fire blights Dumfries and GallowayMore news about recent forest and moorland fires in Scotland. This report from the BBC. |
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 Schools not out!Should schools re-open? If you think 'NO', you are not alone. This report from Deutsche Welle. |  Climate change answersWant some easy answers about climate change? This article from the New York Times provides them. |  Trash and treasureScotland is not alone in the diversity of items washed up on our beaches. This report from The Seattle Times.
Image by Andrei Ciobanu |
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 A great ideaA crowd-sourced spring diary reveals writing talent and a love for nature. This report from The Scotsman. |  A fair assessment?The SQA may lower your teacher's overall grade in some circumstances - is this fair?
Image by Feliphe Schiarolli |  Desert(ed) IslandsCanna is just one of the Small Isles navigating difficult waters. This report from The Telegraph. |
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 Daring to be differentThe FM has said that she may decide to have a different lockdown exit plan to the rest of the UK. This article by The Guardian UK. |  LockdownFind out how the measures differ from country to country in this report from DW News. |  Hazardous material in ArgyllArgyll and Bute Council are considering storage of hazardous material in Argyll - This report by Helenburgh Advertiser |
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 Trashing ScotlandThere has been a rise in the amount of fly-tipped waste in Scotland. This report by The Scotsman. |  Help for studentsNews of financial support for students affected by Coronavirus. |  A long road to recovery?The UK is being urged to publish an exit strategy. Find out what this means for you. |
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 Get involved in decision-makingA inspiring blog from a young man in Wales |  Rural Youth ProjectThe RYP is getting involved in providing equipment to combat Coronavirus |  Rubbish on the GreenDuring the January Storms, rubbish was washed up in Lochgilphead - including a great deal of plastic. |
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 Forestry and Land ScotlandReforesting appears to be happening in the rest of the UK, so why is Scotland still felling? |  Animals returnThere are stories popping up everywhere about animals beginning to take over our urban areas. This one is from the Washington Post |  Pollution reductionThe 'Coronavirus effect' is having consequences on air pollution. This article from Sky News provides more detail. |
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 Disposable gloves and the problems they pose. |  Humans may not be the only species affected by Cororavirus. |  Mobile 'phone masts do not transmit viruses! |
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 Will our food supplies be hit?Will the virus affect food supplies? |  Self isolatingIt's a new concept but one that we must stick to. Find out more here... |  Watch this videoIf this video doesn't prove why Argyll needs a skate park, I don't know what does! |
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 Lochgilphead Skate ParkIt has been forty years in the making...Find out why Lochgilphead skate park is still not built. |  Sea FoamYou may have noticed our coastline being engulfed in foam recently. This is why... |
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