South Africa
Global sea temperatures reach 21°C to set new all-time record high in June
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, the global average sea surface temperature reached 20.96°C in June, the highest for the month since records began.
Lavrov hits back at Nato’s Rutte, denies Russian plans to invade Europe or attack Nato
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hit back at Nato General Secretary Mark Rutte's claims that Chinese President Xi Jinping could ask Russia to attack Nato to clear a path for China’s occupation of Taiwan, or that it plans to invade Estonia.
Global South unity on display at BRICS summit, leaders avoid criticising Russia
The BRICS leaders gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6 for the annual meeting, where they condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, the US airstrikes on Iran and Ukraine’s drone strikes on trains, but not Russia's war in Ukraine.
Experts warn of “cascading” climate tipping points that will kill the climate without immediate global action
World leaders must act with “immediate, unprecedented” urgency to prevent cascading climate tipping points that could have catastrophic consequences for billions of people, according to the Global Tipping Points Conferenrence delegates.
BRICS leaders gather in Rio to challenge Western dominance
Leaders from the BRICS group have convened in Rio de Janeiro for their 17th annual summit, casting the expanded bloc as a counterweight to Western institutions whilst grappling with internal divisions over key geopolitical flashpoints.
Southern Ocean current reverses for first time, signalling risk of climate system collapse
A major ocean current in the Southern Hemisphere has reversed direction for the first time in recorded history, in what climatologists are calling a “catastrophic” tipping point in the global climate system.
Global drought crisis pushes tens of millions towards starvation, warns UN-backed report
A deepening global drought crisis is pushing more than 90mn people to the brink of starvation, with mounting impacts on food, water and energy systems, according to a report released on July 1 by the UN.
COMMENT: Critical minerals pose new test for global energy security
As the world’s energy system transforms at unprecedented speed, so too must our understanding of energy security. While governments continue to focus on securing supplies of traditional fuels, new critical mineral vulnerabilities are emerging.
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Putin to skip Rio BRICS summit over ICC warrant as Xi signals no-show
Brazil's hosting of next month's BRICS summit is being overshadowed by the likely absence of two of the bloc's most powerful leaders, threatening to dent the gathering's geopolitical significance.
COMMENT: The long road to a BRICS-led world order hits familiar obstacles
Brazil's upcoming BRICS summit exposes the bloc's growing pains as 21 members wrestle with deep divisions. The group's ambitious challenge to US financial dominance hits reality as internal disagreements threaten its push for global clout.
Farmers powerless to prevent five of the six staple crop yields from plummeting – New Scientist
Efforts by farmers to adapt to rising temperatures will not be enough to prevent severe losses in global staple crop production due to climate change, according to a new study published in New Scientist on June 18.
Where the world is losing tree cover fastest – Statista
North America is close on the heels of Latin America when it comes to tree cover loss, according to data published by the World Resources Institute, Statista reports.
COMMENT: Middle East oil shock scenarios pose inflation risk, but economic hit seen as modest
The threat of escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has returned geopolitical risk to the heart of the global oil market. Yet according to Oxford Economics, the macroeconomic fallout – even in the most extreme case – may be mild.
Number of recorded disasters up 50-fold since 1970 – OWID
Tracking the occurrence of natural disasters can save lives by helping countries prepare for future ones, Our World in Data (OWID) reports.
EU selects 13 global strategic raw materials projects to boost supply security
European Commission publishes list with projects in Emerging Europe, Central Asia, Africa and elsewhere as bloc strives to reduce dependency on a handful of global suppliers.
BRICS nations formulate first ever joint Climate Crisis policy
The BRICS bloc approved its first coordinated climate finance framework on May 30, marking the group’s first unified policy to fund climate action and setting the foundation for a shared position ahead of the COP30 meeting due to be held in Brazil.
CITIES IN PERIL: Cities confront the rising tide of climate change
Fast and chaotic urban population growth combined with climate challenges on multiple fronts are putting cities at risk around the world.
COVID is back - a new "NB.1.8.1" strain is spreading across continents
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is back. Reports from health authorities around the world have detected a new highly contagious strain of the virus that has been spreading through Asia and has now reached Russia.
COMMENT: Ranking the top 60 economies’ exposure to US tariffs
US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 50% tariff hike on the EU has put the cat amongst the pigeons again. If he follows through then Europe, which is highly dependent on US trade, will be amongst the most damaged economies in the world.
Countdown to disaster: timelines to cross temperature thresholds tabulated
The Climate Crisis is accelerating and all the main players predict that the world will warm by more than the 1.5C Paris Agreement target by next year and the 2C maximum will be broached by 2037 – far earlier than previously forecast.