Environment

Nature spills on to world's empty city streets

With the hunting season suspended in several European countries, this promises to be a spring and possibly a summer of love for the animal kingdom.

Beyond burgers: Asia puts twist on alternative meats

As the demand for meat and seafood is to soar in booming economies of Asia, the concern for environmental issues increases the interest in sustainable meat alternatives also is spawning creative products to appeal to local palates.

Air quality picking up in quarantined countries

Images by the US space agency Nasa are clear, in February the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) fell dramatically in Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic, passing from an indicator that was red/orange to blue.

Italy's toll tops 4,000 with record 627 single-day deaths – latest updates

Globally, there are more than 245,000 cases of which 88,465 people recovered, in 158 countries and territories, according to various trackers. Here's what's happening on March 20:

Lagos pipeline blast kills 15, destroys several buildings - officials

A fire that broke out in a suburb of Lagos has killed at least 15 people and injured several others. The cause of the explosion was not known.

Oman to ban single-use plastic bags from next year

"Companies and establishments are prohibited from using single-use plastic bags with the aim to protect the Omani environment," the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs said in a statement.

Central American countries up fight against coronavirus

El Salvador's Congress approved a series of emergency measures sought by President Nayib Bukele to prevent the spread of the virus and to fend off the risk of a public health crisis.

Egypt says at least 20 killed in freak bad weather

The North African country has been battered by heavy rain and strong winds that began in the earlier hours of Thursday and continued on Friday.

Is coronavirus inadvertently cleaning our planet?

Coronavirus-related measures have caused a drop in greenhouse gas emissions, bringing little respite to planet Earth. Here's how:

Six-fold jump in polar ice loss lifts global oceans

While less visible than climate-enhanced hurricanes, sea level rise may ultimately prove the most devastating of global warming impacts.

Rare white giraffes killed by poachers in Kenya – conservationists

The deaths of Kenya's only female white giraffe and her calf leave just one remaining white giraffe alive – a lone male, borne by the same slaughtered female, the conservancy said.

Economic shutdown due to coronavirus offers environmental lessons

The spread of Covid-19 is pressuring the human race to look at another global calamity: climate change.