International

"A new book, “The Light Eaters,” looks at how plants sense the world and the agency they have in their own lives."

"Water in the Seine River had unsafe elevated levels of E. coli less than two months before swimming competitions are scheduled to take place in it during the Paris Olympics, according to test results published Friday."

"As climate change supercharges extreme weather around the world, many concert venues, organizers and fans are ill-prepared for rising risks."

"The strong El Nino weather condition that added a bit of extra heat to already record warm global temperatures is gone. It’s cool flip side, La Nina, is likely to breeze in just in time for peak Atlantic hurricane season, federal meteorologists said."

"With just five months to go before this year's U.N. climate summit, countries cannot agree on the size of a global funding bill to help the developing world fight climate change - let alone how to split it."

"State reportedly arrested at least 25 journalists and activists in last year as it prepares for September climate summit".

"A group of the world’s last wild horses have returned to their native Kazakhstan after an absence of about 200 years. ... The wild horses, known as Przewalski’s horses, once roamed the vast steppe grasslands of central Asia, where horses are believed to have been first domesticated about 5,500 years ago."

"Five of the world’s biggest banks are “greenwashing” their role in the destruction of the Amazon, according to a report that indicates that their environmental and social guidelines fail to cover more than 70% of the rainforest."

"Nitrogen fertilisers, manure and other agricultural sources drove almost three-quarters of human-caused nitrous oxide emissions in recent years."

"Saudi officials warn of sweltering heat for this year's Islamic pilgrimage. Observers highlight that mitigating measures are not enough as regional long-term policy changes are needed."