Environment

Arson suspect in court as wildfires rage around Spokane, Washington

The suspect is accused of starting one of the three fires in Washington state that have blackened more than 10,000 acres, destroyed over 700 hours, and forced 64,000 residents to evacuate.

Pink tape surrounds an area near the starting point of the Old Trails Fire after authorities arrested a man accused of deliberately starting one of three fires, in Spokane, Washington, US, August 4, 2026.
Pigeons fly in front of the sun as it rises over Kuwait City on August 23, 2025.

Record heatwave expected to hit Israel this weekend with potential 47°C in Sea of Galilee region

Two 'Likweli' monkeys of a newly-identified species of Colobus monkey, discovered in Lomami National Park, sit on a tree branch, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in this undated handout image.

New monkey species, orange-lipped Likweli monkey, known as 'branch shaker,' identified in DRC

A pregnant woman is seen holding her stomach in front of foliage (illustrative)

Living near green spaces can reduce long-term stress during pregnancy, Israeli-led study finds


Hadera approves major coal reduction at Orot Rabin power station, pollution expected to drop

The reduction in coal dust pollution is expected to be significant, about 80% of current levels, and the monitoring will enable close oversight of emissions and pollutants.

File photo: A general view of Israel Electric Corp's Orot Rabin coal-fired power station is seen on the Mediterranean coast near the central town of Hadera April 24, 2013.

Endangered hope: Rare mountain gorilla twins born in war-ravaged Virunga National Park, Congo

The birth of the two male gorillas to a mother named Mafuko was discovered on January 3, and the twins "appeared to be in healthy condition at the time of the observation," Virunga Park reported.

Mafuko, a female mountain gorilla from the Bageni family holds her newly born twins at the Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo, in this undated handout picture released January 7, 2026.

Flash floods in Indonesia's North Sulawesi kill 14, four still missing

Heavy rain early on Monday triggered flash floods, destroying hundreds of houses, bridges, and government buildings, North Sulawesi governor Yulius Selvanus said.

People wait use a rope ferry to cross the Peusangan River following flash floods that destroyed adjacent villages in Bireuen district, Indonesia's Aceh province on January 5, 2026.

King tides to return to the Bay Area, possibly exposing ocean treasures

A natural phenomenon that typically occurs once or twice a year, a king tide is the highest predicted tide of the year at coastal locations and brings unusually high water levels to these regions.

King tides to return to the Bay Area, possibly exposing ocean treasures

Colorado’s color-changing wildlife face new risks as snow vanishes

Four of them live in Colorado: snowshoe hares, white-tailed ptarmigan, short-tailed weasels and long-tailed weasels.

A white-tailed ptarmigan in a snowy meadow in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Turkey averaged six earthquakes an hour in 2025, one of its most seismically active years on record

Of these earthquakes, most were harmless, but several were strong enough to deal structural damage to buildings or other property.

A DRONE view shows the site of a building that collapsed after an earthquake in Sindirgi in the western Balikesir province, Turkey, August 11, 2025.

Central Indonesia cancels New Year fireworks, celebrations as nation mourns Sumatra flood victims

Several governments and police forces have said they will not allow firework displays out of respect for the victims on Sumatra, where floods and landslides have killed over 1,100 people.

Two schoolgirls (front) wade through a street flooded by high tide in Muara Baru, Jakarta on December 6, 2025.

Refill era here to stay? Luxury hotels ditching bottled water

Refill stations now appear in lobbies, gyms, pool areas, and increasingly on guest floors.

FILLING A stainless-steel bottle in the corridor’s dispenser at Hilton Paris Opera.

Religiosity among Israelis determines what they're willing to do about climate crisis, study says

Trust in scientists is high among secular people and very low among the ultra-Orthodox, who are culturally isolated and have minimal or no exposure to the general media.

TAMAR ZANDBERG.

US House of Representatives passes bill to expedite permitting for big energy projects

The bill lost support from clean energy advocates after last-minute changes by a small group of Republicans aimed at preserving President Trump's ability to block permitted offshore wind farms.

MIRIAM ADELSON looks on as US President Donald Trump speaks at a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, December 16, 2025.