12 h. ago Cop can be torturous and tedious – but here’s why it’s worth paying attention

In this week’s newsletter: Critics have yet come up with an alternative that would truly bring all countries together to work to solve the climate crisis• Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereWorld leaders – or at least about 50 of them – flew away from preliminary Cop meetings in the Amazonian city of Belém last week, where they met to discuss the climate crisis, the ravages committed on the planet’s biggest rainforest only too apparent beneath them, if they chose to look.Deforestation, drought and the climate crisis are pushing the Amazon to what could become a “tipping point”, where it changes state from a rainforest to a savannah ecosystem, and from a massive absorber of carbon to releasing carbon into the atmosphere, which would have devastating consequences for the whole world.‘It will never be forgiven’: UN climate chief warns world to act or face disasterTyphoon Fung-Wong becomes second in a week to hit the PhilippinesI wish we could ignore Bill Gates...

Politics

54 h. ago Tax rises are coming... and if air travellers are sacrificed to pay even more, it will be a disaster for Britain, says former BA boss

Rachel Reeves' plans to hike taxes on holidaymakers would be a 'disaster for Britain', a former British Airways boss has warned.

Economics

57 h. ago ‘It will never be forgiven’: UN climate chief warns world to act or face disaster

Faltering governments will be blamed for famine and conflict abroad, and face stagnation and inflation at home, says climate chief at start of Cop30Governments failing to shift to a low-carbon economy will be blamed for famine and conflict abroad, and will face stagnation and rising inflation at home, the UN’s climate chief warned on Monday at the start of the Cop30 climate talks.Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN framework convention on climate change, addressed the gathering of ministers and high-ranking officials from nearly 200 countries, in a stark portrayal of the price of failure on the climate crisis. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Prince William warns the world is 'edging dangerously close to climate disaster' as he speaks on the 'privilege' of representing the King on a global stage for the first time at COP30 in Brazil

William, 43, is representing King Charles at the COP30 United Nations Climate Summit in Belém, the gateway to Brazil 's Amazon rainforest.

Events

9 d. ago Afghanistan earthquake: At least 20 die and 300 more injured as devastating tremor hits

At least 20 people have died and around 300 have been injured as the US Geological Survey warned 'significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread'

Events

1 week ago Air traffic controller shortages cause delays at major airports as Vance warns of looming ‘disaster’ if shutdown drags into November

Trump has ordered Congressional Republicans to use the ‘Nuclear Option’ to end the shutdown as the chaos rages on

Events

1 week ago Trump administration warns of air travel ‘disaster’ next month as White House hosts Halloween event: Live updates

Trump and his senior administration officials have said they will not negotiate with Democrats on policy issues until the government is reopened

Events

2 w. ago Nigel Farage's Reform slammed as Putin friendly after Russia bribes bombshell

Keir Starmer warned it would be an 'absolute disaster' for the UK's defence if Nigel Farage got into power after being questioned about shamed former MEP Nathan Gill

Politics

2 w. ago Dire warning aid cuts are stopping vulnerable nations from preparing for climate disaster

The climate negotiator for Malawi tells Nick Ferris that the slashing of funding, plus the failure to agree a financial target to help poorer countries adapt to climate change, is already having a stark impact

Events

2 w. ago Starmer warns allies must speed up use of frozen Russian assets to fund weapons for Ukraine as Zelensky warns Putin's brutal attacks are creating a 'humanitarian disaster'

Sir Keir said allies should step up the provision of weapons as winter approaches and its energy infrastructure remains under threat from attacks by Moscow.

Events

2 w. ago Tropical Storm Melissa forecast to become major hurricane as Jamaica under threat

Topical Storm Melissa has been called a ‘slow-moving disaster’ amid warnings of catastrophic flash flooding in Haiti

Events

2 w. ago Zelensky warns Putin is creating a 'humanitarian disaster' in Ukraine as he meets Starmer and other leaders in London to discuss supplying long

Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the Ukrainian president to Downing Street on Friday ahead of talks on how to increase pressure on Moscow and boost Ukraine's defences.

Events

3 w. ago Woman learns vital lesson after leaving house with washing machine cycle on

The mum warned others of a near disaster after leaving her washing machine on while heading out for a school run. She shared a clip of the problem on her TikTok page

Politics

4 w. ago Report warns of disastrous "self inflicted" slump in housebuilding in London

Molior report says just 15,000 homes will be under construction across the capital by the end of next year

Events