Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Inside the secret Laos shops selling pangolin scales, bear bile and tiger bones to tourists

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:17:16 +0000

Covert footage obtained by the Guardian shows how crime networks are using front souvenir shops to hide a booming wildlife trade targeted at a new influx of Chinese tourists

The shop is dark and deserted. Though the door is open, there is clearly no expectation of any customers walking in off the street. Visits are likely by appointment and from a specific clientele. This shop is part of an organised crime network. What is being sold is highly illegal and incredibly unethical.

Undercover in Laos: how Chinese tourism fuels animal trafficking – video

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:00:18 +0000

Chinese tourism is booming in Laos and the illegal wildlife trade is booming with it. Pangolin scales, rhino horn and elephant ivory are all being sold at secret shops and restaurants as a new high-speed rail line brings millions of visitors to the country. Working with Chinese activists, the Guardian goes undercover to investigate the criminal networks profiting from this trade and to reveal how wildlife trafficking is pushing the critically endangered pangolin ever closer to extinction

South East Water to pay £30.5m penalty after multiple supply failures

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:27:04 +0000

Ofwat says repeated errors led to ‘real disruption and hardship for residents and businesses across many years’

Business live – latest updates

South East Water will pay £30.5m after a series of supply interruptions, customer failings and for breaching its licence, regulator Ofwat has said.

Giving nature a say: why Scottish marine scientists appointed the ocean to their board

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 06:00:23 +0000

As the rights of nature are increasingly being recognised, the Scottish Association for Marine Science is the latest organisation to make the ocean a trustee

Can you spot the poacher’s handprint? Earth Photo award winners – in pictures

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 06:00:22 +0000

From scientific tricks to stop turtle traffickers to stranded seals and displaced workers, these images all scooped prizes at this year’s Earth Photo awards

Most UK media reports on June heatwave failed to mention climate crisis

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 05:00:21 +0000

Exclusive: Analysis of nearly 2,500 articles finds almost three-quarters made no reference to global heating

Most of the UK media stories about the record-breaking heatwave that struck in June failed to mention the climate crisis, analysis has found.

North Sea oil industry urges Burnham to approve new drilling in UK waters

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 05:00:20 +0000

Lobby appeals to prospective PM’s reindustrialisation agenda as it pushes for Rosebank and Jackdaw approval

The UK’s North Sea oil industry has made a last-ditch attempt to curry favour with the Labour government by appealing to Andy Burnham’s reindustrialisation agenda just days before he is expected to become Britain’s next prime minister.

Lancashire chemicals factory facing potential legal claim announces closure

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:05:39 +0000

More than 90 residents have expressed interest in contamination claim against AGC Chemicals Europe

A Pfas factory in Lancashire has announced plans to close down, just days after the Guardian revealed that more than 90 residents had signed up to be involved in a potential legal claim over contamination of the local area.

British couple named among 13 killed in Spanish wildfires

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:54:04 +0000

Pete and Fran Gillam confirmed dead as authorities use DNA samples to identify victims of blaze in Almería

A British couple have been named among the 13 people killed by wildfires in Spain, as authorities race to use DNA to identify victims who were unable to escape the blaze.

Pete and Fran Gillam, who lived in Bédar, the village that bore the brunt of the wildfires on Thursday, were confirmed dead by their family.

Dolphin deaths in South Australia spike after algal bloom decimates food sources

admin — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:00:51 +0000

The marine disaster may be linked to a high number of dolphin deaths in the region, scientists say

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