Environment

Environment · 27 September 2026

The Great Bet: How Dodging a Storm in the Outback Broke the Grid, Fixed It, and Made Two Very Rich Men Look Smarter Than Us

Priya Nair, Sydney desk

A decade of grid instability in South Australia, triggered by a massive storm, led to an informal wager between two wealthy individuals that inadvertently accelerated the adoption of battery storage, fundamentally changi…

Environment · 27 September 2026

Batteries Gone Wild: Six Fires in Two Months Turn Aussie Recycling Centre into a Hot Spot

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

Six battery fires over just 60 days have turned a routine Australian recycling centre into a blazing spectacle, leaving workers wondering if their job description included firefighting.

Environment · 27 September 2026

Alaska's Fat Bear Week 2024: 16 Bears, 1 Trophy, and a Nation‑wide Online Vote

Sam Orbit, World desk

In the most ambitious Fat Bear Week yet, 16 salmon‑loving bears of Katmai National Park battle it out in a single‑elimination tournament, while voters from across the globe cast ballots for their favourite competitor…

Environment · 25 September 2026

Pope’s Return to France: A Vatican‑EU Summit Over Ties, Transparency and Trousers

Inès Vogel, Brussels desk

The Vatican’s Leo XIV arrives in Paris for his first state visit in almost two decades, set to juggle apologies to abuse survivors, a high‑tech rosary demo and a diplomatic handshake with EU leaders.

Environment · 25 September 2026

White House Cites ‘Decorative Curtain’ Policy to Keep Press Out Despite Judge’s Order

June Harrow, Washington desk

Despite a federal judge’s immediate order to restore access, the White House continues to bar CNN, MS Now and Politico reporters, invoking an obscure ‘decorative curtain’ policy and vague security concerns.

Environment · 24 September 2026

EU Heritage Bureau Declares Paris a New Wall‑Capital After 20‑Metre Gallo‑Roman Discovery

Inès Vogel, Brussels desk

An ancient 20‑metre Gallo‑Roman wall uncovered in central Paris has prompted the EU’s Heritage Department to declare the city a potential “wall‑capital”, sparking procedural debates and a sudden surge in heri…

Environment · 24 September 2026

Albanese and Trump Trade Blows Over Digital Duty of Care Laws, Media Credentials Vanish

Clyde Rook, Washington desk

Australia’s new digital duty of care laws hit a snag at the White House, as Albanese rebuffs Trump’s censorship jab while the former president removes press credentials and sues media outlets.

Environment · 23 September 2026

EU’s Green Veto: Brussels’ New Climate Clause Sparks Global Debate

Inès Vogel, Brussels desk

In a bold move that could turn the EU’s climate ambitions into a bureaucratic labyrinth, Brussels unveiled a ‘Green Veto’ mechanism that lets member states halt any emissions target unless they sign a rubber stamp.…

Environment · 23 September 2026

Navy to Deploy Anti-Satellite Flies to Keep Russian Jammers Out of Orbit

Tom Wick, London desk

Britain has announced a new military space squadron, a move described by one general as a response to regular jamming, but critics point out the unit will primarily consist of interns with a shared tablet.