At least 37 people have reportedly died after inhaling toxic fumes during an alleged illegal oil siphoning operation in Okrika, Rivers State. The incident has once again exposed the deadly risks surrounding Nigeria’s illegal oil trade, but it also points to a deeper problem in the Niger Delta: the lack of safe and reliable livelihoods…
The Nepal floods have become one of the deadliest disasters in the region after a powerful flash flood swept through communities near the Nepal-China border. The latest reports put the death toll at more than 600, while nearly 3,000 people remain missing across Nepal and Tibet. The disaster was linked to an ice-rock avalanche in…
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned residents in several parts of the country to prepare for flash flooding as torrential rainfall increases the risk of sudden flooding. The warning comes amid Nigeria’s peak rainy season, when saturated soil, overwhelmed drainage systems and intense downpours can turn ordinary rainfall into a serious hazard. Recent NiMet…
President Bola Tinubu has again promised that Nigeria’s state-owned refineries will return to operation, saying the government is carrying out a “structural and economic reset” to ensure the facilities must become productive and profitable. That distinction is important because Nigeria has already celebrated refinery “revivals” that did not last. Port Harcourt restarted in November 2024,…
At least 13 people have died in the Philippines after nine consecutive days of heavy rain triggered flash floods, landslides and other accidents across the northern part of the country. Eight people were also reported missing, while more than half a million people across 33 provinces had been affected in the initial assessment. But the…
The deaths of two firefighting pilots in Greece this week are more than a tragic accident. They are another reminder that Europe’s wildfire crisis is becoming increasingly dangerous, longer lasting and far more expensive than it was just a decade ago. Two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a massive wildfire northwest of Athens, killing a…
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has warned that a potential “Super El Niño” weather event could inflict between $10 billion and $20 billion in economic losses across Africa, with Nigeria listed among the countries at risk of severe impacts. Speaking to Reuters, AfDB Director for Climate Change and Green Growth, Anthony Nyong, said the anticipated…
Meta has withdrawn from the RE100 global clean energy initiative, ending more than a decade of membership as the company ramps up its investment in natural gas-powered data centers to support the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. The move marks a significant shift in the tech giant’s energy strategy amid soaring demand for AI computing…
More than 200,000 people have been evacuated across France and Spain as extreme heat and powerful wildfires continue to sweep through parts of southern Europe, overwhelming emergency services and forcing thousands from their homes. The latest fires are among the most severe of this year’s wildfire season, fueled by record-breaking temperatures, dry vegetation and strong…
At least 26 people have been killed and more than 100 others remain missing after devastating flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains swept through eastern Afghanistan, leaving widespread destruction and prompting fears that the death toll could rise further. The mountainous province of Nuristan has been the worst affected by the disaster. Torrential rainfall…
