Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Race to find source of carcinogenic Pfas in Cumbria and Lancashire waters

admin — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 06:00:46 +0000

Exclusive: High levels of banned ‘forever chemical’ have been detected in rivers and groundwater at 25 sites

A string of toxic pollution hotspots has been uncovered across Cumbria and Lancashire, with high levels of the banned cancer-causing “forever chemical” Pfos detected in rivers and groundwater at 25 sites.

The contamination, spread across a large area, was uncovered by Watershed Investigations and the Guardian after a freedom of information request revealed high concentrations of Pfos in Environment Agency samples taken in January 2025.

Elon Musk’s xAI faces second lawsuit over toxic pollutants from datacenter

admin — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:47:56 +0000

NAACP alleges artificial intelligence firm is violating Clean Air Act and polluting Black communities in Mississippi

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI is facing a second lawsuit alleging it is illegally emitting toxic pollutants from its enormous datacenters, which house its supercomputers and run the chatbot Grok.

‘A different set of rules’: thermal drone footage shows Musk’s AI power plant flouting clean air regulations

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:00:15 +0000

Images confirm xAI is continuing to defy EPA regulations in Mississippi to power its flagship datacenters

Western US states fail to negotiate crucial Colorado River deal: ‘Mother nature isn’t going to bail us out’

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:11:56 +0000

Negotiators disbanded on Friday without a plan for the basin supplying water to 40m people, thrusting the region into uncertainty

The future of the American west hung in the balance after seven states remained at a stalemate over who should bear the brunt of the enormous water cuts needed to pull the imperiled Colorado River back from the brink.

Negotiators, who have spent years trying to iron out thorny disagreements, ended their talks on Friday without a deal – one day before a critical deadline to form a plan that had been set for Saturday.

Enforcement of laws against polluters nearly non-existent in US, analysis finds

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:00:25 +0000

EPA’s records show one environmental consent decree filed in last year – 26 were filed in year one of first Trump term

Enforcement of environmental laws against major polluters has virtually ground to a halt under the Trump administration, a new analysis of Environmental Protection Agency records from January 2025 to January 2026 shows.

Major polluters typically include companies that are among the largest in the oil, gas, coal and chemical industries.

Heathrow isn’t crowded, it’s travellers walking on the wrong side, boss says

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:50:00 +0000

Thomas Woldbye says part of airport’s problem is UK passengers walk on the left while others walk on the right

Heathrow airport has revealed a crowding problem that a third runway cannot solve: British and foreign travellers walk on different sides, and keep colliding, according to its chief executive.

Thomas Woldbye said that while Heathrow serviced more passengers in a smaller overall area than comparable European hubs, part of the London airport’s trouble was the differing continental sense of direction.

Week in wildlife: a thirsty raccoon, a superhero squid and a delinquent swan

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:00:38 +0000

This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world

River Thames spot among 13 sites shortlisted for swimming status

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:00:37 +0000

Choice could prove difficult for Thames Water, which is trying to push through a water recycling scheme nearby

The first designated bathing water area on the River Thames in London has been shortlisted as one of 13 new monitored swimming areas across the country.

The Thames at Ham, in south-west London, was shortlisted as a new river bathing water after campaigners gathered evidence to show thousands of people use the river for swimming throughout the year.

‘We are hopeful’: small signs of recovery for Scotland’s rare capercaillie bird

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:00:37 +0000

Number of males at RSPB Abernethy rises to 30, after ‘huge amount of work’ by conservationists in Highlands forests

After decades of decline, there are signs of hope for the capercaillie, one of Britain’s most endangered birds.

Populations of the charismatic grouse, which in the UK is found only in the Caledonian pine forests of the Scottish Highlands, have increased by 50%, from 20 males in 2020 to 30 in 2025 at RSPB Abernethy.

Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat inside its economic zone amid Beijing rift

admin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:19:57 +0000

Japan says vessel failed to comply with order to stop, with incident coming weeks after row with China over Taiwan

Authorities in Japan have seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its captain in a move that is likely to inflame an ongoing diplomatic row between Tokyo and Beijing.