🌡 Third-warmest August globally, 1.29°C above pre-industrial level, 0.49°C above the 1991–2020 average for the month. Western Europe saw major heatwaves, mostly in the Iberian Peninsula and southwest France. Third-highest sea surface temperatures on record at 20.82°C.

If you love a map like I do - have a read of this excellent Reuters data viz on the true size of Africa www.reuters.com/graphics/AFR...

Heatwaves in Europe are widening inequalities - to understand why - have a watch. www.context.news/climate-just...

Climate inaction in the dock. A major case at the UN's top court is a major breakthrough for climate litigation (see article). Activists, farmers, scientists and young people are finding creative ways of using the law to slow global warming. www.context.news/just-transit...

ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change:

As wildfires threaten cities, experts warn that Europe’s expanding suburbs and hotter, drier summers are raising the risk. Prevention, smarter urban planning, and resilient landscapes are key to protecting communities. ✍️ @jogill.bsky.social reports 🔗 www.context.news/climate-risk...

As Europe delays deforestation regulation - a look at wildfires and forest loss. www.context.news/climate-risk...

"Over the past months and years, we’ve seen all too clearly what armies and munitions can do to humans and the environment. Less visible, and less well understood, are the devastating effects of war on our climate." www.context.news/net-zero/opi...

Israeli tourists could lose visa-free travel to the EU under new rules agreed by member states and the European Parliament, my colleague Vincenzo Genovese reports. The rules foresee suspensions over a country’s severe breaches of international human rights or humanitarian law.

🚨 A draft proposal from the European Commission would allow the limited use of carbon credits — up to 3 percentage points of the 90% target — from projects in other countries to meet the EU's 2040 climate goal. Scoop w/ @karlmathiesen.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/brus...

Britain plans to extend a bottom trawling ban as governments ratify global oceans treaty ✍️ Beatrice Tridimas reports 🔗 www.context.news/nature/what-...

In light of the attacks between Israel and Iran, the European Commission has taken "appropriate measures" to reinforce the security of EU staff based in the Middle East and "mitigate risks". The measures cannot be detailed for security reasons.

"We can certainly speak of a 'Trump effect' - as part of a global culture war against minority rights": Pride organisers in Europe are losing financial support, as major firms pull back from Pride. LGBTQ+ campaigners say Trump's anti-DEI drive is to blame. www.context.news/money-power-...

Something I've suspected - algorithms aint got no rhythm. english.elpais.com/culture/2025...

EU big tech law - EU Commission starts investigations against four porn sites for alleged non-compliance with Digital Services Act - one porn site delisted as 'very large online platform' - coordinated action by national regulators against smaller porn sites ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

Sara Brandstätter - Meta Platforms can start training its AI model with users' data in Germany after judges this afternoon rejected an urgent request for an injunction made over data protection fears. Below is the press release: lnkd.in/dcJRqmHt.

Random movie musing. Why doesn't Disney Pixar do adult targeted animation? I'm thinking the next instalment of Inside Out - but the protagonist is going through menopause. Which emotions would be at the controls?

Francis opened a dialogue that had been "sealed shut" previously. So how could the next Pope influence LGBTQ+ rights? Read about it on @contextnewsroom.bsky.social www.context.news/socioeconomi...

2024 saw the highest annual sea surface temperature on record for both the European region as a whole and the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean also reached its highest recorded daily sea surface temperature during a severe marine heatwave in August. https://bit.ly/43J3fU6 #ESOTC2024 #C3S

Seeking digital immortality? Take a look at this. www.context.news/big-tech/vid...

From water projects in Afghanistan to demining in Colombia, aid cuts from Trump, EU and UK stop work that makes the world safer. ✍️ Jo Gill talks to Charlotte Slente. 🔗 www.context.news/money-power-...

From South Africa to the Philippines, Ukraine to Nigeria, frontline workers are scrambling to plug gaps left by USAID funding cuts. Can these temporary measures last? Latest @contextnewsroom.bsky.social story with @jogill.bsky.social Bukola Adebayo & Mariejo Ramos www.context.news/money-power-...

"Far-right and populist politicians in Europe are increasingly challenging access to abortion and other essential reproductive healthcare services – a stark reminder that these rights are not guaranteed and must be continually protected." www.context.news/money-power-...

"We are living a revolution in understanding the Earth." How is #AI helping #earthquake forecasting? Read on @contextnewsroom.bsky.social www.context.news/ai/how-ai-is...

Indie animated film "Flow" rattled the big studios with its Oscar win, spotlighting the role of new tech in an industry under pressure from AI. ✍️ @jogill.bsky.social reports.

Using AI without breaking the magic of animation - that's the task facing an industry in flux in an age of automation. I spoke to 'Flow' animation director Léo Silly Pélissier about the AI-free Oscar film & new projects dabbling with AI @contextnewsroom.bsky.social www.context.news/ai/q-and-a-f...

Foreign aid cuts by U.S. and other donors puts decades of progress for #AIDS, #TB and #malaria at risk, says Global Fund head. Read @jogill.bsky.social interview with Peter Sands on @contextnewsroom.bsky.social on #WorldTBDay www.context.news/rethinking-t...

NEW: Months before Google was accused in a lawsuit of facilitating the suicide of a teen user of the Google-tied chatbot startup CharacterAI, researchers at Google DeepMind warned in a paper that chatbots could target minors and manipulate vulnerable users into suicide. futurism.com/google-suici...

A crucial climate case which could set a precedent for climate lawsuits resumes in Germany today. Read more about how climate litigation is evolving on @contextnewsroom.bsky.social www.context.news/just-transit...

With demand for minerals vital for renewable technologies set to almost triple by 2030, the race for resources such as lithium and cobalt is set to ramp up this year, fueling conflict, security deals and legal challenges. www.context.news/just-transit...

The European Union has proposed an overhaul of its migrant deportation rules with the possibility of "return hubs" to fast-track the expulsion of rejected asylum seekers, marking a major shift towards off-shoring procedures. www.context.news/socioeconomi...

Women "earn less, are more likely to experience unemployment, spend more time on housework and caregiving, are underrepresented in politics and leadership roles, and are at a greater risk of sexual harassment," and yet... english.elpais.com/science-tech...

A Peruvian farmer's lawsuit against German firm is part of mounting legal challenges against energy giants over climate change. @jogill.bsky.social has the story on @contextnewsroom.bsky.social www.context.news/just-transit...

Less than a year before the EU's new #carbon border tax #CBAM takes effect, Western Balkans states face tough choices on coal power. Read @jogill.bsky.social on @contextnewsroom.bsky.social to find out why. www.context.news/just-transit...

AI in the Arts. At the ANIMA festival in Brussels last week it was notable that the audience applauded not just the animation, but the notice that popped up in the credits 'No AI was used in the creation of this work'.

The EU plans to cut red tape to boost business with its omnibus proposal, but campaigners worry it will weaken worker and environmental protections. www.context.news/money-power-...

"Europe is ready to massively boost its defence spending, to respond to the short-term urgency to support Ukraine, but also address long-term need to take on more responsibility for European security. EU commission president announces ReArm Europe plan.

The #EU plans to cut red tape to boost business, but campaigners worry it will weaken worker and #environmental protections. @jogill.bsky.social reports for @contextnewsroom.bsky.social www.context.news/money-power-...

From Haiti and El Salvador to Nigeria, Kenya, Syria and Afghanistan, @contextnewsroom.bsky.social interviewed administrators, counsellors, midwives, vaccinators, gender and migration specialists, all hit by job losses due to the #USAID freeze. www.context.news/socioeconomi...

Tracking the impact of USAID freeze? @contextnewsroom.bsky.social has correspondents across the globe looking at the impacts on health, education, climate and how the funding gap can be filled. www.context.news/in-focus/usa...

It's a multibillion-dollar question: Who will fill the aid gap left by the USAID freeze? "These are not luxury activities. Otherwise, we only repeat a circle of suffering all the time." www.context.news/money-power-...

Yet another study finds that diverse forests store far more carbon than monoculture plantations. Previous research in the tropics showed it could be 40x more. Natural forests also help stabilise the climate in other, equally vital ways. WHEN will this penny drop? scienceblog.com/tree-diversi...

It's a multibillion-dollar question: Who will fill the aid gap left by the USAID freeze? The answer is unlikely to be Europe. ✍️ @jogill.bsky.social reports. 🔗 www.context.news/money-power-...

It's a multibillion-dollar question: Who will fill the aid gap left by the USAID freeze? "These are not luxury activities. Otherwise, we only repeat a circle of suffering all the time." www.context.news/money-power-...

Wealthy nations owe African countries some 50 times more for climate damage than the debt Africa owes them, ActionAid report says www.context.news/climate-just...

⚡️ 5.2 million Ukrainian refugees remain abroad, less than half plan to return, poll says. The Center for Economic Strategy projects that between 1.7 and 2.7 million Ukrainians may permanently remain abroad, potentially reducing Ukraine's annual GDP by 5.1% to 7.8%.

🏳️‍🌈 This is the third general election I'm covering in Germany - and it's the first time LGBTQ+ people here aren't talking about advancing queer equality, but about protecting their hard-won rights from rollbacks. Read my latest article:

Tracking the impact of USAID freeze? @contextnewsroom.bsky.social has correspondents across the globe looking at the impacts on health, education, climate and how the funding gap can be filled. www.context.news/in-focus/usa...

High rents and a shortage of new builds is pricing people out of homes in #Germany, but housing remains a blip on the #election radar. @jogill.bsky.social reports for @contextnewsroom.bsky.social www.context.news/rethinking-t...

A new era of coordinated attacks on fundamental rights and freedoms has taken hold, and anti-LGBTI laws are being used as a gateway, warns ILGA-Europe as it releases its annual review www.context.news/socioeconomi...