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First Humans in Ireland Likely Migrated from Wales Across Ancient Land Bridge, Cave Art Reveals

Researchers have discovered ancient rock art in eight Irish caves dating back at least 15,000 years, suggesting the first humans in Ireland migrated from Wales across a now-submerged land bridge during the last Ice Age.

6 min read

At a secret location on a hillside in south-west Ireland, a roughly circular natural cave entrance with moss-covered limestone surrounds, covered with ferns, ivy and brambles.

Waste dumping in Welsh villages sparks enforcement action from regulators

Environmental regulators have issued enforcement notices after thousands of tonnes of building rubble, including toilet fragments and metals, were deposited in two Welsh villages. Residents fear contamination while the site operator claims it is creating a horse training area.

4 min read

A mound of soil and earth in a field. A woman looks up at it

UN adopts resolution backing map that shows Africa's true size

The UN General Assembly voted on September 4, 2026, to endorse the Equal Earth projection as an alternative to the Mercator map, which has distorted Africa's size for centuries. The resolution passed 164-1, with only the US voting against it.

4 min read

Side-by-side maps of Africa comparing two map projections. The Mercator projection on the left makes Africa appear smaller in comparison with Europe to its north. The Equal Earth projection on the right shows a longer, more proportionally accurate shape of the continent.

Isle of May puffin colony faces 30% decline amid storms and food shortages

Puffin numbers at the Isle of May have fallen by 30% in two years due to extreme weather, violent storms, and declining sand eel populations caused by warming seas, conservationists warn.

4 min read

A puffin with a mouth full of silver sand eels looking out to sea.

Households urged to stockpile food as El Niño threatens UK supply chain

Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle warns households to stockpile food as a record El Niño develops. The National Audit Office warns Britain's food supply chain faces risks from cyber-attacks, disease and extreme weather, with government strategy due by end of 2026.

6 min read

A cupboard filled with jars and tins of food.

West London to trial dedicated officer tackling illegal sewage misconnections

West London will trial a dedicated enforcement officer to tackle sewage misconnections—faulty plumbing causing households to pump waste into rivers. The scheme, funded by the mayor's office, could expand across London if successful. Thames Water has identified nearly 2,300 misconnected properties...

5 min read

Man in a pink hi-viz coat and rubber gloves holding a jar of murky water while he stares at it in a concerned manner.

Northern Ireland renewable energy hits record 53% as wind dominates supply

Northern Ireland's renewable electricity generation reached a record 53% in the year to June 2026, driven primarily by wind energy. The milestone exceeds the previous record and marks consistent renewable dominance since January, though the region still faces grid constraints and must reach 80% b...

4 min read

A windturbine sits on a grassy area surrounded by a lake. This sky is blue dotted by clouds

Kinky the 'Miracle Eagle' Returns to Scottish Skies Three Years After Surviving Broken Wing

Kinky, a white-tailed sea eagle that survived a severe broken wing as a chick on Scotland's Isle of Mull in 2023, has been spotted again three years later. The bird vanished in autumn 2024 but reappeared in July 2025, confirming its remarkable survival against expert expectations.

4 min read

The image shows a sea eagle with a marked bump in its left wing - its wings spread against the background of a grey sky.

Nepal-Tibet Border Floods Shift to Relief as Death Toll Exceeds 1,000

One week after a glacial collapse triggered catastrophic floods along the Nepal-Tibet border killing over 1,100 people, rescue operations have shifted toward relief and recovery. Nearly 3,000 remain missing across both regions, with authorities launching DNA identification campaigns and humanitar...

5 min read

A woman walks among the ruins of flash floods in Nepal's Nuwakot district on September 1, 2026.

British national found alive in Nepal nearly a week after catastrophic floods

A British national has been rescued in Nepal nearly a week after devastating floods killed over 1,000 people. More than 3,900 remain missing as authorities conduct DNA identification efforts.

1 min read

Rare Queen of Spain fritillary butterfly discovered at Eden Project in Cornwall

A Queen of Spain fritillary butterfly, an extremely rare migrant to Britain, has been spotted at the Eden Project in Cornwall by a six-year-old visitor. The sighting marks one of only a handful of confirmed UK records this year and reflects increasing continental butterfly arrivals linked to warm...

4 min read

An orange butterfly with small black dots on its wings sits on a shrub of purple flowers

Devon Wildlife Trust launches three-year project to save two of England's rarest ants

Devon Wildlife Trust and Buglife have launched a three-year conservation project to protect two of England's rarest ant species. The narrow-headed ant exists only in Devon, while the erratic ant is nationally scarce. The initiative aims to double narrow-headed ant nests and establish new colonies...

3 min read

A colony of erratic ants. The ants are dark brown-black and there are about 10 of them crawling over leaves and twigs. There are three masses of white eggs.