French authorities have imposed overnight curfews in parts of central Paris and several other cities after nationwide demonstrations escalated into riots, arson and widespread looting. The protests began with students demanding better school conditions. However, they later expanded to include public anger over rising fuel prices, the cost-of-living crisis and deteriorating public services. Trade unions …

Pneumonic plague is a rare but extremely serious lung infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is considered the most severe form of plague and can cause symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing up blood. Plague still exists today, with an estimated 1,000 to 3,000 cases of all forms occurring globally …

The world is increasingly likely to exceed the 1.5°C warming limit within the next few years, according to UNEP’s Limiting Climate Overshoot report. Current government commitments could allow temperatures to peak at approximately 1.8°C, shifting the challenge from preventing overshoot to limiting its severity and duration. Even a temporary rise above 1.5°C could cause irreversible …

China has revealed further details of last week’s meeting between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, although the two governments released no joint statement. The countries agreed to establish an artificial-intelligence dialogue and a communication channel for AI-related incidents. Their trade truce was also extended until 10 January, while tariffs will be reduced …

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet in Washington as the world’s two largest economies seek to manage growing tensions. The leaders are expected to discuss trade, artificial intelligence, rare-earth minerals and global security. Taiwan and China’s relations with Iran may also be raised during the talks. Although a …

Passengers in Cheonan have complained about reckless driving, long waits and buses failing to stop. But drivers say the problems go deeper than individual behaviour. At a busy bus stop in Cheonan, South Korea, passengers watch carefully as a bus approaches. Some step towards the road. Others raise an arm and wave. They are not …

The Himalayas are approaching a dangerous threshold as glaciers melt faster and glacial lakes become increasingly unstable, according to new research. Glaciers across the region are losing mass 65% faster than they were than a decade ago. However, only about 21 of an estimated 40,000 glaciers are being monitored continuously. As glaciers retreat, they create …

At least six people have died and about 130 remain missing after a passenger ferry capsized in Indonesia’s Java Sea on Sunday. The Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 243 passengers and crew from Surabaya to Banjarmasin when it encountered severe weather and high waves. The captain reported that the vessel was tilting shortly before contact …

More than 900 people have died and over 4,700 remain missing after catastrophic floods struck Nepal and Tibet. The disaster began on 26 August when a glacial collapse sent water, ice and debris through Himalayan valleys, destroying homes, roads and hydropower facilities. Rescuers are searching for hundreds of workers who may be trapped inside hydropower …

The developing El Niño in the Pacific Ocean could become the strongest on record, the UK Met Office has warned. Combined with human-caused climate change, it is likely to make 2027 the hottest year ever recorded. India may experience weaker monsoon rainfall, while Australia and parts of Southeast Asia could face drought and wildfires. Peru, …