Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"Central Asia's Water Tower to Lose One-third of Glacier Mass by 2040.
"Overall, the Tian Shan mountains are projected to lose about one-third of the area's glaciers before 2040, according to a recent study. Furthermore, scientists worry that it may get even worse depending on the climate scenario…"
"Tajikistan to host major international conference on water security amid rising climate risks…
"Qodiri warned that growing water scarcity could escalate geopolitical tensions, with nations facing stark choices between cooperation or conflict over shared resources."
"AN INSANITY BEYOND ANY IMAGINATION - CRAZY 24.4C [75.9F] AT 1420M ASL IN CENTRAL ASIAN RUSSIA (at Gunib).
"This is getting absurd and beyond what's though to be physically possible. And THIRD DAY WITH 30C in Central Asia - 30.7 Esenguly TURKMENISTAN record. and you know something ? The worst hasn't come yet."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2023788016272371850
"CAUCASUS RECORD WARMTH. Another avalanche of records in this historic winter warmth:
"ARMENIA - 24.2 [75.6F] Meghri NATIONAL FEBRUARY RECORD, 18.0 Ashtarak, 15.2 Sisian; AZERBAIJAN - 27.0 Geokchay, 23.9 Zakatala, 22.2 Maraza, MINS: 13.7 Gyanja NATIONAL RECORD OF FEB HIGH MINIMUM. 12.6 Zakatala."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2024192374570684486
"More than 7.5 million people in Pakistan are facing high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition following a year marked by heavy monsoon floods, prolonged droughts, dry spells and escalating violence.
"This is according to a new assessment released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) global hunger monitoring system."
"Sweat for survival? How long can India's informal labour bear the heat.
"Driven by global climate change and local environmental stresses, heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer, and intense, especially in northern, central, and eastern India."
"HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN BANGLADESH.
"Another record heat wave in Bangladesh just like every single month of the past years. 35.0C [95F] Ramgamati. 34.9C Comilla - both are their hottest winter day ever. And the heat will get worse and worse every day. Expect record after record."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2024100114864935311
"Smoke from Cambodian forest fires hits Buriram border villages.
"Residents along the Thai-Cambodian border in Buriram province have begun to feel the impact of forest fires burning on the Cambodian side, with smoke and airborne embers drifting into Thai communities, local officials said on 18 February 2026."
"Forest fires worsen Chiang Mai's air quality on Wednesday morning [Thailand].
"Forest fires worsen air quality in Chiang Mai, pushing PM2.5 levels to unhealthy levels. Authorities report 182 hotspots in the region, with significant fire risks in southern districts… Due to drought, leaf fall has increased the fuel load, contributing to higher fire risks."
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40062668
"Torrential rains trigger widespread flooding in Grobogan [Indonesia].
"The disaster affected 42 villages across 10 districts, with water levels reported between 50 and 100 centimeters. Floodwaters also inundated 26 schools, more than 1,800 hectares of rice fields and severely damaged two houses."
"Tragic Landslide Halts Nickel Operations in Sulawesi.
"A landslide at PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park in Sulawesi led to one worker's death and halted operations in a nickel processing hub. The incident occurred in a tailings area managed by PT QMB."
"Endless record heat in INDONESIA.
"MINIMUM 27.3c [81.1F] at Manokwari has its hottest night in history in February broken for the 5th time in a few days after breaking the records of all months of the year multiple times each."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2024011922044006762
"Extreme Heat, Drought Hit Jarrah Forests Hard.
"Western Australia's jarrah forests were unevenly impacted by the record-breaking 2023-2024 heatwave and subsequent drought, with some areas experiencing more severe tree die-off than others, according to a new study."
https://www.miragenews.com/extreme-heat-drought-hit-jarrah-forests-hard-1622609/
"Intense heat waves directly threaten crops and native species [Australia].
"During Australia's unprecedented heat wave in late January, air temperatures reached 50°C in inland South Australia. Days of sustained heat and hot nights did real damage. A flying fox colony was all but wiped out in South Australia, while Western Australian mango growers suffered major crop losses as fruit literally boiled."
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-intense-threaten-crops-native-species.html
"Argentina's pioneering glacier law on the line as Milei bets on copper rush.
"Argentine lawmakers are set to vote this week on government proposals to weaken a landmark law that bans mining on and around glaciers, days after President Javier Milei's libertarian administration signed a critical minerals supply deal with the US."
"HISTORIC HEAT IN PARAGUAY.
"Record after record… The capital pulverized its February record of highest temperature in history again, while QuyQuyho broke it for the 6th time - 42.6 [108.7F] Asuncion, 41.4C Airport 42.0 Quyquyhó. Brutal heat also in ARGENTINA - 44.0C Rivadavia."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2024307140383609294
"Heavy rain causes flooding in the capital and Greater São Paulo; video shows woman clinging to a lamppost after her car is swept away by the flood.
"According to the agency, the combination of heat and the arrival of the sea breeze favored the formation of unstable areas that caused heavy rain…"
"Mudslide in Alausí, Chimborazo, leaves injuries and other damage after the rains [Ecuador].
"A mudslide in Alausí, Chimborazo , remains active and under constant monitoring by emergency agencies following the intense rains recorded on February 18, 2026. Risk management officials reported on the human and material damage."
"Insane summer temperatures in MEXICO - >40C [104F] at 1000m asl; >30C at 2500m asl - this would be a summer heat wave.
"FEBRUARY RECORDS - 33.6C Saltillo 1800m, 31.0C Tlaxcala 2224m. Tomorrow Texas can hit 100F!"
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2024312762764316952
"Wildfires rage across Oklahoma as conditions worsen.
"Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for all three affected counties Wednesday morning. He said two more local task forces would be deployed to Beaver County. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for nearly the entire state, except the southeast corner."
https://www.kosu.org/local-news/2026-02-18/wildfires-rage-across-oklahoma-as-conditions-worsen
"70+ MPH Winds Trigger Deadly 30-Car Pileup In Colorado.
"Blinding winds whipped up a wall of dust on I-25 near Pueblo, triggering a deadly chain-reaction crash involving more than 30 vehicles… At least four people have been killed according to preliminary reports. Twenty-nine others have been transported to nearby hospitals…"
https://weather.com/news/weather/news/2026-02-17-i-25-crash-colorado-dust-storm
"The seven Colorado River basin states missed a key federal deadline to reach a new water usage agreement, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is now likely to impose a solution of its own…
"Meanwhile, the key reservoirs of Lake Mead and Lake Powell are at critically low levels and continue to drop."
"Snow drought helped set the stage for deadly California avalanche, leading to unstable conditions…
"The new snow did not have time to bond to the earlier layer before the avalanche near Lake Tahoe killed at least eight backcountry skiers, said Craig Clements, a meteorology professor at San Jose State University, who has conducted avalanche research."
"Despite La Niña, record warm winter wrapping up…
"For both Oregon and Washington, the two-month period of December to January was the warmest in 131 years of record-keeping… Washington's snowpack is only 51% of average, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Oregon's is even smaller, 30% of normal."
https://chinookobserver.com/2026/02/18/despite-la-nina-record-warm-winter-wrapping-up/
"Climate change and persistent contaminants deliver one‑two punch to Arctic seals, study finds.
"New research shows a single year of warmer-than-average Arctic temperatures can cause malnutrition in Arctic seals, intensifying risks to Inuit food security and northern ecosystems already under pressure from environmental toxins, warn Simon Fraser University researchers."
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-climate-persistent-contaminants-onetwo-arctic.html
"Thousands of Alien Species Could Invade the Arctic, Scientists Warn.
"More than 2,500 alien plant species could find suitable conditions in the Arctic, especially in northern Norway and Svalbard. Researchers used massive biodiversity datasets to map risk areas and improve early detection efforts."
https://scitechdaily.com/thousands-of-alien-species-could-invade-the-arctic-scientists-warn/
"Naval shipwreck emerges in Sweden after being submerged for 400 years.
"A 17th century Swedish Navy shipwreck buried underwater in central Stockholm for 400 years has suddenly become visible due to unusually [actually record] low Baltic Sea levels, marking the latest centuries-old vessel to be found in the country's waters."
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/navy-shipwreck-emerges-baltic-sea-sweden/
"UK Banks Face New Era of Mortgage Risk as Flood Damage Soars.
"As the prospect of flood damage haunts an ever larger number of UK homes, the country's banks are under growing pressure to prove they're not underestimating the risk in their mortgage books."
"The longest unbroken spell of rainy days recorded by University of Reading meteorologists ended on Tuesday after 37 consecutive days.
"The university's Atmospheric Observatory said 17 February was the first day without measurable rainfall in the town since 11 January."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g28dwlz1eo
"Thousands of puffins starve to death during storms.
"Thousands of dead seabirds have washed up on the south west coast, Channel Islands and French beaches, a wildlife trust has said. The majority of the birds are puffins which had become starved and exhausted due to not being able to feed during the recent storms."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz0g1l847ygo
"Man missing in Loire River as record rains lash France.
"A man has gone missing after his canoe capsized on the swollen Loire River as severe flooding hit western France, officials said Wednesday, while the country marked a record-breaking 35 [now 36] consecutive days of rainfall."
https://www.france24.com/en/france/20260218-man-missing-loire-river-record-rains-lash-france
"Widespread damage has been recorded in south-west France after Storm Pedro passed through overnight.
"Trees were uprooted and branches felled amid powerful winds… In Rochefort (Charente-Maritime) uprooted trees fell on parked cars, and gales of over 130 km/h [80mph] were recorded along the coastal areas of Île d'Oléron."
"Avalanches, 88 ski deaths and a train crash: Why Europe's mountains are proving so dangerous this winter…
"Weather conditions across the Alps have produced perfect conditions for huge slides, often triggered by just a single skier. But beyond that, researchers warn that climate change is also having an impact on the frequency of avalanches."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/avalanches-alps-deaths-europe-ski-snow-b2922799.html
"Climate Change Opens the Door for Painful Chikungunya Disease to Spread Across Europe.
"Researchers found that in countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, conditions now allow chikungunya infections for more than half the year. In parts of western and central Europe, including France, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland, transmission could occur for several months annually."
"A major study has confirmed that the flash flooding that devastated Valencia in 2024 was 'intensified' by human-made climate change.
"Spain is still desperately trying to heal its wounds and understand exactly what went wrong almost two years after one of its worst floods in history."
"Severe Storms Batter Western Greece.
"Severe weather is sweeping across parts of Greece, triggering floods, landslides and widespread damage to roads, homes and businesses, while several communities remain cut off and some areas have been placed under a state of emergency."
https://www.tovima.com/society/severe-storms-batter-western-greece/
"Record heat again in Gabon:
"Exceptional 36.2C [97.2F] yesterday at Franceville, a hill town in the interior of the country HOTTEST DAY IN HISTORY (over 1 century of data). Gabon has been breaking and rebreaking records every month for years, multiple times each month."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2023716966415098338
"While the rainy season is being unusually cool in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, South Africa is like a factory of heat waves:
"Record hot day yesterday in the Southwest: HOTTEST FEBRUARY DAY 39.2 [102.6F] Kirstenbosch, 34.2 Cape Point. HOTTEST FEBRUARY NIGHT Mins: 23.9 Riversdale, 21.9 George."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2023737530445709425
"'Let them shower in hotels': Johannesburg Premier faces backlash amid water crisis…
"Some Johannesburg residents haven't had a drop of water for more than three weeks straight: forced to travel to get water from municipal tankers and washing with buckets. Schools and hospitals are also affected."
"Somalia's disaster agency warns of worsening drought.
"The drought has devastated crops and livestock across Somalia, forcing local authorities and aid agencies to call for urgent assistance. Moalim urged the Somali government and international partners to act quickly to provide relief…"
https://shabellemedia.com/somalias-disaster-agency-warns-of-worsening-drought/
"From Pakistan Floods to California Drought: Climate Risks Shake the Cotton Industry.
"The weather is no longer just small talk—it has become an unpredictable force reshaping global industries. Climate volatility is increasingly affecting farmers, textile manufacturers and brands, disrupting supply chains and challenging long-term planning."
"Rice emerges as the biggest source of farm emissions worldwide.
"In 2020, global cropland emissions reached 2.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent… Nearly half of that total came from East Asia and the Pacific, and rice alone accounted for 43 percent of global cropland emissions."
https://www.earth.com/news/rice-emerges-as-the-biggest-source-of-farm-emissions-worldwide/
"Scientists warn flowering-stage heat stress could devastate wheat production…
"New research suggests that short periods of extreme heat and drought at this critical stage of development could become one of the biggest threats to wheat production in the decades ahead. Flowering is the stage when wheat plants set grain, making it crucial in determining final yield and overall harvest size."
"Rising temperatures threaten coffee yields worldwide…
"Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Ethiopia and Indonesia - which supply 75% of the world's coffee - experienced on average 57 additional days of temperatures exceeding the threshold of 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit)."
"An El Niño is brewing…
"…prepare for bedlam… The impact of this new warming surge will be especially profound because this El Niño will probably provide the final proof that global warming is actually accelerating sickeningly from its previously merely alarming pace."
https://billmckibben.substack.com/p/an-el-nino-is-brewing
"El Niño update: Warm water is now surfacing in the eastern Pacific near Ecuador and Peru — and there's a lot more coming.
"Subsurface waters are 3˚C to 5˚C above-average in the western and central Pacific. That warmth is headed east and will probably fuel an El Niño Costero." [Ben Noll]
https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/2024144377422233627
"No Wall Will Be High Enough to Keep Climate Refugees Out…
"The tropics and Southern hemisphere will be worst affected by rising heat prompting desperate climate refugees to defy immigration barriers and travel north into the United States and Western Europe."
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The post 19th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
18th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News [ 18-Feb-26 9:21am ]Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"World Uncertainty Index surges to 106,862 in February - worse than COVID, 2008 crash, and 9/11 combined…
"The WUI …measures structured analyst reports written by professionals who assess real economic, political, and financial risks on the ground. This makes the February 2026 spike unusually significant."
"Global Shift Toward Sovereign Launch Gains Momentum Amid Geopolitical Tensions.
"Driven by the "SpaceX monopoly" on the commercial market and heightened geopolitical instability, nations including Australia, Canada, Spain, and Germany are aggressively funding domestic rocket startups to ensure guaranteed access to orbit."
"GFC 2.0? Trump is taking a big risk with America's banks…
"After the 2023 regional banking crisis that saw several smaller banks fail, the Biden administration wanted to toughen prudential requirements, but didn't act before Biden lost office. Now, the Trump administration wants to loosen them."
"Fund managers are taking the most bearish stance on the dollar in more than a decade…
"The shift comes as President Donald Trump's aggressive geopolitical actions and pressure on institutions such as the Federal Reserve have raised anxiety over the country's attractiveness as a haven for the world's capital."
https://www.ft.com/content/b6436d45-9eb0-4bfa-a773-48b517b9202d
"The Affordability Crisis Can Now Add Wages to the Mix.
"No matter the economic survey or poll, the message is the same thing: Americans are deeply concerned about what they call an affordability crisis. Yet to former hedge fund manager and current Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, it's a joke."
"US restaurants downsize meals to counter anti-obesity drugs and affordability crisis.
"US restaurants are pivoting to smaller, more affordable portions as the dual impact of anti-obesity drugs (GLP-1s like Ozempic) and a persistent affordability crisis reshapes consumer behavior."
https://www.ft.com/content/8ba1cae7-957d-4e02-a707-14d501e146fc
"US College Underemployment Hits 42.5% as first-job prospects weaken.
""The rate matches the levels seen during the 2008 Financial Crisis," except this time, there is no global economic collapse to explain it away. Moreover, more than half of all new graduates, over 52.0%, enter the labour market underemployed."
"'It's soul-crushing': young people battle to find any work in bleak jobs market [UK].
"Official figures show youth unemployment among 18 to 24-year-olds rose to a five-year high in the final three months of 2025. Strip out the Covid spike in 2020 and youth unemployment has hit an 11-year-high."
"Is Britain on borrowed time?
"A particular kind of uneasy quiet hangs over Britain. For decades, we have, fiscally speaking, relied on the "kindness of strangers" to keep us afloat. Yet, as public sector net debt hovers at a staggering 100% of GDP and growth has remained largely stagnant since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, we are now testing the limits of our credibility."
https://thecritic.co.uk/is-britain-on-borrowed-time/
"Dutch Lawmakers Approve a 36% Tax on Unrealized Crypto, Stock, and Bond Gains…
"If a Dutch resident holds a portfolio of shares that rises by €10,000 over the course of a year, the tax authority will treat that paper gain as taxable income, regardless of whether the investor has sold anything."
"Western Balkans truck drivers warn of new blockades over Schengen stay rules.
"Truck drivers from Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Bosnia & Herzegovina are considering new blockades of cargo border crossings after the European Union rejected all proposals aimed at easing restrictions on their stay in the Schengen area, local media reported on February 16."
"Poland extends war reparations campaign to Russia.
"Poland is preparing a reparations claim against Russia for atrocities committed during Soviet dominance of the country, echoing its demand for €1.3tn in compensation from Germany for second world war crimes."
https://www.ft.com/content/ba2d11d9-271b-4960-93e3-e352879be4dc
"Facing a demographic catastrophe, Ukraine is paying for troops to freeze their sperm.
"Maxim doesn't mind discussing his sperm. In fact, he wishes more in Ukraine's military would talk about their fertility - or at least think about it. "Our men are dying. The Ukrainian gene pool is dying. This is about the survival of our nation," the soldier tells me…"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxd9549y4xo
"Russia Sees Wave of Children's Store Closures.
"Children's clothing stores are rapidly disappearing across Russia as a deepening demographic crisis reshapes the country's retail landscape, with falling birth rates sharply reducing demand… The trend is especially visible in Moscow, where approximately 16% of children's clothing stores closed over the past year alone."
https://caspianpost.com/regions/russia-sees-wave-of-children-s-store-closures
"'Close our eyes': To escape war, Muscovites flock to high culture…
"The conflict, launched when Vladimir Putin ordered troops into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, has become Europe's deadliest since World War II, killing tens of thousands of civilians and hundreds of thousands of soldiers."
"Sofa so bad: China's home-furnishing sector hits a do-or-die moment.
"China's more than 100,000 home furnishing companies - most of which are micro businesses - have entered a tumultuous phase as a property slump and persistent deflationary pressure prevent them from making profits."
"No five-year plan will solve the paradox of China's economy…
"The drags and the dynamism are closely linked. Massive resource mobilisation and industrial policy on steroids also strain government budgets, distort labour and product markets, repress consumption and sustain domestic imbalances that lie behind China's huge and contentious trade surplus."
"South Korea is 'a massive bubble', says emerging market specialist.
"Rob Marshall-Lee, founding partner and chief investment officer at Cusana Capital, countered that South Korea's rally is built on low-quality businesses and speculative flows, creating a fundamentally unsustainable market. "South Korea is a massive bubble," he said."
"How the World's Most Boring Market Became a 'Battlefield' [Japan].
""The question is: How do they hold it all together?" Kyle Bass said. Borrowing costs are rising in a number of the world's largest economies. Japan, however, "is about 10 years ahead of everyone in its financial position," he said. "I'm afraid of the situation they're in.""
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/business/jgb-trade-excitement.html
"Karenni rebels blow up bridge to block Myanmar troops near Thai border.
"Intense fighting between Karenni rebels and Myanmar forces escalates, with Karenni blowing up a key bridge to stop Myanmar troops from advancing. The conflict, just 45 km from Thailand's border, raises concerns over a looming refugee crisis."
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40062675
"Nepal is 'addicted' to the trade in its own people…
"Every day the bodies of three or four migrant workers are handed back to their families at the airport, the final transaction in a well-oiled system — overseen by the state — that helps keep Nepal's economy afloat."
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/18/asia-pacific/society/nepal-foreign-workers-death/
"Eight suspected terrorists killed in Pakistan's Balochistan…
"A spokesperson of the Balochistan Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) told the media that the CTD had carried out an intelligence-based raid near Darakshan town on the outskirts of Quetta in which the militants were killed."
"Pakistan's oldest brewery resumes alcohol exports amid economic crisis.
"Alcohol is officially banned for most people in Pakistan, with legal sales only available for non-Muslims and foreigners. Sales abroad now offer potential revenue for the country's oldest brewery. Regulators have granted Murree Brewery permission to ship its products overseas."
"Iran has partially closed the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the 1980s amid a US military build-up in the Arabian Sea…
"After talks concluded on Tuesday, Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, said that both sides agreed on "guiding principles" but they fell short of a full deal. Despite the apparent progress, both Washington and Tehran are refusing to call off the escalating military tensions."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/17/trump-to-join-iran-talks-indirectly/
"In Iran, Payment Plans for Groceries Signal a Deepening Economic Crisis…
"Annual food inflation was already at 72% when protests broke out across the country in December. Iranians continue to report fast-rising prices for basic foods including rice, milk and vegetables. One Iranian man said he overheard his mother and her friend discussing the price of two bundles of spinach—the equivalent of about $28."
https://www.tovima.com/wsj/in-iran-payment-plans-for-groceries-signal-a-deepening-economic-crisis/
"Report warns Iraq's economic crisis has become structural…
"At first glance, the situation appears to be a cash-flow issue. However, economic experts cited in the report argue that the roots of the crisis lie in Iraq's fragile economic structure, which remains heavily dependent on oil revenues and vulnerable to global market fluctuations."
https://www.iraqinews.com/business/iraq-structural-economic-crisis-bank-withdrawals
"Protesters block Beirut roads after Cabinet approves new taxes that raise fuel prices…
"The Cabinet approved a tax of 300,000 Lebanese pounds (about $3.30) on every 20 liters (5.3 gallons) of gasoline on Monday. Diesel fuel was exempted from the new tax, as most in Lebanon depend on it to run private generators to make up for severe shortages in state electricity."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/cabinet-lebanon-protesters-beirut-hezbollah-b2921859.html
"I would scream in my sleep: Women from Syria's Alawite minority tell of kidnap and rape…
"Nearly all those reported missing are members of the Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam that makes up about 10% of Syria's population and to which the ousted president belongs."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn5g751pl7lo
"More than 80 UN member states condemn Israel's plans to expand in West Bank.
""We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and measures aimed at expanding Israel's unlawful presence in the West Bank," the statement reads. "Such decisions are contrary to Israel's obligations under international law and must be immediately reversed.""
"Ethiopia and Eritrea Massively Mobilize Troops Along Shared Borders, Raising Fears of Renewed War.
"Fresh reports from diplomatic, regional, and local sources indicate that both Ethiopia and Eritrea are undertaking large-scale military mobilizations along their shared borders, dramatically escalating fears of renewed conflict in the Horn of Africa."
"Drone attack on busy market in Sudan kills at least 28…
"Emergency Lawyers, a group tracking violence against civilians, said in a statement on Monday that drones bombed the al-Safiya market in the town of Sodari in North Kordofan state… "The attack occurred when the market was bustling with civilians, including women, children and the elderly," the group said."
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/16/drone-strike-on-busy-market-in-sudan-kills-at-least-28
"Ghana tomato traders among dead in Burkina Faso attack.
"Reports say at least 20 people were killed on Saturday in the northern town of Titao, Burkina Faso, in attacks claimed by JNIM - an Islamist militant group linked to al-Qaeda. Among the dead were seven Ghanaians "burnt beyond recognition" who have yet to be identified…"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjd9edyllnro
"Niger: Islamist Armed Group Massacres Villagers in West…
""IS Sahel is brutally targeting civilians in the Tillabéri region," said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The recent killings fit a disturbing pattern of IS Sahel's atrocities against civilians and show complete disregard for human life.""
https://africa.com/niger-islamist-armed-group-massacres-villagers-in-west/
"US soldiers arrive in Nigeria to aid its fight against Islamist militants.
"About 100 US soldiers have arrived in Nigeria to train the West African nation's armed forces and help them with intelligence in their battle against growing security threats from Islamist militants and other armed groups."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6d79gyrdro
"US says 11 people killed in latest strikes on alleged drug boats…
"The military action on Monday brought the number of fatalities caused by US strikes to 145 since September, when Donald Trump called on American armed forces to attack people deemed "narco-terrorists" on small vessels."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/17/us-military-boats-strikes
"Cuba cancels major cigar festival as it struggles under economic crisis.
"Oil imports from Venezuela have ceased since Washington toppled its leader last month, cutting Cuba's main source of energy. As a result, the island nation has had to shutter parts of its economy, while public services are struggling to operate."
"Families March in San Salvador to Block Mass Trials of El Salvador Detainees.
"Relatives of prisoners detained in El Salvador's anti-gang campaign marched through the capital on Sunday to reject plans for mass trials. They say the proceedings will convict innocent people alongside actual gang members."
"Guatemalan troops deploy to gang-plagued capital.
"Heavily armed Guatemalan troops and military police deployed to the country's capital Tuesday, challenging street gangs blamed for killing 11 officers and sparking a major security crisis… President Bernardo Arevalo ordered the "Plan Sentinel" operation to break the stranglehold of Barrio 18 and MS‑13 gangs on urban areas."
https://gulfnews.com/world/americas/guatemalan-troops-deploy-to-gang-plagued-capital-1.500446853
"Ecuador: Eight Severed Heads Discovered in Coastal Guayas Province Amidst Escalating Drug Violence.
"This disturbing find underscores the intensifying violence associated with organized crime and drug trafficking in the South American nation. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into this horrific crime, seeking to identify and apprehend those responsible for these atrocities."
"In Argentina, locals are taking loans to buy food…
""Living on credit puts you in a very dangerous cycle. It's very easy to fall behind with payments, and then it is a matter of chasing your own tail. Most people I know are in the same situation. We are living in a constant state of stress and anxiety, and it feels like there's no way out.""
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/2/16/in-argentina-locals-are-taking-loans-to-buy-food
"Rising Peaks of Wealth and the Deepening Abyss of Hunger.
"In the history of the world, such a grotesque and contradictory picture of wealth has perhaps never been witnessed as starkly as it is today. On one side, a handful of individuals accumulate in a single year more wealth than the annual income of entire nations. On the other, every fourth person in the world goes to bed half hungry."
https://countercurrents.org/2026/02/rising-peaks-of-wealth-and-the-deepening-abyss-of-hunger/
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Economic" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with a "Climate" thread.
The post 18th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"Hey everybody! It's mid-month global mean surface temperature snapshot time!
"And yes, that's right, do not adjust your television: at the height of the current La Nina, 2026 year-to-date is more than 1.51°C over the pre-industrial baseline."
[Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/2023048514700521505
"Upper-ocean heat content data for January showed that the West Pacific Warm Pool was ninth warmest on record, despite a chunk of its heat already being discharged eastward.
"This warmth raises the ceiling on the potential strength of El Niño later this year."
[Ben Noll]
https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/2023404500044959928
"A Greenland sled dog champion fears for his culture as climate change melts the ice…
"For more than a thousand years, dogs have pulled sleds across the Arctic for Inuit seal hunters and fishermen. But this winter, in the town of Ilulissat, around 300km (186 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, that's not possible."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/donald-trump-greenland-arctic-unesco-antarctica-b2921625.html
"'Daunting but doable': Europe urged to prepare for 3C of global heating…
"Such a dramatic rise in temperatures - the prospect of which has left some leading climate scientists feeling hopeless - would be double the level of global heating that world leaders promised to aim for when they signed the Paris agreement in 2015."
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/16/europe-climate-advisory-board-3c-global-heating
"UK at risk of more flooding 'for months to come' after record-breaking January…
"The monthly statistics from the UKCEH confirm that Northern Ireland and the southwest of England had their wettest January on record, with 170% of their normal rainfall."
"Why is sewage spilling into homes and gardens? [UK]
"While each incident has its own trigger, water companies say most sewer flooding is caused by a small number of factors, including blocked pipes, ageing infrastructure and drainage systems overwhelmed by heavy rain."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr45641y742o
"Record flooding across France as storms fall on saturated ground.
"Storms have left large parts of France underwater, with record levels of flooding after heavy rain fell on already saturated soil. In Paris, the Seine is four metres above its normal level, forcing the closure of the riverside motorway and some commuter rail stations."
"Malaga emergency: strong winds fuel bush fire in urban industrial area [Spain].
"…the fire originated in some bushes and the strong winds are hampering extinguishing efforts. The emergency services received at least ten calls reporting the fire around 1.30pm on Monday. The smoke was visible from several parts of the city."
"Italy's Lovers' Arch Collapses In Storm On Valentine's Day…
"For centuries, the arch had stood as a symbol of romance and enduring love, drawing in thousands of couples, tourists, and hopeful romantics from across the globe. Its sudden disappearance has left locals and visitors alike reeling…"
https://evrimagaci.org/gpt/italys-lovers-arch-collapses-in-storm-on-valentines-day-529677
"Severe Storms Split Roads, Set Rainfall Record in Corfu.
"Heavy storms have caused widespread flooding, landslides, and road collapses across western and northern Greece, including record rainfall in Corfu, prompting emergency closures and safety warnings for residents and travelers."
https://www.tovima.com/society/severe-storms-split-roads-set-rainfall-record-in-corfu/
"Antalya endures a year's rainfall in single 40-day stretch [Turkey]…
"For nearly six weeks, these intermittent but intense downpours have ravaged homes, workplaces and greenhouses, prompting local authorities to launch urgent damage assessment efforts across the region. Heavy rain also triggered landslides and road collapses."
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/antalya-endures-a-years-rainfall-in-single-40-day-stretch-218975
"Cyprus appeals to residents to cut water use by two minutes a day amid drought.
"Authorities in Cyprus have urged residents to reduce their water intake by 10% - the equivalent of two minutes' use of running water each day - as Europe's most south-easterly nation grapples with a once-in-a century drought."
"EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN AFRICA - 44c [111.2F] at Bokoro, in CHAD; 37c again in ALGERIA.
"Records have been falling for weeks everywhere in North and Central Africa and it will get worse."
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2023104259299164639
"Central Africa Urged to Unite on Early Warnings as Climate Risks Escalate…
"WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo delivered a clear message: fragmented approaches must give way to coordinated, science-driven action. "We cannot afford not to work together," she said…"
"EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN MOZAMBIQUE:
"42.0C [107.6F] at Beira right on the coast, it smashed its February heat record by 3C. It's one of the most extreme heat events ever seen in Southern African tropics."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2022748931558686835
"Madagascar cyclone death toll rises to 59…
"It is the latest in a string of tropical storms to batter the southern African island in recent months, underscoring its vulnerability to increasingly extreme weather fuelled by climate change… Most of the fatalities were reported in the port city of Toamasina on the east coast, formerly known as Tamata."
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260216-madagascar-cyclone-death-toll-rises-to-59
"Fourth straight day of heavy air pollution as decades-old heat records broken in Israel.
"Temperatures topped 32°C [89.6F] in several areas, with mid-February records set in the Judean foothills, as dust from Jordan pushed pollution to very high levels nationwide."
https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/h1y11jhxubl
"HISTORIC DAY in Middle East:
"Unprecedented heat for this time of the year with 37C [98.6F] Minagish KUWAIT, 36 Al Wafra, 35 Kuwait Int. AP; Record hot nights everywhere - min. 23.3 in Israel; first tropical night in February at Al Qaysumah SAUDI ARABIA."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2022692160802595045
"Iraqi MPs push Baghdad to curb escalating water shortages.
"On Sunday, lawmakers from Dhi Qar province, southern Iraq, called for an emergency water plan, urging the government to use economic leverage to pressure Turkiye to increase Iraq's water allocations."
https://shafaq.com/en/society/Iraqi-MPs-push-Baghdad-to-curb-escalating-water-shortages
"This is [central Asian] Russia; this is 1016m asl; this is February and it's 25C [77F] :Shorts, t-shirts and flips flops…
"WORLD RECORDS are being broken with temperatures reaching 33C [91.4F] on the Caspian Sea. Above July averages."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2023381768569856467
"Water scarcity looms for Madhesh residents as wells run dry [Nepal]…
"Activists have protested, held sit-ins, and walked to Kathmandu to demand federal action. But continued encroachment and unregulated exploitation are lowering groundwater levels, turning fertile Madhesh soil into barren land…"
"Hong Kong records hottest Lunar New Year's Eve on record at 27.9°C [82.2F].
"By around noon, temperatures across the territory generally rose to 26 degrees or above. As of 1.50pm, the Observatory recorded a maximum of 27.9 degrees, making it the hottest Lunar New Year's Eve since records began and breaking the 27.8-degree record set in 1953."
"RECORD HEAT IN JAPAN - 19.8C [67.6F] Toimi on Sunday broke its February record of highest temperature. More record heat is expected next week
"From Spain to Japan through Mediterranean, North Africa, Middle East, Central & East Asia every single country except Italy has been breaking records."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2023219901117390856
"Korea prepares for growth in subtropical crops…
""In a situation where subtropical fruit cultivation is rapidly expanding due to climate change, the heating energy demand prediction system will serve as a key foundation for reducing management uncertainty for farmers and enabling scientific management of energy use," Kim said."
https://www.fruitnet.com/asiafruit/korea-prepares-for-growth-in-subtropical-crops/270584.article
"Extreme rainfall is worsening algal blooms along South Korea's coast.
"A new multi-year study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, tracked water quality in and around a major river estuary and shows how intense downpours can shift where and when these blooms appear, with consequences for marine ecosystems and coastal communities."
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-extreme-rainfall-worsening-algal-blooms.html
"EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN SE ASIA. Record heat is all over Asia in every single country…
"39.3C [102.7F] in Thailand, 33C again in Taiwan, records in Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Laos."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2023375987812233506
"Forests are drying up and fires flaring up to the south of Chiang Mai [Thailand].
"…fires have begun spreading into the southern part of Chiang Mai over the past 1-2 weeks, moving north from Tak and Lamphun provinces. The most serious situation is currently in Doi Tao district and parts of Ob Luang National Park."
"Riau declares emergency alert for forest fires Riau Police chief spokesman. [Indonesia]
"Sr. Comr. Zahwani Pandra Arsyad said all regional police forces had been instructed to increase patrols and surveillance in regions prone to forest fires to prevent them from spreading."
"Massive Sinkhole Devours Farmland In Indonesia, Farmers Fear More Collapse…
"Central Aceh Regent Haili Yoga said the ground instability dates back years but accelerated after major flooding in late 2025… Geologists say the underlying mix of volcanic tuff and sand absorbs groundwater easily…"
"The southern Indian Ocean off the west coast of Australia is becoming less salty at an astonishing rate, largely due to climate change, new research shows…
""We're seeing a large-scale shift of how freshwater moves through the ocean," said Weiqing Han, professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences."
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-ocean-saltiest-regions-freshening-circulation.html
"Australian fire authorities say currents tools and methods not adequate to keep up with bushfires.
"Australia's leading fire authorities are warning that the country's bushfire detection and suppression systems must be radically modernized, arguing that climate‑driven fire behaviour is now outpacing traditional response models…"
"'Too late to leave': Victorian towns told to take shelter.
"Emergency services have issued the ultimate warning to three communities trapped by bushfire: 'You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.' Three central Victorian communities have been told it is too late to flee as an out-of-control bushfire burns amid extreme fire conditions across the state."
"New Zealand hit by storms and widespread floods.
"[The storm's] arrival came after days of widespread flooding in the Ōtorohanga district, where a man was found dead after his vehicle became submerged in flood waters. Some areas recorded more than 100mm of rain in 24 hours on Thursday"
"Beyond the beaches, Wellington's catastrophic sewage spill could be bad news for coastal ecosystems.
"Public concern over the total failure of the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant on Wellington's south coast has been growing, despite this week's announcement of an independent review."
"Mapping tipping risks from Antarctic ice basins under global warming…
"A first threshold, potentially as low as 1-2 °C above pre-industrial levels, triggers the long-term collapse of ~40% of marine ice volume in West Antarctica."
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02554-0
"HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN SOUTH AMERICA:
"It's like a never ending record heat with records broken and rebroken continuously, especially Between Bolivia and Paraguay. Today 39.7C [103.5] at Puerto Suarez, BOLIVIA: hottest February day in history."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2023597259993071771
"Amazon rainforest flipped to carbon source during 2023 extreme drought, study shows…
"In 2023, the region experienced unusually high temperatures, reaching 1.5°C above the 1991-2020 average, accompanied by unusual levels of atmospheric dryness from September to November. These conditions were caused by warmer water temperatures in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans…"
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-amazon-rainforest-flipped-carbon-source.html
"Temperatures up to 40° above normal Tuesday across the Nation's middle [US].
"For example: Omaha NWS calling for 76°!! Normal high is 39°. Heat spreads east this week. Hundreds of records in jeopardy!" [Jeff Berardelli]
https://bsky.app/profile/weatherprof.bsky.social/post/3meznrz5l4c2u
"Colorado sets record for warmest winter days as state braces for a blizzard and extreme fire danger.
"Colorado set a record this week for the most 60-degree days in a single winter season, and forecasters say the state's wild weather is far from over. Blizzard warnings in the mountains and extreme fire danger on the Eastern Plains are expected on Tuesday."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/colorado-sets-record-warmest-winter-013328077.html
"As a Colorado River deadline passes, reservoirs keep declining…
"Officials for the seven states have tried to boost reservoir levels via voluntary water cutbacks and federal payments to farmers who agree to leave fields dry part of the year. But after more than two years of trying to hash out new long-term rules for sharing water, they remain deadlocked…"
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-colorado-river-deadline-reservoirs-declining.html
"We say snowmageddon as a joke, but if ever there was a time to use it, it's now!!
"Watch as the West Coast gets bombarded by at least 5 storms in 15 days, with up to 15 feet of snow in the high Sierra, and that may be an underestimate if the models verify. NWS says 8 feet possible by Wednesday. Incredible!" [Jeff Berardelli]
https://x.com/WeatherProf/status/2023194350138617970
"High temperatures and low snowpack may mean less water for Nebraska this summer…
"Rivers like the Platte River rely on mountain snowmelt, with 60% to 80% of its annual streamflow coming from snowpack in Colorado and Wyoming. Johnson said the biggest concern is not the initial spring melt, but what will happen later in the season."
"Data Centers Push Great Lakes Region to the Brink…
"The biggest data centers consume more than 365 million gallons of water annually, and data center water usage in the US tripled between 2014 and 2023, placing enormous strain on regional water resources."
"Weeks after Toronto's record snowfall, some residents are still struggling to use sidewalks…
"In a statement to CBC Toronto, a spokesperson for the city said snow removal is an "intense, multi-step process" that includes many crews and heavy machinery. "Crews continue to remove snow on bikeways, narrow residential streets and sidewalks," Jas Baweja said."
https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/9.7091852
"Turtles breeding earlier, but half as often, due to climate change.
"The researchers found that warmer sea surface temperatures cause turtles to arrive and nest earlier in the season. However, the decline of ocean productivity along their West African feeding grounds, has meant females are taking longer breaks between seasons."
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Climate" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with an "Economic" thread.
The post 17th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
16th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News [ 16-Feb-26 9:42am ]Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"Wall Street could seize your retirement savings in the next financial crash — and it's perfectly legal.
"Because of largely unknown legal changes, millions of Americans could temporarily or even permanently lose their retirement and other investment savings in the next major financial crash, all while too-big-to-fail Wall Street firms and banks are protected… the danger is real and well documented."
"Data Black Holes Leave Policymakers 'Flying Blind' in Hunt for Next Crash…
"As private capital's seemingly bottomless pit of funding lures ever more companies away from public markets, large swaths of the economy that once sent important warning signals about the health of companies and consumers, from quarterly earnings to major transactions, have gone dark."
"AI Worries Erase $1 Trillion From Big Tech Firms…
"…investors have grown tired of seeing tech spending outweigh revenues. Amazon, Meta, Microsoft and Google parent Alphabet are forecast to spend more than $600 billion on capital this year… they want to know more immediately when the payback will come — and we don't have a clear picture."
"AI Bubble Fears Are Creating New Derivatives…
"With artificial intelligence investments expected to cost more than $3 trillion, much of which will be funded with debt, hedging demand can only grow, according to investors. Some of the richest tech companies in the world are rapidly turning into some of the most indebted."
"Rampant AI Demand for Memory Is Fueling a Growing Chip Crisis.
"A shortage of memory chips is hammering profits, derailing corporate plans, and inflating price tags on various products, with the crunch expected to get worse."
"US job numbers were revised down by -1,029,000 jobs in 2025, the largest annual revision in at least 20 years.
"This follows downward revisions of -818,000 in 2024 and -306,000 in 2023. In total, -2,153,000 jobs have been revised out of initially reported data over the last 3 years." [Kobeissi Letter]
https://x.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2023084893169975534
"A new mortgage crisis is quietly hitting those who can least afford it [US]…
"Some financial crises sneak up on you, leaving people so perplexed that they become paralyzed, unsure of what to do… This week, there was yet another warning that many homeowners might be headed for trouble. The mortgage delinquency rates for lower-income households are surging…"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/02/14/mortgage-problems-delinquencies/
"Farm bankruptcies surged 46% in 2025, signaling deepening financial crisis. [US]…
"The most recent farm income forecast confirmed that the farm economy has faced extreme financial pressure, with little relief in sight. Significant losses are expected across crop sectors for another year, and many livestock sectors are also tightening margins."
"Student loans show that hard policy choices will only get harder.
"Like many other countries, the UK confronts insoluble long-term challenges: it has inescapable obligations that impose painful trade-offs. Given its ageing population and a slow-growing economy, all this can only get harder."
https://www.ft.com/content/131f0e09-88ed-4597-8408-e76a50e36618
"Emergency government bailouts needed by third of councils over next three years.
"More than a third of councils - and almost half of social care councils - responding to a new Local Government Association survey say they are likely to have to apply for emergency government bailout agreements to set budgets in the next three years."
"Cash-strapped French hospitals appeal to public to help fund medicines, devices.
"A growing number of French hospitals struggling with their finances are appealing to the public to help fund urgent needs like medicines and medical devices, and in one case even beds."
"Rubio calls on Europe to join Trump's new world order…
"U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Europe to help the Trump administration refashion the global order with a focus on sovereignty, reindustrialization and military strength. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, he made no apology for the Trump administration's repeated calls to annex Greenland…"
https://www.politico.eu/article/marco-rubio-msc-europe-we-belong-together/
"Poland should 'begin work' on nuclear defenses, Nawrocki says.
"In an interview with Polsat television on Sunday, Nawrocki described himself as "a great supporter of Poland joining the nuclear project" and argued that the country should develop its security strategy "based on nuclear potential.""
"Putin 'moving nuclear missiles' to EU border…
"In December, Russia's ministry of defence released footage purportedly showing its military deploying a nuclear-capable missile system at an airbase in eastern Belarus. Mr Lukashenko also said 10 Oreshnik systems - intermediate-range, nuclear-capable hypersonic ballistic missile systems - would be stationed in the country."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/15/putin-moving-nuclear-missiles-to-eu-border/
"Deadly drone strikes cloud US-brokered Russia-Ukraine talks in Geneva.
"A deadly exchange of drone strikes has killed one person in Ukraine and one in Russia and cast doubts on the prospects of a ceasefire before another round of negotiations to end the war next week."
"Kim Jong-un's daughter faces off with ruthless aunt in race to succeed him…
"There has been widespread speculation as to why Kim feels the need to anoint a successor in the world's only communist dynasty when he is only 42, although there have long been rumours that he suffers from a range of medical complaints."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/14/kim-jong-uns-daughter-ruthless-aunt-race-power/
"China: The End of an Economic Miracle.
"..the Chinese economy suffers from the same ills of capitalism: exploitation of labor, ballooning debt levels, slowing economic growth, falling birth rates, saturated markets, environmental degradation, resource depletion—just to name a few of the most burning issues."
https://thehonestsorcerer.substack.com/p/china-the-end-of-an-economic-miracle
"China expands oversight of major banks amid property sector risks.
"Beijing continues to impose stricter regulatory standards on major lenders, shielding the financial system from mounting strains… China Zheshang Bank, a joint-stock lender in east China's Zhejiang province with total assets of 3.35 trillion yuan (US$485 billion), was added to the list released on Friday…"
"Japan protests China over militarism accusations.
"Japan has lodged a "firm diplomatic protest" with China after China's top diplomat Wang Yi Wang has accused Japanese "far-right forces" of seeking to revive militarism. The Foreign Ministry announced the allegations, calling them "factually incorrect and baseless."
https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/il-giappone-protesta-con-la-cina-dopo-le-accuse-di-militarismo/
"Diplomatic Feud With China Weighs on Japan's Economy.
"A diplomatic dispute between Japan and China over the security of Taiwan is weighing on the Japanese economy, which is heavily dependent on Chinese tourists. China has urged its citizens to refrain from traveling to Japan as retaliation…"
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/business/japan-economy-china-tourism.html
"Border bushfire, explosions near Prasat Khana in Surin [Thai/Cambodia border].
"Thai troops were on alert on Monday after a bushfire was seen overnight on the border near Prasat Khana in Surin province, accompanied by the sound of ammunition exploding inside Cambodia."
"ASEAN Tensions Escalate: Myanmar Junta Expels East Timor Diplomat After Genocide Case.
"Myanmar's military junta has ordered East Timor's top diplomat to leave the country within a week, escalating tensions inside ASEAN. The move comes after Dili initiated legal action accusing the junta of genocide and condemning an air strike on a hospital."
"India forced to defend US trade deal as doubts mount.
"India is scrambling to defend a new trade deal with the United States that critics have branded as a surrender to Washington, as countries navigate the fallout from President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs."
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260216-india-forced-to-defend-us-trade-deal-as-doubts-mount
"The geopolitics of Balochistan's hybrid insurgency [Pakistan].
"Recently, Pakistan was rocked by the Baloch Liberation Army's "Herof Phase 2" offensive, a coordinated assault across nine districts that combined urban raids, rural guerrilla tactics, suicide missions, and psychological warfare. This was not simply an internal security lapse, it was a geopolitical tremor reverberating across South Asia."
"Tehran's oil lifeline shows signs of strain under tightening sanctions.
"Iran's oil exports declined sharply at the start of 2026, new tanker-tracking data show, raising fresh questions about the durability of Tehran's most important economic lifeline under renewed US sanctions pressure."
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202602133199
"Iraq grapples with liquidity crisis amid leadership stalemate.
"Iraq is facing a dual political and financial crisis that threatens to further complicate an already fragile situation, as a prolonged deadlock over appointing a prime minister and president coincides with mounting signs of a severe liquidity shortage."
https://middle-east-online.com/en/iraq-grapples-liquidity-crisis-amid-leadership-stalemate
"Kuwait's budget for the next fiscal year, starting April 2027 is forecasted with a deficit of KD 9.8 billion, which is the largest in the country's history.
"Total income is estimated at KD 16 billion, with 79 percent coming from oil revenues, while total expenditures are projected at around KD 26 billion, resulting in a shortfall of nearly KD 10 billion."
https://www.zawya.com/en/economy/gcc/kuwait-forecasts-record-3196bln-budget-deficit-vw34gl5x
"'Life requires cash': Gaza's jobs crisis leaves people struggling to afford basics…
"Before the two-year war that devastated Gaza, Bakr was a fisher, sharing tackle and a boat with his father and brothers. Now his brothers are dead, his father is too old, and his equipment was destroyed during the conflict. Like hundreds of thousands of others across Gaza, Bakr needs a job."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/16/gaza-jobs-unemployment-crisis-aid-food-basics
"Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned an "extreme minority" after two female IDF soldiers were rescued from riots in an ultra-Orthodox Israeli city…
"Many in the ultra-Orthodox community in Bnei Brak have staged frequent protests amid anger over proposed laws that may force them to serve in the Israeli military."
"African Union Summit confronts worsening conflicts.
"…a clear path to resolution [for the conflict in Sudan] remains elusive, and diplomats warn that the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates continues to overshadow the conflict while also fuelling wider regional tensions, including in Libya and between Eritrea and Ethiopia."
https://www.france24.com/en/african-union-summit-confronts-worsening-conflicts
"Africa's Water Crisis Exposes Broken Global Financial Order…
"AFRODAD argues that Africa's water insecurity is not merely the result of climate change or service delivery gaps, but a consequence of chronic underinvestment and debt pressures rooted in an inequitable global financial architecture."
https://africabrief.substack.com/p/africas-water-crisis-exposes-broken
"Millions Face Starvation in Congo. Their New Rulers Are to Blame…
"The M23 rebel group that one year ago seized Goma, eastern Congo's largest city, has tried to establish itself as the prevailing government in the area and consolidate control. Instead, it has driven farmers from their land, left produce to rot at roadblocks and blocked food imports…"
"Motorbike raids on villages kill dozens in Nigeria.
"Armed men shot locals dead, set homes alight and abducted an unknown number of people in Niger State… The attacks on Saturday morning occurred near the site of a suspected jihadist massacre earlier this month."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg1y0nk641o
"The 1,000 tonnes of uranium in the crosshairs of Isis.
"In late January 2026, Islamic State Sahel Province militants launched a large-scale, coordinated assault on Air Base 101 and the adjacent Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey. The facility is a critical hub that currently houses a stockpile of approximately 1,000 tonnes of uranium (yellowcake) at the centre of a diplomatic dispute with France."
https://www.ft.com/content/11f4bbdf-51ed-4ac4-80fb-1d6872f1abc6
"No fuel, no tourists, no cash - this was the week the Cuban crisis got real…
"The Guardian spoke to more than five top-level officials from different countries, and heard complaints that the US charge d'affaires, Mike Hammer, has failed to share any sort of detailed plan beyond bringing the island to a standstill by starving it of oil."
"US boards second oil tanker in Indian Ocean after it fled Venezuelan raid.
"The Pentagon said: "The vessel tried to defy President Trump's quarantine - hoping to slip away,. We tracked it from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, closed the distance, and shut it down.""
"Argentina-Uruguay river commission faces tensions over funding and infrastructure disputes.
"A string of disagreements between Uruguay's and Argentina's delegations at the Administrative Commission of the Uruguay River has heightened internal friction at the binational body in recent weeks, amid clashes involving infrastructure proposals, absences from official events and public allegations over the handling of funds and allowances."
"Rich World's Growing Civil Unrest Comes With an Insurance Sting.
"Civil unrest is on the rise globally, a development that has coincided with a measurable increase in levels of inequality and polarization in some of the world's richest countries. In most Western nations, for example, the majority of citizens no longer expect to see any growth in generational wealth."
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Economic" thread here. Panopticon hopes to be back tomorrow with a "Climate" thread.
The post 16th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
14th February Today's Round-Up of Climate News [ 14-Feb-26 10:26am ]Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"National security plans must adapt to avoid 'new world disorder', says UN climate chief…
"The warnings came as a draft of a key agenda for the Cop31 climate conference omitted to mention fossil fuels, and skewed instead to the interests of the Turkish hosts, such as waste management and tourism."
"Sustainable Burnout: Global Conflicts Eclipsing Climate Change Concerns.
"A Kantar study reveals emerging eco-fatigue and challenges retailers to move from pledges to action. Wars, insecurity, and economic concerns overshadow climate in consumer priorities, yet their demands on brands remain unwavering."
"As of Feb. 10, 2026, the planet is tied for 2nd hottest on record, at 1.64°C above the 1850-1900 IPCC pre-industrial baseline.
"The Climate 8-ball says, "El Nino? We don't need no stinkin' El Nino!"" [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/2021967876698292435
"Back in 2021, we warned of a potential Aerosol Termination Shock from rapidly reduced pollution over the oceans.
"Based on NASA satellite data, it's even worse than we feared. It takes heat and therefore time to warm the oceans and for the regional and global climate to change."
[Leon Simons]
https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/2021946424590586163
"…NASA observations reveal a steady shrinkage of cloud cover, which is deeply worrying.
"Loss of the tropical stratocumulus cloud decks is predicted to result in a cataclysmic 8C hike." [Prof Bill McGuire]
https://x.com/ProfBillMcGuire/status/2022316824143000027
"Arctic peatlands are expanding as temperatures continue to rise, new research confirms…
"Given that the study covered a broad range of Arctic conditions—with 91 samples from 12 sites in the European and Canadian Arctic—the researchers say peatland expansion is likely to be happening across the Arctic."
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-arctic-peatlands-temperatures.html
"'I kayaked Greenland's 'pristine' waters. What I found was terrifying'…
"Jensen kayaked to one of the most "isolated corners of the Arctic", located hundreds of kilometres from any kind of road. He expected to find fibres and general plastic debris - which he did - but Jensen also stumbled across traces of car tire particles in his samples."
"'Seasons have become confused': the people struggling in UK's relentless rain…
"The prolonged wet weather is disrupting livelihoods as well as daily life, particularly in rural areas, where flooded roads, waterlogged ground and repeated storms are making it harder to keep businesses afloat, protect crops and maintain steady work."
"'The only thing I own is gone': Clongriffin residents see vehicles submerged by torrential rain [Ireland]…
""We didn't know where to turn. We're left here. We pay very high rent to live here. I have an ESG [exceptional social grounds] application in with Dublin City Council. I can't afford my rent … it goes up every single year. I've tried absolutely everything."
"Storm Nils caused deaths, major flooding and mass power cuts in France.
"France is grappling with the aftermath of Storm Nils, as several regions remain under threat of flooding. Portugal and Spain have also been affected by a series of storms that have swept across the Iberian peninsula in recent weeks."
"Portugal urged to adapt to climate emergency after series of deadly storms.
"Portugal is under pressure to draw up plans to adapt to the climate emergency as the country continues to be lashed by an unprecedented series of storms that have killed at least 16 people and left tens of thousands without electricity."
"BREAKING: Montejaque 'ghost dam' begins spilling water after reaching capacity for first time in a century [Spain]…
"Residents across the Serrania de Ronda have been on tenterhooks over the past week as torrential storms pushed the century-old dam to breaking point, fuelling fears that millions of litres of rain could gush into the valley below."
"Alicante Records Hottest Winter Day Since Records Began as Temperatures Hit 27C [80.6F].
"What's particularly striking is that four of the five warmest winter days ever recorded in the Valencian Community have all occurred between 2021 and 2026."
"UNBELIEVABLE WARMTH IN SPAIN - 3RD CONSECUTIVE TROPICAL NIGHT; never happened in winter in European history.
"RECORDS HIGH MINIMUMS FOR FEB: 19.5 [67.1F] Castellon; 18.9 Valencia AP; 18.5 Alicante; 14.8 Gijon; 13.0 Zaragoza AP; 12.4 Albacete 12.8 Airbase; 12.6 Granada Airbase; 12.4 Ciudad Real."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2021897443374510341
"Eternal City eternally damp as Rome suffers record rainfall…
"Persistent bad weather has dogged the whole of Italy since the start of the year, with storms causing huge damage and disruption. Rome itself has seen near-daily downpours in February after a record amount of rain last month."
"Sardinia is hit by severe weather: the alert remains in effect, and the Civil Protection Department is meeting with mayors and other agencies to address the emergency….
"The wave of severe weather continuing to batter Sardinia continues unabated . The island, still reeling from the damage caused by Cyclone Harry and its "tailwind" faces new challenges…"
"Morocco to spend more than $300 million on flood recovery.
"Morocco plans to spend some $330 million on regions hit hardest by weeks of flooding across the country's north that have battered its key agricultural zones, the government said Thursday."
https://www.africanews.com/amp/2026/02/13/morocco-to-spend-more-than-300-million-on-flood-recovery/
"EXTRAORDINARY - CLIMATIC HISTORY REWRITTEN. Hundreds of records smashed all over North Africa. Summer temperatures up to 37C [98.6F] and tropical nights.
"MOROCCO 29.8 Ouarzarzate 1100m asl; Records of high minimums smashed in pieces everywhere in Morocco. Algeria and Tunisia with Mins 16/20C."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2022016594059440593
"Are African 'water wars' on the horizon as African Union puts the issue on its agenda?
"…"Water is life," said Sanusha Naidu, a foreign policy analyst at the South African think tank, the Institute for Global Dialogue. "But it's not just that water is life - water is becoming a commodity of corporatisation and access. It is a humanitarian conflict. It is a climate change conflict.""
"Water shortage alert: multiple Durban suburbs face interruptions as heatwave strains supply system.
"Residents in multiple suburbs including Morningside, Glenwood, and Umlazi face several days of water interruptions as the ongoing heatwave drives exceptionally high demand. The eThekwini Municipality has deployed water tankers to affected areas…"
"Thousands of fish wash up dead at Umhlali River Mouth [South Africa]…
"Barracuda, mullet, flathead and juvenile kingfish, as well as crabs and shrimp, are among the scores of aquatic creatures annihilated overnight, coinciding with a thunderstorm. It is unclear how far upstream the issue started."
"Madagascar cyclone death toll hits 40, 16,000 displaced; Mozambique braces…
"Gezani made landfall on Tuesday at the Indian Ocean island nation's eastern coastal city, Toamasina, bringing winds that reached 250km/h (155mph). Madagascar's new leader, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, has declared a national disaster and called for "international solidarity…"
"EXCEPTIONAL HEAT IN THE INDIAN OCEAN - February Highest Minimum in history in the FRENCH SOUTHERN TERRITORIES Min. 29.5C Juan de Nova Island; 28.9C Europa Island.
Also 25.3 Mbazwana, South Africa. The area has been with continuous record heat for 12 years…"
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2022260625288904804
"Sandstorm worsens conditions for displaced Palestinians in Gaza…
"The storm, carrying dust and strong winds from North Africa, has battered makeshift camps where thousands remain sheltering in tents following two years of Israeli military operations that left widespread destruction across the enclave."
https://anewz.tv/region/middle-east/18073/sandstorm-adds-to-hardships-in-war-ravaged-gaza/news
"Killer heatwaves are increasingly likely in the Gulf - but AI can save lives…
"Heatwaves are set to become more common and more intense, a study from Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi found. It investigated the devastating June 2024 heatwave in Makkah, when temperatures soared to 51.8°C and more than 1,300 Hajj pilgrims died."
"Today MINIMUM 17.6C [63.7F] Sekhertabad 600m asl ties the TURKMENISTAN HOTTEST FEBRUARY NIGHT IN HISTORY.
"This is just the appetizer to what's coming. Thousands of records pulverized from the Black Sea to Hokkaido."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2021937075311005772
"Climate change is driving rising agricultural water use in Central Asia.
"A new study by IAMO researchers shows that rising temperatures and atmospheric water demand now outweigh land-use changes. As a result, the pressure on already scarce water resources is growing in one of the world's most water-stressed regions."
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-climate-agricultural-central-asia.html
"Iran's Water Crisis: A National Security Imperative…
"As environmental decline accelerates, water scarcity risks transforming from an episodic trigger of unrest into a sustained driver of domestic tension and center-periphery conflict, challenging both local livelihoods and national cohesion."
https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/irans-water-crisis-a-national-security-imperative/
"Water scarcity makes new dams impossible: minister [Pakistan].
"Sindh Minister for Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro has said that construction of new water reservoirs is not possible in the prevailing situation of water scarcity, adding that even under the 1991 Water Accord provinces are not receiving their full share of water while the sea is also deprived of its due flow."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2592459/water-scarcity-makes-new-dams-impossible-minister
"Escalating Forest Fires in Jammu: A Call for Action [India].
"Jammu region has seen over 1,760 forest fire incidents affecting 4,100 hectares from FY 2023-24 to January 2026. The issue has intensified over the years, with preventive measures and response strategies urgently needed. Key divisions severely impacted include East and West Jammu, and Chenab."
"Today, 7 stations in China broke or tied their mid-February warmest records, and 2 stations broke their February Tmin records!
"Temperatures in China are expected to continue rising tomorrow, with dozens of stations breaking mid-February or even full-month records!" [Jim Yang]
https://x.com/yangyubin1998/status/2022321432655802760
"How China became fixated on cloud seeding…
"Snowie's results indicated the output of cloud seeding is ultimately underwhelming… And while cloud seeding has been shown elsewhere to work to some extent, even scientists who have seen the results firsthand are unsure if it works well enough to be worth the effort."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20260203-why-china-is-pushing-controversial-cloud-seeding-tech
"Fierce heat wave in THAILAND with days with 37C/39C every day (remember it's the cold season).
"The hill village of Pakchong with 37.0C [98.6F] today broke its record of February hottest day. The heat will get worse."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2022288969707507880
"Government deploys aircraft to battle Sakaerat Fire in Nakhon Ratchasima, with 10 water-bombing missions [Thailand].
"The wildfire, which started around 8:40 PM on February 12, 2026, has spread across nearly 4,000 rai of land, primarily in the eucalyptus forest near the Sakaerat station. Despite efforts to contain it, the fire quickly spread…"
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40062516
"Fresh floods devastate Central Tapanuli two months after deadly cyclone [Sumatra, Indonesia].
"The flooding damaged two emergency river levees in Tukka and Barus districts and washed away two temporary bridges in Sibabangun and Tapian Nauli, cutting off access to at least four villages."
"All eyes on rivers after 8 rescued in floodwaters, 200mm+ drenching [Queensland and NT, Australia].
"As of February 14, 2026, severe weather and heavy rainfall, exceeding 200mm [8 inches] in some areas, have triggered flash flooding, road closures, and multiple emergency rescues across parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory in Australia."
https://news.az/news/flash-floods-force-road-closures-in-australia-s-queensland
"Record-breaking temperatures this summer have left some growers without flowers for Valentine's Day [Victoria]…
"Natalie Thomson cannot bring herself to photograph what last month's heatwave did to her micro flower farm in Nyah West… But neither she nor her plants were prepared for the record-breaking temperatures experienced last month."
"Record heat again in PALAU - February hottest night in history tied at Koror with a Minimum temperature of 80F/26.7C.
"Reminder: Palau fully uses Fahr. degrees for every purpose, just like the USA, Marshall Islands and Micronesia."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2022283009840525569
"US pressures Vanuatu at UN over ICJ's landmark climate change ruling…
"A US State Department cable seen by Al Jazeera on Saturday says that the Trump administration "strongly objects" to the proposed resolution being circulated by the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu in support of last year's ruling by the ICJ…"
"Fiji Meteorological Service raises coral bleaching alert to highest level…
"The Fiji Met Service warns that extended heat stress may result in fish mortality, disruption of marine food chains, reduced reef growth and recovery, and declining reef fish populations. Coastal communities could also face reduced fish catch…"
"Jellyfish invade Mar del Plata beaches and link the phenomenon to sea warming [Argentina].
"According to recent measurements, the sea is several degrees above the historical average for this time of year. Records exceeded 22 °C [71.6F] compared to usual values of around 19 °C."
"PARAGUAY HEAT WAVE - 41.0C [105.8F] yesterday the final max. at Quyquyho - New record for February.
"Centro Meteorologico Nacional in Asuncion Min 29.2 Max 41.0 Hottest February day and night on record."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2022245100370419828
"Sao Paulo Battles Floods and Drought At the Same Time [Brazil]…
"Water in the region's largest reservoir network is hovering at 32%, the lowest since the region endured its worst water crisis in 2014 and 2015, and is due to dip lower as the dry season approaches. Meanwhile, the Brazilian city has been battered in recent weeks by intense storms…"
"Why Indigenous Groups Are Targeting Brazil's Booming Grain Trade…
"In global crop powerhouse Brazil, major farming groups supported new laws that made it easier to fast-track roads and riverways crossing the Amazon rainforest. Now, they are facing the backlash in a crucial shipping route for corn and soybean exports."
"Colombia declares emergency as deadly floods displace thousands.
"Water submerged homes after a dam and rivers overflowed in Cordoba, one of the worst-hit departments, where more than 150,000 residents have been affected… The emergency decree allows President Gustavo Petro to take special measures to address the crisis…"
https://www.trtworld.com/article/93351ff3b550/amp
"Mexican Caribbean Faces Record Sargassum Accumulation in 2026: Growing Environmental and Tourism Crisis…
"Sargassum not only affects the aesthetics of the beaches. Its accumulation and decomposition on the coast cause: Reduction of oxygen in the water, damaging coral reefs and seagrass beds. Release of hydrogen sulfide, a gas that causes respiratory discomfort and unpleasant odors…"
"Insane and unprecedented heat in Mexico:
"35C [95F] at 1600m asl (Cuernavaca), 30C at 2300m asl (Tulacingo). Absolutely unprecedented for this time of the year; temperatures typical of April."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2021783268623069435
"The vaquita porpoise population is hovering near extinction.
"…only found in the Gulf of California, Mexico, according to the Marine Mammal Center, they are characterized by their dark gray color and unique dorsal fin. Currently, fewer than 20 vaquita porpoises remain in this world."
https://www.thelamron.com/news/the-vaquita-porpoise-population-is-hovering-near-extinction
"Western US states fail to negotiate crucial Colorado River deal: 'Mother nature isn't going to bail us out'.
"Negotiators disbanded on Friday without a plan for the basin supplying water to 40m people, thrusting the region into uncertainty… In the region where water has long been the source of survival and conflict, the challenges that hindered consensus were as steep as the stakes are high."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/13/colorado-river-crucial-deadline
"The hidden impact of polluted snow.
"As Canada experiences record snowfall, new research from the University of Waterloo suggests that tiny amounts of industrial pollution trapped in snow can change how sunlight reaches the ground below and significantly alter fragile environments."
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-hidden-impact-polluted.html
"Businesses must take responsibility for biodiversity loss - for their sake as much as ours…
"From healthy rivers to productive forests, the natural world underpins almost all economic activity. But human consumption of the Earth's resources is unsustainable, driving what many scientists believe is the largest loss of life since the dinosaurs."
"Polluting the environment for all eternity—and still sticking our heads in the sand…
"Goal 7 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework states that plastic pollution must be eliminated by 2030 to protect biodiversity. The question is simple: why are we not following up with measures that make a real difference?"
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-polluting-environment-eternity-sand.html
"Scientists warn climate models are missing a key ocean player…
"Tiny marine plankton that build calcium carbonate shells play an outsized role in regulating Earth's climate… New research shows these microscopic engineers are largely missing from the climate models used to forecast our planet's future, meaning scientists may be underestimating how the ocean responds to climate change."
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208011024.htm
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The post 14th February Today's Round-Up of Climate News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"Western countries see World War III coming…
"Western countries increasingly believe the world is heading toward a global war, according to results from The POLITICO Poll that detail mounting public alarm about the risk and cost of a new era of conflict… the vast majority of respondents think the world is becoming more dangerous."
https://www.politico.eu/article/world-war-iii-defense-spending-europe-poll/
"The US cannot be trusted to lead a critical minerals coalition…
"These are not negotiations between free and equal partners: they are proposals by a mafia boss. It's bizarre that the Trump administration is solemnly proposing a market-based mineral supply system while simultaneously threatening to annex Greenland after eyeing up its natural resources."
https://www.ft.com/content/bd8188b7-8a30-462c-92a2-786895a3b2ad
"Trump's policies will add $1.4tn to US deficit over next decade, watchdog says. Congressional Budget Office warns Washington's public finances are 'not sustainable'…
""There's no sugarcoating it: America's fiscal health is increasingly dire," said Jonathan Burks at the Bipartisan Policy Center. "Our debt is now 100 per cent of GDP, and rather than pumping the brakes, we are accelerating.""
https://www.ft.com/content/03a1bfe8-528a-4ac9-b586-05b1d9733d42
"US Household Debt Hits Fresh Record.
"Stress on household finances continues to pile up as Americans take on record levels of debt to keep up with the cost of living and low-income earners struggle to stay afloat on their loans and day-to-day spending."
https://www.tradingview.com/news/te_news:524708:0-us-household-debt-hits-fresh-record/
"Rally in corporate bonds prompts 'bubble' fears.
"Reward for taking extra credit risk falls to lowest in decades as investors hunt for yield… The gap between yields on triple B and A-rated global corporate debt has fallen to just above 0.3 percentage points, close to its lowest since before the financial crisis."
https://www.ft.com/content/e87f04d5-9a19-4776-b0bc-3a78770be894
"Beware the private-credit dark money infecting Wall Street…
"An unregulated, opaque market is potting soil for uncertainty, a market's worst fear, which matters in a global, tightly coupled financial system where a confidence crisis anywhere can become a confidence crisis everywhere."
"U.S. Shale Majors Take Fracking Global.
"U.S. shale producers are expanding overseas—from Argentina and Turkey to Australia and the UAE—as domestic shale basins mature and well productivity declines."
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/US-Shale-Majors-Take-Fracking-Global.html
"Detroit Automakers Take $50 Billion Hit as EV Bubble Bursts.
"U.S. automakers have been pumping the brakes on their electric-vehicle businesses for months, and the costs are piling up… EV sales fell more than 30% in the fourth quarter, after a $7,500 federal tax credit that had juiced U.S. sales expired in September."
"US House overturns Trump's Canada tariffs in rare bipartisan rebuke…
"Trump believes in the power of tariffs to force US trade partners to the negotiating table. But lawmakers are facing unrest back home from businesses caught in the trade wars and constituents navigating pocketbook issues and high prices."
https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260212-us-house-overturn-trump-canada-tariffs-bipartisan
"Trump tariffs hammer volume of Scotch whisky exports to US.
"Scotch whisky exports to its most valuable overseas market have plunged in the wake of hefty tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. The volume of Scotch shipped across the Atlantic fell by 15% between May and December…"
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25850891.trump-tariffs-hammer-volume-scotch-whisky-exports-us/
"Britain is on course for its weakest decade of growth in a century, according to the latest GDP figures…
"As the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, himself admitted, the government has "no growth strategy at all." That is an astonishing confession. At a time when productivity is stagnant and businesses are buckling under high taxes and mounting regulation, ministers have no credible plan to grow the economy…"
https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/personal-recession-opinion-5HjdSH6_2/
"France slashes renewable energy targets, expands nuclear power with new law…
"The law, to be pushed through by decree on Friday after almost three years of bitter disagreement among lawmakers, also reverses a previous legal mandate to shut 14 reactors. That was a 2017 campaign promise of President Emmanuel Macron, who later changed course…"
"Italian PM vows to secure borders and approves bill allowing naval blockades.
"Italy's prime minister says her government will deploy every tool at its disposal to "guarantee the security of our borders" after approving a bill authorising naval blockades to stop boats from arriving in Italy during periods of "exceptional pressure"."
"Farmers to drive tractors into central Athens for mass protest…
"Farmers say their core demands remain unchanged: lower production costs, guaranteed prices for agricultural products, changes to regulations governing the ELGA state insurance system and full compensation for crop losses."
"Europe Rethinks Nuclear Weapons After US Delivers Reality Check…
"Europe has been fighting to keep an increasingly hostile US in NATO while countries race to rearm. And now for the first time since the end of the Cold War, European capitals are discussing how to develop their own nuclear deterrent, according to people familiar with the matter…"
"Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky rules out referendum on 'bad deal' as European leaders gather in Munich.
"Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says he will not present a "bad deal" to end the war for a referendum, and that his country will only hold elections once firm security guarantees and a ceasefire are in place."
"Russia Walks Tightrope to Curtail Credit Risk and Avoid Downturn.
"Governor Elvira Nabiullina's aggressive fight against inflation has left the Bank of Russia walking a tightrope between avoiding recession today and preventing stress in the banking sector from snowballing into a crisis tomorrow."
"Russia Memo Sees Return to Dollar System in Pitch Made for Trump…
"The high-level memo, which was drafted this year, details seven points where, in the Kremlin's view, Russian and US economic interests could converge following a deal to end the war in Ukraine. It sees the two countries working together to champion fossil fuels…"
"Russia is widening its recruitment of foreign workers as the country faces a deepening labour shortage driven by demographic decline and the war in Ukraine.
"The government estimates that Russia will need an additional 11 million workers by the end of the decade to sustain its economy."
"Why China's central bank won't save the country from deflation. It's not about the exchange rate any more…
"Unfortunately, another obstacle remains: bank profitability. Banks make money by borrowing cheaply and lending more expensively. But in China the margin between deposit rates and lending rates is at a record low of 1.4%…"
"China housing market shows no clear turning point as price declines continue.
"Mainland China's new and existing home prices posted a smaller month-on-month decline in January, but the annual drop widened, indicating a housing market that has yet to find a clear floor, analysts said."
"Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat inside its economic waters amid rift with Beijing…
"China's foreign ministry has yet to comment on the incident, which comes at a tense time for bilateral ties, weeks after Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, sparked a furious row over the future of Taiwan."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/13/japan-seizes-chinese-fishing-boat
"Japan will soon learn how far Takaichi can ride her luck…
"Persistently weak growth, a rapidly ageing population, a nearly 35 per cent plunge in the yen versus the US dollar since February 2022, and the unwinding of globalisation add to Japan's struggles."
"North Korea warns of 'terrible response' over South Korean drone flights…
""I give advance warning that reoccurrence of such provocation as violating the inalienable sovereignty of the DPRK will surely provoke a terrible response," Kim said in a statement carried by Pyongyang's official Korea Central News Agency."
"Trade bellwether Singapore says global 'fragility' will hit economy.
"Singapore has warned that global economic "fragility"—driven by escalating trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty—poses a significant risk to its growth in 2026. As an open economy whose trade volume is roughly triple its GDP, Singapore is often viewed as a global trade bellwether."
https://www.ft.com/content/c5cbc591-ea11-4245-b0a8-766a5d84ed10
"Pakistan expresses concerns over terror groups' presence in Afghanistan.
"Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has reiterated the country's serious concerns over the continued presence of terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, including TTP, BLA, and Majeed Brigade, Daesh-K and Al Qaeda."
"US readying another aircraft carrier for deployment amid Iran tensions…
"The move by the USS Gerald R Ford, first reported by The New York Times, will put two carriers and their accompanying warships in the region as Trump increases pressure on Iran to make a deal over its nuclear programme."
"The $108 Oil War: Can the Middle East Crash the World Economy?
"…A major regional escalation that targets energy infrastructure, such as that in Saudi Arabia or Iraq, or critical choke points, such as the Strait of Hormuz, would break the market's assumption that oil keeps flowing."
"Syrian army takes control of al-Tanf military base as US troops pull out.
"Syrian forces have taken control of the strategic al-Tanf military base near the border with Iraq and Jordan, the Syrian Defence Ministry has said, amid the withdrawal of a longstanding United States troop presence at the base."
"IDF Navy trains for conflict at sea, defends gas platforms after Hezbollah arrest.
"Hundreds of Israeli Navy personnel took part in a dayslong exercise that included infiltration scenarios, clashes with militants and drills to defend strategic assets such as offshore gas platforms, Israeli ports and key national infrastructure."
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjtyljjwbx
"Israeli Soldiers Accused of Using Polymarket to Bet on Strikes…
"Shin Bet, the country's internal security agency, said Thursday the suspects used information they had come across during their military service to inform their bets… In recent months, Polymarket has been hit with repeated controversies about potential insider trading."
"Many killed in south Yemen as crowd linked with STC storms government building.
"A crowd linked to Yemen's separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) has attempted to storm a local government building in the southeastern Yemeni city of Ataq, leaving several dead, according to local authorities and sources."
"Border towns bear the brunt of Ethiopia-Eritrea's rising tensions.
"As Addis Ababa and Asmara trade accusations, locals describe infiltration routes, military movements and growing anxiety along the Mekelle-Adigrat-Zalambessa corridor and the Humera-Hamdayet frontier near Sudan."
""Worse to come" in Sudan as famine spreads and war continues.
""We can only expect worse to come" in Sudan if the war is not stopped, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned the Human Rights Council on February 9, as famine conditions expand in the country facing the highest levels of hunger in the world."
https://peoplesdispatch.org/2026/02/12/worse-to-come-in-sudan-as-famine-spreads-and-war-continues/
"Children recruited into armed groups in DR Congo describe abduction, drugging and violence as call for greater action.
"Children recruited into armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have backed calls for greater action to bring those responsible to account after describing how they were abducted, drugged and witnessed horrific violence, Save the Children said."
"A member of Niger's ruling junta has urged his country's citizens to prepare for "war" with France, as relations with the former colonial power hit new lows.
"The military regularly has regularly said France is trying to destabilize the country since it came to power in July 2023…"
https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/318365-niger-must-prepare-for-war-with-france-says-junta-member
"South Africa's Ramaphosa says troops will deploy to tackle crime gangs…
"South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with approximately 60 deaths each day involving killings in wars between drug gangs in areas of Cape Town and mass shootings linked to illegal mining in Johannesburg's Gauteng province."
"Protesters clash with police over bid to restrict Argentina's labour rights.
"Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, to oppose labour reforms that would restrict the right to strike and roll back employment benefits. Wednesday's demonstrations come as the country's Senate debates the legislation…"
"US-led oil sales from Venezuela to bring in $5 billion in months, energy chief Wright tells NBC News.
"Oil sales from Venezuela controlled by the U.S. have totaled over $1 billion so far and in the next few months will bring in another $5 billion, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright told NBC News on Thursday. Much of the oil is being refined in U.S. refineries…"
https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/us-led-oil-sales-venezuela-215402892.html
"Russia to Send Oil to Crisis-Stricken Cuba…
""In the near future, it is planned to deliver oil and oil products to Cuba as humanitarian aid," the Russian embassy in Cuba told Russia's daily Izvestia. At the same time, the Russian ministry of economic development has recommended that Russians refrain from traveling to Cuba amid the "fuel emergency" in the Caribbean country."
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Russia-to-Send-Oil-to-Crisis-Stricken-Cuba.html
"Mexico sends aid to Cuba as Sheinbaum walks diplomatic tightrope with US…
"The boats, carrying more than 800 tons in aid, arrived at the Caribbean nation two weeks after Trump signed an executive order allowing the US to slap tariffs on any country selling or providing oil to Cuba, effectively choking off fuel to the island."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/12/mexico-cuba-aid-oil-trump
"AI could be used to trigger a new pandemic, intelligence chiefs warned…
""Rapid progress in AI - including genome language models already used to design novel bacteriophages - raises the prospect of misuse, enabling the modification or creation of synthetic pathogens that could challenge existing vaccine and medical countermeasure development paradigms," says a document being circulated to delegates."
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Economic" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with a "Climate" thread.
The post 13th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
Thank you, all, for bearing with me in my absence, and to Kali for covering so ably.
"Scientists thought they understood global warming. Then the past three years happened.
"…in the last few years, something changed. 2023, 2024 and 2025 were far warmer than the previous trend… "There is greater acceptance now that there is a detectable acceleration of warming," said Zeke Hausfather, a climate scientist…"
"We are changing the climate of our planet faster than in the known history of our world.
"Methane reached a record high of 1946.5 ppb! That's already much higher than the peak of the mid range climate scenario (SSP2-4.5)!"
[Leon Simons]
https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/2021419093769978119
"Point of no return: a hellish 'hothouse Earth' getting closer, scientists say.
"The world is closer than thought to a "point of no return" after which runaway global heating cannot be stopped, scientists have said. Continued global heating could trigger climate tipping points, leading to a cascade of further tipping points and feedback loops, they said."
"Despite Eastern U.S. cold, January 2026 was one of the world's warmest Januaries on record…
"Africa had its warmest January; Oceana, its third-warmest; North America, its sixth-warmest; and South America, its ninth-warmest. Asia had above-average temperatures, while Europe was near average in temperature."
"Greenland ice melt opens sea routes for critical minerals.
"Record sea temperatures and sea ice lows near Greenland in January followed Arctic air temperatures soaring up to 15°C above average in parts of the region, with experts warning of security implications."
https://www.ft.com/content/e3b8c6fd-e55c-49d5-b727-59d7e4104174
"2024 recorded the most negative mass balance at Aldegondabreen (Svalbard) since end of the Little Ice Age!
"As of 2025, the glacier's mean ice thickness has been estimated at 39 m (33 m w.e.). The loss of 10 m w.e. in just the last 5 yrs is a dramatic change!" [Melaine Le Roy]
https://x.com/subfossilguy/status/2021665992322298133
"Misery for many as rain falls for 40 days in some parts of UK…
"People who live in parts of Devon, Cornwall and Worcestershire have been dodging deluges or showers for 40 days - the same number of days that it rained in the Bible's Noah's ark story…"
"British bread under threat as wheat fields flooded…
"Wheat plants can only withstand being submerged in water for four days before experiencing significant damage but some farms have experienced rain every day of the year so far."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/02/12/british-bread-under-threat-wheat-fields-flooded/
"The 'culture war' on net zero: Why have Brits stopped supporting climate policies?
"…The UK's "sense of urgency" on achieving net zero and supporting climate policies has taken a drastic tumble, according to a new survey. In 2021, surveys found that 54 per cent of the British public believed the UK government should achieve net zero before the 2050 target. Now, this has fallen to just 29 per cent."
"Portugal floods force 3,000 evacuations as motorway collapses and interior minister resigns.
"At least 15 people died in weeks of storms in Portugal, as fresh flooding forced the evacuation of around 3,000 residents, triggered the collapse of a motorway, and led to the resignation of the interior minister."
"Coimbra in crisis; "Dam can't take any more water"…
"Authorities in Coimbra have been working to avoid today's crisis for weeks. But suddenly it is looking as if the Aguieira dam can take no more water. With no let up in rainfall expected in the next few hours, the probability is of a rupture: millions of litres of water spilling into parts of the region."
https://www.portugalresident.com/coimbra-in-crisis-dam-cant-take-any-more-water/
"Parts of Spain just saw a year's worth of rain in 20 days…
"In the mountainous southwestern part of the country, Grazalema — in the Andalusia region — has recorded over 90 inches of rain so far this year, including 78 inches in just the last 20 days alone. Meteorologist Nahel Belgherze called it a "hydrologically absurd" amount."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/02/10/grazalema-spain-record-rain/
"EXTRAORDINARY EVENT. "EUROPEAN CLIMATIC HISTORY TOTALLY REWRITTEN:
"SUMMER IN SPAIN - TROPICAL NIGHTS: National record of February highest Minimum 20.9 [69.6F] Aguilas. Dozens of records pulverized with insane margins."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2021606060239241392
"Tornado frequency in Türkiye increases by approximately 60% due to climate change.
"Professor Murat Turkes says number of tornadoes, affected areas in Türkiye increase with climate change, threatening greenhouse farming. Tornadoes, whose number and intensity increase with climate change, affect agricultural production, especially greenhouse farming."
"Morocco struggles to evacuate thousands amid unprecedented floods.
"The Moroccan army has provided helicopters, military trucks, fast boats, drones, bulldozers and other equipment to reach isolated villages in the country's northwest."
https://middle-east-online.com/en/morocco-struggles-evacuate-thousands-amid-unprecedented-floods
"Torrential rain destroys Homes in Asante Jamasi [Ghana]…
"in a related development, a devastating windstorm swept through Nkodum in the Akontombra District of the Western North Region on Monday, February 2, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m., ripping off the roofs of 37 buildings and affecting at least 135 residents."
"Three Key South African Cities Hit by Water-Supply Shortages…
"Officials said water supply was low in Pretoria because of depleted levels at key reservoirs, which were unable to keep up with consumer demand amid high summer temperatures."
"'Monstrous': Cyclone Gezani hits Madagascar, leaving at least 31 dead…
"Authorities issued red alerts for several regions warning of possible floods and landslides as the storm made landfall late Tuesday with wind speeds of more than 195km/h (121 mph). It then roared across the large island of 31 million people…"
"EXTRAORDINARY EVENT:
"Thousands of records are being pulverized with extreme margins all over… North Africa and Middle East. Iraq, Iran and Kuwait are having their hottest February night in history."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/202142410032201751
"During the Chinese New Year period, a crazy and prolonged super warming will sweep across East Asia.
"Around February 15th & 20th, many parts of China will break the record for the highest temperature in February!"
https://x.com/yangyubin1998/status/2021546851980525786
"Six all-time cold records broken in one day as death toll from record snow climbs to 46, Japan.
"At least six locations in Japan recorded record-breaking cold on the morning of February 9, 2026, as temperatures fell below -3°C (26.6°F) for the first time since 1984. The death toll from the record-breaking snowfall since January 20 has climbed to 46 as of February 10."
"Indonesia's BNPB warns 108 watersheds in critical condition.
"The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) revealed that 108 river drainage basins (DAS) across Indonesia are in critical condition and may trigger recurring disasters if landscape rehabilitation and ecosystem restoration are not carried out."
https://en.antaranews.com/news/403962/indonesias-bnpb-warns-108-watersheds-in-critical-condition
"Slow-moving landslide damages hundreds of homes in Padasari, Central Java, Indonesia.
"A slow-moving landslide has damaged hundreds of homes in Padasari village, Tegal, Central Java, Indonesia, forcing large-scale evacuations since early February 2026. Local reporting indicates that ground deformation remains active, preventing residents from returning to affected areas."
"Millions of litres lost: fire and drought leave north-east farmers on the brink [Victoria].
"After more than two years of drought, and a catastrophic bushfire that ravaged more than 140,000 hectares, farmers in north-east Victoria say water is now their biggest concern."
"4 lessons NZ should take from another summer of weather disasters.
"Another summer of extreme weather has destroyed and damaged homes, cut off communities and, in the most tragic cases, left families mourning their loved ones. It reminds us that New Zealand is one of the most natural-hazard-exposed countries on Earth."
https://theconversation.com/4-lessons-nz-should-take-from-another-summer-of-weather-disasters-275437
"Widespread loss of marine sponges possible if heat waves intensify by just 1°C [New Zealand]…
"Marine heat waves are increasing as the climate warms. In 2022, a marine heat wave was linked to the mass bleaching of more than 50 million Cymbastella lamellata sponges in Fiordland and caused almost half to die."
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-widespread-loss-marine-sponges-1c.html
"Climate crisis linked to fall in southern right whale birth rates as researchers raise 'warning signal'.
"After decades of recovery, southern right whales are showing signs of a climate-driven decline in breeding rates, which scientists say is a "warning signal" about changes in the Southern Ocean."
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/11/climate-crisis-southern-right-whale-birth-rates
"Some of world's oldest trees hit by climate-fuelled wildfires in Patagonia…
"Dr Juan Antonio Rivera, of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council in Mendoza, Argentina, who is part of the WWA team, said: "Ancient forests were devastated, as was the unique biodiversity in the area."
"Record heat again in PARAGUAY:
"40.0C [104F] at Quyquyhó tied again its record of highest temperature ever recorded in February. Over 42C in The Chaco and more heat to come in the next 3 weeks."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2021779541170266140
"At least six people have been killed and five others injured in landslides caused by heavy rains in southeastern Brazil, local authorities said Tuesday.
"The tragedies were reported in Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro states. Children were among the victims, according to the authorities."
https://english.news.cn/20260211/8528bc306aa045f5ba00dc201755b385/c.html
"Torrential rain in Colombia kills 22, thousands displaced…
""We've lost everything, all our belongings, all our appliances. And we are very worried because we don't know what will happen," Enid Gomez, who lives in Cordoba's capital Monteria, told AFP."
"NEVER ENDING RECORD HEAT IN MEXICO:
"Absolute insane hot nights continue, never happened in winter: Minimum 23.0C [73.4F] at Mazatlan - hottest winter night in history. Sinaloa and Sonora States have broken all warm nights records non-stop every month of 2025 and now 2026 with huge margins."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2020879504277983317
"Tampa Bay watering limits tighten as Florida drought deepens.
"A drought has taken hold across Florida, with some areas experiencing extreme conditions… "The driest fall-winter period to date since record keeping in much of the Tampa Bay Area and other parts of Florida as well [Jeff Berardelli]."
https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/10/florida-drought-2026-watering-restrictions
"Sixth year of drought in Texas and Oklahoma leaves ranchers bracing for another harsh summer…
"Many cattle producers and rangelands were still recovering from a severe 2010-2015 drought when a flash drought hit western Texas in spring 2020, marking the beginning of the current multibillion-dollar, multiyear and multistate drought."
"Western US gripped by extreme snow drought: 'I've never seen a winter like this'.
"A record snow drought is plaguing the western US, leaving some of the thirstiest states bracing for less water and elevated fire risks through the drier months to come… The dire conditions are fueled by an extremely warm winter, according to federal forecasters…"
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/11/snow-drought-oregon-colorado-utah
"'Unprecedented fires, unprecedented response': Chaffee Fire's wildland division expands to meet community, environmental needs [Colorado]...
""It's becoming the perfect storm," Chaffee County Fire Protection District Wildland Division Captain Ben Brack said. "Whatever the cause, I think we can all agree it's getting warmer and drier…"
"Three days left: Arizona faces deeper Colorado River cuts as federal deadline looms.
"Arizona and six other southwestern states have just three days to reach an agreement on sharing Colorado River water before the federal government steps in with its own plan."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/videos/three-days-left-az-faces-015106125.html
"Hurricane Helene did not shift US climate views or votes, study finds…
"This is shown in a new study from the University of Gothenburg. "Attitudes unchanged: no support for increased climate change beliefs, concerns, or voting intentions after Hurricane Helene" is published in Environmental Research Communications."
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-hurricane-helene-shift-climate-views.html
"Trump to undo legal basis for US climate rules.
"President Donald Trump is poised Thursday to revoke a landmark scientific finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health by driving climate change — a determination that underpins US regulations aimed at curbing planet-warming pollution."
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260212-trump-to-undo-legal-basis-for-us-climate-rules
"Wildfires in northern Alaska are the worst they've been in 3,000 years.
"An analysis of peatland soil samples and satellite images has found that wildfires on Alaska's North Slope are more frequent and severe now than they were at any point over the past 3,000 years."
"Over half of world's coral reefs are bleached; 'irreversible' damage warned: study…
""Ocean warming is increasing the frequency, extent, and severity of tropical-coral bleaching and mortality," researchers, including C. Mark Eakin, an oceanographer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, wrote in the new report published Feb. 10."
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2026/02/11/coral-reef-bleaching-study-death/88621624007/
""This engine is grinding to a halt" - Nature slowing down as climate change gains pace.
"The findings suggest that a lack of change in local species composition should not be mistaken for stability or ecosystem health. Instead, the widespread slowdown may indicate that the internal engines of biodiversity are losing momentum due to the depletion of regional life."
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Climate" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with an "Economic" thread.
The post 12th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"Global economy must move past GDP to avoid planetary disaster, warns UN chief…
"For decades, politicians and policymakers have prioritised growth - as measured by GDP - as the overarching economic goal. But critics argue that endless, indiscriminate growth on a planet with finite resources is driving not only the climate and nature crisis but increasing inequality."
"Climate risk threatens credit ratings for dozens of countries.
"Developing nations face a growing financial crisis due to climate change. Countries least responsible for pollution are most vulnerable to disasters. High debt and poor credit ratings make it harder to secure funds for protection and clean energy."
"Weaponizing the dollar: Could Trump's trade war backfire on American prosperity?
"Tariffs help no one. They have nudged supply chains away from US, dented their reputation as a reliable partner, triggered an affordability crisis, and created virtually no jobs…"
"Gilt yields soar again as No10 turmoil rocks the markets… sparking fears of a Liz Truss-style financial crisis.
"The boss of one of Britain's biggest banks has called for 'stability' and 'certainty' as doubts over Sir Keir Starmer's future wreaked havoc on the bond markets."
"Lower-income families face 137-year wait for living standards to double, says UK thinktank…
"A two-decade stagnation in disposable incomes has created a "mood of unease" across the country, the Resolution Foundation says, warning of the risk of "further political disruption" unless pay growth accelerates."
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/10/lower-income-families-living-standards
"French President Emmanuel Macron said in remarks published on Tuesday that Europe is facing a serious political and economic crisis.
"Speaking to several newspapers ahead of a European Union (EU) leaders meeting on Thursday, the French president said the bloc risks being "swept aside" in the face of competition from the United States and China."
https://www.dw.com/en/macron-warns-europe-faces-political-and-economic-crisis/a-75890865
"Dark fleet expansion looms as EU seeks to cut maritime lifelines for Russian oil.
"Russia's shadow tanker fleet faces greater pressure, although it is forecast to rise in numbers, if the European Commission's proposed a 20th sanctions package gets voted through later this month."
"Ukrainian Strikes Take a Heavy Toll on Russia's Oil Refineries.
"Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries cost Russia's oil and gas sector as much as $12.9 billion (1 trillion Russian rubles) last year, according to a local insurance broker."
"In Ukraine, deaths from hypothermia rise as Russia attacks energy system…
"Dozens of attacks since 2022 have deprived millions of people throughout Ukraine of heat, power and running water as winter temperatures have dropped far below minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit), covering roads and the Dnipro, Europe's fifth largest river, with thick ice."
"China Urges Banks to Curb Exposure to US Treasuries…
"Communicated verbally to some of the nation's biggest banks in recent weeks, the guidance reflects growing wariness among officials that large holdings of US government debt may expose banks to sharp swings, the people said. The worries echo those made by governments and fund managers elsewhere…"
"China property sales forecast cut by S&P as market slump deepens.
"S&P Global Ratings has downgraded its forecast for China's property sales in 2026, now predicting a 10% to 14% decline compared to its earlier October estimate of a 5% to 8% drop."
"China steps up dangerous air encounters near Taiwan.
""It is not the behaviour you expect from a professional fighter pilot but more resembles a gangster swinging his gun around as they walk down the street," said one person familiar with the incidents."
https://www.ft.com/content/66a59c7c-5a22-482c-9363-71cb016ceb01
"Beware of 'right-wing spiral' driven by interaction between Japanese politics and internet rightwingers…
"Among the many factors contributing to Takaichi and the LDP's victory in the House of Representatives election, a core strategy was leveraging the online right-wing group and releasing even more right-wing rhetoric and adopting populist practices."
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355129.shtml
"Internet shutdown in Manipur's Ukhrul for 5 days following arson, communal unrest [India].
"The Manipur government on Tuesday suspended internet and data services across Ukhrul district for five days, citing a volatile law and order situation following fresh violence in the area."
"Early warning report flags emergency hunger risk in parts of Afghanistan…
"Poor households in these provinces have exhausted food stocks from their own production and are expected to rely almost entirely on markets, despite extremely weak purchasing power…"
"Turkey Says It Could Be Dragged Into Nuclear Arms Race Over Iran.
"Turkey would consider joining a regional nuclear arms race over concerns about Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said late Monday."
"Turkey's army chief says 'no plans to withdraw' from Syria…
"The precise figures remain undisclosed by Turkey, but at least 10,000 Turkish troops are believed to be deployed across northern Syria. Last year, the pro-government Daily Sabah estimated the number of Turkish soldiers in the country at 20,000."
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/02/turkeys-army-chief-says-no-plans-withdraw-syria
"Lebanese group accuses Israel of abducting its leader in raid…
"The al-Jamaa al-Islamiya accused Israel on Monday of seizing its official Atwi Atwi from his home in the Hasbaiyya district and taking him to an unknown location."
"Ethiopia hosts covert training base for Sudan's RSF fighters: Reports.
"Ethiopia is reportedly hosting a covert camp in its western Benishangul-Gumuz region to train thousands of Rapid Support Forces fighters for Sudan's civil war, with sources alleging UAE funding and support."
"Algeria accuses the UAE of interference in elections…
"Algeria and the UAE have faced off against each other in North Africa repeatedly in recent years, with Tebboune accusing the Emiratis of playing a destabilising role in a number of countries in the region."
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/algeria-accuses-uae-interference-elections
"US seizes Venezuela-linked oil tanker in Indian Ocean.
"The Pentagon said on Monday that it captured the tanker as part of a campaign by US President Donald Trump to cut off Venezuela's oil exports, which critics have slammed as "theft" and international piracy."
https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2026/2/9/us-seizes-venezuela-linked-oil-tanker-in-indian-ocean
"Cuba's capital airport declares jet fuel unavailable as energy crisis deepens.
"Cuban authorities have formally notified that the island nation's main airport has run out of aviation fuel. "Havana airport has issued a NOTAM effective 10 February which states that Jet A-1 fuel is "not available"."
"Alphabet Embarks on Global Bond Spree to Fund Record [AI] Spending…
"It's also planning debut deals in Switzerland and the UK, including a rare sale of 100-year bonds — marking the first time a tech company has tried such an offering since the dotcom frenzy of the late 1990s."
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/alphabet-looks-raise-15-billion-133028283.html
"AI Doesn't Reduce Work—It Intensifies It…
"In an eight-month study of how generative AI changed work habits at a U.S.-based technology company with about 200 employees, we found that employees worked at a faster pace, took on a broader scope of tasks, and extended work into more hours of the day…"
https://hbr.org/2026/02/ai-doesnt-reduce-work-it-intensifies-it
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Economic" thread here. Panopticon hopes to be back tomorrow with a "Climate" thread.
The post 11th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"Chance of El Niño forming in Pacific Ocean may push global temperatures to record highs in 2027.
"Experts told the Guardian it was too early to be confident, but there were signals in the spread of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific that suggested an El Niño could form in 2026."
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/08/global-weather-el-nino-pacific-ocean-high-temperatures-2027
"Will the Pacific Decadal Oscillation turn neutral (or positive) this year?
"If the negative PDO was natural variability and has *relatively* limited regional and global heat uptake, the next positive (=not good) PDO will lead to further acceleration of global warming." [Leon Simons]
https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/2020481216810492411
"In the Arctic, the major climate threat of black carbon is overshadowed by geopolitical tensions
"A coalition of nations and environmental groups is lobbying the International Maritime Organization to create regulations around black carbon, or soot, that spews from ships and blankets parts of glaciers and snow."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/arctic-donald-trump-iceland-greenland-reykjavik-b2916469.html
"Hundreds of flood warnings and alerts in place across UK following days of non-stop rain.
"On Thursday, the Met Office announced that rain had fallen every day of 2026 in south-west England and South Wales.
Both have experienced a far wetter than average January, with 50% more On Thursday, the Met Office announced that rain had fallen every day of 2026 in south-west England and South Wales."
https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/flood-rain-warning-alert-uk-5HjdS2D_2/
"Farmers report 'catastrophic' crop damage as Storm Marta sweeps Spain and Portugal.
"Farmers in Spain warned on Saturday that torrential rains and high winds had left fields submerged and caused millions of euros worth of damage to crops, as Spain and Portugal braced for more extreme weather."
"Flash floods sweep northern Morocco, killing at least four including toddler…
"Provinces across northwestern Morocco have been battered by heavy rainfall over the past week. The national weather service forecast further bad weather through Tuesday."
"NORTH AFRICA HEAT WAVE
Historic and unprecedented heat wave for early February.
"36.9C In Guezzam ALGERIA
34.2C Ghat LIBYA… This is just the beginning,this heat wave will cross all Asia from Middle East to end up in Japan."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2020162012827800061
"Heat with no end: climate model sets out an unbearable future for parts of Africa.
"This is not just a slight warming; it is a fundamental change in how people will have to survive on the continent. Once regions in Africa enter a state of almost continuous heatwaves, the human body will have no window of time to recover."
https://www.modernghana.com/news/1469826/heat-with-no-end-climate-model-sets-out-an-unbear.html
"Today's weather: Severe storms, extreme heat, and fire danger across South Africa.
"South Africa faces a day of hazardous weather, with severe thunderstorms in the east, extreme heat in the interior, and high fire danger across multiple provinces."
"'Our children are next' fear Kenyans as drought wipes out livestock.
"In drought-hit northeastern Kenya, villagers have been forced to drag their dead livestock to distant fields for burning to keep the stench of death and scavenging hyenas away from their homes."
https://addisstandard.com/our-children-are-next-fear-kenyans-as-drought-wipes-out-livestock/
"HISTORIC MIDDLE EAST HEAT WAVE:
"Records of Hottest February day in history pulverized: 33.6C Sedom ISRAEL; 33.4C Ghor El Safi JORDAN. Records also at Jericho PALESTINE."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2020577063653245426
"Heavy rains trigger deadly floods in Syria, emergency teams mobilized.
"Syria's Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management said Sunday its teams continued large-scale response operations late Saturday after heavy rainfall triggered flash floods across several western and northwestern provinces, causing casualties, displacement and widespread damage to civilian areas."
"Forests are changing fast and scientists are deeply concerned…
"A massive global analysis of more than 31,000 tree species reveals that forests are becoming more uniform, increasingly dominated by fast-growing "sprinter" trees, while slow-growing, long-lived species are disappearing. These slower species act as the backbone of forest ecosystems…"
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233836.htm
"Benguet hit by early forest fires [Philippines].
"Benguet and other parts of Cordillera are once again entering a season of forest fires, underscored by a blaze that hit Mount Posdo in Mankayan in Benguet last week—the latest in a string of fires recorded in the area over the past three years."
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2179212/benguet-hit-by-early-forest-fires/
"'Basyang' dumps record rainfall as shear line worsens.
"Tropical storm ''Basyang'' has dumped extremely rare volumes of rain that exceeded Northern Mindanao's 100-year return period and contributed to flooding in Iligan City due to overwhelmed rivers and drainage systems."
"Darkwaves research allows scientists to measure impact of 'underwater blackouts' on marine life [Australia]…
"As recovery efforts continue, Mr Ridgley said watching Cyclone Mitchell develop along WA's Pilbara coast was making him anxious."
"Avian flu behind mass skua die-off in Antarctica, scientists say.
"H5N1 was detected at three sites and diagnosed as the cause of death of nearly all dead skuas at Beak Island. The birds rapidly died of multi-organ necrosis (tissue death).
"Torrential rain not normally seen at this time of year left at least 13 people dead across Colombia this week, according to officials.
"The country has experienced a surge in rainfall after a cold front pushed south from the north of the Americas towards Colombia's Caribbean coastline."
"El Salvador declares national emergency: more than 600 forest fires reported so far this year.
"Reports from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) indicate that the presence of numerous hot spots and the abundance of dry vegetation have created a conducive environment for the fire's expansion."
"This winter's snow drought is shaping up to be the worst on record for the Upper Colorado River Basin…
"Both Colorado and Utah are experiencing their lowest snowpack on record. In the Colorado River headwaters, snow-water equivalent is just 54% of median…"
"Western Canada Glaciers Record Second Worse Ice Loss…
""We have to understand that it's not a question of if the glaciers are going to disappear, they are going to disappear. What we're finding is that these glaciers are disappearing much faster than previously projected.""
https://planetski.eu/blog/western-canada-glaciers-record-second-worse-ice-loss/
"Breaking News! Code Yikes!
"The 36-month running average for total column precipitable water just hit a new record high … for the 15-th consecutive month! The Climate 8-ball is moving to higher ground." [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/2020518426842722698
"The 3-year running mean for the global surface temperature anomaly is now at 1.53°C above the 1850-1900 IPCC pre-industrial baseline.
"Meanwhile, the Climate 8-ball is snookered again." [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/2020136061297361348
"There May Be No Turning Back This Climate Crisis.
"…there is a growing fear that climate change in the future won't, as it has until now, happen gradually. It will happen suddenly, as formerly stable planetary systems transgress tipping points—thresholds beyond which things cannot be put back together again."
"'Stark warning': pesticide harm to wildlife rising globally, study finds.
"Synthetic chemicals that kill pests have increased the productivity of farmland, allowing more food to be grown on the same area, but have harmed the ecosystems in which they are used."
"Economic growth is still heating the planet. Is there any way out?
"Rising GDP continues to mean more carbon emissions and wider damage to the planet. Can the two be decoupled?"
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Climate" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with an "Economic" thread.
The post 10th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"Economic nationalism giving rise to a zero-sum world…
"…new walls are rising, not of concrete, but of tariffs, subsidies and export bans. The grand narrative of seamless globalization now sounds increasingly like a relic from a bygone era… economic nationalism has gone global, spreading across ideologies and regions alike."
https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/economic-nationalism-giving-rise-to-a-zero-sum-world/
"Public debt: A ticking time bomb about to explode?
"Countries have sharply increased the money they owe to the markets, putting their own spending policies at risk in an increasingly unstable world."
"Elon Musk warns the U.S. is '1,000% going to go bankrupt' unless AI and robotics save the economy from crushing debt…
"Interest payments alone on the $38.5 trillion debt pile are about $1 trillion a year, exceeding the U.S. military budget, Musk pointed out."
"£99,987 and counting: graduates trapped by ballooning student loans [UK].
"Growing anger over the plight of millions of graduates saddled with ballooning student loan debts is threatening to develop into a fresh crisis for the government…"
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/feb/06/graduates-student-loans-finances
"Italian police use tear gas and water cannons on protesters near Olympic Village.
"The larger demonstration, organised by unions and community activists, saw around 10,000 people take to the streets of Milan in protest of the
environmental and social impact of the games."
https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/italy-protests-winter-olympics-5HjdRz7_2/
"Ukraine-Russia war latest: Suspect detained in Putin general shooting while Zelensky reveals Trump's peace deadline.
"…the US is aiming to get a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia over the line in March despite a lack of progress on territorial concessions, according to reports."
"China's future growth rate could drop to 2.5% without market reforms: economist.
"China will struggle to keep growth above 4 per cent unless there is a 'strong turnaround' in productivity and consumer spending, economist warns."
"Japan's dangerous game with China.
"Japan's postwar constitution renounces war 'forever'. But with fears that US actions in Venezuela could embolden China to seize Taiwan, Sanae Takaichi could be tempted into a risky game."
https://mondediplo.com/2026/02/07japan
"Japan Goes to the Polls on Sunday With an Economy at Tipping Point…
"Long-suppressed forces are re-emerging all at once: inflation, rising interest rates, shortages, and fiscal strain. Japan now faces choices it has postponed for decades, and the cost of delay is rising."
"Thailand on high alert as security chiefs warn of renewed border conflict.
"Thai security officials have issued a stark warning regarding a "concerning" escalation of military activity along the Cambodian border, with intelligence suggesting that Phnom Penh is preparing a fresh wave of strikes."
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40062258
"Outcry in Bangladesh over politician's call to curb women in workforce.
"The proposal has sparked concerns that it would damage the country's vital garment sector, which is dominated by female workers."
"Is Pakistan's Job Crunch Pushing it Towards Unrest?
"Pakistan's worsening unemployment crisis is pushing the country toward a dangerous crossroads, with experts warning that rising joblessness could fuel both internal unrest and a steady exodus of skilled workers."
https://english.mathrubhumi.com/amp/news/world/pakistan-job-crisis-unrest-migration-vak3ti0g
"Balochistan strikes test Pakistan's bid to market minerals globally.
"Recent coordinated attacks by separatists in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, and the military's operations in response, have killed more than 250 people, underscoring renewed security risks just as the country prepares to pitch its mineral wealth to global investors."
"Iran warns will not give up enrichment despite US war threat.
"Iran will never surrender the right to enrich uranium, even if war "is imposed on us," its foreign minister said Sunday, defying pressure from Washington."
"Thousands of Iraqis volunteer to defend Iran against US attack…
"According to a statement, almost 5,000 people in Iraq's Diyala province gathered to declare their intent to defend both Iraq and its eastern neighbour, as well as Iran-backed armed groups, "without any compensation"."
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/thousands-iraqis-volunteer-defend-iran-against-us-attack
"Yemen's crumbling health system leaves patients without treatment options.
"In northern Yemen, thousands of patients endure prolonged agony or die prematurely amid a crippled health sector and the absence of commercial flights."
"It feels like humanity has died in Sudan…
"The UN estimates that more than half the women and girls arriving from Sudan are victims of sexual violence, many too ashamed to speak. "This is sexual violence on an industrial scale," says Yvette Cooper, the UK foreign secretary, who visited Adré last week…"
https://www.thetimes.com/world/africa/article/sudan-civil-war-yvette-cooper-2pnkchv0l
"An estimated 4.5 million girls worldwide are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation this year, the United Nations warned on Friday…
"It is practiced in some parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia on religious or traditional grounds. Children under the age of five are sometimes victims…"
"2026 brings no respite to children living in violence and conflict in the Middle East and North Africa…
""Violence, including grave violations against children, such as killing and maiming, are unacceptable. Children must always be protected, yet the first month of 2026 across the Middle East and North Africa has already been marked by the devastating loss of young lives."
"Outgunned and overrun: Nigeria struggles to contain surge in militant violence.. .
"The senseless violence marked another gruesome chapter in a deteriorating security crisis that has left vast tracts of Nigeria beyond the reach of its exhausted soldiers at a time when President Bola Tinubu's government is under intense pressure from Washington."
https://www.ft.com/content/7ab6ff74-b03c-4512-8f0d-19f3c2923b13
"Dakar universities rocked by renewed clashes between students and police. [Senegal]
"Students have been protesting a lack of financial aid from the government, leading to clashes with police. On Friday, the situation there deteriorated again. Other institutions also saw protests."
"US President Donald Trump's efforts to shut off fuel shipments to Cuba are starting to cut into parts of its crucial tourism industry.
"At least two large beach resorts on Cayo Coco, on the northern coast of the Caribbean nation, will be closing as soon as this weekend due to gasoline shortages, employees reported Friday."
"'Panic Mode'—$10,000 Bitcoin Price Crash Warning Suddenly Triggers Huge BlackRock Earthquake…
"Now, in the aftermath of Binance's founder suddenly flipping, bitcoin and crypto traders are reeling from a $10 billion BlackRock exchange-traded fund (ETF) shock."
"If you're not terrified by AI, you're not paying attention…
"Amodei conjures up the prospect of advanced AI being used to propagandise populations, direct swarms of armed drones or monitor every piece of communication and conversation for disloyalty to the regime."
https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/ai-uk-technology-ll28d70n8
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Economic" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with a "Climate" thread.
The post 9th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
7th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News (rev.1) [ 07-Feb-26 2:58pm ]Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"The presumed upcoming El Nino will help cement and quantify global warming acceleration, showing that 2ºC global warming is likely to be reached in the 2030s, not at midcentury.
"See [my latest substack; Prof Jim Hansen] https://mailchi.mp/caa/another-el-nino-already-what-can-we-learn-from-it
"Breaking News! Y-axis alert!
"For the first time on record, the 3-year running average for the mean rate of atmospheric CO2 growth broke 8.00 ppm per 3 years, reaching a new record high growth rate of 8.06 ppm per 3 years. "And that dip in the early 1990's was Mt. Pinatubo." [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/2019535227857826010
"Turbo-charged jet stream's effects felt in every part of Europe.
"What has the brutal cold in North America got to do with the thoroughly wet weather over much of the UK, atrocious rains in Spain and Portugal and bitter cold in northern Europe? The thread binding this weather pattern together is the jet stream."
"University of Reading meteorologists said they have recorded the longest unbroken spell of rainy days in the town since they started measuring them in 1908. [UK]
"Its Atmospheric Observatory said January was the fourth-wettest since then, with total rainfall levels way above those expected."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyr5rygg62o
"Denmark Paralyzed: Heavy snow and blizzards bring the country to a standstill.
"On Friday most of the country woke up to a snow-covered landscape as a powerful winter storm swept across Denmark. Heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions causing widespread disruption to transport, education, and daily commerce."
"Symi Declared in State of Emergency as Water Shortages Persist [Greece].
"The decision said authorities deemed the measure necessary because Symi continues to face a serious lack of water. Local authorities and residents remain concerned, as the problem has not eased even after recent rain."
"Storm Leonardo devastates southern Portugal and Spain.
"Storm has ravaged southern regions of Spain and Portugal this week, leaving one man dead in Portugal and one woman missing in Spain. Calls to postpone presidential election as Storm Leonardo lashes Portugal and Spain…"
"Grazalema evacuated as extreme rainfall causes dangerous underground water buildup.
"Authorities in Andalusia have ordered the evacuation of the town of Grazalema to Ronda, in Cádiz province, after an unusual buildup of water underground triggered minor seismic activity and raised serious safety concerns. This urgent measure affects more than 1,600 residents."
"Moroccan Authorities Evacuate More than 143,000 People Due to Flooding.
"Moroccan authorities continued a massive evacuation operation for the tenth consecutive day in a number of northern provinces hit by severe flooding, with more than 143,000 people evacuated as a precaution."
"Drought Spreads Beyond Kenya's Arid North, Plunging Herders Into Crisis.
"Kenya has been here before, most recently in 2022 when a record drought decimated livestock populations and plunged pastoralists in the East African country's arid north and northeast into a hunger crisis."
"Yemen's Vanishing Wells.
"In eastern Yemen, diesel pumps stand idle above dried-out boreholes. Their hoses are cracked from the heat, their engines silent. There is a lack of fuel, electricity, and above all, water beneath the ground."
https://www.fairplanet.org/story/yemens-vanishing-wells/
"Crazy MINIMUM Temperatures up to 18C in the highlands of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Records of February warm nights smashed also in Kazakhstan.
"This is NOTHING to what's coming: We will see tropical nights and Maxes up to 30C [86F] An absolute insanity beyond any imagination."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2019289623319699496
"Cyclone Senyar triggered 330 landslides in South Tapanuli, survey finds [Indonesia].
"An independent survey found 330 landslides upstream of the Garoga and Siondop rivers after the rare tropical cyclone Senyar struck South Tapanuli regency in North Sumatra in late November."
"Tropical Storm Penha brings devastation to Philippines with 4 dead and 6,000 evacuated
"Tropical Storm Penha killed at least four people and displaced more than 6,000 across the southern Philippines as days of heavy rainfall triggered flooding and a landslide, authorities said on Friday."
"Cyclone Mitchell intensifies as towns in north-west WA brace for winds, flooding.
"Authorities expect the cyclone to continue churning south-west and cross the western Pilbara coast late Sunday afternoon. It was expected to intensify into a category three system as it passes just north of Karratha Saturday night and track close to the Pilbara coast on Sunday."
"Climate change is accelerating antibiotic resistance across the Western Pacific.
"A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health, Western Pacific finds that changing climatic conditions and socioeconomic vulnerabilities jointly shape antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risks in the Western Pacific region, highlighting the urgent need for establishing integrated AMR, climate surveillance networks."
"Rescuers in Patagonia: the silent work that saves animals amid forest fires.
"The Argentine Patagonia is facing one of the worst environmental crises of the last decade. Since the end of December, forest fires have been advancing over thousands of hectares, affecting protected areas such as the Los Alerces National Park."
"Chileans race to protect plant species in the world's driest desert.
"John Bartlett reports that climate change and natural disasters are adding urgency as people around the world race to collect, store, and protect plant species, and that Chileans are rising to the challenge in the world's driest desert."
https://www.kuow.org/stories/chileans-race-to-protect-plant-species-in-the-world-s-driest-desert
"Peru: Deadly Mudslides Ravage Peru After Heavy Rain.
"Peru Mudslides: Severe flooding and deadly mudslides triggered by heavy rainfall have left communities across Peru reeling, with residents describing scenes of devastation and loss."
https://www.wionews.com/videos/peru-deadly-mudslides-ravage-peru-after-heavy-rain-1770367877054
"EXTRAORDINARY SUMMER WARMTH: "Night Minimums locally >10C/50F in Canada highlands and also in Montana and South Dakota. Dozens of records of February hottest night pulverized. (many will hold). Let+s expect widespread maxes in the lower 20Cs/70Fs."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2019451525953650788
"From orcas to water shortages: nature in a changing climate.
"Orcas are attacking sailboats near Gibraltar and Portugal. They're damaging rudders, and have sunk boats. But why are they doing this? Also: islands cutting waste, shrinking snow in the Alps, and the carbon cycle."
https://www.dw.com/en/from-orcas-to-water-shortages-nature-in-a-changing-climate/video-75841224
"The water wars are coming This finite resource will define the century.
"Today, we are already in the midst of a deep and deepening crisis of water availability. Though more than 70% of the world's surface is covered by the stuff, almost all of it is seawater."
https://unherd.com/2026/02/the-water-wars-are-coming/
"Saving the ozone layer has 'polluted Earth with forever chemicals'.
"Substances brought in to replace CFCs have led to 300,000 tonnes of a potentially toxic chemical being deposited in soil and rivers worldwide, a study claims."
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/environment/article/saving-ozone-layer-polluted-earth-forever-chemicals-0m8f3ckxr
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Climate" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with an "Economic" thread.
The post 7th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News (rev.1) appeared first on Climate and Economy.
7th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News [ 07-Feb-26 2:11pm ]Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"The presumed upcoming El Nino will help cement and quantify global warming acceleration, showing that 2ºC global warming is likely to be reached in the 2030s, not at midcentury.
"See [my latest substack; Prof Jim Hansen] https://mailchi.mp/caa/another-el-nino-already-what-can-we-learn-from-it
"Breaking News! Y-axis alert!
"For the first time on record, the 3-year running average for the mean rate of atmospheric CO2 growth broke 8.00 ppm per 3 years, reaching a new record high growth rate of 8.06 ppm per 3 years. "And that dip in the early 1990's was Mt. Pinatubo." [Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/2019535227857826010
"Turbo-charged jet stream's effects felt in every part of Europe.
"What has the brutal cold in North America got to do with the thoroughly wet weather over much of the UK, atrocious rains in Spain and Portugal and bitter cold in northern Europe? The thread binding this weather pattern together is the jet stream."
"University of Reading meteorologists said they have recorded the longest unbroken spell of rainy days in the town since they started measuring them in 1908. [UK]
"Its Atmospheric Observatory said January was the fourth-wettest since then, with total rainfall levels way above those expected."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyr5rygg62o
"Denmark Paralyzed: Heavy snow and blizzards bring the country to a standstill.
"On Friday most of the country woke up to a snow-covered landscape as a powerful winter storm swept across Denmark. Heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions causing widespread disruption to transport, education, and daily commerce."
"Symi Declared in State of Emergency as Water Shortages Persist [Greece].
"The decision said authorities deemed the measure necessary because Symi continues to face a serious lack of water. Local authorities and residents remain concerned, as the problem has not eased even after recent rain."
"Storm Leonardo devastates southern Portugal and Spain.
"Storm has ravaged southern regions of Spain and Portugal this week, leaving one man dead in Portugal and one woman missing in Spain. Calls to postpone presidential election as Storm Leonardo lashes Portugal and Spain…"
"Grazalema evacuated as extreme rainfall causes dangerous underground water buildup.
"Authorities in Andalusia have ordered the evacuation of the town of Grazalema to Ronda, in Cádiz province, after an unusual buildup of water underground triggered minor seismic activity and raised serious safety concerns. This urgent measure affects more than 1,600 residents."
"Moroccan Authorities Evacuate More than 143,000 People Due to Flooding.
"Moroccan authorities continued a massive evacuation operation for the tenth consecutive day in a number of northern provinces hit by severe flooding, with more than 143,000 people evacuated as a precaution."
"Drought Spreads Beyond Kenya's Arid North, Plunging Herders Into Crisis.
"Kenya has been here before, most recently in 2022 when a record drought decimated livestock populations and plunged pastoralists in the East African country's arid north and northeast into a hunger crisis."
"Yemen's Vanishing Wells.
"In eastern Yemen, diesel pumps stand idle above dried-out boreholes. Their hoses are cracked from the heat, their engines silent. There is a lack of fuel, electricity, and above all, water beneath the ground."
https://www.fairplanet.org/story/yemens-vanishing-wells/
"Crazy MINIMUM Temperatures up to 18C in the highlands of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Records of February warm nights smashed also in Kazakhstan.
"This is NOTHING to what's coming: We will see tropical nights and Maxes up to 30C [86F] An absolute insanity beyond any imagination."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2019289623319699496
"Cyclone Senyar triggered 330 landslides in South Tapanuli, survey finds [Indonesia].
"An independent survey found 330 landslides upstream of the Garoga and Siondop rivers after the rare tropical cyclone Senyar struck South Tapanuli regency in North Sumatra in late November."
"Tropical Storm Penha brings devastation to Philippines with 4 dead and 6,000 evacuated
"Tropical Storm Penha killed at least four people and displaced more than 6,000 across the southern Philippines as days of heavy rainfall triggered flooding and a landslide, authorities said on Friday."
"Cyclone Mitchell intensifies as towns in north-west WA brace for winds, flooding.
"Authorities expect the cyclone to continue churning south-west and cross the western Pilbara coast late Sunday afternoon. It was expected to intensify into a category three system as it passes just north of Karratha Saturday night and track close to the Pilbara coast on Sunday."
"Climate change is accelerating antibiotic resistance across the Western Pacific.
"A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health, Western Pacific finds that changing climatic conditions and socioeconomic vulnerabilities jointly shape antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risks in the Western Pacific region, highlighting the urgent need for establishing integrated AMR, climate surveillance networks."
"Rescuers in Patagonia: the silent work that saves animals amid forest fires.
"The Argentine Patagonia is facing one of the worst environmental crises of the last decade. Since the end of December, forest fires have been advancing over thousands of hectares, affecting protected areas such as the Los Alerces National Park."
"Chileans race to protect plant species in the world's driest desert.
"John Bartlett reports that climate change and natural disasters are adding urgency as people around the world race to collect, store, and protect plant species, and that Chileans are rising to the challenge in the world's driest desert."
https://www.kuow.org/stories/chileans-race-to-protect-plant-species-in-the-world-s-driest-desert
"Peru: Deadly Mudslides Ravage Peru After Heavy Rain.
"Peru Mudslides: Severe flooding and deadly mudslides triggered by heavy rainfall have left communities across Peru reeling, with residents describing scenes of devastation and loss."
https://www.wionews.com/videos/peru-deadly-mudslides-ravage-peru-after-heavy-rain-1770367877054
"EXTRAORDINARY SUMMER WARMTH: "Night Minimums locally >10C/50F in Canada highlands and also in Montana and South Dakota. Dozens of records of February hottest night pulverized. (many will hold). Let+s expect widespread maxes in the lower 20Cs/70Fs."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2019451525953650788
"From orcas to water shortages: nature in a changing climate.
"Orcas are attacking sailboats near Gibraltar and Portugal. They're damaging rudders, and have sunk boats. But why are they doing this? Also: islands cutting waste, shrinking snow in the Alps, and the carbon cycle."
https://www.dw.com/en/from-orcas-to-water-shortages-nature-in-a-changing-climate/video-75841224
"The water wars are coming This finite resource will define the century.
"Today, we are already in the midst of a deep and deepening crisis of water availability. Though more than 70% of the world's surface is covered by the stuff, almost all of it is seawater."
https://unherd.com/2026/02/the-water-wars-are-coming/
"Saving the ozone layer has 'polluted Earth with forever chemicals'.
"Substances brought in to replace CFCs have led to 300,000 tonnes of a potentially toxic chemical being deposited in soil and rivers worldwide, a study claims."
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/environment/article/saving-ozone-layer-polluted-earth-forever-chemicals-0m8f3ckxr
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Climate" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with an "Economic" thread.
The post 7th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
6th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News [ 06-Feb-26 9:26am ]Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
With apologies, I must head over to the mainland tomorrow. Kali is going to be very kind and cover for me in absentia. I should be back Wednesday or Thursday at the latest.
"Death, taxes and turmoil: is the age of the safe haven over?
"The plate tectonics of the global financial system are moving and in the event of a crisis we may experience a new landscape unfolding… This year… financial stability risks look set to rear their head and will do so in a climate where a safe haven no longer exists."
https://www.thetimes.com/us/business-us/article/safe-haven-assets-gerard-lyons-comment-q5mwbg8r7
"Big Tech's 'breathtaking' $660bn spending spree reignites AI bubble fears.
"Big Tech stocks sold off heavily after unveiling plans to spend $660bn this year on AI, as investors fret that the "breathtaking" capital expenditures are outpacing the earnings potential of the new technology."
https://www.ft.com/content/0e7f6374-3fd5-46ce-a538-e4b0b8b6e6cd
"The steep selloff in software stocks is spreading to the debt market.
"Pressured by growing worries about the disruptive potential of new AI coding tools, shares of large software companies such as Salesforce and ServiceNow have been sliding for months. But now the prices of software-company bonds and loans are also dropping."
"Asian markets extend global retreat as tech worries build.
"Asian equities sank again Friday as a tech rout that battered Wall Street for the third day in a row showed no sign of letting up amid growing unease about the hundreds of billions splashed out on artificial intelligence."
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/asian-markets-extend-global-retreat-024334995.html
"Bitcoin Crashes To Around $60,000 As Historic Free Fall Worsens—Price Is Down Over 50% In 4 Months.
"Bitcoin fell below the $70,000 mark for the first time in over a year around 6:30 a.m. EST, but losses worsened throughout the day. The losses pushed bitcoin below the $65,000 figure shortly after 3 p.m. EST, and it was trading as low as around $60,256 at 7:21 p.m."
"Bitcoin's 45% Plunge Is A Warning Of A Bigger Liquidity Problem…
"With the reverse repurchase facility practically exhausted since the end of August, liquidity will need to be financed from other sources. There is no longer excess cash circulating in the overnight funding market."
"Silver Whipsaws Again as Thin Liquidity Fuels Wild Price Swings.
"Silver lurched between losses and gains, dropping nearly 10% before snapping back, as a lack of liquidity led to wild swings in a market struggling to find a floor… Spot silver rose as much as 6.2% in Asian trading on Friday, having earlier tumbled toward $64 an ounce. That followed a 20% decline in the previous session."
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/silver-whipsaws-again-thin-liquidity-030642370.html
"Morning Bid: Fed under pressure as layoffs mount.
"It's Jobs Friday and there is no jobs report. With non-farm payrolls delayed by a U.S. government shutdown - again - and a selloff on Wall Street going global, markets are anxious."
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/global-markets-view-europe-2026-02-06/
"One path to U.S. fiscal disaster is most alarming — and most likely.
"The national debt is nearing $39 trillion. Dire consequences are coming… Upwardly spiraling debt could provoke a financial crisis. Investors anxious about the U.S. fiscal outlook would demand sharply higher interest rates to entice them to purchase Treasurys. This would ignite a self-reinforcing debt spiral."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/02/04/congress-national-debt-trillions-crises/
"Trump's trade war creating economic 'mirage' with GDP forecasts, freight market disconnected: Shipping expert…
"While headline GDP growth may look strong based on tech sector spending, actual shipment volumes for goods are relatively weak and the maritime market is oversupplied with vessels."
"UK borrowing costs rise as concerns about Starmer's future mount.
"British borrowing costs rose on Thursday as concerns grew over whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer could survive the fallout from his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as U.S. ambassador despite knowing about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein."
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/uk-borrowing-costs-rise-concerns-092913960.html
"Pubs and restaurants hit with most sustained job losses since financial crisis.
"Staff numbers in Britain's services sector, which includes the hospitality industry, have fallen every month since October 2024, which coincided with Rachel Reeves unveiling plans to increase employers' National Insurance Contributions and the National Minimum Wage."
"Volvo Slump Fuels Fears for Europe's Auto Industry…
"Shares in Volvo Cars plunged as much as 25% after fourth-quarter earnings missed expectations… EU industry chief Stephane Sejourne recently issued a warning, saying Europe's auto industry is "in mortal danger.""
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Volvo-Slump-Fuels-Fears-for-Europes-Auto-Industry.html
"Musk's Starlink Blocks Russian Troops' Internet Access, at Ukraine's Request…
""Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have worked," Mr. Musk wrote on X on Feb. 1. "Let us know if more needs to be done.""
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/world/europe/starlink-blocks-russian-troops-access.html
"Trump rejects call from Russia's Putin to extend cap on nuclear deployments.
"United States President Donald Trump has shot down an offer from Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin proposing a voluntary extension of recently-expired limits on the deployment of strategic nuclear weapons."
"Credit Bank of Moscow Posts Rare Loss as Bad Loans Surge.
"A bank closely linked to oil major Rosneft has become the first among Russia's top 10 lenders by assets to post a net loss, highlighting mounting strains in the country's banking sector."
"Russian Oil Discounts Widen for China as Indian Purchases Falter.
"As India is tentatively pulling back from buying Russian oil after the U.S. trade deal, Russia's crude is being offered in China at widening discounts to attract Chinese refiners, trade sources have told Reuters."
"Chinese provinces set lower growth targets for 2026.
"Most Chinese provinces are targeting lower economic growth this year, in what many economists believe is a signal Beijing will set a historically low range of 4.5-5 per cent for its official goal in 2026."
https://www.ft.com/content/7ccb65e3-b00e-4ac6-8bce-a5037c2c7d71
"China's Easy Money Floods Metals Markets as Real Economy Falters.
"Chinese speculators have driven a rally in global metals prices due to ample cash and fewer investment options. The People's Bank of China is being forced to do more to prop up sluggish growth, with the M2 measure of money supply expanding faster than nominal gross domestic product."
"BYD's $60 Billion Wipeout Points to Deeper Turmoil for China EVs.
"A relentless selloff in BYD Co. shares is laying bare investor anxiety over the profit outlook for China's electric-vehicle sector, as cooling demand at home and surging raw material costs trigger a brutal reset of expectations."
"Mitsubishi Motors incurs loss in April-December on U.S. tariffs…
"The company's global vehicle sales decreased 6% to 589,000 units. Sales fell 4% in Southeast Asia, its major market, and also decreased in North America and Europe… According to its business results released Thursday, the company posted a net loss of ¥4.49 billion…"
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/02/06/companies/mitsubishi-motors-tariffs-loss/
"Japan's biggest banks ready to increase JGB holdings despite growing losses.
"Japan's two largest banks say they are set to increase their holdings of Japanese government bonds as rising interest rates promise higher returns, even though unrealised losses on existing bond portfolios have grown."
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/japans-biggest-banks-ready-increase-030710555.html
"South Korea stunned by Trump's latest tariff hike.
"South Korea's government appeared to be blindsided last week as Donald Trump accused Seoul of "not living up" to a bilateral trade deal concluded in October, and announced a new 25% tariff on Korean imports."
https://www.dw.com/en/south-korea-stunned-by-trumps-latest-tariff-hike/a-75823025
"Thailand strengthens defences at Ban Nong Ya Kaew [near Cambodia], prepares for future operations.
"On Thursday, Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, accompanied local and international media to Ban Nong Ya Kaew in Sa Kaeo Province to observe the aftermath of a military operation aimed at asserting Thailand's territorial sovereignty."
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40062161
"In Afghanistan, a Trail of Hunger and Death Behind U.S. Aid Cuts…
"Historically, Afghanistan has been one of the most aid-dependent nations in the world, with foreign assistance once accounting for nearly 40% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The sudden evaporation of this support has triggered a multifaceted crisis."
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/world/asia/afghanistan-us-aid-cuts.html
"A grim shift: women join suicide attacks in the Balochistan Liberation Army.
"Pakistan (MNN) — On January 31, fighters from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) coordinated attacks across Pakistan's Balochistan province. Later reports said two of the suicide bombers were women."
"US-Iran talks begin in Oman amid deep rifts and mounting war fears.
"While both sides have signaled readiness to revive diplomacy, Washington wants the talks to cover Iran's nuclear program, its ballistic missiles, support for proxy terror groups around the region and "treatment of their own people," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday."
"Tankers Speed Through Hormuz Chokepoint on Rising Iran Tensions…
"Very Large Crude Carriers are traveling around the narrow, congested waterway — through which about a quarter of the world's seaborne oil trade travels — at as much as 17 knots, ship-tracking data show."
"'The Kurds had Western support, especially from the US. That support has now been withdrawn'.
"The agreement signed by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa brings an end to the experiment of Rojava, an autonomous region in the northeast of the country. The United States gave its approval for dismantling this Kurdish stronghold and its military wing, both of which it had previously protected…"
"The Real Risks of the Saudi-UAE Feud.
"Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are locked in a broader strategic contest, jockeying over economic, political, and security matters. What was once a friendly competition has devolved into rivalry. The root of their crisis lies in Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's grand plan for its future."
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/real-risks-saudi-uae-feud
"Ethiopia inches ever closer to war.
"The routine is familiar by now. Nervous queues outside banks running rapidly out of cash. Empty shelves, soaring prices, frantic hoarding of food. Over the past year residents of Tigray, Ethiopia's northernmost region, have endured at least three similar episodes, terrified each time that another war would erupt."
https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/02/05/ethiopia-inches-ever-closer-to-war
"Famine conditions spread to more towns in Sudan's Darfur, experts warn.
"Acute malnutrition has reached famine levels in two more areas of western Sudan's Darfur region, United Nations-backed experts warn, as a civil war between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army has caused widespread hunger."
"Aid workers missing after airstrikes hit South Sudan hospital…
"The hospital, run by medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Jonglei state, "was hit in an air strike by the government of South Sudan forces during the night on Tuesday", MSF said. The South Sudan government is yet to comment."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20dq9e3qr7o
"'They killed my sons': chief of Nigerian village where jihadists massacred hundreds recounts night of terror…
"The traditional chief of a village in western Nigeria where jihadists massacred residents earlier this week has recounted a night of terror during which the attackers killed two of his sons and kidnapped his wife and three daughters."
"US, Russia vie for influence in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso…
""We should welcome the fact that America is offering the AES countries, which France and the EU wanted to portray as pariahs, an opportunity for negotiation and discussion," Dr. Gnaka Lagoke, lecturer in history and Pan-African studies at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, told DW."
https://www.dw.com/en/us-russia-vie-for-influence-in-mali-niger-and-burkina-faso/a-75789462
"Cubans rendered powerless as outages persist and tensions with US escalate.
"The smell of sulfur hits hard in this coastal town that produces petroleum and is home to one of Cuba's largest thermoelectric plants. Yet, even as the plant cranks back to life, residents remain in the dark, surrounded by energy sources they cannot use."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/cuba-santa-cruz-people-donald-trump-venezuela-b2914656.html
"Rising conflict poses economic risks for global defence sector.
"The global defence industry faces structural challenges due to an unexpected surge in demand that could be constrained by economic nationalism, fiscal fragility and supply chain risks, research has warned - with major implications for insurers and lenders."
https://www.theactuary.com/2026/02/05/rising-conflict-poses-economic-risks-global-defence-sector
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The post 6th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"Flawed economic models mean the accelerating impact of the climate crisis could lead to a global financial crash, experts warn.
"Recovery would be far harder than after the 2008 financial crash, they said, as "we can't bail out the Earth like we did the banks"."
"Greenland shatters temperature record, redrawing economy from fishing to minerals.
"Greenland, the Arctic island coveted by U.S. President Donald Trump, experienced its warmest January on record this year, as a rate of warming four times faster than the global average redraws the outlook for sectors from fishing to mining."
"What is groundwater flooding and why Dorset is seeing 'historical highs' [UK]
""When the water table rises and reaches ground level, water starts to seep through to the surface and flooding can happen," the EA says. That means it may rise up through floors or underground rooms such as cellars and basements."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj4l7rlxzjxo
"A UK climate security report backed by the intelligence services was quietly buried - a pattern we've seen many times before…
"This episode is not even especially unusual, historically. Governments have been receiving warnings about climate change - and downplaying or delaying responses - for decades."
"Europe's public finances in a warming world.
"Climate change is increasingly shaping macro-fiscal outlooks. Extreme weather events, chronic damages from global warming, and decarbonisation efforts all have growing implications for public finances and the economy."
https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/europes-public-finances-warming-world
"Photos: exceptional storm floods Antibes streets. Three weeks' worth of rain fell in just a few hours…
"Locals took to social media to share images and videos of the continuous rainfall, lightning, and hailstones which caused streets to quickly fill with water…"
https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/photos-exceptional-storm-floods-antibes-streets/767706
"Rising rivers and deadly floods slam Portugal as Storm Leonardo hits.
"Portugal faces floods and evacuations as Storm Leonardo swamps rivers and streets, after deadly weather in Spain and weeks of storms across Iberia… Portuguese civil protection said thousands of incidents were reported…"
"Andalucian mountain town soaks in an astonishing 500mm of rain in just 24 hours - obliterating 78-year record [Spain].
"Grazalema, the picturesque pueblo blanco in the Cadiz mountains, recorded a staggering 512.5mm [20+ inches] of rain in a single 24-hour period ending at 8pm on Wednesday…. it has annihilated the town's previous daily rainfall record - which had stood for nearly eight decades."
https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2026/02/04/grazalema-rain-record-24-hours/
"Tornado Strikes Corfu as Heavy Rain Triggers Flooding in Kefalonia.
"Severe weather hit the Ionian Islands with force, as a tornado struck a village in Corfu and caused extensive damage, while heavy rainfall in Kefalonia triggered flooding in several areas… Authorities continue to closely monitor the evolving conditions."
"Morocco evacuates over 100,000 people from 4 provinces after floods.
"Authorities set up emergency shelters and reception centers and provided essential assistance to those affected by the floods, the ministry said, adding that the measures aim to reduce the impact of the disaster and ensure public safety."
"EXTRAORDINARY. >170 countries are breaking heat records. In Particular the tropics of all Continents are with unprecedented heat.
"Central Africa has been with record heat for months, every single day. Last record: 35.7 [96.3F] Franceville GABON. February record smashed."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2019076799502963010
"Prolonged rainfall delays harmattan, disrupts crop fruiting season [Nigeria].
"The unusually prolonged rainfall recorded in January and February 2026, well outside the typical 2025 rainy season cycle, has raised concerns among farmers, who fear it could disrupt the fruiting cycle of key economic trees…"
"SOUTH AFRICA RECORD HEAT: one after another like an unstoppable factory, South Africa keeps breaking records continuously.
"February hottest night in history in many stations; MINIMUMS: 22.2 Stillbaai, 22.9 Somerset East, 23 Grahamstown, 23 [73.4F] Cape St Francis, 24.2 Uitenhage, 25.3 Pennington."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2019059864186605973
"South Africa classifies drought, water shortages as national disaster…
"Elias Sithole, head of the National Disaster Management Center in the CoGTA, said that the decision was made "after having considered reports submitted on drought and the possible interruption of large scale water provision by organs of state in terms of the potential impact and magnitude in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Northern Cape.""
https://english.news.cn/20260205/9e515e9b923041b28bfea1cb35a5c5ac/c.html
"'We have to rebuild': Mozambique flood victims persevere in face of loss…
"This season, heavy rains and overflowing rivers have resulted in floods, which authorities say are some of the worst in decades, killing more than 150 people and affecting an estimated 800,000 people…"
"HISTORIC HEAT all over the tropics continue… 35.5 [95.9F] Juan de Nova Island. FRENCH SOUTHERN TERRITORY HOTTEST FEBRUARY DAY IN HISTORY.
"The area has been with relentless record heat since early 2014 breaking and rebreaking records continuously."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2019056633511641462
"Amid worsening drought and crop failure, Zimbabweans support government investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, green energy.
"The country's major challenges include reduced and erratic rainfall (Government of Zimbabwe & UNDP, 2017). Whereas droughts occurred in one in 10 growing seasons between 1902 and 1979, their frequency increased to one in four between 1980 and 2011."
"Why Israel's Vulture Population Isn't Recovering…
"Poisoning has been harming Israel's vultures for roughly three decades, with cumulative damage pushing the species toward critical endangerment. A series of mass poisonings over the years wiped out, among other sites, the country's largest breeding colony at the Gamla Nature Reserve in the Golan Heights."
"On Wednesday, February 4, the Mehr News Agency reported that Tehran is approaching what officials call "water tension," a situation where supply can no longer meet demand.
"The warning comes after months of recurring water cuts across different parts of the city, with residents experiencing outages lasting several hours at a time."
"FAO Warns of Unseasonably Warm Conditions Across Afghanistan.
"The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that unusually warm temperatures are expected across much of Afghanistan in the coming days, raising concerns about water availability and long-term agricultural impacts."
https://kabulnow.com/2026/02/fao-warns-of-unseasonably-warm-conditions-across-afghanistan/
"A dam threatens Nepal's Indigenous community; they want it on the ballot.
"Residents of Mulkharka, largely from the Indigenous Tamang community, learned only in 2023 about plans for the Nagmati Dam near their settlement on the northern edge of Kathmandu and now strongly oppose it…"
"Compound Heat-Drought Threatens China's Oil Crops…
"A groundbreaking study led by Guo, S., Zhao, C., Jin, Z., and colleagues delves into this alarming phenomenon with a specific focus on oil crop production across China, revealing how the interplay of temporal and spatial extremes critically undermines crop yields and threatens agricultural sustainability."
https://bioengineer.org/compound-heat-drought-threatens-chinas-oil-crops/
"At least 35 killed after weeks of heavy snowfall in Japan.
"At least 35 people have been killed and nearly 400 injured after an extended period of extreme snowfall dumped up to 6.5 feet (about 2 meters) of snow across parts of northern Japan, with authorities now warning that rising temperatures could trigger dangerous avalanches"
"Flash floods hit parts of Lahad Datu following hours of heavy rain. [Malaysia].
"On social media, the situation appeared serious, with videos and photos showing vehicles being swept away by strong currents, along with a wooden stilt house reportedly carried off by floodwaters."
"Floods Inundate Pemalang Again [Java].
"Heavy rain that pounded Pemalang Regency on Wednesday night (February 4, 2026) again triggered flooding in several areas. This incident, the third recorded in February 2026, underscores the ongoing challenges of flood control…"
"More than 80% of flying fox colony wiped out as January heatwaves kill thousands of bats [South Australia]…
""It's a devastating loss of numbers," said Judith Bemmer, a carer at Bat Rescue SA. Among the surviving 180 animals, about 34 underweight and dehydrated babies were rescued, and would face months of recovery."
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/05/flying-foxes-january-heatwaves-kill-thousands
"Heat waves kill thousands of fish in Australia.
"Most of the dead fish, found at Sunset Strip on the banks of Lake Menindee, were native bony bream, along with some carp, ABC News reported. The die-off followed last week's record-breaking temperatures that peaked near 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit)."
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/heat-waves-kill-thousands-of-fish-in-australia/3819850
"After the historic January heat wave, February started with some cold records in AUSTRALIA:
"February records low: 0.8 Coonawarra, 3.0 Windy Harbour, 3.9 King Island; Low maxes: 23.9 Victoria River Downs, 22 Lajamanu. Cool also in New Zealand with afternoon temps in the 10s in the South."
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2018644629269442665
"Melting Antarctic ice may weaken a major carbon sink.
"Melting ice from West Antarctica once delivered huge amounts of iron to the Southern Ocean, but algae growth did not increase as expected. Researchers found the iron was in a form that marine life could not easily use. This means more melting ice does not automatically boost carbon absorption."
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260204042457.htm
"'Doomsday Glacier' is melting faster than we thought. Can a 150-metre wall stop it flooding Earth?
"Located on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, Thwaites Glacier earned its apocalyptical name due to its potential impact on sea levels. Covering a vast 192,000 km², making it comparable in size to Great Britain… can the consequences of climate change really just be barricaded off?"
"HISTORIC WARMTH IN OCEANIA. Min 28.3C [82.9F] Majuro is FEBRUARY HOTTEST NIGHT EVER RECORDED IN MARSHALL ISLANDS.
"Also, record warm night again in MICRONESIA. The Min of 28.0 on Feb 2nd in Pohnpei was the February warmest night in history."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2018876888958271776
"2025 was Hawai'i's second driest, warmest year on record, new report confirms.
"Hawai'i experienced its second driest year in more than a century. Alongside drought, the state saw persistently above-average temperatures throughout the year, according to the inaugural Hawai'i Annual Climate Report for 2025."
"Austerity hinders fight against wildfires in Argentina's Patagonia.
"Wildfires are sweeping through Argentina's Patagonia region, consuming more than 450sq km (175sq miles) of native forests, including parts of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Los Alerces National Park."
"Severe storm floods Itaperuna and raises alert for climate disasters in Northwest Fluminense [Brazil].
"In less than an hour, rain gauges recorded 76 millimeters of rain, a volume almost four times greater than the 19 millimeters predicted by Civil Defense for the entire period. The extreme rainfall transformed streets into muddy rivers, and images recorded by residents show vehicles being swept away…"
"70% of the department of Córdoba is flooded due to the winter storm. [Colombia].
"The National Federation of Cattle Ranchers (FEDEGAN) issued an urgent warning about the millions of dollars in losses that the winter storm is causing to cattle ranchers on the Caribbean Coast."
"Cuba records first freezing temperature amid deepening energy crisis.
"Cuba experienced its coldest temperature on record on February 3 when the mercury dropped to zero degrees Celsius, an unprecedented event for the Caribbean island nation that comes as it faces an acute energy crisis triggered by dwindling oil supplies and mounting US pressure…"
"This week's cold blast was a total freak-show. Dozens of record lows were broken. That just doesn't happen in Florida anymore - until now.
"Since 2020, Tampa and Miami have only had 1 record low each - both this season. Ft Myers 2. But each city has had well over 100 record highs! Yeah, record highs are outnumbering record lows ~100 to 1 there. That's how freakish this week's cold has been." [Jeff Berardelli]
https://x.com/WeatherProf/status/2019033879026213364
"The cold arriving in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic this weekend will be next level.
"Here's why: The incoming air mass comes all the way from the Russian Arctic and will be passing the North Pole en route to the United States. This is known as cross-polar flow."
[Ben Noll]
https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/2019037095948693557
"Lake Erie Nears 100% Ice Coverage After Record Cold Stretch.
"It has been 30 years since the last time Lake Erie was 100% frozen over in February 1996. This year, however, Cleveland's Great Lake has come extremely close… As of Feb. 3, 2026, Lake Erie is 94% frozen over…"
https://clevelandmagazine.com/articles/lake-erie-nears-100-ice-coverage-after-record-cold-stretch/
"Colorado River Negotiators Are Nearly Out of Time and Snowpack.
"With another federal deadline only weeks away and record-low snowfall further drying out the watershed, states have begun talking about whether they are prepared for litigation… as the Feb. 14 deadline looms, basin states, particularly Arizona and Colorado, have begun discussing the prospect of settling their disputes in court."
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/04022026/colorado-river-record-low-snow-litigation/
"Ohio farmers face weather whiplash.
"Last spring, many Ohio farmers struggled to plant their corn and soybeans because persistent rain made their fields too soggy to work. But by August, many farmers faced the opposite problem. Drought plagued much of the state."
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/02/ohio-farmers-face-weather-whiplash/
"All-time driest January for two Okanagan cities [BC, Canada].
"It's s been a drier-than-normal January in many parts of B.C., but particularly in the Okanagan. Two cities set all-time records. As Travis Lowe reports, if the pattern continues, it could be cause for concern on the wildfire front."
https://globalnews.ca/video/11653298/all-time-driest-january-for-two-okanagan-cities/
"EXCEPTIONAL WARMTH IN CANADA. Summer day with temperatures up to 20.6C [69.1F] in Alberta and 19.5C in British Columbia.
"Several records of February high Temperature pulverized: 20.3 Bow Island, 19.5 Bella Bella, 18.5 Brooks, 18.1 Tatlayoko Lake etc."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2019230031579607468
"Record warmth moves into Alaska, with colder weather along the Slope…
"Following record warmth through parts of Southeast Tuesday, another warm stretch of weather remains with the panhandle. We'll keep waves of rain in the forecast through the close of the week, with some dry time between each passing storm."
"January's record snowfall in Southcentral Alaska has created dangerous avalanche conditions across Alaska's backcountry, burying weak snow layers that could trigger deadly slides even for experienced snowmachine riders.
""We've got three inches of precipitation and 40 inches of snow in town. So that's really unusual," John Sykes, Avalanche Forecaster for Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center, said."
"January 2026 Arctic sea ice extent was statistically tied (with last year) for the 2nd lowest on record for the month…
"This was 1,310,000 km² below the 1981-2010 average. January ice extent is decreasing at about 2.85% per decade." [Zack Labe]
https://bsky.app/profile/zacklabe.com/post/3mdymqznbhc24
"Critical moment when El Niño started to erode Russia's Arctic sea ice discovered.
"Scientists discover a tipping point that took place in 2000, where El Niño's effect on sea ice loss in Siberia was amplified… After the year 2000, the transitions out of El Niño started to speed up, possibly due to interactions with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation…"
"El Niño update: Westerly wind bursts during January were very unusual and record-breaking in some areas.
"Warm water is now moving across the subsurface Pacific and will probably start to surface in February and March. By mid-2026, ocean-atmosphere El Niño coupling is possible. [Ben Noll]
https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/2019070943969128835
"Daily global Sea Surface Temperatures are now 0.18°C above 2023, with identical La Niña temperatures in the tropical Pacific.
"Hold on to your hats." [Leon Simons]
https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/2018716403759542705
"Don't put blind faith in climate models:
""Because tipping points are hard to model with any precision, and harder still to predict, they are often left out of climate projections — and hence are still largely ignored by climate negotiators"".
https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/2019228790593839231
"Extreme Weather Fuels Volatility Across the Global Olive Oil Market.
"Localized extreme climate events are increasingly triggering cascading effects across the global olive oil market, with irregular harvests feeding price volatility, trade tensions and subtle shifts in traditional diets."
"I'm a prepping expert - this is how I'm getting ready for water shortages.
"Start with some Jerry cans. "I have a couple of 20 litre Jerry cans [they look like petrol containers] for water. You can get them from army surplus stores [for around £30 depending on the brand, and the World Health Organisation recommends two litres per person per day."
https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/prepping-expert-getting-ready-for-water-shortages-4209449
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Climate" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with an "Economic" thread.
The post 5th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"The Global Economy's Warning Signals Are Broken.
"From markets to spending to debt, usually reliable indicators that forecast where the economy is headed are proving deeply fallible… The cooperative system of trade based on rules is giving way to great power aggression and mercantilism. With so much change happening so fast, historical patterns are cracking."
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/business/economy/global-economy-forecasts.html
"Gold extends rally, jumps over 2% after best day since 2008.
"Gold prices climbed more than 2% on Wednesday, building on their best day since 2008 in the previous session, as bargain-hunting and a softer dollar supported bullion. The closely watched employment report for January will not be released this Friday because of the partial shutdown."
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/gold-extends-rally-jumps-over-013913040.html
"Gold giant becomes major buyer of U.S. debt…
"Tether is no longer just a crypto liquidity provider. It is now one of the largest private holders of both gold and U.S. government debt, placing it in territory traditionally occupied by banks, asset managers and sovereign institutions."
https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/markets/gold-giant-becomes-major-buyer-of-u-s-debt
"The Treasury market is treading in dangerous waters…
"While yields have remained relatively contained compared to historic highs, several "dangerous" undercurrents are causing unease among global investors… Total U.S. national debt has surpassed $38 trillion. Annual net interest payments are nearing $1 trillion, now rivaling major expenditures like defence and Medicare."
https://www.ft.com/content/c1229d2e-b871-4419-b9ed-7a9589c5a296
"The trillion-dollar question for AI business models.
"Here is a sobering truth about artificial intelligence: It is not yet profitable. Money is pouring into AI, and funds flow through it - for the time being. But when one examines AI companies' profits, clear data is hard to find."
https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/ai-business-models/
"An AI bubble is not big tech's only worry…
"Digital advertising, which accounts for a large and growing share of big tech's revenues, is looking less recession-proof. Having shrugged off the previous two downturns of their short history, in 2008-10 and 2020, digital ads are likely to take a serious knock when the next one eventually hits."
https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/02/02/an-ai-bubble-is-not-big-techs-only-worry
"Office CMBS Delinquency Rate Spikes to Record 12.3%, Much Worse than Financial Crisis Meltdown Peak.
"The delinquency rate of office mortgages that have been securitized into commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) spiked by over a percentage point in January to 12.3%, once again the worst ever, and 1.6 percentage point above the worst moments of the Financial Crisis…"
"Trump Is Reverse Engineering The Great Recession.
"Residential mortgage-backed securities are back. Subprime mortgages are up… one of the core financial products that led to millions of foreclosures during the Great Recession is being quietly readied for a comeback — even as economic and climate conditions make its return all the more destabilizing."
https://www.levernews.com/trump-is-reverse-engineering-the-great-recession/
"Trump unveils $12bn critical minerals stockpile scheme in apparent move to counter China's dominance.
""Today we're launching what will be known as Project Vault to ensure that American businesses and workers are never harmed by any shortage," Trump said at the White House on Monday. He compared it to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)…"
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/03/trump-critical-minerals-stockpile-project-vault
"Former Farming Leaders Warn U.S. Agriculture Could Face 'Widespread Collapse'.
"Current economic conditions and Trump administration policies could lead to "a widespread collapse of American agriculture," a bipartisan coalition of former Agriculture Department officials and leaders of farm groups warned in a letter on Tuesday."
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/us/politics/us-agriculture-warning.html
"Farmer warns rising feed costs will hit food prices [UK].
"The Met Office declared the summer of 2025 was the hottest since records began in 1884, which led to a drought being declared across the Midlands from July until December… the dry weather led to a drastic reduction in the supply of silage…"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c050r4rz81zo
"Germany eyes lasers, spy satellites in military space spending splurge…
"Germany will build an encrypted military constellation of more than 100 satellites, known as SATCOM Stage 4, over the next few years, the head of German Space Command Michael Traut told Reuters on the sidelines of a space event ahead of the Singapore Airshow."
"German Borrowing Costs at Highest Since 2011 on Spending Spree… as investors demand higher premiums to account for the record debt burden they need to absorb…
"It comes as Germany seeks to raise €512 billion ($604 billion) from debt sales this year to fund a spending spree aimed at fixing its infrastructure and modernizing its armed forces."
"Damning EU report lays bare bloc's 'dangerous dependence' on critical mineral imports.
"The EU is struggling to free itself from dependence on China and countries in the global south for critical minerals and rare earths needed for everything from smartphones to wind turbines and military jets."
"EU States Seek Russian Fertilizer Ban in Next Sanctions Package.
"Nordic duo Finland and Sweden have proposed a possible ban on imports of Russian fertilizer as part of the EU's next sanctions package, as the gas-based product has become a way around current gas-related sanctions."
https://www.energyintel.com/0000019c-23a7-d32e-a99c-7faf3c9e0000
"Ukraine war briefing: second round of Abu Dhabi talks set for tense start after 'massive' strikes on Kyiv.
"Senior Ukrainian and Russian officials are due to meet in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday for a second round of talks brokered by the Trump administration. The two-day talks are expected to mirror last month's format…"
"Russia warns of military measures if US deploys weapons in Greenland…
"Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned on Tuesday that Moscow would take "military and technical compensatory measures" if the United States deploys elements of its proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system on the Arctic island."
"Steeper Discounts on Russian Oil Test India Response to US Deal.
"Discounts on Russian oil being offered to Indian refiners have widened over the past 10 days, raising the question of whether processors will be encouraged to snap up cargoes despite a trade agreement with the US that hinges on lower purchases."
"Top China Official Vows to Boost Consumption to Overhaul Economy.
"China will press ahead with building a unified market to unleash domestic consumption as countries around Asia face a "pivotal juncture" in the transformation of the global economy, a top economic official said."
"Japan Claims 'World First' Retrieval of Rare Earths in Deepsea Drill.
"In a statement posted on X, PM Sanae Takaichi said the deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu removed sediment containing rare earth minerals from an area near Minamitori-shima (Minamitori Island) at a depth of nearly 6,000 ki
lometres."
https://www.asiafinancial.com/japan-claims-world-first-retrieval-of-rare-earths-in-deepsea-drill
"Yen Crisis Tracker.
"The Japanese yen is mired in a protracted decline linked to escalating worries about the country's financial health. With a new prime minister heading into an election, investors are bracing for policy shifts that could reshape the market."
https://www.reuters.com/data/yen-crisis-tracker-2026-02-03/
"Bank of Japan won't come to the rescue of a Takaichi-driven bond rout.
"Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi should not count on the Bank of Japan's help in taming sharp bond yield rises given the huge cost of intervention, including the significant risk of igniting unwelcome yen falls, sources say."
"North Korea: teenagers 'executed for watching Squid Game' as regime wages war on K-Drama and K-Pop…
"Interviewees said that newer South Korean content was reaching North Korea faster than in previous decades. They mentioned popular South Korean dramas from the 2010s, including Crash Landing on You, noted for its North Korea setting, and Descendants of the Sun, which features military themes."
"Thailand: From 'Economic Tiger' to the 'Sick Man of Asia'.
"Thailand's economy is in a structural crisis, transitioning from a high-growth "Economic Tiger" to a stagnant state as its main pillars of consumption, manufacturing, and tourism falter. The decline is driven by deep-seated issues, including a shrinking population."
https://www.nationthailand.com/business/economy/40062077
"Rohingya Again Abandoned as Myanmar's Conflict Enters a Far Deadlier Phase.
"This Rohingya Myanmar crisis exemplifies systemic human rights failures embedded in the junta's state policy of impunity, where airstrikes target civilians and aid blockades starve millions, reviving perils for the Rohingya minority…"
"Death toll of terrorist attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan rises to 250: official.
"More than 250 people have been killed in coordinated attacks launched by terrorists across Pakistan's Balochistan province since Saturday, a security official has said, with fighting continuing as government forces pursue the attackers."
https://www.trtworld.com/article/9abdf9b86bb1
"Afghan Migration to Crisis-Stricken Iran: A Mirror of a Deeper Catastrophe in Afghanistan.
"From what we hear and see, Iran's economy is more fragile and unstable than ever. Items such as cooking oil, rice, chicken, and red meat are no longer ordinary commodities; they have become luxury, scarce goods and concrete indicators of a collapsing livelihood."
"'Game is over': Iran's ex-leaders, hardliners clash after protest killings.
"Several of Iran's former leaders, including some who are currently imprisoned or under house arrest, have released damning statements over the killing of thousands during nationwide protests, garnering threats from hardliners."
"US shoots down Iranian drone as Middle East tensions escalate.
"The US military said it shot down an Iranian drone that "aggressively approached" an American aircraft carrier 500 miles from Iran's southern coast on Tuesday… In a separate incident hours later, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces threatened to board and seize a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz."
https://www.ft.com/content/81c72320-dab7-4429-8859-c2bd551ec5a1
"Iran-US; Why the Next Oil Crisis Will Be More Dangerous. Markets are not fully pricing in the high chance of a major oil shock...
"So, how big are the risks? Geopolitical analysts concur that they are greater than the market is now pricing. Tina Fordham of Fordham Global Foresight argues that with at least eight destroyers and an aircraft carrier in place, the buildup is accelerating."
"All-female Syrian militia refuses to lay down arms…
"'They will only get to our land over our dead bodies,' YPJ vows as Kurds fight for de facto capital… Ms Mohammed said: "Our commanders and soldiers have played the largest role, in the war against IS, in the war against al-Nusra, on all frontlines. So we can't accept an armed force without women.""
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/03/kurdish-female-soldiers-fight-for-qamishli/
"Milk rationing begins at Israeli supermarkets as dairy strike escalates.
"Sources familiar with the details told Israel Hayom that dairy farmers plan to escalate their protest measures if the Knesset committee does not transfer the discussion of the dairy reform to the Economics Committee."
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/02/03/israel-dairy-farmers-strike-milk-shortage-crisis/
"Israel kills at least ten Palestinians in Gaza, including three children…
"A source in Gaza's ambulance and emergency services told Al Jazeera Arabic that Israeli artillery fire struck the Zaytoun and Tuffah neighbourhoods, east of Gaza City, at dawn, killing seven people, including two baby girls."
"Economic collapse in Yemen drive many towards cryptocurrency despite grave risks.
"As inflation in Yemen surged to a record 45 per cent in 2021, Aisha Hamid watched the value of her savings steadily erode. Even with inflation now down to about 20.7 per cent, the 34-year-old Sana'a resident says the damage has already been done."
https://www.newarab.com/news/economic-collapse-yemen-drive-many-towards-cryptocurrency
"Yemen accuses Eritrea and Puntland of abuses against fishermen in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
"Yemen's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has accused Eritrean forces and Somalia's Puntland administration of carrying out deadly attacks, arbitrary arrests and illegal detentions of Yemeni fishermen working in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden."
"Ethiopia's prime minister accuses Eritrea of mass killings during Tigray war.
"Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, while addressing parliament Tuesday, accused Eritrean troops fighting alongside Ethiopian forces of mass killings in the war, during which more than 400,000 people are estimated to have died."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/eritrea-ethiopia-abiy-ahmed-red-sea-addis-ababa-b2913325.html
"Central Africa: Civilians at Risk in Eastern Congo.
"Abuses against civilians by government forces and armed groups have become rampant in the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo… Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and the Central African Republic have further restricted civil and political rights."
https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/02/04/central-africa-civilians-at-risk-in-eastern-congo
"Gaddafi's son killed in clashes as 444th Brigade denies involvement [Libya].
"Abdullah Osman, , as an adviser and chief of cabinet to Saif al-Islam, reportedly confirmed the death following an armed confrontation with the militia, according to conflict zone journalist Levent Kemal."
"Islamic State in the Sahel and the Dangers of Continued Regional Upheaval.
"The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for last week's coordinated attack on Diori Hamani International Airport and the adjacent Air Base 101 in Niamey, Niger's capital, marking one of the most high-profile attacks for IS-affiliates in the Sahel region."
https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2026-february-3/
"US military says some forces have been dispatched to Nigeria…
"Defense Minister Christopher Musa confirmed that a team was working in Nigeria but did not provide further details. A former U.S. official said the U.S. team appeared to be heavily involved in intelligence gathering and enabling Nigerian forces to strike terrorist-affiliated groups."
"US urges its citizens in Cuba to brace for protests, outages, fuel shortage…
"In recent weeks, Washington has moved to block all oil from reaching Cuba, including that from ally Venezuela, pushing up prices for food and transportation and prompting severe fuel shortages and hours of blackouts."
"Thousands march in Venezuela to demand US frees President Maduro, wife…
"Thousands carried signs in support of the abducted president, and many wore shirts calling for the couple's return from detention in a US prison. "The empire kidnapped them. We want them back," declared one banner carried by marchers."
"Colombian and Ecuadorian merchants and truckers protest escalating trade war between both nations…
"Protesters called for their governments to eliminate 30% tariffs on dozens of goods, warning the levies will hurt the economy of border provinces and affect energy companies on both sides of the border."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/protesters-trade-quito-bogota-trump-b2913301.html
"Gen Z is officially less intelligent than millennials, first recorded intergenerational IQ drop.
"Gen Z is now officially the only generation to measure lower than their predecessors in intelligence. A neuroscientist says this is because short videos and summarised texts are being increasingly relied on, but this is not how the human brain works."
"More Gen Z and millennials are getting cancer…
"Oncologists have observed a disturbing trend — cancers are increasingly being diagnosed in younger adults, particularly those in their late 20s to early 40s — namely Gen Z and millennials."
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Economic" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with a "Climate" thread.
The post 4th February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"Ocean Heat Goes Ballistic…
"In 2025 alone, the ocean gained 23 Zetta Joules …equivalent to every power plant, every car, every light bulb, and every device on Earth continuously in use for 37 years. This is how much extra heat the oceans absorbed in 2025, in one year!"
https://countercurrents.org/2026/02/ocean-heat-goes-ballistic/
"Natural variability exists, but Global Sea Surface Temperatures being already above pre-2023 records and the daily anomaly now being 0.15°C higher than in 2023 worry me a lot.
"Especially with the main El Niño region still at -0.57°C… Global warming has accelerated!"
[Leon Simons]
https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/2017630307738890520
"Meteorologists Warn of an Unusually Early Arctic Breakdown Forming in February…
"Why Is This February Event So Unusual? Arctic disruptions typically occur later in winter or early spring. A breakdown forming in February is unusually early, and scientists say the atmospheric signals triggering this event are rare."
"Greenland's 'green mining' row highlights the key tensions in the energy transition.
"Green finance is built on a promise: that capital can be redirected to support the transition to a low-carbon economy while avoiding the environmental mistakes of the past. That promise is getting harder to keep."
"January rainfall in parts of UK breaks more than century-long record…
"With 70% more rain than average Northern Ireland experienced the wettest January for 149 years. Culdrose in Cornwall recorded two and a quarter times its average, while Aboyne in Aberdeenshire had nearly four times its January average of 68.9mm."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/cx2lz3k65w5o
"Flood warnings as motorists stranded in deep water [Isle of Wight].
"Flooding was being reported extensively across the island on Sunday evening, with people posting on social media that they were having to abandon their vehicles. Homes in Whitwell and Carisbrooke were the among those flooded…"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98p0l8750lo
"Mini-tornado damages nearly 200 homes in southwestern France.
"According to ICI Gironde, a violent gust of wind lasting several seconds hit the area around midday, ripping off roofs, collapsing walls, and uprooting trees… Emergency services said around 150 firefighters have been deployed to assist affected residents."
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/mini-tornado-damages-nearly-200-homes-in-southwestern-france/3816593
"Portugal counts multi-billion euro damage after Storm Kristin.
"Hundreds of homes in central Portugal were left without roofs after last week's storm, and tens of thousands of people lost power as residents queued for basic building materials. The storm struck early on Wednesday (28 January) with wind gusts hitting 200 kph [120mph]…
https://anewz.tv/green/climate/17771/storm-kristin-damage-across-portugal/news
"Spain braces for floods as Google launches real-time risk map…
"The launch comes at a moment of heightened meteorological tension, with the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) warning of several days of potentially severe rainfall and elevated flood risk across large parts of the peninsula."
https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/02/02/spain-braces-for-floods-as-google-launches-real-time-risk-map/
"As Sicily's Niscemi crumbles, families race to save what the Earth hasn't taken…
"Despite warnings of instability, nothing was done to shore up the town's fragile foundations, and on January 25, following a ferocious storm that drenched the land, a four-kilometre-long (2.5-mile) stretch of hillside collapsed."
"Severe Weather Batters Greece, Causing Floods and Widespread Damage.
"Heavy rain, powerful winds and flooding have hit large parts of Greece, leaving homes and farmland underwater, disrupting transport, and prompting emergency alerts as authorities warn of more extreme weather."
"Heat wave in Turkey threatens traditional summer vacations.
"Periods of uninterrupted heat waves in the Mediterranean region have become significantly longer - the number of heat stress days has increased by more than two weeks compared to the 1950s - which could significantly affect familiar summer vacations."
https://logos-pres.md/en/news/heat-wave-in-turkey-threatens-traditional-summer-vacations/
"NORTH AFRICA HEAT WAVE:
"Unseasonal heat from Central to North Africa. In ALGERIA Tindouf with 30.0C [86F] tied its hottest January day in history. Next days will be crazy: Up to 35C in Algeria and Libya and even some tropical nights."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2017672619164938327
"Relentless rains and floods leave Africa reeling as UN seeks help.
"Severe flooding has intensified across northern and southern Africa since last October. Extreme rainfall has affected many regions, intensifying sharply in January and leading to widespread emergencies. As the situation continues to unfold, the United Nations is appealing for international assistance."
"Severe weather warnings issued for thunderstorms and heatwaves across South Africa…
"A high fire danger warning has been issued for parts of the Northern Cape, western parts of both the Free State and North West as well as extreme northern parts of the Eastern Cape and Beaufort West Municipality in the Western Cape."
"Cyclone Fytia: 7 dead and over 54,000 affected in Madagascar.
"The humanitarian crisis in Madagascar has escalated significantly as updated reports from the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) now confirm at least seven deaths following the passage of Tropical Cyclone Fytia."
https://apanews.net/cyclone-fytia-7-dead-and-over-54000-affected-in-madagascar/
"Somalia Seeks Global Aid to Tackle Crippling Water Shortages.
"The federal government and regional states on Sunday called on international partners to support efforts to address water shortages linked to prolonged drought conditions. The call was made at the conclusion of a two-day Federal-State Energy and Water Coordination Conference held in Dhusamareb."
https://www.dawan.africa/news/somalia-seeks-global-aid-to-tackle-crippling-water-shortages
"Weather forecast: after record February heat, temperatures drop as rain and thunderstorms return [Israel].
"After February opened with record-breaking heat for the period, cooler weather is expected along with thunderstorms and strengthening winds that will gradually ease tomorrow afternoon."
https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/bkvwp5puzl
"Water as a Strategic Resource: Kazakhstan Tightens Control Over Water Use.
"As water scarcity intensifies, the issue is no longer confined to environmental policy or agriculture alone - it has become a matter of food security and social stability. This was the key message of an interagency meeting on water resource use chaired by Prosecutor General Berik Asylov."
https://dknews.kz/en/articles-in-english/383732-water-as-a-strategic-resource-kazakhstan-tightens
"Why China and Europe should care about Central Asia's water crisis…
"…its rivers underpin Eurasian trade corridors, sustain global food markets and power regional energy systems. As water stress worsens, this is no longer just an environmental issue but a strategic threat across Eurasia."
"Confronting a catastrophic water crisis as millions forced to return to Afghanistan.
"When Arshad Malik visited Kabul earlier this month, a glance up at the Hindu Kush mountain range that surrounds the Afghan capital would fill him with concern. "The amount of snow on the mountains that surround the city was far, far less than I have seen before," the regional director for Save the Children Asia tells The Independent."
https://www.aol.co.uk/articles/confronting-catastrophic-water-crisis-millions-100000186.html
"Some tropical land may heat up nearly twice as much as oceans under climate change, sediment record suggests…
"…in a region where temperatures are already very high, any increase could push it beyond the threshold of what people and wildlife can tolerate."
https://phys.org/news/2026-02-tropical-oceans-climate-sediment.html
"RECORD HEAT IN SOUTH ASIA:
"Record heat is sweeping nearly all world tropical countries. Between Myanmar and Bangladesh (Southeast Asia and South Asia) records for January highest Temperatures were broken: 32.4 [90.3F] Teknaf BANGLADESH; 34.6 Sagaing MYANMAR; 25.2 Tiddim MYANMAR."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2017587007594369267
"Prolonged dry weather in Gyeongsang heightens concerns over drought, wildfires [S Korea]…
"According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the winter drought has intensified in Gyeongsang, with little rain or snow falling so far this season."
"Scientists express concern about the ocean's behavior: "I don't even know if 'surprised' is the right word".
"The ocean surrounding Japan is changing at a rate that baffles experts, with consequences affecting local fishing and culture… The northernmost edge of the Kuroshio has shifted as much as 480 kilometers toward the pole, creating unprecedented warm-water conditions in the region."
"Endless record heat in the PHILIPPINES:
"Scorching hot nights continue and records fall every day. Catarman just recorded its February hottest night in history with a Minimum Temperature of 25.8C [78.4F]. In Just 2 days of February, hundreds of heat records have fallen all over the tropics."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2018529404197142720
"Watch: Indonesia Storm Rips Roof Off School; Students Scramble.
"An episode of sheer terror occurred this weekend in East Java province, Indonesia, with the country still reeling under the wrath of severe weather. Dozens of young students scrambled for their lives as the roof of the Nuris Jaban Boarding School was sheared off…"
"Death toll in Indonesian landslide reaches 80 after 10 days of searching…
"The landslide struck the Cisarua area in West Bandung regency on Jan. 24, affecting 158 people, displacing 564 individuals from 164 families, and damaging 48 homes."
"Endless record heat in INDONESIA - 36.5C [97.7F] at Manokwari, West Papua ALL TIME RECORD pulverized.
"Eastern Indonesia has been breaking heat records no-stop for years EVERY SINGLE DAY and some areas have never seen a colder than average month for over 10 years!"
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2018299901059465652
"Queensland expecting storms and winds up to 90km/h after heatwave, flooding up north could last for weeks.
"Queensland is set for another week of extreme weather as thunderstorms and severe winds of up to 90 kilometres per hour break through the heatwave, while the flooding in north Queensland could last for weeks."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-02/queensland-facing-storms-after-heatwave/106292962
"Deep Inside an Antarctic Glacier, a Mission Collapses at Its Final Step.
"Scientists lost their instruments within Antarctica's most dangerously unstable glacier, though not before getting a glimpse at the warming waters underneath… Scientists fear that if Thwaites sheds too much ice, it could cause more of the vast West Antarctic ice sheet to start sliding rapidly into the sea, swamping coastal communities worldwide…"
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/climate/antarctica-thwaites-glacier-drilling.html
"Microplastics in fish found in one-third of samples from remote Pacific islands.
"About one-third of fish living in the coastal waters of Pacific Island Countries and Territories contain microplastics, with particularly high contamination levels found in Fiji, according to a recent scientific analysis."
"Fires in Patagonia continue: with four national parks under threat, more than 50,000 hectares have already been devastated.
"Currently, the fires in Patagonia are simultaneously affecting four protected areas. In Chubut, besides Los Alerces, there are also hotspots in Lago Puelo, where new fires were started by lightning strikes."
"Flooding caused by heavy rain and hail this Saturday in Santiago [Chile].
"The phenomenon was captured by social media users, where several flooded streets could be observed, especially in Maipú and on the road to Melipilla, due to the rains that fell in a short period of time."
"The intense rains that fell on Friday marked one of the most severe weather events in Mendoza in the last three decades [Argentina].
"In just a few hours, the rainfall far exceeded the historical averages for January , causing flooding, downed trees, damage to homes, and serious traffic disruptions in various parts of the province."
"The São Francisco River exceeds the alert level, causing flooding in cities in Minas Gerais and Bahia [Brazil]…
"Approximately 150,000 people live in the four affected cities. With the São Francisco River and its tributaries overflowing, the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters (Cemaden) assesses the possibility of flash floods…"
"'Pure apocalypse': a photographer's journey through the Pantanal wildfires…
"I had seen many fires in the Amazon, but nothing compared to this. The saddest thing was seeing the number of animals killed by the fire. Even worse were the injured, burned and orphaned animals. 2020 was a tragedy."
"Amazon deforestation may rise 30% as major traders exit historic soy pact…
"The coup de grâce to the 20-year-long soy moratorium, under which companies voluntarily agreed to ban soy grown in areas deforested after 2008, came from the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries."
"Harsh heat wave in NE Brazil with Temperatures up to 40C in The States of Rio Grande do Norte, Parnaiba and Piaui…
"1 February a new monthly record of highest Temperature was set in Rio Grande do Norte State with 40.0C [104F] in Caicò.."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2018496306176573705
"CARIBBEAN is splits between very cold in the Northwest and Record heat in The South and East.
"Exceptional warm nights with widespread Minimums 25C/28C TYPICAL OF AUGUST. Charlotte Amalie had another Min 81F/27.2C - US VIRGIN ISLANDS FEBRUARY HOTTEST NIGHT IN HISTORY."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2018333798421987688
"This is something you don't see every day… Actually, hardly ever…
"Last night was a record cold night in Guantanamo Bay US Military station and a record hot night in US Virgin Islands (St Thomas AP)."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2018353944209277051
"[1 Feb] Max 10.8C/51.4F Freeport LOWEST MAX. TEMPERATURE EVER RECORDED IN THE BAHAMAS.
"Min. 5.4C [41.7F] Gallon Jug lowest Temperature in BELIZE since 1968; lowest in February since 1895. 57F/13.9C Guantanamo Bay Military Base - All time low tied."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2018347331842957518
"Florida colder than Iceland after record low temperatures and all flights grounded at major international airport.
"…in the Sunshine State, the Tampa-St. Petersburg area saw snow flurries, while temperatures dropped to the low 20s on Sunday. That was colder than Iceland which saw temps of up to 39 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Met Office."
https://www.the-sun.com/news/15876072/florida-weather-airport-grounds-flights-snow-forecast/
"Bomb cyclone brings freezing temperatures and snow to millions in US…
"…the bomb cyclone, known to meteorologists as an intense, rapidly strengthening weather system, contributed to nearly a foot (30cm) of snow in and around Charlotte, North Carolina's largest city… North Carolina's governor, Josh Stein, said that more than 1,000 collisions on snowy roads had resulted in two fatalities."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/01/bomb-cyclone-snow-cold-weather-storm-us
"Record Warmth for First Week of February [Montana].
"Thursday will likely be the warmest day this week, and maybe one of the warmest days ever recorded in Montana in February. Numerous locations will likely set daily highs, but some towns like Great Falls and Lewistown could set their all-time warmest February temperature ever record with afternoon temps near 70."
https://www.ktvh.com/weather/record-warmth-for-first-week-of-february
"Snow Drought in the West Reaches Record Levels.
"In many places famed for deep natural snow, including Park City, Utah; Vail, Colo.; and central and eastern Oregon, much of the ground is bare or blanketed with mere inches rather than feet of snow. The extent of snow-covered ground is at a record low."
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/science/snow-drought-climate-change-west.html
"Some companies claim they can 'resurrect' species. Does that make people more comfortable with extinction?
"Less than a year ago, United States company Colossal Biosciences announced it had "resurrected" the dire wolf, a megafauna-hunting wolf species that had been extinct for 10,000 years."
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Climate" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with an "Economic" thread.
The post 3rd February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
2nd February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News [ 02-Feb-26 10:30am ]Huge thanks to my February sponsor, John Rember, author of the three-book series Journal of the Plague Years, a psychic survival guide for humanity's looming date with destiny, shaped by his experiences living through the pandemic in his native Idaho. Thoughtful, wry and humane, Journal 1 is a pleasure.
"Climate Change As A Geopolitical Force: From Arctic Militarization To Climate Wars…
"The Arctic dynamics reflect a broader trend: climate change is no longer solely an environmental issue but a geopolitical force that reshapes power relations, strategic calculations, and alliance structures."
"The catastrophe bond market shattered a host of records in 2025 — and many expect another banner year as investors flock to what has been an often-overlooked asset class…
"In the absence of a disastrous event triggering a loss, CAT bonds are known to offer highly attractive equity-like returns, low volatility and low correlation to broader financial markets."
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/02/catastrophe-bonds-insurance-climate-change-markets.html
"There's a Triple Threat to the World's Food Security.
"There are five times as many people alive today as there were in 1900. Yet humanity is better fed than at almost any point in its history. That's thanks to three major developments that have made our planet far more resilient to the risk of starvation: yield improvements, water usage and trade. Worryingly, all are threatened right now."
"Geopolitical tensions and commodity repricing hit smartphone supply chains.
"Global shipments of smartphone AMOLED panels are forecast to decline to 810 million units in 2026, marking a significant year-on-year contraction after three consecutive years of growth, according to the latest data from Omdia."
"Aviation leaders tackled barriers to growth and the impact of geopolitical tensions on the eve of the Singapore Airshow on Monday, while reaffirming pledges to reduce emissions.
"Supply chain problems are hurting global airlines and will remain for some time to come, the head of the International Air Transport Association warned industry leaders and regulators."
"European stocks set for sharp declines as global market fears are reignited.
"European stocks are expected to open in negative territory as concerns over artificial intelligence and volatility in precious metals haunt global markets… Wall Street also turned its attention to Nvidia as questions over the artificial intelligence boom loomed…"
"The State Of The $2.52 Trillion AI Bubble, January 2026.
"Worldwide spending on AI is forecast to reach $2.52 trillion in 2026, a 44% year-over-year increase, according to Gartner. By 2030, Gartner predicts that AI will account for nearly all of IT spending… For some, observing the mood at Davos 2026 brings memories of another bubble: "I was in Davos in January of 2000, right before the Internet bubble burst, and the mood was similarly ebullient."
"AI Giants' Bond Surge Sparks Market Stability Fears.
"Three years after the AI revolution was triggered by the emergence of ChatGPT in late 2022, the global AI industry has shifted from a technological competition to a "capital war." The Korea Center for International Finance analyzed, "Concerns are growing over the impact on financial market stability…""
https://www.chosun.com/english/market-money-en/2026/02/02/Q6VP57PZ6BFBXIFO6GD3OU3OBA/
"Oracle plans massive $50 billion debt-and-equity raise.
"Oracle (ORCL) on Sunday said it expects to raise $45 billion to $50 billion in 2026 to build additional capacity for its cloud infrastructure business. The company, chaired by billionaire Larry Ellison, said it intends to meet its funding needs through a mix of debt and equity."
"'We're fighting for the soul of the country': how Minnesota residents came together to face ICE…
"In what is arguably the most widespread effort in the country to combat Donald Trump's severe mass deportation tactics, tens of thousands of Minnesotans have played a role in defending their neighbors from ICE."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/01/minnesota-twin-cities-ice-protests
"British factories hit by Trump's tariffs mayhem cut exports to US…
"Stephen Phipson, the chief executive of Make UK, said: "Tariffs and trade friction in global markets are creating uncertainty and disrupting longstanding customer and supply chains. "Many businesses are responding by diversifying exports, adjusting supply chains or scaling back activity to manage rising costs and delays.""
"More people despair over 'broken Britain' than during financial crisis.
"Some 68 per cent of the public claim British society is broken, compared with 63 per cent in September 2008, according to research by Ipsos for The Telegraph. Fewer than three in five (58 per cent) shared this dissatisfaction with the country in August 2011, just two months before the start of the Occupy London protest movement…"
"Germany news: Nationwide strikes hit public transport.
"German commuters faced freezing temperatures and deserted platforms on Monday as a widespread public transport strike, orchestrated by the Verdi trade union, paralysed bus and tram services across most cities."
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-news-nationwide-strikes-hit-public-transport/live-75756854
"German regulator sounds alarm on banks' exposure to private debt funds…
""Financial companies here in Germany are intertwined with foreign private debt vehicles," Branson said. "They provide the funds with capital, which is then used to leverage investments. This poses risks outside the traditionally regulated banking sector.""
"Europe's oil majors prepare to cut billions in shareholder payouts.
"Most supermajors require Brent crude to stay above $80 per barrel to cover current dividends and buybacks. With Brent averaging near $63-$70 recently, firms are facing significant shortfalls."
https://www.ft.com/content/b4f22a34-8ad1-4062-b395-aa71cd7be130
"Exclusive: $500 billion euro crisis fund could be used for defence, says ESM chief.
"A European crisis fund with more than 430 billion euros ($514 billion) of firepower could lend money to countries for defence, the head of the European Stability Mechanism told Reuters, as the bloc scrambles to reinforce its military."
"Transnistria: Russia, the EU, and the Persistence of a Frozen Conflict.
"The Transnistrian conflict is a long-standing territorial dispute in Eastern Europe and has been ongoing since the early 1990s. Emerging from the collapse of the Soviet Union, this conflict has deep historical, political, and socio-economic roots…"
"Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv reschedules peace talks as battered power grid strains in -15C.
"Planned outages in force across Ukraine while Russian strike kills 12 miners hours after Zelenskyy says next trilateral talks to start on Wednesday."
"Russia's Lukoil Reaches Tentative Deal To Sell Most Overseas Assets To US Private Equity Firm Carlyle Amid Sanctions…
"The companies did not disclose the value of the potential deal, which includes Lukoil's oil and gas fields from Iraq to Mexico, thousands of petrol stations in 20 countries, and refineries in Bulgaria and Romania."
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/russias-lukoil-reaches-tentative-deal-203301323.html
"Shoigu backs China's position on Taiwan, says Russia watching Japan's 'militarization'.
"Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Moscow continues to support Beijing over Taiwan, as Russia keeps a close eye on Japan's "accelerated militarization," the TASS state news agency reported."
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/02/asia-pacific/politics/shoigu-russia-china-taiwan-japan/
"Britain, Japan agree to deepen defence and security cooperation.
"Britain and Japan agreed to strengthen defence and economic ties, visiting Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday, after his bid to forge closer links with China drew warnings from US President Donald Trump."
"Trade war, global instability push de-dollarisation into China's academic mainstream…
"Chinese scholars have called for greater urgency in reducing reliance on US dollar assets, particularly after Washington and its allies froze about US$300 billion in Russian foreign exchange reserves in 2022."
"Hopeful signs in China's property market? Not really, say developers…
""I don't see how private developers are going to survive," said a senior executive at a Shanghai-based firm, one of many developers to have defaulted on debt in the wake of the liquidity crunch triggered by the "three red lines" policy."
"Vanke's Record Loss Leaves Developer at Mercy of State Backer.
"China Vanke Co.'s $12 billion record loss underscores how its ability to avoid default depends on how far its state shareholder is willing to support the stricken property developer."
'Deeply insecure': Why Bangladeshi minorities are scared ahead of elections.
"A spate of recent attacks has amplified fears among the country's religious minorities ahead of the February 12 vote, even though the government insists most incidents have been ordinary crimes."
"Traders Brace for Bond Losses on India's Record Borrowing Plan.
"Indian bonds look set to suffer losses on Monday as the government's plan to sell an unprecedented and more-than-expected amount of debt adds to pressure from weakening demand, market participants said."
"More than 200 killed in intense clashes between separatists and army in Pakistan's Balochistan.
"More than 145 militants and another 49 people, including 17 security personnel, were killed in the last 40 hours in a series of intense clashes between Balochistani separatists and Pakistani military forces, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said on Sunday."
"Iran warns any war started by US will 'spread across the region'.
"US President Donald Trump says that Iran is now "seriously talking" to the US, despite previous threats of military action…. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that any US attack would be met with a "strong blow" from the Iranian nation."
https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/iran-trump-war-update-b2911790.html
"Iraq's parliament delays presidency vote again amid political deadlock.
"Iraq's parliament on Sunday postponed a session to elect the country's next president following a similar decision on Tuesday, due to a persistent deadlock between the two main Kurdish parties. The session was adjourned…"
https://www.chinadailyasia.com/hk/article/628246
"Supplies running out at Syria's al-Hol camp as clashes block aid deliveries.
"An international humanitarian organization has warned that supplies are running out at a camp in northeast Syria housing thousands of people linked to the Islamic State group, as the country's government fights to establish control over an area formerly controlled by Kurdish fighters."
"Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon kill one, injure seven amid truce.
"Israeli airstrikes have killed one person and wounded seven others in southern Lebanon, marking another breach of the November 2024 ceasefire. The attacks targeted the towns of Ebba and Harouf in the Nabatieh governorate."
"Israeli air strikes kill at least 32 Palestinians in Gaza, rescue officials say…
"The civil defence agency, which is operated by Hamas, says children and women were among those killed. It added that in one attack, helicopter gunships hit a tent sheltering displaced people in the southern city of Khan Younis."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c701g1g00gdo
"Drone strikes in Ethiopia's Tigray kill one amid fears of renewed conflict.
"One person has been killed and another injured in drone strikes in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, a senior Tigrayan official and a humanitarian worker said, in another sign of renewed conflict between regional and federal forces."
"'Executions, torture, abductions, rape': Ethiopia's hidden conflict…
"The OLA has been battling Ethiopia's government since 2018, even if at times the rebellion was overshadowed by the country's other conflicts, such as the 2020-2022 war in the northern Tigray region."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/oromia-ethiopia-ola-oromo-amnesty-international-b2911949.html
"Sudan: Countdown to catastrophe in Kordofan, as world once again looks away.
"South Kordofan is now the epicentre of the war in Sudan, which has caused the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Civilians in this part of southern Sudan face intensified fighting and near-total blockage of humanitarian supplies…"
"'You take what you can and run': families describe harrowing journey to escape fighting in DRC.
"There was only one sound that halted the family's progress: bombing. The shelling was relentless, each side trying to outdo the other. "They bomb, and the others bomb back. Over and over again," Muka recalls."
"Clashes erupt between armed factions in W. Libya.
"Violent clashes broke out overnight Friday to early Saturday in the western Libyan city of Zawiya between forces affiliated with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, local media reported, resulting in a shift of control between rival armed factions aligned with the UN-backed government."
https://www.chinadailyasia.com/hk/article/628203
"The Algerian defence ministry said the army killed four "terrorists" on Sunday in a mountainous region of the northwest.
"A ministry statement said the operation was still ongoing in the Djebel Amrouna area about 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Algiers… The army regularly announces the arrests or deaths of "terrorists", the authorities' term for armed Islamists still active since the North African country's 1992-2002 civil war."
https://www.newarab.com/news/algeria-says-army-killed-four-terrorists
"A mix of hope and fear settles over Venezuela after US-imposed government change…
"Thirty days after the U.S. raid and capture of then-President Nicolás Maduro upended Venezuela, adults and children alike are still unsure of what exactly is happening around them."
"Cuba denies security threat accusations as US raises pressure.
"The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday calling for dialogue and stressing that the Caribbean island does not support "terrorism"."
"How hard cash and central banks are fuelling a global crime wave…
"Criminals want cash dollars — or, to a slightly lesser extent, cash euros and pounds — so they can buy things without suspicious compliance officers being able to notice the transaction and report it to the authorities. Drug smugglers take payment in hard currency, as do people smugglers, wildlife traffickers, kleptocrats and terrorists…"
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/where-is-cash-going-circulation-5t2gt3gvf
"International law meant to limit effects of war at breaking point, study finds…
"Such is the scale of violations, and the lack of consistent international efforts to prevent them, that the study, entitled War Watch, concludes that international humanitarian law is at "a critical breaking point"."
"UN risks 'imminent financial collapse', secretary general warns…
"António Guterres said the UN faced a financial crisis which was "deepening, threatening programme delivery", and that money could run out by July. He wrote in a letter to all 193 member states that they had to honour their mandatory payments or overhaul the organisation's financial rules to avoid collapse."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr579mdv4m7o
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The post 2nd February 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
31st Jan 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News [ 31-Jan-26 10:20am ]
"Climate Change Is Fueling Extremes, Both Hot and Cold.
"The possibility of snow in Tampa, Fla. Record heat and fires in Australia. Scientists say climate change is exacerbating weather extremes… The escaped polar vortex is just one instance of extreme weather playing out right now around the world…"
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/climate/climate-change-extreme-weather.html
"The entire temperate Northern Hemisphere is now frozen, with the exception of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain.
"It is rather rare to see the polar vortex spread out so extensively at the same time across both America and Eurasia." [Meteovillages]
https://x.com/meteovillages/status/2017183165056422071
"Stratospheric Warming Confirmed: Polar Vortex Collapse to Bring Major Weather Disruption in the Coming Weeks.
"New forecasts confirm a Polar Vortex split and collapse in mid-February, following a Stratospheric Warming event. The latest predictions show a breakdown of the polar circulation, creating a prolonged cold weather pattern across North America and Europe, with early signs that it can last into early Spring."
"At least 28 killed in record snowfall across northern Japan, transport disrupted.
"Weather forecasters warn that more snowfall is expected over the next few days. Niigata Prefecture could receive up to 70 centimetres of additional snow by the morning of January 31, while northeastern regions of Honshu Island may see as much as 50 centimetres."
"Moscow records heaviest snowfall in over 200 years…
"Snow piles on the ground reached as high as 60 centimetres (24 inches) in some parts of the capital on Thursday… The record snowfall was "caused by deep and extensive cyclones with sharp atmospheric fronts passing over the Moscow region", the observatory said."
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260129-moscow-records-heaviest-snowfall-in-over-200-years
"UK butterfly numbers flat despite hottest summer on record…
"A spokesman from Butterfly Conservation said: "Numbers are a vast improvement on 2024's record lows but 2025 was no more than an average year for butterflies and urgent measures are still needed to reverse long term declines.""
https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/25788270.uk-butterfly-numbers-flat-despite-hottest-summer-record/
"Environmental experts have expressed concern about climate change after more than 700 fish - including hundreds of endangered European eels - died at one of Jersey's most ecologically sensitive sites last summer.
"St Ouen's Pond, which is home to a plethora of wildlife, is the island's largest freshwater lake and one of 30 protected Sites of Special Interest (SSI) as of 2018."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98pmrem7v5o
"Netherlands' 10 hottest years all in this century; 2025 was exceptionally sunny, dry…
"The year had the highest number of mild days on record… 2025 was the second sunniest year since records began in 1965, just behind 2022 (138 watts). Spring, in particular, was ridiculously sunny, getting almost a quarter more sunshine than is usual."
https://nltimes.nl/2026/01/29/netherlands-10-hottest-years-century-2025-exceptionally-sunny-dry
"Threat of global warming looms large on next winter Olympics despite being at a high-altitude Alpine city: Study…
"The games are to be held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, in the heart of the Italian Alps. However, a recent study has noted that even the high-altitude Alps do not seem to have enough snow at the peak of winter to hold Winter Olympics due to the impact of climate change."
"The tornado in Plasencia leaves numerous damages to facades, roofs and enclosures of the buildings of the Ministry of Health. [Spain]
"Sixty percent of the enclosure of the Cereza center, which has not yet been inaugurated, has been destroyed, while the Virgen del Puerto Hospital continues its activity despite the damage."
"Severe storms flood Izmir streets, knock out water to three districts [western Turkey]…
"Flash flooding transformed streets into rivers in several neighborhoods, trapping motorists and forcing shopkeepers to evacuate water from their businesses."
"Heavy rainfall paralyzed life in Adana: Roads turned into lakes, and citizens were stranded. [southeastern Turkey]
"Heavy rainfall that hit Adana on January 30th negatively affected life throughout the city. Following warnings from the meteorological service, the rain, which intensified from the morning hours, caused water to accumulate on many streets and roads , and traffic came to a standstill in some areas."
https://www.habereguven.com/adanada-saganak-yagis-hayati-felc-etti
"Tunisia's famed blue-and-white village threatened after record rains…
"Last week, Tunisia saw its heaviest downpour in more than 70 years. The storm killed at least five people, with others still missing. Narrow streets of this village north of Tunis—famed for its pink bougainvillea and studded wooden doors—were cut off by fallen trees, rocks and thick clay."
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-tunisia-famed-blue-white-village.html
"Morocco Mobilizes Army, Emergency Services as Flooding Hits Northern Regions…
"Authorities have urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant, follow official safety instructions and avoid unnecessary risks, as efforts continue to mitigate the impact of the flooding and ensure public safety."
"SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE broke for the SEVENTH TIME this month its national record of its hottest January day in history with 34.0C [93.2F].
"Records have been falling all over Africa from the first day of the month every day."
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2016940979811733900
"Endless record heat in the Gulf of Guinea with another extraordinary hot night and MINIMUMS up to 28.6C [83.5F] at Cotonou BENIN one of the highest in January in history in the whole Hemisphere.
"Hottest January night on record at Ibadan NIGERIA Min 26.4C."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2017146223497793825
"Western Cape faces mounting water crisis as consumption spikes and municipalities across the province sound alarm…
"lower annual rainfall has resulted in reduced inflows to major dams, placing increased pressure on the metro's water supply system at a time when usage remains well above recommended targets."
"Mozambique: Aid workers scramble to reach starving communities after devastating floods but it's a mammoth task…
""We are alive, but the floods are troubling us. We are coughing, we don't have a place to live, we don't have food, we don't have water - the water we are drinking is contaminated because of these floods," says one of his patients, Raqualina Tamele."
"Death Toll Reaches 200 After Landslides Collapse Mineral Mines in Eastern Congo.
"At least 200 people were killed this week when heavy rains triggered a series of catastrophic landslides at a major coltan mining site in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to reports from rebel authorities on Saturday."
"Israel's freshwater balancing act: The Kinneret under strain…
""The Sea of Galilee now faces a huge problem," Nadav Tal, a water expert and hydrologist at EcoPeace Middle East, told The Jerusalem Report in a recent interview. "If we do not get a good rainy season, we will be in deep trouble. We're already in deep trouble, but it will get worse and worse.""
https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/article-884475
"Dust storms in Tajikistan reach record numbers in 2025.
"In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, Bahodour Sheralizoda, Chairman of the Committee for Environmental Protection, revealed on January 29 that in 2025, Tajikistan recorded 63 dust storms, which lasted a total of 216 days."
"India's wealthy embrace a new luxury symbol: water…
""They will all taste different … you should be choosing a water that can give you some sort of nutritional value," said Mehta, who is 32 and calls herself India's youngest water sommelier, a term usually associated with premium wine. Her family owns the Aava mineral water brand."
"Lives at stake as man-elephant conflict continues unabated in Coimbatore forest division [southern India].
"Coimbatore: It's a fight for survival for both humans and wild elephants, as the conflict between them continues unabated in the Coimbatore forest division."
"Sam, an orangutan aged approximately 18-20 years old, was spotted by residents foraging in a garbage heap in East Kutai [Indonesia]…
"The orangutan was captured because it was located in a high-risk area, near roads, palm oil plantations, and mining areas, making it deemed unsuitable for wild animal behavior."
"BNPB: Heavy Rain for 24 Hours Triggers Flooding in Bekasi, Jakarta to Cirebon.
"The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) stated that heavy rain in the last 24 hours caused flooding in several areas in Jakarta and West Java, including Cirebon Regency and Bekasi City… "Nine villages spread across four sub-districts in Cirebon Regency were flooded after heavy rain," said Head of the BNPB."
"Day and night, there's no relief: five ways this heatwave is one of Australia's worst on record.
"In Australia's alps, where an average January day might be expected to reach 18C, temperatures climbed above 30C [86F] for the first time. On 28 January, the ski town of Falls Creek recorded 30.5C, and Perisher Valley in NSW reached 30.8C - records for both places. "Those are pretty remarkable temperatures," Grainger says."
"Congratulations to Port Augusta AUSTRALIA for recording the most Southern 50C (122F) in world climatic history.
"It's one of the several world records being set in this unbelievable heat wave… More records Saturday."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2017314637704778086
"'We shouldn't be surprised': bushfires in Victoria push threatened species to the brink.
"As tinderbox conditions continue to hamper wildlife assessment and rescue efforts, bushfires in Victoria have burned habitat crucial to bird and animal species, including eastern bristlebirds and dingoes. Some plant species are feared extinct."
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/30/victoria-bushfires-threatened-species-australia
"Bay of Plenty families remain isolated two weeks after Waioweka Gorge slips [NZ]…
"Even before last week's storm laid waste to North Island communities - families in the Waioweka Gorge were isolated. On Friday, January 16, torrential rain brought down multiple slips on SH2, trapping around 40 motorists, who had to be evacuated by helicopter."
"La Niña is Dissolving Rapidly, Marking the Start of a Major Atmospheric and Oceanic Shift for 2026.
"The tropical Pacific Ocean is undergoing a strong transformation as we enter 2026, with La Niña dissolving faster than initially expected. A powerful Westerly Wind Burst has swept across the tropics, erasing a lot of the cold anomalies and signaling the end of an era for the current atmospheric cycle."
"Record heat in the WAKE ISLAND - 90F [32.2F] - Hottest January day in history.
"For whoever has no idea of where it is: It's an AMERICAN territory; part of the United States Minor Outlying Islands In The Northern Pacific Ocean."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2016889767829656055
"Record heat in EASTER ISLAND/RAPA NUI.
"The Minimum Temperature last night was 24.3C [75.7F]: hottest January night in history. Oceania has been breaking heat records nearly everywhere, every day of 2026 so far."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2016959570204082540
"The devastation of island land snails: Pacific leads global wave of extinctions, researchers find…
"The research team identified a recurring pattern of extinction that follows human arrival: deforestation and the indirect impacts of invasive species began with the initial arrival of people and became even more extensive and catastrophic following Western colonization."
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-devastation-island-snails-pacific-global.html
"RECORD HEAT IN THE PATAGONIA - another exceptional heat wave in this scorching South America summer: Yesterday 36.4C [97.5F] at Rio Gallego, Argentina HOTTEST DAY IN HISTORY." [Extreme Temps]
"Yesterday El Calafate (yes, the town near famous Perito Moreno Glacier) broke its all time record! Almost 30°C at the fronts of the Patagonian ice giants… insane!" [Melaine Le Roy]
https://x.com/subfossilguy/status/2017196011433709736
"The Argentine government has declared a state of emergency over the wildfires in Patagonia, which have been blazing in the region since the start of the month.
"The decision was made official through Decree 73/2026… It declared the provinces of Chubut, Río Negro, Neuquén and La Pampa both as under fire emergency and as disaster zones."
"Hot and dry weather in Argentina is threatening corn and soybean yields, Reuters reports.
"In recent days, air temperatures in the country have climbed to nearly 40°C, while key agricultural regions are in urgent need of rainfall. However, no significant improvement is expected until February."
https://ukragroconsult.com/en/news/heat-wave-hits-argentina-threatening-corn-and-soybean-crops/
"Impressive hailstorm in Buenos Aires: the shocking videos.
"…residents of Cañuelas and Lobos posted shocking videos on social media of the storm passing through those areas… In the case of Cañuelas, in addition to images of the shocking storm, some destruction and material damage were recorded on route 205."
"New data highlight Peru's growing oil and gas footprint in the Amazon.
"Peru has the most oil and gas projects heading into production in the Amazon, according to a new data set published by the Stockholm Environment Institute. At 85 blocks in pre-production in the rainforest, that's more than the 68 in Colombia and 53 in Brazil."
"Caribbean heat waves intensify over five decades, study finds.
"A new study led by climatologists at the University at Albany has found that extreme heat waves across the Caribbean are becoming significantly more frequent, longer and severe. This study examined extreme summer heat waves in the Caribbean over the last five decades…"
https://www.preventionweb.net/news/caribbean-heat-waves-intensify-over-five-decades-study-finds
"Just insane the heat in MEXICO:
"33.1C [91.6F] Ciudad Guzman 1500m asl January record pulverized… Chipalcingo at 1270m asl in The Guerrero State after a max. Temperature of 34.3C yesterday Today recorded a Minimum of 19.2C, warmest January night in history, typical of the hottest part of the year."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2017411930705826267
"Did Winter Forget The West? Records Are Being Broken For Mild Temperatures And Low Snowpack.
"Out of the 365 sites monitored by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, nearly 30 have experienced their mildest winter so far on record according to their Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI)."
"Colorado is gearing up to fight for water rights as the Colorado River stalemate continues…
""If it comes to a fight, we will be ready," said Becky Mitchell, the Colorado River commissioner, who represents the state on the Upper Colorado River Commission, at the Friday, Jan. 23 SMART Act hearing for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources…"
"Plastic pollution may be supercharging algae blooms.
""In the petroleum tanks, fewer zooplankton consuming algae meant more algae remained in the system, which led to the algal blooms we observed." In other words, plastics may not only be adding stress to ecosystems. They may also be removing key players that normally prevent algae from taking over."
https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-may-be-supercharging-algae-blooms/
"Climate crisis pushes global food system to breaking point.
"Climate change is tightening its grip on the food system. Floods are destroying crops and endangering livestock, while droughts and extreme high temperatures are turning previously fertile land into no‑grow zones. On top of this, devastating storms are wiping out entire ecosystems."
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The post 31st Jan 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
"Copper hits record high above $14 000 as speculators pile in.
"Copper prices hit a record high of more than $14 000 a metric ton on Thursday, as speculators extended their buying spree, encouraged by expectations of strong demand and supported by a weak dollar and geopolitical concerns."
"Tungsten rises to record highs as export curbs turn up supply heat.
"Tungsten prices have rocketed to record highs in January, fuelled by tightening inventory, Chinese export controls and industrial demand, leaving consumers scrambling for supplies in an already constricted market."
"Gold and silver fall from record highs in metals market whiplash…
"Investors have poured into metals this year at an unprecedented pace in search of reliable stores of wealth in the context of growing geopolitical turmoil and concerns about the dollar, historically seen as a haven asset."
https://www.ft.com/content/28f59fc3-1af1-45c5-b973-483916456105
"Oil slips, but set for biggest monthly gain in years on geopolitical risks.
"Oil prices slipped more than 1% on Friday from multi-month highs, though they are set for their most substantial gains in years, as the risk premium surged due to a potential U.S. attack on Iran that could disrupt supplies."
"Global Oil Discoveries Are Badly Lagging Consumption…
"Annual conventional discoveries have fallen from over 20 billion boe in the early 2010s to about 8 billion boe since 2020. This results in an effective replacement rate of well under one-third of yearly production."
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Global-Oil-Discoveries-Are-Badly-Lagging-Consumption.html
"America's Power Bill Shock Is Just Getting Started…
""Higher interest rates have increased the cost of financing power plants and transmission projects. Rising natural gas prices are pushing up electricity generation costs. At the same time, electricity demand is growing rapidly, driven in part by the expansion of data centers," reads the report cited by Fox Business."
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Americas-Power-Bill-Shock-Is-Just-Getting-Started.html
"Trump says Jerome Powell is 'hurting our country' as president finally weighs in on Fed's plan for interest rates.
"President Donald Trump renewed his attacks on the head of the Federal Reserve and demanded once again that the central bank artificially cut interest rates regardless of whether such a decision is indicated by economic conditions."
"Trump threatens Canada with 50% tariff on aircraft sold in US, expanding trade war.
"President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened Canada with a 50% tariff on any aircraft sold in the U.S., the latest salvo in his trade war with America's northern neighbor as his feud with Prime Minister Mark Carney expands."
"Trump warns Starmer: Getting cosy with China will be 'very dangerous'…
"The US president issued the warning as the Prime Minister concluded his second day of his visit to China. On Thursday, Sir Keir met Xi Jinping, the president of China, and said it was time for a "more sophisticated" relationship between the countries."
"Higher food prices 'inevitable' due to energy cost shock, growers warn [UK].
"Growers will be forced to raise food prices or halt production if the government does not intervene on new energy standing charges, the sector has warned. Electricity standing charges are expected to increase by 60%-80% from 1 April, and an additional 60% by 2030."
"Banks Borrow Record £100.9 Billion From Bank of England Short-Term Repo Tool.
"Banks borrowed a record amount from a Bank of England repo facility, signaling growing demand for cash at a time when the central bank continues to drain excess liquidity from the financial system."
"'Shadow banks' quizzed over meltdown threat from hidden losses.
"The $2tn (£1.5tn) private credit industry is being quizzed by the City watchdog over fears its unrecognised losses could fuel a financial system meltdown, The Telegraph can reveal."
"Germany plans satellite missile detection system to cut reliance on US.
"Germany plans to be the first European power to develop its own space-based missile detection capability, as the continent seeks to cut its reliance on Washington for defence."
https://www.ft.com/content/c775b46e-9359-4fc5-89be-3cc21683addc
"The time has sadly come for a Nordic nuclear weapon.
"Nordic countries have a lot to lose, which brings the political responsibility to discuss "nuclear what-ifs". These governments must have the courage for this public debate precisely because they can afford the independent nuclear deterrence needed today."
https://www.euractiv.com/opinion/the-time-has-sadly-come-for-a-nordic-nuclear-weapon/
"Barring last-minute nuclear deal, US and Russia teeter on brink of new arms race…
"The New START treaty is set to end on February 5. Without it, there would be no constraints on long-range nuclear arsenals for the first time since Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed two historic agreements in 1972 on the first-ever trip by a U.S. president to Moscow."
"Ukraine Can No Longer Spare Its Youngest Soldiers From the Front Lines…
"Most men willing to fight signed up long ago. Infantry units are full of older men unfit for arduous combat missions. Front-line stints are far longer than they used to be, compounding exhaustion. Many other men are either in hiding or have paid bribes to flee the country illegally."
https://www.wsj.com/world/ukraine-young-soldiers-russia-war-e7c28620
"Kremlin's War Machine Set to Hit the Brakes Under Tighter Budget…
"Top officials have signaled shifting priorities. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, who two years ago declared fiscal policy was in the service of financing victory, has since recast the government's goals around a balanced budget resilient to lower oil prices and sanctions."
"China reportedly drops rules that sparked property crisis, developer shares surge…
"The "three red lines" refer to caps on debt-to-cash, debt-to-assets and debt-to-equity ratios that Chinese authorities imposed in 2020 on developers for obtaining new lending. The idea was to rein in the sector's appetite for unbridled borrowing, but it backfired spectacularly…"
"Tokyo hopes voters will hand PM Takaichi new clout to counter China…
"A big win will help send a message to Beijing that its attacks have not damaged her domestically, a senior Japanese government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity as the matter is a sensitive one."
"Japan Selloff Reflects Global Bond Deluge, Fitch's Coulton Says.
"Japan's bond selloff last week and its global ripples reflect wariness at a huge supply of government debt exacerbated by central bank balance-sheet reduction, according to the chief economist of Fitch Ratings."
"A dispute over drones between North Korea and South Korea could threaten one of Asia's last natural refuges, where bears, deer, and cranes survive amid mines and barbed wire…
"Scientists describe the DMZ as one of the best preserved temperate habitats on the planet."
"Ceasefire with Cambodia still 'fragile': Thai foreign minister.
"The ceasefire agreement reached last month with Cambodia following deadly border clashes is still "fragile," Thailand's top diplomat said in an interview Thursday, stressing that both sides are working to avoid incidents that could worsen the situation."
"Junta-backed party secures sweeping victory in Myanmar's 'sham' election.
"Myanmar's military-backed party has completed a sweeping victory in the country's three-phase general election, state media said, cementing an outcome long expected after a tightly controlled political process held during civil war and widespread repression."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/30/junta-backed-party-victory-myanmar-sham-election
"As the Taliban continue their war on women and girls, it is clear that appeasement has failed [Gordon Brown]…
"In successive edicts since 2021, women have now been banned from universities and most employment… They have been required to cover their faces, to be accompanied by male relatives for any long-distance travel, and have been warned they face arrest if seen in public spaces such as parks, gyms and beauty salons."
"EU designates Iran's Revolutionary Guard as terrorist group over protest crackdown.
"EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said foreign ministers from the 27-member bloc unanimously backed the move, which she described as placing Iran's Revolutionary Guard "on the same footing" as groups such as al Qaeda, Hamas and Islamic State."
"US military action in Iran risks igniting a regional and global nuclear cascade…
"On Jan. 28, 2026, President Donald Trump sharply intensified his threats to the Islamic Republic, suggesting that if Tehran did not agree to a set of demands, he could mount an attack "with speed and violence.""
"Kurdish-led forces being pushed back in Syria - but what happens next?
"The Kurds' semi-autonomous region is rapidly shrinking but Kurdish fighters remain a sizeable military force. Damascus, meanwhile, is demanding they disarm and integrate into the national army."
"Illegal Israeli settlers torch Palestinian homes once again in occupied West Bank.
"Several posts on social media platform X shared images and videos that showed homes burning in the village of Mukhamas, northeast of Jerusalem. "It happened again," one activist wrote, saying that settlers attacked the community and set houses ablaze."
https://www.trtworld.com/article/39ab562c34bc
"Clashes between government troops and Tigrayan forces erupt in Ethiopia.
"Clashes between Ethiopian federal government troops and Tigrayan forces have erupted in the country's northern Tigray, a region still devastated and impoverished from a full-blown war and more recent huge cuts in international aid."
"Saudi-UAE Spat Finds New Front in Lucrative Sudan Gold Shipments.
"Saudi Arabia is poised to buy gold from war-torn Sudan, potentially taking a share of the lucrative market from the United Arab Emirates as a dispute simmers between the two Gulf powers."
"South Sudan bishops warn of genocide, plead for peace as fears of a full-scale war grow…
"South Sudan gained independence in 2011, but in 2013, the world's youngest nation descended into a brutal civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people and forced millions out of their homes."
"Niger's military ruler vows retaliation after gunfire and explosions heard in capital.
"Heavy security has been deployed around the main airport in Niger's capital, Niamey, after overnight gunfire and explosions that the country's military ruler blamed without evidence on France, Benin and Côte d'Ivoire."
"Islamic State-aligned militants killed dozens of people, including soldiers, in an overnight attack in northeast Nigeria's Borno state on Thursday, local sources said.
"The assault in Sabon Gari underscores persistent violence in a region where an Islamist insurgency since 2009 has killed over 40,000 and displaced nearly two million."
https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20260129-dozens-killed-jihadist-attack-nigeria
"Nigerian police fire tear gas, protester injured in Lagos floating slum protests.
"Nigerian police fired tear gas to disperse residents protesting in Lagos on Wednesday over demolition work in one of Africa's largest floating slums that has displaced thousands of people, with one protester reportedly injured."
"Venezuela approves bill to open oil sector to foreign investment after US pressure…
"Analysts remain cautious about the law's practical application, arguing that the text lacks clarity and that the changes, while welcome, are insufficient to deliver the reforms sought by the US as it attempts to revive Venezuela's battered oil industry."
"Cuba has '15 to 20 days' of oil left as Donald Trump turns the screws.
"Cuba has enough oil to only last 15-20 days at current levels of demand and domestic production as its sole remaining supplier Mexico appeared to cancel a shipment to the island, the Financial Times reported, citing data firm Kpler."
"Data show oil and gas blocks cover one-fourth of Ecuador, mostly in the Amazon.
"Ecuador has 65 oil and gas lease blocks, 88% of them in the Amazon, covering a quarter of the country's total area. That's according to a new data set from the Stockholm Environment Institute. Many of the lease blocks overlap with several Indigenous territories…"
"Visit the North Sea oil field used to store greenhouse gas…
"The plan is to pump thousands of tonnes of climate-warming CO2 into the old oil field… In the UK, a number of carbon capture clusters are under development, including Scotland's Acorn Project and the Viking project off Lincolnshire."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5y7dd284do
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The post 30th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
29th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News [ 29-Jan-26 9:33am ]
"2026 YEAR WITHOUT WINTER. Greenland will remember for years this non-existent winter with temperatures, in the central-west, typical of October.
"The monthly anomaly this January 2026 in Kitsissorsuit is close to +15C [27F] above average which is a HISTORIC WORLD RECORD." [ExtremeTemps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2016522113885323272
"What happens to forests when the planet warms up too fast.
"New sediment records from the Norwegian Sea offer a rare, close-up look at how quickly nature can unravel when the planet warms. During a past episode of extreme global warming, coastal forests along the Arctic margin collapsed within just a few centuries."
https://www.earth.com/news/what-happens-to-forests-when-the-planet-warms-up-too-fast/
"Records fall as Storm Chandra brings flooding to the UK and Ireland.
"Storm Chandra brought heavy rain, flooding and strong winds. A major incident was declared in Somerset with record river levels. Also record rainfall in County Down."
"'Like a sea out there': flooded Somerset residents wonder how water can be managed…
"With another Met Office yellow warning for rain coming into force for parts of the south-west of England on Thursday, the council fears more homes and businesses will go underwater, and has declared a major incident."
"A climate-linked octopus surge is reshaping UK marine ecosystems.
"A new scientific report reveals a climate-driven octopus surge off southwest UK waters, disrupting marine ecosystems and shellfish fisheries, highlighting warming seas, cross-Channel larval transport, and the urgent need for early warning systems and adaptive fisheries management."
"National survey finds microplastic pollution around Britain's coastline could be double than previously recorded.
"Microplastic pollution in the seas around Great Britain has been found at significantly higher concentrations than previously recorded by a joint project between the University of Portsmouth and GB Row Challenge."
"At least five killed after Storm Kristin hits Portugal…
"The storm, which the government described as an "extreme climactic event", left schools shuttered, buildings damaged and travel severely disrupted. In the coastal city of Figueira da Foz, a Ferris wheel overturned and several vehicles were hit when part of a roof was torn from a building."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c205yl3kvzmo
"Live: Evacuation of residents of Los Puentes in Jaén and municipalities [Spain]…
"Storm Kristin has entered the province of Jaén with force and leaves road closures, interrupted rail traffic to Córdoba and an injury, for the moment… In the rest of the province, warnings and risks due to river overflows are accumulating."
"Tornado hits Turkey's Antalya, causes widespread damage.
"The storm hit hardest in Aksu, where a tornado formed over the Aksu Stream, lifting boats onto the shore and smashing others along the banks. Greenhouses collapsed, roofs were ripped away, and trees and power lines came down."
https://www.euronews.com/video/2026/01/27/tornado-hits-turkeys-antalya-causes-widespread-damage
"Water crisis in Cyprus: citizens urged to reduce water consumption.
"On January 26, the Cypriot authorities declared a critical water situation due to a prolonged drought. Despite recent rainfall, the situation has hardly improved: the inflow of water to the reservoirs is only about 2 million cubic meters, and their filling level has dropped to a record low of 10%."
"HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN AFRICA - hundreds of records have been falling all over Africa every day of the month.
"Incredible "double-double" record again in the CONGO's capitals: 36.2C [97.2F] Kinshasa, 35.9C Brazzaville. Hottest January day in history for both. They did the same thing in December!"
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2016581718443249979
"Nigerian farmers complaint that climate change is affecting staple food crops…
"Climate change remains one of the most critical challenges confronting Nigeria's farming sector. The country's agriculture is mainly rain-fed (not irrigated). This makes it highly vulnerable to changes in climate and extreme weather events…"
"Drought in the east, floods in the south: Africa battered by climate change…
"I spoke to a local chief in Mandera, Adan Molu Kike. He was a quiet, unassuming elderly man who went out of his way to explain to me how devastating the recent drought is. "Our animals started dying in July last year, and they are still dying," he told me."
"More records in South Africa - min 22.3 [72.1F] Paddock Tied its warmest night.
"More north, Kenya exceptional high Min 27.7 at Lodwar 0.1C from January national record of highest minimum and hottest night today in the Northern Hemisphere."
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2016080871452008798
"Environment minister pelted with coal at fiery power plant pollution debate [Israel].
"A chunk of coal was hurled toward Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman during a contentious public hearing on Wednesday evening on the continued use of coal at Israel's largest power plant, but she was not injured, police and witnesses said."
https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/b1hf0odizg
"'Under a dome of smog': Why are Central Asian cities among the world's most polluted?
"The capital of Kyrgyzstan is not an outlier. Across Central Asia, rapid economic growth, surging car ownership and weak environmental controls have combined with geography and weather to push major cities into the ranks of the world's most polluted."
"Record snowfall paralyses Naran, Kaghan [Pakistan].
"Naran and Kaghan have experienced record-breaking snowfall, paralysing daily life, blocking roads, and cutting electricity supply for the past five days, causing severe difficulties for residents."
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589403/record-snowfall-paralyses-naran-kaghan
"Farmers dread losses as hail, rain flatten vegetable crops in Haryana [India].
"Farmers said the first spell of rainfall, accompanied with hailstorm, damaged their mustard, potato and other vegetable crops on a large scale. However, barley and wheat crops escaped as much harm due to younger seedlings."
"China sees most high temperature days on record in 2025.
"China's national average annual temperature hit a record for a second year at 10.9 degrees Celsius (51.6 degrees Fahrenheit), with the most high-temperature days ever recorded, the country's Meteorological Administration said on Thursday."
"Built on ice, not land: The city where the ground is melting.
"In eastern Siberia, one of the world's coldest cities is built on a foundation that is slowly changing. Yakutsk stands on permafrost, ground that has remained frozen for thousands of years and long provided a stable base for homes, roads, and public infrastructure."
"Over 2,000 stranded at Japan's Hokkaido airport amid record snowfall.
"Local media reported that more than 90 flights were canceled at the airport on Monday due to severe snow conditions. Airport authorities opened parts of the terminal overnight to accommodate stranded travelers."
"Budget slashed for Indonesia's rescue agency despite disaster surge.
"Indonesia's main rescue agency had its funding cut by a parliamentary panel on Wednesday as part of a plan to divert government expenditure to other programmes, despite concerns over the number of disasters the agency has to deal with."
"Record heat never ends in INDONESIA:
"37.4c [98.9F] Kaimana West Papua destroyed its record of January hottest day, after breaking that of December. Kaimana has been breaking and re-breaking records continuously every month since 2019."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2016132524049891529
"North Queensland farmers rescued from rooftops as floodwaters surge…
"The Feral View property owners, west of Georgetown in the state's northwest, were forced to abandon their home as the Gilbert River's water levels rose with terrifying speed, leaving them stranded without power or mobile service."
"Record-breaking Australia heatwave fuels bushfires, cuts power to thousands…
"David Crock, a forecaster from Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, said the heat was being driven by climate change and called the temperatures "very unusual". "The severity of this heatwave is comparable to the heatwave in January 2009, and also the heatwave in January 1939," Crock said."
"'It takes a toll': Victorian farmers endure record heat and drying winds…
"Key farming areas in Victoria have smashed temperature records this week with the mercury climbing to 48.9C - but farmers say rather than one-offs, it's the succession of hot, windy and dry conditions that takes the real toll."
"After bone-dry January, Adelaide faces low summer rainfall record.
"With little if any rain on the horizon to close out January, or for the first few days of February, it's possible that this could be Adelaide's driest summer on record… This year, just 2.8mm fell in December, so after a rainless January to date, 2.8mm is the city's running tally for the 2025/26 summer."
"Pacific Islands: The hidden mental health costs of climate change…
"Suicide rates soar during instances of extreme heat. The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder remains elevated for years following flooding. Bushfires bring anxiety, depression, and profound psychological distress."
"Marine heatwave in Tongan waters brings record temperatures.
"Marine heatwave conditions are intensifying in Tongan waters, after Nuku'alofa experienced its hottest day on record, hitting 34.6 degrees last week. Tonga Meteorological Services warned today that a significant rise in ocean temperatures around Tonga will likely see the marine heatwave conditions persist into February."
https://matangitonga.to/2026/01/27/marine-heatwave-tongan-waters-brings-record-temperatures
"'The land will be left as ashes': why Patagonia's wildfires are almost impossible to stop.
"Wildfires are also hitting Chile, with at least 18 people killed this month. Environmental groups and workers blame extreme weather, which scientists link to the climate crisis and cuts to national fire-prevention budgets."
"Between dust and deluge: The women on Brazil's water frontlines.
"In the drought-stricken backlands of the sertão and the flooded river communities of the Amazon, women lead their households and communities through survival and recovery. They stand at the frontline of these climate extremes—when water comes too quickly, and when it doesn't come at all."
https://www.preventionweb.net/news/between-dust-and-deluge-women-brazils-water-frontlines
"Amazon is getting drier as deforestation shuts down atmospheric rivers.
"Deforestation has reduced rainfall over the Amazon, suggesting the rainforest could reach a catastrophic tipping point sooner than expected. Satellite observations and rain gauge measurements show that the amount of rain falling in the southern Amazon basin declined by 8 to 11 per cent between 1980 and 2019."
"Heavy rains trigger large-scale flooding across Colombia's Medellín.
"Severe flooding has struck the Colombian city of Medellín after heavy rains on January 28 caused the Medellín River to overflow its banks, inundating large parts of the city."
https://caliber.az/en/post/heavy-rains-trigger-large-scale-flooding-across-colombia-s-medellin
"Dutch government discriminated against Bonaire islanders over climate adaptation, court rules…
"Bonaire, a Dutch special municipality since 2010 - though the Netherlands has been present on the island for about 400 years - is particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise, extreme heat and other climate-related impacts…"
"Record warmth in The BAHAMAS where Freeport had a Minimum of 24.6C/76F warmest January night in history.
"Another tropical night in BERMUDA at 32N latitude, absolutely incredible. Records have fallen in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2016171941695258716
"HISTORIC HEAT IN FLORIDA - hottest January day ever recorded in the State tied yesterday with 90F.
"Heat records have been falling from Greenland to Costa Rica but zero cold records. But from today Florida will experience a long wintry cold spell…"
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2016338171714535630
"Will a bomb cyclone hit the East Coast over the weekend? The latest forecast shows potential for monster snowstorm…
"Given the intensity of the storm, there is a threat for strong winds capable of power outages and tree damage along the East Coast, as the storm tracks from the Carolinas up to New York City and New England."
"Record-breaking snow wallops Anchorage, closing schools early and wreaking havoc on the roads.
"Anchorage hit a new mark for the snowiest January on record. By late Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service said, more than 7 inches of snow had fallen since Monday night, pushing the city to the new record of almost 40 inches for the month."
"As an Oil Rig Topples in the Alaskan Arctic and Ignites a Fire, Exploration There Continues.
"A rig fell over onto the tundra as it was on its way to drill in ConocoPhillips' winter exploration program. Opponents of the plan warned it was rushed and lacked adequate environmental protections."
"Overlooked threat: Dams trigger temperature-driven disease in iconic salmonid fish…
"The results were compelling: reservoirs releasing surface water substantially raise downstream temperatures (by up to 4-5 °C) during the summer. These warmed sections turn into hotspots for the myxozoan parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, which causes a deadly disease among salmonids."
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-overlooked-threat-trigger-temperature-driven.html
"The Sea Urchin Apocalypse Is Real, and It Might Be Spreading Globally, Scientists Warn…
"Sea urchins are crucial to their shallow tropical environments since they feed on and keep algae populations in check that might otherwise threaten the survival of coral reefs. So the loss of these invertebrates could have untold destructive effects on other marine life."
"Overshoot: The World Is Hitting Point of No Return on Climate.
"With warming set to pass the critical 1.5-degree limit, scientists are warning that the world is on course to trigger tipping points that would lead to cascading consequences — from the melting of ice sheets to the death of the Amazon rainforest — that could not be reversed."
https://e360.yale.edu/features/1.5-degrees-tipping-points
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28th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News [ 28-Jan-26 9:55am ]
"Symbolic Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight amid 'catastrophic risks'.
"The world is closer than ever to destruction, scientists have said, as the Doomsday Clock was set at 85 seconds to midnight for 2026, the gloomiest assessment of humanity's prospects since the beginning of the tradition in 1947."
"Record Debt in the World's Richest Nations Threatens Global Growth.
"Record or near-record debt in the United States, Britain, France, Italy and Japan threaten to hamstring growth and sow financial instability around the globe… The hunger for more and more loans has also pushed up borrowing costs, gobbling up a bigger share of taxpayer money."
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/business/economy/government-debt-bonds.html
"Financial Repression Has Become the Default Bond Market Policy.
"Global sovereign debt levels are forcing policymakers to prioritise stability over repayment discipline as of January 2026. That shift makes government bond markets a transmission mechanism for debt adjustment rather than a neutral store of value. Financial repression has moved from a crisis tool to a persistent policy regime…"
"Sovereign Debt Crisis: Understanding Global Economic Risks and Vulnerabilities…
"The scale of global indebtedness has reached unprecedented levels, with total worldwide debt approaching $350 trillion… Market sentiment can shift rapidly from confidence to panic, creating self-fulfilling prophecies where rising borrowing costs make debt sustainability increasingly difficult…"
https://discoveryalert.com.au/sovereign-debt-crisis-2026-financial-contagion/
"Gold's blistering rally continues past $5,200 as dollar plunges to 4-year low…
"Gold broke through $5,200 for the first time on Wednesday, after rising more than 3% on Tuesday, as the dollar plunged to a near four-year low amid persisting geopolitical concerns, ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve monetary policy decision."
"Most people don't realize what Trump just said: "The value of the Dollar is great."
"This immediately sent the US Dollar another -1% lower, to its lowest level since February 2022. Why? It's a clear signal that President Trump is willing to tolerate a weaker Dollar to push rates lower and boost US exports. Own assets or be left behind."
https://x.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2016259771616444454
"US consumer confidence plunges to 12-year low.
"Increasingly bifurcated economy undermines strong GDP and productivity growth. US consumer confidence has collapsed to its weakest level in more than a decade, outstripping its pandemic lows and fuelling concerns about the health of the world's biggest economy."
https://www.ft.com/content/79ebdce7-6fe3-4221-8d17-b36281f61953
"Bailey warns shadow banking could threaten financial system.
"Lending by firms that aren't banks is a large, fast-growing, disparate and complex market that needs to be made safer, the Bank of England governor says… The comments are the latest in a series of warnings sounded by the Bank about the possible threat to financial stability lurking in what is a largely unregulated corner of the system."
"Private credit firms sell debt to themselves at record rate.
"Private credit firms sold a record amount of debt to themselves last year as the buyout sector's slowdown pushed them to find new ways to generate cash from loans to companies owned by private equity."
https://www.ft.com/content/c071fa65-5517-4224-90c9-d73718165367
"Big Tech's borrowing spree raises fears of AI risks in US bond market…
"Investors have grown increasingly concerned that the gap between runaway capital expenditure on AI and the returns it generates could amount to a bubble that ultimately hits both equities and the credit market."
https://www.ft.com/content/8264122b-cb6b-4af5-85b8-3789c3ae3a78
"AI jobs carnage is 'harming Britain more than global rivals'.
"Britain is losing more jobs to artificial intelligence (AI) than most other countries in an "early warning sign" of how the technology is set to upend the labour market… It is likely to ring alarm bells in Whitehall, after Sir Keir Starmer staked part of his plan for "national renewal" on the technology."
"Record number of people in UK live in 'very deep poverty', analysis shows.
"The UK's poorest families are getting poorer, with record numbers of people classed as in "very deep poverty" - meaning their annual household incomes fail to cover the cost of food, energy bills and clothing, according to analysis."
"'Enemy of Europe'? How Trump's push for Greenland spooked far-right allies.
"Donald Trump's attempted Greenland grab has driven a wedge between the US president and some of his ideological allies in Europe, as previously unstinting enthusiasm and admiration collides with one of the far right's key tenets: national sovereignty."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/27/trump-greenland-europe-far-right-analysis
"Facing U.S. turmoil, Europe and India announce blockbuster trade deal.
"The accord, among two of the world's largest economies, would create a free trade zone of 2 billion people, as President Trump upends U.S. alliances and global trade."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/27/indian-european-union-free-trade-agreement/
"
Christine Lagarde's World Has Been Upended by Hard Politics…
"[European central bankers] fear a hostile Fed takeover would destabilize markets, forcing the cost of US debt to rise and creating doubts about whether the country would provide dollar liquidity abroad in any future crisis."
"Bulgaria Faces Border Gridlock as Truck Blockades With Serbia and North Macedonia Drag On.
"The blockade, which began on January 26, is driven by protests from transport companies unhappy with the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which has recently come into force and, according to carriers, is causing serious delays and financial losses."
"'Attacks day after day': Odesa in Russia's crosshairs as war pivots back to Black Sea.
"Ukrainian strikes late last year on oil tankers in Russia's shadow fleet, and farther afield on the Russian naval base at Novorossiysk, coincided with renewed Russian attention on Odesa."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/28/odesa-russia-crosshairs-war-pivots-back-to-black-sea
"Russian Urals Discounts Drive Lukoil to Seek Tax Relief from Moscow.
"Russian oil producer Lukoil has reportedly asked Moscow to revise the oil tax formula as discounts on Russian Urals crude widen beyond $20 per barrel, threatening producers' profitability and potentially turning state support mechanisms into net payments to the budget."
"China helping Russia build arsenal of nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles…
"Russia has said the Oreshnik missile is impossible to shoot down, while Ukrainian officials and analysts have warned it is a threat to the West. Increased production is in part thanks to one specific CNC (computer numerical control) machine - a carousel lathe made in China, which turns and cuts metal."
"North Korea launches 'multiple' ballistic missiles toward East Sea: ROK military…
"The launch came as Pentagon policy official Elbridge Colby wrapped up a three-day visit to South Korea and began a trip to Japan. A U.S. spy plane conducted an apparent mission to surveil the DPRK around Colby's visit."
https://www.nknews.org/2026/01/north-korea-launches-missile-toward-east-sea-rok-military/
"China cancels all flights on 49 routes to Japan.
"All scheduled flights on 49 air routes between China and Japan have been cancelled for February, flight data showed on Jan 26, as Chinese airlines extended special ticket change and refund policies for Japan-related travel."
"A crisis of confidence in the yen looms over Japan PM Takaichi's election gamble.
"The spectre of coordinated yen buying by Tokyo and Washington has propped up Japan's currency, but history suggests the impact of an actual intervention could be limited, especially because Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is basing her snap election campaign on expanded stimulus measures."
"The Fukushima towns frozen in time: nature has thrived since the nuclear disaster but what happens if humans return?
"…The plant, which is now being decommissioned, suffered a triple meltdown after tsunami waves knocked out its backup power supply, sending large quantities of radiation into the atmosphere. Gardens have become jungles and homes places of nocturnal refuge…"
"Thai parties tap nationalist mood as Cambodia clashes roil rural voters.
"Nationalist sentiment has surged across Southeast Asia's second largest economy after a perception that the Pheu Thai-led administration's handling of a border crisis led to the worst fighting with Cambodia in decades, killing 149 people."
"U.S. aircraft carrier arrives as Iran's currency plunges to new low and protest death toll passes 6,000, activists say.
"The arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and guided missile destroyers accompanying it provide the U.S. the ability to strike Iran, particularly as Gulf Arab states have signaled they want to stay out of any attack despite hosting American military personnel."
"US announces multi-day aerial military drills in the Middle East amid Iran tensions.
"The US has announced plans to hold multi-day military exercises in the Middle East as it deploys what Donald Trump has called an "armada" led by the USS Abraham Lincoln to the region as part of a tense standoff with Iran."
"Saudi Arabia-UAE Tensions Put Middle East Businesses on Edge.
"Some companies operating in both countries have begun contingency planning… At stake is about $22 billion in trade between the two largest Gulf economies, as well as business confidence as both seek to cement their positions as global finance hubs."
"Russia pulls troops from airport in northeast Syria.
"Russia pulled its troops and equipment on Tuesday from an airport in northeast Syria, with reports saying the site was stripped of Russian flags and aircraft that had been visible a day earlier."
https://www.dailysabah.com/world/mid-east/russia-pulls-troops-from-airport-in-northeast-syria
"Israeli air strike kills TV presenter in southern Lebanon…
"A television presenter who worked for Lebanon's Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV station has been killed in an Israeli attack on the southern Lebanese city of Tyre as Israel escalated its attacks against the country."
"Israel Will Not Allow Gaza Residents to Receive Medical Treatment in West Bank, East Jerusalem Due to 'Security Risks'.
"In response to High Court petitions, the government stated that medical treatment could be exploited to help 'establish ties with terrorist activity, including recruitment, transfer of information and the establishment of terrorist infrastructure'."
"One family's daily struggle reflects alarming food shortages in Yemen.
"Years of war and mass displacement have shattered livelihoods and limited access to basic health and nutrition services. Declining humanitarian funding, unpaid salaries, inflation and international sanctions on Yemen have exacerbated the crisis."
"South Sudan army threat to 'spare no-one' condemned.
"The UN says it is gravely concerned after a senior military leader in South Sudan urged his troops to "spare no-one" including "children, the elderly, and civilians" when they are deployed to opposition-held areas of the country."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c79rjjr481zo
"US Intensifies Strikes in Somalia Following Nigeria Bombardment.
"The US has picked up the pace of its air strikes against Al-Shabaab and Islamic State in Somalia this year, according to US Africa Command data. The US has long been involved in the Horn of Africa country and has been targeting Al-Shabaab and Islamic State militants since the mid-2000s…"
https://thedefensepost.com/2026/01/28/us-intensify-strikes-somalia/amp/
"Nine Nigerian troops killed, several missing in jihadist ambush.
"At least nine Nigerian soldiers were killed and over a dozen are missing after Daesh-aligned militants ambushed a military patrol in northeast Borno state, military and militia sources told AFP Tuesday."
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630860/world
"Wife of oil tanker captain captured by US in North Sea starts legal action to free him.
"Lawyers acting for the wife of the captain of a Venezuela-linked oil tanker captured by US forces in UK waters are calling for a judicial review of his situation, claiming he is being detained unlawfully."
"Families of two men killed in Trump's military boat strikes sue US government.
"Civil rights attorneys filed a federal lawsuit against the United States government on Tuesday on behalf of the families of two men from a small fishing village in Trinidad who were killed in a US military airstrike on a small boat in the Caribbean Sea on 14 October."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/27/trump-military-boat-strikes-lawsuit
"Mexico has cancelled a shipment of oil to Cuba, the country's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, appeared to confirm on Tuesday, but she insisted the decision was "sovereign" and not a response to pressure from the US.
"Fuel shortages are causing increasingly severe blackouts in Cuba, and Mexico has been the island's biggest oil supplier since the US blocked shipments from Venezuela…"
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/27/mexico-cuba-trump-oil
"Colombia blasts Ecuador's pipeline fee hike as trade war between neighbors escalates…
"Ecuador hiked its pipeline fees days after Colombia suspended electricity sales to its neighbor. The power cutoff was a major blow to Ecuador, which relies largely on hydroelectric power and suffered from serious power outages in 2024 following a spell of dry weather."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ecuador-colombia-bogota-pacific-ocean-trump-b2908915.html
"Sanctions are the quieter sibling of warfare - with civilians as collateral damage…
"In 2026, the pattern is unmistakable. War is not only waged with bombs and soldiers, but through its quieter sibling: sanctions. These encompass a broad range of coercive measures, including trade and investment restrictions, financial controls, banking blacklists, asset freezes, and visa and travel restrictions."
"'Wake up to the risks of AI, they are almost here,' Anthropic boss warns…
"Describing the arrival of highly powerful AI systems as potentially imminent, he wrote: "I believe we are entering a rite of passage, both turbulent and inevitable, which will test who we are as a species.""
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Economic" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with a "Climate" thread.
The post 28th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
27th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News [ 27-Jan-26 9:34am ]
"In polar regions, microbes are influencing climate change as frozen ecosystems thaw.
"Microbes across Earth's coldest regions are becoming more active as glaciers, permafrost and sea ice thaw, accelerating carbon release and potentially amplifying climate change, according to a new international review from McGill University."
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-polar-regions-microbes-climate-frozen.html
"Monday ice update - "Arctic sea ice extent is currently the *lowest* on record (JAXA data)…
"• about 540,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 1,100,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,650,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 2,120,000 km² below the 1980s mean" [Zack Labe]
https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-figures/
"Arctic seas are getting louder as ice melts, posing risks: Study shows how to better measure noise.
"The Arctic is experiencing a steady rise in human-generated underwater noise as melting ice and increasing activity open the region to greater vessel traffic, with major implications for wildlife and local communities."
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-arctic-seas-louder-ice-posing.html
"Insane mildness continues in GREENLAND - much warmer than most of USA.
"Another day up to +9C/48F with several stations, including the capital Nuuk, unable to freeze at night as well."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2015763834926194805
"Why Britain's crumbling canals are a ticking timebomb…
"…the number of incidents where the embankment of a canal just collapses seems to be increasing… Climate change is also cited as a cause - drought creates cracks in the soil surrounding and underneath canal beds."
"A red flood warning - meaning danger to life - has been issued for a river in south-west England as Storm Chandra brought heavy rain and strong winds to many areas of the UK…
"Sections of roads in Dorset, Somerset and east Devon were closed due to flooding."
"249 yr of homogenized temperature at Innsbruck (Tirol).
"Climate of the 21st c. is impressively consistent in its rate of warming (esp. last 40 yr) and has nothing to do with 20th c. climate! Spoiler: Solar activity has nothing to do with it!" [Melaine Le Roy]
https://x.com/subfossilguy/status/2015045388147814724
"Pine trees record a surge in Mediterranean climate extremes.
"Pine forests in eastern Spain hold a quiet record of weather history… The results show rising instability in rainfall patterns during modern warming, with sharp increases in heavy rain and deep drought."
https://www.earth.com/news/pine-trees-record-a-surge-in-mediterranean-climate-extremes/
"Batten down the hatches: Red weather alert issued in Spain as Atlantic storms roll in with heavy rainfall and strong winds…
"According to Aemet, the state meteorological agency, the poor weather is set to continue this week as fresh Atlantic storms roll in, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to much of the peninsula."
"Balearic sea temperature spiked at 28ºC last summer, nearly 5ºC above average.
"The Mediterranean Sea in the Balearics reached an average surface temperature of 28.4ºC during the month of July 2025, which is almost 5ºC above the 1982-2015 average. These are some of the data collected in the 2025 annual report…"
"Italy declares state of emergency in southern regions following storm that caused major landslide in Niscemi..
"Italy declared a state of emergency Monday over the devastation caused last week in Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia by Cyclone Harry, which also triggered a major landslide in the Sicilian town of Niscemi that has displaced at least 1,500 residents and disrupted daily life, said officials."
"Hundreds feared dead in attempt to cross Mediterranean during cyclone.
"Up to 380 people may have drowned attempting to cross the Mediterranean last week as Cyclone Harry battered southern Italy and Malta, the Italian coastguard has said, as a shipwreck with the loss of 50 lives was confirmed by Maltese authorities."
"Collapse at Lake Chad: How Climate Stress Transforms Resources Into Flashpoints.
"Water scarcity in the Sahel, a transitional region separating the Sahara Desert and the savannas of Sub-Saharan Africa, represents an existential crisis in an area historically plagued by weak governance and economic struggles."
https://www.iar-gwu.org/blog/oipd1fl7zuww9yf5yl9a08y0x6wb3o-kgcjl-ph26f
"EXTRAORDINARY HEAT IN CENTRAL AFRICA. Records pulverized everywhere:
"37.5 [99.5F] Impfondo CONGO HOTTEST JANUARY DAY EVER. Records all over the country: Ouesso, M'Pouya etc… 38.6 Bangui CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC January hottest day ever."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2015494929913696385
"RECORD HEAT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. After a 46C [114.8F] day, a record hot night from South Africa all the way to Tanzania:
"RECORD HOTTEST JANUARY NIGHTS Minimums: SOUTH AFRICA: 23.8 Uitenhage, 23.6 max. 33.7 Coffee Bay both records, 23.2 Grahamstown. 22.7 Somerset. TANZANIA Min 22.0 Dodoma."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2015792421871980987
"Climate change is hurting Kenyan women working in coastal tourism - they explain how…
"When climate change affects women's sense of identity and culture, it affects their livelihoods and well-being too. These impacts ripple through the tourism industry, affecting the experiences and services that millions of visitors rely on in Africa's tourism."
"Iran's biggest centres of protest are also experiencing extreme pollution and water shortages…
"Iran is experiencing not one environmental crisis but the convergence of several: water shortages, land subsidence, air pollution and energy failure. All added together, life is a struggle for survival."
"Ghazni residents warn of worsening water crisis as groundwater levels plunge.
"Residents of Ghazni province in central Afghanistan say groundwater levels have dropped sharply over the past year, leaving many communities struggling to secure enough water for daily use and raising fears of a deepening water crisis."
"China places blankets on ice: the experimental strategy that could slow glacier melting.
"In some mountains of China, the glaciers present an unusual appearance, covered by extensive white surfaces that contrast with the dark rock. However, global warming has led the country to take measures to curb the melting and preserve these gigantic blocks of ice."
"Since January, temperatures in most parts of China have been significantly warmer than usual.
"It is expected that China will experience an even stronger warming trend in early February, with temperature potentially breaking the record for warmest February temperatures ever!" [Jim Yang]
https://x.com/yangyubin1998/status/2015815709398598104
"Cold waves bring record snowfalls across Japan…
"In the 24 hours through Sunday night, Sapporo received 54 centimeters of snow — setting a record for January. As of 4 p.m. on Sunday, 112 centimeters of snow had fallen, marking the first time since 2022 that accumulation exceeded one meter. On Monday morning, the city was hit again by heavy snow."
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260125_14/
"Coast-to-coast coral assessment reveals Thailand's reefs losing complexity…
"The surveys indicate that, as in other parts of the world, Thailand's reefs are losing structural complexity, becoming dominated by simpler boulder-forming corals, while staghorn and branching species die out."
"Twenty-three soldiers died in Indonesia's West Java landslides, official says.
"The 23 Marines were caught in the landslide during training exercises for Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border patrols on Saturday, First Admiral Tunggul, the Navy spokesperson said. "The incident occurred due to extreme weather conditions with heavy rainfall, which caused a landslide at the training site," said Tunggul…"
"Flash flooding on Copperfield River forces emergency evacuation of Einasleigh.
"Residents near the Copperfield River in Far North Queensland's Gulf Country are being urged to evacuate now after the Etheridge Shire Council issued an emergency alert… Residents around the Copperfield River and Einasleigh township must leave immediately."
"Emergency feed arrives for remote Western Australia pastoralists amid worst drought in decades,.
"Pastoralists across WA's Midwest, Gascoyne and Murchison regions have struggled through several years of low rainfall… There are growing calls for the state government to subsidise the transport costs of donated hay or fund additional drought relief."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-27/feed-relief-for-wa-pastoralists-in-drought/106263028
"Victoria has recorded a new statewide maximum temperature, with 48.9C [120F] recorded in the north-west towns of Walpeup and Hopetoun.
"The previous record of 48.8C was recorded at Hopetoun Airport, two hours south of Mildura, during the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-27/heatwave-record-temperatures-victoria/106273034
"More than 1,000 families told to evacuate as bushfires rage and temperatures near 50C in Australia.
"Emergency services said a fast-moving fire in the Otways, a heavily forested region nearly 200km southwest of Melbourne, had breached containment lines and could spread further amid record heat and gusty winds."
"Hailstorms 'wiped out entire crops' in Canterbury [NZ].
"Canterbury arable farmers are facing millions of dollars of losses after a third big hailstorm hit parts of the region on Friday. Crops have been destroyed, while others have gone to seed due to ongoing wet weather making them unusable."
https://www.odt.co.nz/rural-life/rural-life-other/hailstorms-wiped-out-entire-crops-canterbury-rnz
"Vanuatu communities move to protect taro, an ancestral climate-resilient crop…
"A key reason that communities are now fighting to reinvigorate taro cultivation is because it's more resilient to climate shocks: In recent years, severe storms have led to the tiny nation's islands being cut off from food shipments…"
"OCEANIA RECORD HEAT.
"It's the most extreme heat wave Oceania has ever seen outside Australia with hundreds of records smashed no-stop in the whole Continent. And these days aren't the exception… Min 27.3 [81.1F] Fuamotu TONGA Hottest night in history."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2015057159604846754
"Wildfires in Patagonia reignite, destroying over 35,000 hectares…
"Three fires reignited on Sunday due to high temperatures and gusty winds. On Monday, fires surrounded the town of Cholila, in western Chubut. More than 35,000 hectares have already been destroyed in the province."
https://buenosairesherald.com/society/wildfires-in-patagonia-reignite-destroying-over-35000-hectares
"Lightning strike at Brasilia rally injures 89 Bolsonaro supporters…
"Video footage captured the moment a sudden flash and thunder sent crowds scrambling for cover beneath umbrellas and plastic ponchos in Brasilia. Fire department officials said 47 people required hospital treatment, with 11 needing intensive medical care."
"Old diseases return as settlement pushes into the Amazon rainforest.
"Human activity continues to expand ever further into wild areas, throwing ecology out of balance. But what begins as an environmental issue often evolves into a human problem."
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-diseases-settlement-amazon-rainforest.html
"While USA and Canada are freezing, record heat is everywhere else in CENTRAL AMERICA.
"38C/100F in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica at the same time. Never happened in January. 33C in Mexico at 1500m asl. Insane."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2015710617500631276
"HISTORIC HEAT WAVE IN FLORIDA:
"While no monthly cold records is broken in North America, hundreds of heat records keep falling all over Greenland, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean and also Florida. MONTHLY RECORDS: 90 [32.2C] Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, 89 Homestead, 88 Miami."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2015952845896614345
"Rain, not snow: Extraordinary warmth leaves mountains less snowy across the West.
"California is still drought-free, but the Colorado River remains in a severe drought. This year's meager snowpack in the Rocky Mountains could complicate the Southwest's chronic water shortages."
https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-01-24/western-snowpack-warmth
"Water conservation may not protect cities from severe droughts.
"Water shortages already affect many cities in the western United States. Rising temperatures increase evaporation, reduce snowpack, and lower river flow. Growing populations place additional pressure on limited water supplies."
https://www.earth.com/news/water-conservation-may-not-protect-cities-from-severe-droughts/
"Dire Colorado River outcomes may be unavoidable, US report shows.
"No matter which alternative the federal government picks to manage the depleted Colorado River, there's a very good chance of severely bad consequences — such as "dead pool" at reservoirs and a cutoff of electricity from big dams."
"At least 30 dead as severe winter storm coats US in snow and ice.
"Many in the United States faced another frigid night of freezing temperatures, power outages, and transportation issues as a colossal winter storm was blamed for the deaths of some 30 people across several states in the country."
"Deep cold could last days, worsening storm's impacts: 'I'm just really, really tired'…
"The impact of the cold will be amplified by how long it will last. In many areas — including the nation's capital — temperatures may not rise above freezing until early February, part of a streak that started in D.C. on Friday evening."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/01/26/frigid-cold-outages-storm-impacts/
"Toronto is beginning to dig itself out from the largest snowfall in the city's history, a process which officials say is likely to take "several days"…
"More than 88.2cm of snow have fallen at Pearson international airport this month, marking the snowiest January and snowiest month since records began in 1937."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/26/toronto-snowstorm-record-snowfall-total
"Very interesting to see that the ongoing cold across parts of North America and Eurasia are reflected in a temporary dip in global average temperature.
"Of course, this has no significance in terms of the long-term climate change (warming) trend." [Zack Labe]
https://bsky.app/profile/zacklabe.com/post/3md6ycaru2s2b
"The global mean annual [Sea Surface Temperature] values [during the Eemian] were ∼0.5°C warmer than they were 150 years ago and indistinguishable from the 1995-2014 mean"
"We are now well above that. Even more so regionally." [Leon Simons]
https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/2015089083798720586
"Did Humans Nearly Go Extinct 900,000 Years Ago? A Biologist Explains…
"…it likely isn't a coincidence that the timing matches up with a period of profound environmental upheaval: the Early-Middle Pleistocene Transition… For early human ancestors (most likely members of the genus Homo predating Homo heidelbergensis), these changes would have been devastating."
"Solar geoengineering could be even more costly than unabated global warming if it is cut off suddenly, leading to a "termination shock" of rapidly rebounding temperatures…
"…solar geoengineering would need to continue uninterrupted for centuries, or the warming that was "masked" would come roaring back at a faster rate."
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
You can read the previous "Climate" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with an "Economic" thread.
The post 27th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
26th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News [ 26-Jan-26 9:33am ]
"The world economy is hooked on government debt. This year, global growth is being brought to you by the government.
"Rocked by an avalanche of growth-sapping shocks, countries around the world are tearing up savings plans and rolling out large fiscal stimulus packages financed by bumper budget deficits."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/the-world-economy-is-hooked-on-government-debt/ar-AA1UXpWC
"Japan Bond Crash Unleashes a $7 Trillion Risk for Global Markets…
""It's a new era," said Masayuki Koguchi, executive chief fund manager at Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management, one of the nation's biggest. "I don't think Japan's yields have gone far enough yet. This is just the beginning — there's a chance that bigger shocks will happen.""
"US Government Struggles to Keep a Lid on 10-Year Treasury Yield and Mortgage Rates…
"On Wednesday, Bessent had blamed the surging long-term US Treasury yields on the bond-market meltdown in Japan, during which the 30-year Japanese Government Bond yield spiked by 42 basis points in two days and drove it to 3.91%, the highest since the 30-year bond was introduced in 1999."
"'Battle for the Fed' heats up to challenge rate horizon.
"The battle for Federal Reserve independence has already gone up several gears this year, yet the central bank is showing little sign of capitulation - and now it has support from the Supreme Court and senior politicians."
https://www.reuters.com/markets/battle-fed-heats-up-challenge-rate-horizon-2026-01-26/
"Gold price tops $5,000 an ounce for first time as investors seek safe haven from Trump turmoil…
"With global financial markets already jittery, there are also rising fears of another US shutdown after Democrats threatened funding for the Department of Homeland Security in the wake of the weekend shooting of a man in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents."
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/26/gold-prices-record-5000-ounce-trump-turmoil
"Germany is facing calls to withdraw its billions of euros' worth of gold from US vaults, spurred on by the shift in transatlantic relations and the unpredictability of Donald Trump.
"Germany holds the world's second biggest national gold reserves after the US, of which approximately €164bn (£142bn) worth - 1,236 tonnes - is stored in New York."
"Donald Trump on Saturday said he would impose a 100% tariff on all Canadian imports if the North American country makes a trade deal with China.
"Beside that tariff threat, another Trump foreign policy maneuver to make news on Saturday involved the president announcing the US had taken the oil that was on recently seized Venezuelan tankers."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/trump-canada-tariff-threat-venezuela-oil
"European leaders gather at North Sea energy summit as Greenland tensions loom.
"European leaders meet in Germany on Monday to discuss North Sea energy and security cooperation, but fears over US designs on the Arctic island of Greenland may overshadow the talks."
"Europe's Aluminum Production Collapse Sparks Crisis for Key Industries…
"The European Union (EU) currently consumes 13.5 million tons of aluminum annually to feed its automotive, aerospace, and construction sectors. However, domestic primary production has collapsed to just 950,000 tons-a 93% structural deficit."
"Clashes erupt at anti-government protest in Albanian capital Tirana.
"Clashes have erupted between police and opposition protesters in Albania's capital over alleged corruption in the Socialist Party government, with the demonstrators demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation."
"Britain is planning to seize more Russian oil tankers and use profits running into hundreds of millions of pounds to fund Ukraine's fight against President Putin, the Mail on Sunday can reveal.
"Senior Government sources told the MoS they expect each seized tanker in Russia's sanctions-busting 'shadow fleet' would raise tens of millions…"
"The first three-way peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US have ended in Abu Dhabi with no apparent breakthrough, as fighting rages.
"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky raised the possibility of a second meeting as early as next week, while an American official said a new round would begin on 1 February."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyr6p30054o
"Russia looks to India to fill labor shortage…
"An Indian diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of bilateral relations, told DW that the labor agreement was also beneficial for India. "Russia needs workers, India needs to export unemployment," the diplomat explained."
https://www.dw.com/en/russia-looks-to-india-to-fill-labor-shortage/a-75598015
"China goes on hiring spree for tax officials as fiscal pressures mount…
"In a politically sensitive move, Beijing is considering taking a greater share of tax collection from local authorities, which have been hard hit by a multiyear property market slump that has deprived them of crucial revenues from land sales."
https://www.ft.com/content/fb5940d8-3878-4d0e-abd8-1f732371806a
"Top China General Accused of Leaking Nuclear Secrets to US, WSJ Says…
"The general is alleged to have leaked core technical data on China's nuclear weapons to the US and is being probed for allegedly forming political cliques and abusing his authority on military decisions, according to the report…"
"Cold War-level nuclear tensions return to Northeast Asia.
"New START end, China build-up and US trust issues all fueling nuclear desires in Japan, S Korea and possibly Taiwan… One result may be a new round of proliferation in the region, which has been rare to date, with only two countries — China in 1964 and North Korea in 2006 — joining the nuclear club over the past 77 years."
https://asiatimes.com/2026/01/cold-war-level-nuclear-tensions-return-to-northeast-asia/
"Tearful goodbyes as Japan returns pandas to China amid worsening ties…
"Emotions ran high at the Ueno zoo in Tokyo as people stood in line - some for as long as three-and-a-half hours - to see twin cubs Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei one last time. This comes at a very tense moment in relations between Tokyo and Beijing."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8d0l778dero
"Tensions rise at Trat border as Cambodian troops seen digging trenches on Thai soil.
"Thai soldiers guarding a border area in Trat's Mueang district said Cambodian troops have been digging trenches inside Thai territory over the past few days and did not stop despite Thai attempts to persuade them to halt, heightening tensions in the area."
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40061710
"Myanmar: Jet fuel used in deadly air strikes flowing in on 'ghost ships' with suspected links to Iran…
"Amnesty's analysis of trade, shipping, satellite and port authority data indicates that the Myanmar military is adopting the reported sanction-evasion tactics of countries such as Russia, Iran and North Korea by importing jet fuel on "ghost ships" which turn off their location-tracking Automatic Identification System (AIS) radar to avoid detection."
"Bangladesh slams India over fugitive ex-PM Hasina's first public address…
""Allowing the event to take place in the Indian capital and letting mass murderer Hasina openly deliver her hate speech … constitute a clear affront to the people and the Government of Bangladesh," the ministry said…"
"Activists slam Indian 'reign of terror' in held Kashmir…
"Posters and banners depicting various forms of repression in occupied Jammu and Kashmir were displayed at the venue of the sit-in where participants raised slogans against India's sham democracy and the continued subjugation of Kashmiris."
https://www.dawn.com/news/1969072
"'You will reap the whirlwind': Tehran mural warns of retaliation if US strikes Iran.
"Iranian authorities unveiled a new mural on a giant billboard in a central Tehran square on Sunday with a direct warning to the United States to not attempt a military strike on the country, as US warships head to the region."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/26/iran-tehran-mural-warns-us-against-military-strike
"Iraq to select new leader as US piles pressure to curb Iranian influence.
"Iraq's dominant Shia political alliance has nominated strongman former leader Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister in a step towards forming a government as the US puts intense pressure on the country to curb Iranian influence."
https://www.ft.com/content/a28d0a25-0a50-4860-94c3-5e007bfc9b0c
"Saudi Arabia's UAE 'mudslinging' threatens new Gulf crisis.
"Fiery accusations of rights abuses and betrayal have circulated for weeks in state-run and social media after a brief conflict in Yemen, where Saudi air strikes quelled an offensive by UAE-backed separatists."
"Wave of Israeli attacks kills two in Lebanon in latest ceasefire violation…
"The attacks come amid fears of a major Israeli assault to disarm Hezbollah amid simmering regional tensions and possible strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, the Lebanese group's top ally."
"Israel agrees to 'limited reopening' of Gaza's Rafah crossing once operation to locate hostage completed.
"Israel said on Sunday its military was conducting a "large-scale operation" to locate the body of the last hostage in Gaza, adding that it would only reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt after the mission was completed."
"Sudan's women face 'world's worst' sexual violence amid brutal conflict, minister says.
"A social affairs minister for Sudan's army-backed government said that that women are the main victims of the brutal conflict ongoing since April 2023. Sulaima Ishaq al-Khalifa said Sudanese women are facing "the world's worst" sexual violence, with reports of rape often perpetrated as "the family witnessed" the crime."
https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20260124-women-facing-world-worst-sexual-violence-sudan-conflict
"'Many killed' as fresh conflict in South Sudan displaces 180,000.
"The world's youngest country has been beset by war, poverty and massive corruption since it was formed in 2011, but violence is once again on the rise between rival factions, currently focused on Jonglei state north of the capital Juba."
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/many-killed-as-fresh-conflict-in-s-sudan-displaces-180-000-218206
"Mali plans fuel rationing.
"Mali's government has moved to impose fuel rationing to counter widespread shortages caused by Al-Qaeda-linked groups operating in the border regions that have, in recent months, cut off fuel supplies to the landlocked African country."
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630520/world
"U.S. Ramps Up Anti-ISIS Offensive in Africa: More Strikes, Intel Sharing with Nigeria Amid Sahel Juntas Ties.
"The US military is expanding equipment supplies and intelligence sharing with Nigeria, Africom's deputy commander said, as part of a broader American push to work with African militaries and hunt Islamic State-linked militants."
"Venezuela's acting president says she has had 'enough' of US orders.
"Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodríguez said Sunday she has had "enough" of Washington's orders, as she works to unite the country after the US capture of its former leader Nicolás Maduro."
"Cuban official accuses US of 'piracy' against sanctioned Caribbean island.
"A Cuban diplomat has accused the United States of "international piracy", as Washington continues to block Venezuelan oil from reaching the Caribbean island in the wake of the US military attack on the nation and abduction of President Nicolas Maduro."
"The global clean energy transition is being jeopardized by critical transformer shortages and aging grid infrastructure in the United States and Europe.
"Skyrocketing demand for transformers, driven by global economic development and AI, has led to a significant supply deficit with domestic manufacturing unable to keep pace, escalating costs and delaying new generating plants."
"Sometime this year, 'Q-Day' will come - and all hell will break loose. Cryptocurrencies will crash, the price of gold more than double, and the global financial system will be rocked to its foundations…
"This nightmare scenario has been highlighted by Denmark's Saxo Bank as its top entry for 2026 in its annual 'outrageous predictions'. But, as technology experts subsequently admitted, perhaps it's not so far-fetched after all."
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15496919/Q-DAY-upend-world-know-online-banking-nuclear-missile-codes-quantum-computing-crack-planets-digital-encryption-terrifying-consequences.html
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The post 26th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
24th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News [ 24-Jan-26 11:00am ]
"Record surge in daily temperature swings across globe: Study…
""Climate change alters cloud patterns and atmospheric moisture, which directly affects daily temperature cycles," Demirhan said. In some cases, increased cloud cover limits daytime heating and nighttime cooling, narrowing temperature ranges, while in others, warming sharpens contrasts between day and night."
"Temperatures averaged over global land areas were the 2nd hottest on record in 2025. This has major consequences for communities and ecosystems all around the world.
"Data from NOAA."
[Zack Labe]
https://bsky.app/profile/zacklabe.com/post/3mczb62kpjk25
"Friday ice update - Arctic sea ice extent is currently the *lowest* on record (JAXA data)…
"• about 500,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 1,090,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,640,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 2,110,000 km² below the 1980s mean" [Zack Labe]
https://zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-ice-extentconcentration/
"SUMMER IN WINTER IN GREENLAND.
"Crazy Temperatures tonight up to +9C / 48.2F (above summer average), persisting during the day. 24 stations at low elevations out of 31 above freezing today. Kitsissorsuit is chasing the WORLD RECORD of the highest monthly temperature anomaly. >+14C!"
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2014700725503459518
"Along the Russian side of the Arctic Ocean, they are now getting 1-2 months of open water every year, allowing ships without ice-breaking support to easily cross from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
"Twenty years ago, open water passages were rare." [Dr Robert Rohde]
https://x.com/RARohde/status/2014738307695919260
"'Completely Cut Off': Kamchatka Calls for Moscow's Help as Record Snowfall Paralyzes Region…
"Locals in the regional capital of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky described entire neighborhoods buried in snow and unplowed roads that have impeded everything from ambulances and firetrucks to basic food shipments as snowdrifts as high as 1.7 to 2.5 meters (5.5 to 8.2 feet) piled up."
"Russia's Unified Energy System (UES) has recorded a historic surge in electricity demand, setting a new all-time high in power consumption due to the country's prolonged cold snap.
"On January 22, the UES recorded a peak of 171,943 MW, surpassing the previous record of 171,389 MW set just over a month earlier on December 11, 2023."
"Forest Fires Take No Break. Belarusian foresters train for an unrelenting fire season…
"…The climatic realities of recent years are blurring the usual boundaries between seasons. Where the fire season once began in March or May, reports of fires now arrive alarmingly early. This year, the first blaze was recorded in early January."
https://www.undp.org/belarus/news/forest-fires-take-no-break
"The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has unveiled emergency plans to protect its gardens from future water shortages after severe drought conditions last year [UK].
"The charity said water capture and management will be its biggest area of investment in 2026, as scientists warn climate change is making weather patterns increasingly erratic."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp3z25l2385o
"Flooding has struck Cornwall as the tide has burst over a quay during Storm Ingrid, putting homes and businesses at risk.
"Cornwall has barely recovered from Storm Goretti, but already there's another weather warning in place. And Looe is already feeling the strain as flooding has been reported."
https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/live-looe-floods-storm-ingrid-10774233
"Sea Surface Temperatures around Europe were record high again in 2025.
"No one can (falsely) blame El Niño for this. Global average temperatures don't show the regional extreme rates of warming." [Leon Simons]
https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/2014833028426522917
"Cyclone Harry has caused extensive damage across Italy's Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria regions, with initial estimates putting the total cost at around $2 billion, ANSA news agency reported on Friday.
"Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci said the Cabinet will hold a meeting next week to assess the full extent of the destruction and approve emergency measures."
"Record 16-metre [52 foot] wave measured between Sicily and Malta during Storm Harry.
"An oceanographic buoy positioned south of Sicily, in waters between Malta and Portopalo di Capo Passero, has recorded a wave measuring 16 metres in height during the most violent phase of Storm Harry - the highest wave ever documented in the Mediterranean Sea."
"The Climate Crisis Is Already Here with Dramatic Consequences [Greece].
"Populations of local fish species are declining dramatically, while some species have completely disappeared from Greek waters. The dense forests of Mainalo, home to the beautiful Cephalonian fir—a species found only in Greece—are being destroyed irreversibly due to extensive drying. Hundreds of thousands of acres of land are consumed by fire during the summer…"
https://www.tovima.com/climate/the-climate-crisis-is-already-here-with-dramatic-consequences/
"Kuşadası is at the mercy of the flood! The streets have turned into a lake, and vehicles were swept away [Turkey].
"The heavy rainfall in Aydın's Kuşadası district quickly turned into a flood. Due to the intense rain that lasted approximately 30 minutes, streams overflowed, streets and avenues were submerged, and some vehicles were swept away by the floodwaters."
https://en.haberler.com/kusadasi-is-at-the-mercy-of-the-flood-the-streets-19491432/
"Algeria: towards the extension of agricultural insurance to major climate risks.
"Algeria is moving towards a significant expansion of its agricultural insurance system to include natural disasters related to climate change. The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries announced that work is underway to adapt and modernize existing insurance products…"
"Record heat continues relentless In Central African Republic. Hot days and nights.
"The minimum temperature of 22.3C [73.8F] at Berberati is the highest ever recorded in January. Records are falling in every single tropical country. Never happened anything like this."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2014238622573379939
"Record heat keeps sweeping all the tropics.
"January highest temperature in history tied in SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE [ a two-island nation in the Gulf of Guinea] with 33C [91.4F]."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2014894490000228850
"Historic floods in Kruger Park reveal the environmental cost of extreme weather in southern Africa.
"The severe floods that affected Kruger National Park in South Africa have caused damage that will require years of recovery. Additionally, authorities estimate multimillion-dollar costs to restore key infrastructure within the protected area."
"Residents in Mozambique are on high alert, as crocodiles have started to appear across towns amid heavy floods…
"Paola Emerson, head of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Mozambique, said, "The river levels are rising and are reaching urban areas or heavily populated areas…so the crocodiles that are in the Limpopo river in this case are able to get into populated areas that are now submerged under water and that is the concern.""
https://www.africanews.com/2026/01/23/mozambique-crocodiles-appear-in-towns-amid-floods/
"Record heat in MADAGASCAR:
"35.0C [95F] in Sainte Marie Island (also known with the Malgasy name Nosy Boraha) is a new record of highest Temperature in January after a very high minimum of 27.6C."
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2014752453758259572
"RED SEA HEAT WAVE:
"Second Unseasonal heat wave of 2026 in the Red Sea after the record heat of Jan 1st: Temperatures up to 35C [95F] in Saudi Arabia and 31C in Egypt with some tropical nights locally >25C. Tomorrow the heat will peak and records for January might fall."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2014409205244215788
"Heavy snowfall paralyses northern Pakistan, army launches rescues.
"The extreme weather has led to the closure of major and connecting roads, disruption of power supply and hundreds of people being stranded. Landslides and avalanches have been reported at multiple locations…"
"Kabul residents warn of worsening water shortages as wells run dry.
"Residents of Kabul say shortages of safe drinking water are worsening as groundwater levels fall and household wells dry up, forcing many families to buy water at high prices or travel long distances to secure supplies."
"Forest fires across Kashmir as high-speed winds fan flames…
"According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the winds up to 100 km per hour in Pir Panjalís Poonch district and 60 km per hour to 84 km per hour in several areas… Authorities said a prolonged dry spell in December and January led to a rise in forest fire incidents."
"No Snow, Forest Fire Rages For Two Days Near China Border In Sikkim.
"A forest fire continues to rage in East Sikkim's Kupup village on the Indo-China border two days after it started. Even more concerning is the presence of landmines in close vicinity to the Doklam region, which is adjacent to the village… a blaze at this altitude [13,000 feet] is rare."
"The mother of all mega-dams is China's hidden weapon in the Himalayas.
"New disclosures reveal that …what Beijing is constructing on the so-called "Everest of Rivers," near Tibet's border with India, is not just the largest dam ever attempted. It is an extensive subterranean network designed to give China effective command over the river before it reaches any downstream country."
"Philippines builds insurance buffer as climate shocks intensify across Asia.
"The Philippines is increasing its insurance buffer against climate-related shocks, with higher penetration, rising property premiums, and a broader mix of catastrophe risk solutions emerging as severe weather events affect Asia."
"Seven dead, dozens missing after landslide in Indonesia's West Bandung [Indonesia]…
"Latest disaster comes just weeks after deadly floods and landslides left more than 1,000 people dead in Indonesia's west… Local Police Chief AY Yogaswara said the landslide was accompanied by flash flooding, according to Jakarta-based Antara news agency."
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/24/seven-dead-82-missing-after-landslide-in-indonesias-bandung
"Floodwaters up to 2 meters deep inundate residential areas in Tangerang City, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate [near Jakarta].
"Residents have been displaced for 2 nights, the Mayor inspected and distributed logistical assistance. The Tangerang City Government is on full alert and is urging the community to remain united in facing the impact of the flood disaster."
"This is getting ridiculous… records of historic hottest nights smashed in pieces again in INDONESIA.
"After its hottest day in history, Manokwari, West Papua, smashed by 2C the record of its hottest night with a MINIMUM of 27.8C [82F]. Records are being broken and re-broken continuously."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2014594070652617008
"Human-caused global heating made the intense heatwave that affected much of Australia in early January five times more likely, new analysis suggests.
"The heatwave earlier this month was the most severe since the 2019-20 black summer, with temperatures over 40C in Melbourne and Sydney… the effect of greenhouse gas emissions outweighed the effects of a weak La Niña…"
"Intense heat could smash temperature records in south-east Australia with catastrophic fire danger forecast.
"All-time temperature records could tumble in Victoria and New South Wales over coming days, as a dome of intense heat pushes into south-east Australia, bringing extreme to catastrophic fire conditions."
"A bushfire in Victoria's Otways, near Gellibrand, has broken containment lines and is threatening communities south and east of the fire.
"Emergency warnings are in place for more than a dozen towns as firefighters battle the blaze amid a wind change."
"Why does it feel like dangerous ocean creatures are ruining Australia's summer?
"In the same week that New South Wales experienced four shark attacks, Victorian beachgoers were warned about stinging jellyfish… Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of storms and alter rainfall patterns… increasing the likelihood of jellyfish being driven into coastal swimming areas."
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-dangerous-ocean-creatures-australia-summer.html
"A bid to clean up shipping industry intensified a coral bleaching event on Great Barrier Reef, study says.
"Steps to clean up the shipping industry by removing sulphur from fuels intensified a major coral bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef by allowing more of the sun's energy to hit the oceanic wonder, according to a new study."
"More insane heat from OCEANIA:
"Tanna, VANUATU broke its record of January highest temperature and all time Highest Minimum 4 times in a row."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2014319367476170817
"New Zealand landslide: rescue efforts called off for six people buried in disaster.
"Police Supt Tim Anderson said human remains had been uncovered on Friday night beneath the mountains of dirt and debris that crashed into a campsite in Mount Maunganui on Thursday, adding that it could take several days to locate all of the victims due to the unstable ground."
"Argentina's Patagonia wildfires: flare-ups in Chubut spur evacuations as crews face "highly complex" blazes.
"Wildfires in Argentina's Patagonia continued to pressure communities in Chubut province, with active fronts and repeated flare-ups reported around Epuyén, El Hoyo and Puerto Patriada, as heat, strong winds and very low humidity complicated containment efforts."
"Firefighters face attacks, drones and arsonists while battling deadly blazes in Chile.
"The total area burned in the current fires has already far surpassed the area consumed by the Valparaíso and Viña del Mar inferno of 2024, which destroyed more than 8,500 hectares (33 square miles) and claimed 131 lives… The number of victims and the extent of the damage are likely to rise."
"40 years of tracking trees reveals how global change is impacting Amazon and Andean Forest diversity…
"Plant species have limited options to survive climate change: they can alter their distributions as environmental conditions change, or they can acclimate to these new conditions. If species cannot move or acclimate, their populations will decline, potentially leading to extinction."
"Snow starts falling in Texas, Oklahoma as eastern US braces for winter storm.
"Heavy snow was falling over Northwest Texas and Oklahoma City on Friday morning as a major winter storm began moving east across the U.S., bringing deadly cold and the threat of power outages and treacherously icy roads…"
"I've been forecasting for two decades and I can't recall a time when so many areas were simultaneously covered by a winter storm warning.
"In the United States, 53 percent of the total population is under an alert for this storm." [Ben Noll]
https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/2014841601676476681
"Climate change can alter flower nectar quality and supply, threatening monarch butterfly migration.
"They observed that a tiny bump in temperature, just 0.6 degrees Celsius, was enough to lower the quality of the nectar these plants produced. Monarchs fed on these "warmed" blooms built up about a quarter less body fat than their counterparts."
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-climate-nectar-quality-threatening-monarch.html
"Whales are now 'sharing' food amid shortages due to climate change.
"Fin, humpback, and minke whales in the Gulf of St Lawrence in the North Atlantic are eating more fish and less krill than they did in the past… The study found that all three whale species have shifted towards fish-based diets over time…"
"The ocean floor is turning into the world's biggest plastic dump site killing hundreds of underwater species.
"While floating plastic gets most of the attention, the seabed is where a large share of marine debris ends up. Once waste reaches deep water, it becomes extremely difficult to locate and even harder to remove."
https://archive.vn/0vHkc#selection-623.0-623.209
"Air cargo warning as extreme weather raises risks for pharma cold chains…
"For air cargo supply chains, this volatility poses growing risks. Pharmaceutical shipments are particularly vulnerable during airport handling, such as loading and unloading on the tarmac or cross-docking between flights."
https://caasint.com/air-cargo-warning-as-extreme-weather-raises-risks-for-pharma-cold-chains/
"Dramatic rise in water-related violence recorded since 2022.
"Water-related violence has almost doubled since 2022 and little is being done to understand and address the trend and prevent new and escalating risks, experts have said… Recent examples include tensions over an Indus River water-sharing treaty between India and Pakistan…"
"Suppressed climate report warned of mass migration and nuclear war… When the [UK] government was forced to release the report after a freedom of information request, it published an abridged version…
"But a full, internal version of the report, seen by The Times said… many ecosystems around the world were so stressed that they could soon pass a tipping point, after which they would inexorably degrade no matter what humans did to protect them.
"Forests in Canada and Russia might pass a tipping point by 2030, as might glaciers in the Himalayas that fed rivers on which two billion people depended, the report suggested. Intelligence chiefs warned that the decline of Himalayan rivers would "almost certainly escalate tensions" between China, India and Pakistan, potentially leading to nuclear war."
https://www.thetimes.com/article/4a1c136c-f01d-4ecd-abfd-14621b47ea45
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The post 24th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
23rd January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News [ 23-Jan-26 8:56am ]
"The twin 'factories' spurring global growth are both at risk…
"…the AI investment boom and China's export-led growth model — are encountering risks that could slow global economic expansion. For the AI investment side, there are concerns about sustainability once the initial wave of spending slows; for China, export demand and manufacturing activity have been softening…"
https://www.ft.com/content/310640c0-836d-4b6f-8be6-6ff48e9f796d
"Ray Dalio warns that the monetary order is breaking down, leaving us with a terrible choice: 'Do you print money or let a debt crisis happen?'
"…"What always scares me is the lack of realism [among leaders]," he said as he reeled off the historic economic, environmental, and political threats the world is grappling with. "Will law prevail? Everyone is having to deal with that question.""
https://fortune.com/2026/01/21/ray-dalio-breakdown-monetary-order-debt-crisis/
"Gold, silver and platinum extend record‑setting rally.
"Gold notched another record high on Friday, while silver and platinum also extended gains to hit all-time peaks, powered by diminishing confidence in U.S. assets on account of geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty."
https://www.reuters.com/world/india/gold-silver-platinum-extend-recordsetting-rally-2026-01-23/
"'Some form of crisis is almost inevitable': The $38 trillion national debt will soon be growing faster than the U.S. economy itself, watchdog warns.
"The United States national debt has reached a precarious milestone, hitting 100% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and placing the nation on a trajectory that could trigger six distinct types of fiscal crises, according to an ominous new warning issued Thursday by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget."
https://fortune.com/2026/01/22/how-big-national-debt-when-recession-financial-crisis-could-hit/
"President Trump really, really wants lower interest rates, and the Federal Reserve and other tools of state power have tried to deliver them. The bond market isn't cooperating.
"Longer-term borrowing rates are set on global markets, as savvy players who together deploy trillions of dollars make bets on the future of growth and inflation."
https://www.axios.com/2026/01/22/trump-tariffs-bond-market-fed
"Trump warns of 'big retaliation' if Europe divests from US stocks and bonds…
"The comments follow news that AkademikerPension, a Danish fund, confirming that it would divest $100 million in US Treasury. While the fund cited fiscal concerns rather than politics, the move coincides with renewed American pressure on Greenland."
https://www.trtworld.com/article/fbd4bbb30f5b
"Trump Muses About Asking NATO to Help Protect US Southern Border.
"President Donald Trump openly mused about invoking NATO's collective defense obligation to place allied troops along the US-Mexico border, a suggestion that, even if not meant seriously, represents another volley of rhetoric aimed squarely at European allies."
"Trump hails 'incredible' Davos trip - and promises Greenland 'deal' will be 'amazing' for US.
"Donald Trump says his time in Davos at the World Economic Forum was "incredible" and promises his 'deal' over Greenland will be "amazing" for the US. Elsewhere, EU leaders have gathered in Brussels for an emergency meeting."
"Frustrated farmers target ports in fresh protests [UK]…
"Organisers say the aim of the protests is to raise public awareness of government free trade deals which are facilitating cheap food imports at lower production costs and inferior food standards to those of UK farmers. This is putting national food security in jeopardy at a time when the world is increasingly unstable."
https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/frustrated-farmers-target-ports-in-fresh-protests
"'We will let nothing pass': France intercepts Russia-linked oil tanker in Mediterranean…
""This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag," Macron said on X in English, adding the operation had been carried out "with the support of several of our allies"."
"Putin's zombie missiles pose €80m dilemma for Ukraine.
"Russia hopes to keep Kyiv's expensive air defences guessing with cheap target practice munitions… Russia, for the first time, appears to have fired RM-48U target practice missiles, which were decommissioned but have been brought back to life as offensive weapons."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/21/putin-zombie-missiles-80m-dilemma-kyiv/
"Deep strikes, deep costs: Ukraine pushes the war inside Russia…
"From oil refineries to fuel depots and naval infrastructure, Kyiv is increasingly targeting the economic backbone of Russia's war effort—even in regions once considered safely removed from the fighting."
https://tvpworld.com/91195900/ukraines-deep-strikes-expose-russias-energy-weakness
"China likely to lower 2026 growth target as global slowdown weighs…
"China is expected to set a more conservative official economic growth target for 2026, signalling a growing acceptance in Beijing that external headwinds and domestic structural challenges are limiting the scope for rapid expansion."
"China's rural banks struggle to sell seized properties despite hefty discounts.
"Chinese rural banks are unable to find buyers for hundreds of foreclosed properties they are auctioning despite offering steep discounts, deepening a real estate crisis and adding to risks for the financial sector and the broader economy."
"Japan diplomatic post in Chongqing sits unfilled as China feud drags on.
"The top position at the Japanese Consulate in Chongqing has been vacant for more than a month amid the Chinese government's delay in granting approval for a new nominee… A source familiar with Sino-Japanese relations pointed to bilateral tensions while describing the situation as "harassment by China.""
"Japan Bond Wipeout Was Triggered by Just $280 Million of Trading…
"That was the combined turnover for the country's benchmark ultra-long maturity bonds as they plummeted on Tuesday, unleashing a $41 billion wipeout across the Japanese curve that sent shockwaves through global markets."
"Japan has delivered domestically produced rails to Ukraine to help it restore transport networks severely damaged by Russian attacks.
"A ceremony to hand over the rails to Ukraine's state-run railway operator took place in the capital Kyiv on Thursday… Hattori Osamu, the head of the JICA office in Ukraine, said in a speech that Japan will continue to stand by Ukraine and its people on the path to recovery and peace."
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260123_03/
"Taiwan offers talks with Ukraine on weapons sanctions-busting.
"Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Friday offered talks with Ukraine to crack down on sanctions-busting after Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy name-checked the island as a source of illicit missile components."
"Ancient Khmer temples scarred by Thailand-Cambodia conflict.
"Ancient Khmer temples along the Thailand-Cambodia border have been damaged or destroyed by recent fighting rooted in centuries-old territorial claims. The area is militarised and mostly off-limits."
"Junta airstrike kills its own troops and families detained by AA in Kyauktaw [Myanmar].
"A junta airstrike hit an Arakan Army (AA) detention facility holding prisoners of war (POWs) and their family members near Chaungtu Village in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State, killing at least 21 people and injuring 30 others, according to local sources."
"More Than 3,000 Afghan Migrants Deported from Pakistan and Iran in One Day.
"Pakistan and Iran have stepped up deportations amid stricter migration policies. According to Taliban officials, more than 2.5 million Afghans have been expelled from the two countries since the beginning of the current solar year."
"Iran warns 'finger on trigger' as Trump says talks still possible.
"The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned Washington on Thursday that the force had its "finger on the trigger" after mass protests, even as US President Donald Trump said Tehran appeared open to talks. The death toll from nationwide protests has topped 5,000 people killed…"
"Torn Between Iran and Trump, Iraq Confronts a Stark Choice.
"As the country recovers from the disastrous US invasion, it's being pulled between its neighbor Iran, which has built decades of influence, and a president who wants America to have more sway in OPEC's second-largest producer."
"UN says 134,000 displaced in northeast Syria after clashes.
"In the past three days, the number of internally displaced people in Hassakeh province "has increased to approximately 134,803 individuals" compared to 5,725 recorded on Sunday, the International Organization for Migration said in a statement."
https://www.newarab.com/news/un-says-134000-displaced-northeast-syria-after-clashes
"'Open the gates': riots, fires and escape attempts as Syrian army takes over IS camp…
"Since 2019, life inside al-Hawl, the vast detention facility in the remote Syrian desert which holds at least 24,000 suspected members of IS from 42 different countries, has stood nightmarishly still. But on Monday, time at this vast prison camp lurched back into motion, dizzyingly fast."
"Israeli troops fire on sheep herders, shell farmland in Syria's Quneitra.
"Israeli forces have been carrying out near-daily incursions into Syrian territory, particularly in the Quneitra countryside, detaining civilians, setting up checkpoints, questioning those passing through and destroying farmland."
"Trump's 'master plan' for Gaza contrasts with reality on the ground…
"The vision contrasts sharply with the present reality in Gaza, where Israeli troops still control more than half of the enclave while some 2 million Palestinians are crowded into the other half, many living in ramshackle tents or bombed-out buildings that provide little shelter from winter storms."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/22/trump-kushner-gaza-plan/
"Five killed in 'treacherous' attack on military convoy in Yemen…
"A bombing targeting a convoy of a group allied with Yemen's Saudi-backed government has killed five people and wounded three others, Yemeni authorities have said. The attack on Wednesday targeted a convoy carrying Hamdi Shukri, a commander in the pro-government Giants Brigades…"
"Somaliland: How the security architecture on the Red Sea is undergoing a realignment.
"Israel's recognition of Somaliland is part of a larger shift in the axes of power in the strategically important Red Sea. Regional players are reorganizing their alliances, while lines of conflict between status quo maintainers and revisionists are solidifying."
"Somalia: One year on, families reeling from conflict in Puntland…
"Now in its second year, the conflict in the northern part of the country between Puntland Defence Forces and the Islamic State Group-Somalia (ISg-S) has displaced tens of thousands of people, disrupting a nomadic way of life that communities have relied on for generations."
"Hunger, death, devastation: No respite in Tigray a year after US aid cuts…
""We have little humanitarian support," laments the octogenarian whose frail appearance is mirrored by many others in his village of Hitsats, near the Eritrean border. "It's not conflicts that will ultimately kill us, but famine," he says."
"Venezuela's Delcy Rodríguez assured US of cooperation before Maduro's capture.
"Before the US military snatched Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, earlier this month, Delcy Rodríguez and her powerful brother pledged to cooperate with the Trump administration once the strongman was gone…"
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/22/delcy-rodriguez-capture-maduro-venezuela
"House rejects resolution that would bar Trump from sending troops to Venezuela.
"The US House has rejected a resolution that would have prevented Donald Trump from sending US military forces to Venezuela, after a vote on the legislation fell just short of the majority needed for passage."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/22/house-war-powers-resolution-trump-military-venezuela
"Trump seeking 'regime change' in Cuba by end of the year: US media report.
"United States President Donald Trump aims to remove Cuba's leadership and is actively seeking government insiders in Havana who are willing to make a deal with Washington to "push out the Communist regime", according to a report in The Wall Street Journal."
"UN-backed force in Haiti to deploy fully by summer amid political turmoil…
"Around 1,000 mostly Kenyan police are currently in Haiti as part of the force, whose deployment has been marked by delays and severe lack of funding. Since the first deployment in June 2024, gangs have expanded to much of central and rural Haiti."
"Nearly 200 arrested in cross-border crackdown on gold mining in Amazon.
"Illegal gold mining has become a major driver of deforestation and river pollution in the Amazon, contaminating waterways with toxic mercury and damaging lands relied on by Indigenous communities. In recent years the activity has expanded rapidly as global gold prices have climbed…"
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/22/cross-border-crackdown-illegal-gold-mining-amazon
"Experts warn of threat to democracy from 'AI bot swarms' infesting social media…
"A would-be autocrat could use such swarms to persuade populations to accept cancelled elections or overturn results, they said, amid predictions the technology could be deployed at scale by the time of the US presidential election in 2028."
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The post 23rd January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
22nd January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News [ 22-Jan-26 9:56am ]
"Scientists reveal the impact of air pollution on the human body.
"Breathing in air pollution like ozone and PM2.5 harms nearly every major system in the human body. It is particularly hard on the cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological systems… Even short-term exposure to either PM2.5 or ozone can increase hospitalizations for heart attacks and strokes.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/air-pollution-effects-health-heart-b2904649.html
"Prolonged air pollution linked to increase of incurable muscle-wasting diseases, study suggests…
"Swedish scientists found that long-term exposure to air pollution was associated with a 20 to 30 per cent higher risk of developing motor neurone disease (MND) including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - even in the "relatively low levels" found in Sweden."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/air-pollution-mnd-als-disease-sweden-b2904528.html
"Air pollution a major financial risk for companies and investors.
"A new report released today (January 21st) warns that air pollution has evolved from a public health emergency into a severe and systemic financial risk, threatening trillions of dollars in economic value and exposing companies and investors to escalating regulatory, legal and operational pressures."
"Next week the US will have the "relative" coldest air on Earth. But notice the mid-latitudes in general from the US to Europe to Russia feature a band of cold anomalies, whereas the Arctic is warm all around.
"That's precisely why the cold is being displaced south." [Jeff Berardelli]
https://x.com/WeatherProf/status/2014182059078525204
"'Wavy' jet stream dumps record snowfall on Russia. Extreme weather paralyses region as Arctic blast sweeps across Asia…
"In Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, vast snowdrifts several metres high blocked building entrances and buried cars, after more than 2m (6.5ft) of snow fell in some areas in the first half of January, following 3.7m in December, according to weather monitoring stations."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/20/wavy-jet-stream-dumps-record-snowfall-russia/
"On the afternoon of January 21, the second floor of a shopping center on Naumova Street in Novosibirsk's Pervomaysky District collapsed [under the weight of heavy snow]. Several people were trapped under the rubble, and one died .
"The shopping center building turned out to be illegal, and its owner was arrested . NGS reports on the tragedy and how the structure evolved from a car wash."
https://ngs.ru/text/incidents/2026/01/22/76227143/
"Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn.
"The global attack on nature is threatening the UK's national security, government intelligence chiefs have warned, as the increasingly likely collapse of vitally important natural systems would bring mass migration, food shortages, price rises, and global disorder."
"Food price inflation rises unexpectedly. [UK]
""The last few days have been a reminder that an uncritical reliance on volatile and unreliable forces leaves the UK with little room to manoeuvre. Food inflation ticking back up shows this vulnerability extends even to something as basic as food affordability."
https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/food-price-inflation-rises-unexpectedly-comment
"Severe hailstorms increasing most rapidly in Europe.
"The frequency of severe hailstorms is increasing more rapidly in Europe than anywhere else in the world. Closely linked to climate change, such storms can cause considerable damage. This is a key takeaway from a recent study compiled by researchers from the European Severe Storms Laboratory…"
https://www.munichre.com/en/insights/natural-disaster-and-climate-change/hail-research-2025.html
"Two people died on Jan 21 in Greece after torrential rain flooded homes and businesses in Athens and other parts of the country, the authorities said.
A woman died after being hit by a car that was carried away in flash floods in the southern Athens suburb of Glyfada, a fire brigade official told Reuters."
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/two-dead-as-rainstorm-pound-greece?ref=latest
"Storm Harry, the Island [Sardinia] reckons with the storm: "Immense damage."
"Now that the great fear has passed, Harry is no longer the cyclone but the damage count. "Immense," said Governor Alessandra Todde , who yesterday, together with Environment Councilor Rosanna Laconi and Civil Protection Director General Mauro Merella, conducted an initial reconnaissance…"
"One person was killed and 15 others were injured on Tuesday as a sandstorm hit eastern and southern Libya, causing extensive damage in the eastern city of Benghazi.
"Khaled Al-Qadhafi, an official with the East Libya-based Health Ministry, said the injuries ranged from moderate to minor, without giving further details."
"Flooding in Tunisia has killed five people, authorities said, as media reported four others missing on Wednesday after the country experienced its heaviest rainfall in over 70 years.
"Four deaths occurred in the town of Moknine in the Monastir governorate, while a fifth death was reported in Nabeul town, civil defence spokesman Khalil Mechri told AFP."
https://www.newarab.com/news/tunisia-flood-death-toll-rises-five-four-missing
"Strong winds reignite wildfires near Cape Town.
"Wildfires burning in Franschhoek, east of Cape Town, flared up on Tuesday, leaving fire crews scrambling to contain the blaze once again. Local reports say fierce winds of up to 50 km an hour have exacerbated the situation in an area laden with dry combustible materials that are fueling the flames."
https://www.africanews.com/2026/01/21/fire-crews-battle-to-contain-wildfires-east-of-cape-town/
"Mozambique floods spiralling into escalating emergency, UN warns.
""We are working, but we don't have all the data about what is happening now," says Manuel Tule, Governor of Maputo Province. "This moment we are making plans to go to the affected areas where there are people waiting to be rescued. We are still working.""
"HISTORIC HEAT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA:
"4 consecutive Minimums >29C [84.2F] in Juan de Nova Island, French Southern Territories [off Mozambique]. Unprecedented in climatic history of all tropical Africa south of equator. Once again, climatic history is being rewritten."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2013869168379228298
"Sharp rise in malnutrition cases, preventable diseases in Somalia: MSF.
"Somalia is facing a deepening health and nutrition emergency as consecutive failed rainy seasons, soaring water prices and sharp cuts to humanitarian aid drive a surge in malnutrition and outbreaks of preventable diseases…"
"In Africa it was another day with >40C [104F] in CHAD with the hot air moving Northeast.
"Next 2 days we can expect 40C in Sudan, >30C in Egypt and tropical nights on the Red Sea coast. Several records will fall all over the area."
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2014045612719681792
"The Omani port of Sultan Qaboos, near the capital Muscat, has never dropped below 20C [68F] once so far this winter.
"It's the only place in the world outside the tropics where all nights are…tropical (min >20C). This happened only once in world history - in 2024 in the same place."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2013998354414649579
"Uttarakhand's Vanishing Winter: A Crisis In The Himalayas.
"Uttarakhand is grappling with an unprecedented climate crisis. November and December passed without a drop of rain or a flake of snow, and with more than half of January gone, there are still no signs of relief."
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/uttarakhands-vanishing-winter-a-crisis-in-the-himalayas-10792649
"Man-Animal Conflict Undergoes Change In Uttarakhand With Involvement Of Younger Wildlife…
"Most of the tigers captured following incidents of man-animal conflict in the last five years are young tigers aged between three and seven. This is a worrying signal that also demonstrates the continuing deterioration of the balance between forests and humans."
"Strange circular sea current off Vasai [W India] coast sparks panic.
"A strange circular whirlpool has been seen about 66 nautical miles off the Vasai coast near Palghar, puzzling local fishermen. The unusual ring-shaped formation appeared over the past ten days, and one fishing boat got caught inside but escaped safely."
https://www.newsband.in/article_detail/strange-circular-sea-current-off-vasai-coast-sparks-panic
"In Bangladesh, thousands of volunteers are battling climate-fueled disease at its source…
"Mosquitoes are now breeding more rapidly, bringing with them diseases like dengue and chikungunya. The insects thrive in warm, humid environments rich in the kind of organic matter found in much of Dhaka's waste."
https://grist.org/health/bangladesh-clean-volunteers-dhaka-mosquitoes/
"From record warmth to record cold in few days. Incredible turnaround in Northern CHINA where dozens of January warm records were broken 1 week ago.
"Today 5 stations broke their January cold records (3 Mins+2 low maxes). In particular, -33.1C at Linxi is a new all time record low."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2013662533308068129
"Firefighters battle wildfire raging in Busan for 2nd day [Korea].
"Hundreds of personnel were mobilized to put out a wildfire raging for the second day in the southeastern city of Busan, with 17 helicopters set to be deployed Thursday, officials said… A dry weather advisory has been issued for days in Busan, with conditions making the area susceptible to wildfires."
https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10660426
"East Asia seas hit near-record heat as global oceans store more warmth.
"Sea surface temperatures in waters around South Korea and East Asia hit some of their highest levels on record last year, accelerating climate risks to marine ecosystems and the country's fisheries, government data showed."
"Forest and land fires have erupted in several regions across the country despite most areas still being in the peak of the rainy season [Indonesia].
"In Aceh, authorities are continuing efforts to extinguish fires that broke out last week in several villages in West Aceh regency."
"A tornado unleashes chaos in Karangpandan, Karanganyar [Java, Indonesia].
"Emergency teams and local authorities were deployed to the area to assess the damage and assist those affected, while cleanup and reconstruction efforts began."
https://www.tiempo.com/videos/un-tornado-desata-el-caos-en-karangpandan-karanganyar.html
"INDONESIA ENDLESS RECORD HEAT: Another scorching hot night with Minimums up to 28C in Vanuatu and in West Papua (Indonesia).
"New Records of hottest night in history MINIMUMS: 27.2 [82.4F] Manokwari, 26.6 Jayapura AP. Its last remaining glaciers, the Carstensz, are on their way to the extinction."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2013802368316674126
"50 DEGREES [122F] IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
"50.0c Hamelin Pool WA today; 49.2C Shark Bay AP - monthly record smashed. This is just the beginning of one of the harshest coastal heat waves ever seen worldwide."
[Extreme Temps]
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2013554196323410400
"Heatwave and fire warnings as parts of Victoria expected to approach 'all-time maximum record' temperatures.
"Victorians are being warned to brace for another heatwave, with temperatures set to soar towards record levels in some parts of the state, putting authorities on alert in fire-affected areas."
"Victorian bushfires to drive premiums higher in high-risk areas.
"The Victorian bushfires are expected to add further upward pressure on insurance premiums, particularly in regional and high‑risk areas, as insurers absorb additional catastrophe losses on top of existing claims inflation in personal lines."
"Damaged cars near Great Ocean Road recovered after flash floods from record rainfall.
"One of Australia's most iconic and picturesque roads had to be temporarily closed for a dramatic recovery operation following a severe flood last week. Victoria's Wye River and surrounding waterways became swollen and broke their banks after more than 170 millimetres of rain fell in seven hours…"
"Rescuers in New Zealand were searching for several people, including at least one child, after a landslide tore through a popular holiday campsite as days of record-breaking rain and flooding continued to batter the country.
"The landslide struck a campground at the base of Mount Maunganui on Thursday morning…"
"NZ is again being soaked this summer - record ocean heat helps explain it…
"This week, fresh downpours on already saturated ground have again triggered flood warnings and road closures across the upper North Island. These are individual weather events, but they are unfolding against unusually warm seas that load the atmosphere with extra moisture and energy."
"EXTRAORDINARY - records all over New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Indonesia:
"MINIMUMS: 28.5 [83.3F] Aneityum, 27.0 Tanna, VANUATU HOTTEST NIGHT EVER. NEW CALEDONIA: 27.9 Ouvea,26.6 Koumac. INDONESIA: 27.9 Luwuk,27.0 Ternate and 26.2 Labuha."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2014156846655762535
"Chile's wildfire crisis was fueled by record heat.
"The fires have been burning in many locations along Chile's coastline, with some of the hardest-hit areas in the Ñuble and Biobío regions. Authorities declared a state of catastrophe as conditions worsened."
https://www.earth.com/image/chiles-wildfire-crisis-was-fueled-by-record-heat/
"Chile's fire-ravaged communities pull together as frustrations mount over state response…
"Boric's government was criticized for a slow reconstruction following deadly fires in Valparaiso in 2024. President-elect Jose Antonio Kast, who takes office on March 11, has vowed to prioritize reconstruction in fire-hit communities."
"Costa Rica Firefighters Battle Surge in Wildfires Amid Dry Winds.
"Firefighters across Costa Rica report a sharp rise in wildfire incidents this year, with dry weather and strong winds fueling larger blazes. In the first three weeks of January, emergency calls for fires have nearly doubled compared to the same period in 2025…"
https://ticotimes.net/2026/01/21/costa-rica-firefighters-battle-surge-in-wildfires-amid-dry-winds
"Drought conditions intensify across Texas.
"Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists and county agents are reporting widespread drought conditions with symptoms ranging from ungerminated wheat fields and declining rangeland conditions to low water levels in stock ponds due to unseasonably warm temperatures and little rain since July."
https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2026/01/21/drought-conditions-intensify-across-texas/
"Two-thirds of the US is facing drought in the middle of winter. Here's why scientists are worried.
"The conditions have set off alarm bells across the country, especially in regions like the Mountain West, which is dependent on snowfall both for winter tourism dollars and water supplies from snowmelt."
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/drought-us-states-snow-water-climate-b2904392.html
"A whopper storm could soon engulf a 2,000-mile stretch with snow and ice…
""We're about to witness a truly legendary winter storm setup in the Southern U.S. later this week," wrote Defense Department meteorologist Eric Webb… around 55 percent of people living in the contiguous United States are forecast to experience snow, sleet or freezing rain at the same time."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/01/21/winter-storm-forecast-snow-ice-travel-impacts/
"Half the world's 100 largest cities are in high water stress areas, analysis finds…
"Watershed Investigations and the Guardian mapped cities on to stressed catchments revealing that Beijing, New York, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro and Delhi are among those facing extreme stress, while London, Bangkok and Jakarta are classed as being highly stressed."
"Climate change is pushing insurance to breaking point.
"Climate change is no longer a distant scenario for risk teams to model; it is showing up in annual losses, premium hikes and insurer retrenchment, with knock-on effects that reach far beyond household cover."
https://fintech.global/2026/01/21/climate-change-is-pushing-insurance-to-breaking-point/
"For 50 years, global warming had a very consistent trend (+0.19 °C/decade) with a boring, predictable range of natural variations around it.
"During the last three years, we've broken out above that range, suggesting the pace of change has quickened."
[Dr Robert Rohde].
https://x.com/RARohde/status/2013546834900255097
"Will 2026 end up surprising those who made these predictions, again?
"Earth's Energy Imbalance suggests the next (starting) El Niño year could turn out much warmer than most realize."
[Leon Simons]
https://x.com/LeonSimons8/status/2014021218563723475
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21st January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News [ 21-Jan-26 9:07am ]Huge thanks to all of you who contributed to my fundraiser, which has now reached its target. I was very touched by the generosity. And thank you, as ever, to all those who subscribe and donate. I couldn't do this without you.
"Geopolitical and tariff risk back with a bang for markets.
"As President Donald Trump kicks off the second year of his second term in office, the geopolitical- and tariff-related volatility that characterized his return to power has resurfaced to shake markets. Investors who have been conditioned to asset prices swiftly rebounding are worried that this time, there could be more lasting damage."
https://www.reuters.com/business/geopolitical-tariff-risk-back-with-bang-markets-2026-01-21/
"Trump tariff threats risk triggering 'spiral of escalation' in world economy, says IMF.
"Donald Trump's tariff threats over Greenland risk triggering a "spiral of escalation" that would damage the world economy and lead to a sharp sell-off in financial markets, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said."
"Mark Carney tells Davos the old world order is 'not coming back' as Trump heads to Switzerland.
"Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has said that the US-led global system of governance is enduring "a rupture," defined by great power competition and a "fading" rules-based order."
"Trump doubles down on Greenland ahead of Davos visit, saying there is 'no going back'.
"Asked at a news conference how far he was willing to go to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory, he replied: "You'll find out." It comes after French President Emmanuel Macron warned of a "shift towards a world without rules", and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the "old order is not coming back"."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgr19m642zo
"Gold zooms past $4,800 for the first time as Greenland tensions simmer.
"Gold prices were boosted to a record high above $4,800 per ounce on Wednesday, as investors looked to the metal as a safe haven after a broad selloff in U.S. assets on heightened tensions between the U.S. and NATO over Greenland."
"Trump craves more than Greenland. He wants the Moon…
"…the lure remains powerful, especially for someone desperately seeking a legacy, namely Donald J Trump. Before Christmas, he issued an executive order directing Nasa to put a man on the Moon by 2028 - before he ends his second term."
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/20/trump-craves-more-than-greenland-wants-moon/
"'Very historic time': US protests have jumped since Trump's first term…
""It is a very historic time, in the sense that people are mobilizing where they live in ways that I don't think I have seen before in my lifetime," said Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard Kennedy School and co-director of the Crowd Counting Consortium."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/19/trump-protests-data
"Trump signs order to restrict Wall Street firms from buying single-family homes…
""To preserve the supply of single-family homes for American families and increase the paths to homeownership, it is the policy of my Administration that large institutional investors should not buy single-family homes that could otherwise be purchased by families," Trump said in his order."
"Risky hedge funds propping up UK borrowing, warns Bank of England.
"The Bank of England Governor said on Tuesday that traders now "dominated" the ownership of the UK's £3tn market for bonds - known as gilts - increasing the risk of rapid sales if they seek quick profits."
"Danish Pension Fund to Dump All U.S. Treasuries Amid Fears Over U.S. Credit Under Trump.
"Danish pension fund AkademikerPension is preparing to liquidate its remaining U.S. Treasury holdings by the end of January, citing concerns over America's long-term fiscal stability and heightened credit risks tied to President Donald Trump's policies."
"Franco-German tensions jeopardize EU's drive for common front against Trump…
"French diplomats are worried by Berlin's increasing assertiveness in styling itself as Europe's dominant player, while the Germans are fed up with the French over a stalled joint fighter-jet program, their opposition to an EU-Mercosur trade deal, and a shelved plan to use Russian assets to finance aid for Ukraine."
https://www.politico.eu/article/france-germany-strain-eu-donald-trump/
"Amid Tensions with Serbia, Kosovo to Deploy Shahed-Like Strike Drones.
"Production began with the manufacture of smaller FPV drones, while larger models are currently still under development. Against the backdrop of Kosovo's expanding defense capabilities, the country is preparing for a potential escalation of tensions with Serbia."
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/amid-tensions-with-serbia-kosovo-to-deploy-shahed-like-strike-drones/
"Ukraine's parliament and half of Kyiv with no heating after Russian strikes.
"A large Russian aerial strike on Ukraine has left the Ukrainian parliament and half of Kyiv's residential buildings without heating or power as temperatures across the country continue to hover around -10C."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy1lpgqenxo
"IMF Slashes Russia's 2026 Growth Forecast to 0.8%.
"The International Monetary Fund on Monday lowered its forecast for Russia's economic growth to 0.8% in 2026 as it raised the global outlook to 3.3%. Previously, the IMF forecast Russia's 2026 GDP growth at 1% before cutting it by 0.2% in the latest World Economic Outlook update."
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/01/19/imf-slashes-russias-2026-growth-forecast-to-08-a91718
"The Ukraine war has given rise to an 'exorcism economy' in Russia…
"The Russian Orthodox Church's appointment of Vladimir Putin as "chief exorcist" in 2022 could also help explain why some Russians have been drawn into a fight with their inner demons. The Russian president's appointment came after the Kremlin called for Ukraine to be "desatanised"."
https://theconversation.com/the-ukraine-war-has-given-rise-to-an-exorcism-economy-in-russia-271037
"China's consumers refuse to open their wallets. Is 'luxury-phobia' the problem?
"As China struggles to boost consumer spending, a professor at one of the country's top universities has argued that authorities first need to overcome a psychological barrier: a deep-seated "luxury-phobia" that has taken hold among the Chinese public."
"Mainland denounces Taiwan-US trade deal as 'sellout pact'.
"A Chinese mainland spokesman on Wednesday criticized the recent trade agreement between Taiwan and the United States, labeling it a "sellout pact" and accusing Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party of jeopardizing the well-being of its people and undermining industrial development."
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202601/21/WS69706bc2a310d6866eb34f43.html
"Chinese tourists shun Japan in wake of Taiwan invasion row.
"Chinese tourism to Japan almost halved in December amid a bitter diplomatic row between Beijing and Tokyo over the security of Taiwan. The number of tourists from mainland China dropped by about 45% from the same month a year earlier to about 330,000, Japan's transport ministry said on Tuesday."
"Japanese bonds hit record high - sending shockwaves through global debt markets.
"Japanese bond yields have soared to record highs - helping push up government borrowing costs around the world. The yield on Japan's 40-year bond rose above 4 per cent for the first time since its introduction in 2007. Finance minister Satsuki Katayama said: 'I'd like everyone in the market to calm down.'"
"North produces enough nuclear material a year for 10-20 weapons: S. Korea president…
""Even now, nuclear materials sufficient to produce 10 to 20 nuclear weapons a year are still being produced" in North Korea, Lee told reporters at a New Year news conference. At the same time, the North is continuing to improve its long-range ballistic missile technology aimed at striking the US mainland, Lee added."
"Indonesia's rupiah falls after Prabowo Subianto nominates nephew to central bank role…
"The currency, which had already been trading near its lowest levels since the 1998 Asian financial crisis due to persistent concerns over Indonesia's fiscal position, weakened to 16,945 to the US dollar on Tuesday, close to a record low hit last April."
https://www.ft.com/content/8326616f-7508-44e2-b79f-34af6eb6cfaf
"Indian Rupee Hits Weakest on Record.
"The Indian rupee fell toward 91.3 per dollar on Wednesday, hitting an all-time low amid persistent foreign capital outflows and heightened geopolitical uncertainty."
https://tradingeconomics.com/india/currency/news/518615
"India beefing up space-based surveillance after border conflict.
"India plans to launch over 50 spy satellites and add night-time imaging to enhance its national security capabilities, people familiar with the matter said, after New Delhi encountered surveillance blind spots during a border conflict last year with neighbor Pakistan."
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/21/asia-pacific/india-space-surveillance-border/
"Pakistan extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft for tenth consecutive month.
"With a few days still remaining in the current restriction period, Pakistan on Tuesday night extended the ban on its airspace for Indian aircraft up to February 24 (5.29 am), marking the tenth consecutive monthly extension. India is expected to reciprocate in kind."
"India is profiling Kashmir mosques, raising new surveillance fears…
"Residents say the police exercise feels less like a routine survey and more like an attempt by the state to exert control over Kashmir's religious institutions that have traditionally managed their own affairs."
"'Weaponisation of water': Pakistan warns UN India's move on Indus treaty threatens water security…
"Speaking at the Global Water Bankruptcy Policy Roundtable hosted by Canada and the United Nations University on Tuesday, Ambassador Jadoon said that since April last year, India had committed several serious violations of the treaty…"
https://www.dawn.com/news/1968202
"Beijing has demanded the Taliban government protect its citizens after an explosion at a Chinese restaurant in the Afghan capital Kabul killed at least seven people…
"The jihadist group Islamic State (IS) said it was behind the attack - although police in Kabul said the "nature of the explosion is unknown so far and is being investigated"."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yvqx22dyvo
"Iran 'just getting started' on punishing 'rioters' arrested during protests…
"In a joint statement released by state media, they said "murderers and terrorist seditionists" will face decisive action, while people who were "tricked" by foreign powers into protesting could potentially benefit from "Islamic compassion" shown by authorities."
"Syrian forces hunt for ISIS fugitives after prison break…
"Syrian forces are hunting ISIS fugitives after dozens escaped from a prison in northeastern Syria, the interior ministry said, as the government moves to take territory from Kurdish fighters… Meanwhile, the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a former US ally in the fight against ISIS, accused the US-led coalition of failing to come to its aid…"
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/20/middleeast/syria-isis-fugitives-prison-break-intl
"[Israeli Defense Minister] Katz issues veiled warning to Turkey as he meets Greek defense minister in Athens…
"Issuing a thinly veiled warning to Turkey, Katz said Israel and Greece were determined "not to allow actors seeking to undermine regional stability to establish a foothold through terrorism, aggression, or military proxies — in Syria, in Gaza, in the Aegean Sea, or in any other arena — and to realize their dangerous ambitions.""
"After Yemen rift, Saudi Arabia aims to oust UAE from wider region.
"The long-simmering rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates that erupted across southern Yemen in recent weeks has led to a dramatic shift in the regional balance of power — and threatens to upend other fragile states where the two countries hold sway."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/20/saudi-arabia-uae-yemen-red-sea/
"Sudan's energy crisis deepens amid ongoing conflict.
"After more than two years of conflict, Sudan is facing a deepening energy crisis as the country's oil production and refining capacity collapse. Fighting has forced the shutdown of major oil fields and refineries, leaving production severely disrupted and crippling the nation's energy supply."
https://www.africanews.com/2026/01/19/sudans-energy-crisis-deepens-amid-ongoing-conflict/
"Fighting climate change in the Sahel is worsening conflicts - new research shows how.
"Many climate mitigation efforts are large-scale projects, like building solar farms, extensive reforestation initiatives, or bio-fuel plantations… These projects are deemed vital for reducing carbon footprints. But carrying them out in fragile states poses a risk."
"US forces seize a seventh Venezuela-linked oil tanker…
"US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which oversees military operations in Latin America, said on Tuesday that it captured the Motor Vessel Sagitta as part of its blockade on oil vessels leaving and entering the country."
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/21/us-seizes-a-seventh-venezuela-linked-oil-tanker
"Russian minister visits Cuba as Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba…
"Russia's ambassador to Havana, Victor Koronelli, wrote on X Tuesday that Kolokoltsev was in Cuba "to strengthen bilateral cooperation and the fight against crime." Cuba needs all the help it can get as it grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades and now the added pressure from Washington."
"Trump wants to send troops into Mexico. The land grab of the Mexican-American War makes this 'politically untenable'…
"After the United States government celebrated the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, President Donald Trump issued warnings about what might come next. "Something will have to be done about Mexico," he said."
"State of emergency declared in Guatemala as death toll rises to 10 in gangster attacks.
"The death toll from suspected gangster attacks on Guatemalan police rose to 10 on Monday, as civilians saw heavier security in the streets after Congress approved President Bernardo Arevalo's emergency declaration."
"The Coming Energy Shock: AI, Utilities And What This Means For Investors…
"The old vision of energy transition was about climate, electrification and decarbonization at a global scale. The new reality is more fractured: energy projects tuned not for mass distribution, but for industrial AI demand."
"The world has entered a new era of 'water bankruptcy' with irreversible consequences…
""If you keep calling this situation a crisis, you're implying that it's temporary. It's a shock. We can mitigate it," said Kaveh Madani, director of the UN University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health, and the report's author."
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/20/climate/water-bankruptcy-drought-united-nations
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The post 21st January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
20th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News [ 20-Jan-26 9:44am ]Huge thanks to all of you who contributed to my fundraiser, which has now reached its target. I was very touched by the generosity. And thank you, as ever, to all those who subscribe and donate. I couldn't do this without you.
"Scientists warn of 'regime shift' as seaweed blooms expand worldwide.
"Scientists have warned of a potential "regime shift" in the oceans, as the rapid growth of huge mats of seaweed appears to be driven by global heating and excessive enrichment of waters from farming runoff and other pollutants."
"Antarctic penguins have radically shifted their breeding season - seemingly in response to climate change…
"Dramatic shifts in behaviour were revealed by a decade-long study led by Penguin Watch at the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University, with some penguins' breeding period moving forward by more than three weeks. The changes threaten to disrupt penguins' access to food…"
"Monday ice update - Arctic sea ice extent is currently the *lowest* on record (JAXA data)…
"• about 450,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 1,030,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,580,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 2,010,000 km² below the 1980s mean" [Zack Labe]
https://bsky.app/profile/zacklabe.com/post/3mcrtlvxkm22z
"Warm air is reaching Greenland again where the past weeks have been absurdly mild.
"One striking example is Kitsissorsuit-74N, 57.8W. Current average temperature this month is -3.6C [25F] which is about +14C above normal. World record of highest monthly anomaly is +14.8C at Vize Island."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2012712029044494368
"Melting ice may raise Greenland's value. Trump's fight may be just the start….
""It's partly the melting of sea ice making it more attractive for the economic development that he'd pursue in Greenland," said Sherri Goodman, a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council and the former deputy undersecretary of defense for environmental security."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2026/01/18/melting-arctic-greenland-trump-2/
"The Ocean Is Still Reeling From a Single Massive Heat Wave Decades Ago.
"A 2003 marine heat wave in the waters around Greenland continues to impact North Atlantic ocean ecosystems decades on, with a sudden and strong increase in marine heat wave frequency persisting ever since."
https://www.sciencealert.com/the-ocean-is-still-reeling-from-a-single-massive-heat-wave-decades-ag
"Norway's oil fund defends push to water down net zero…
"The $2tn oil fund told the FT that it feared companies could back away from the idea of science-backed climate targets unless they were allowed to emit more greenhouse gases while still claiming to be working towards those goals."
https://www.ft.com/content/dedb200b-8cf4-407d-8e92-593d7a4dca8a
"Pic de Neige Cordier 1950 | 2025 [French Alps].
"Only 7 decades and this south-facing tributary of Glacier Blanc flowing from Neige Cordier (3614 m) has entirely gone! (A red dot indicates a similar location on both images)." [Melaine Le Roy]
https://x.com/subfossilguy/status/2013226113925833123
"Mediterranean Faces Dangerous High Flood Risk as a Deep Low Drives Extreme Rainfall.
"A combination of stratiform and convective rainfall could result in widespread 200-400 mm [15 inches] rain accumulations with the upslope flow onto Corsica, Sardinia, and southeast Italy. The Mediterranean region braces for a period of extreme rainfall…"
"Icy floods have swamped Malta after a freak storm battered the Mediterranean holiday island over the weekend.
"Dramatic footage shows cars buried beneath hailstones as rivers of ice cascade through the streets. Authorities can be seen working furiously to clear the roads…"
"Greater Tunis, Nabeul and Bizerte: Floods are affecting several neighborhoods! [Tunisia].
"Since Sunday evening, a new wave of heavy rain has been affecting northeastern Tunisia, with significant water accumulation in several localities in the Nabeul Governorate, as well as in some areas of Greater Tunis and Bizerte."
"EXTRAORDINARY records hot nights continue in the Gulf of Guinea. Minimum temperatures 26/29C [84.2F] all month:
"Absolutely insane in January. Mins 29C in The Madagascar Channel. Mins 28C in SW Oceania. Mins 27C in The Caribbean. All tropics are smashing record after record. Unprecedented."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2013501939191882120
"South Africa Declares National Disaster After Deadly Floods.
"Heavy rainfall, strong winds, lightning and flooding have resulted in loss of life, significant damage to infrastructure and property, environmental degradation and displacement of communities, the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said in a statement on Sunday."
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2026/01/19/854770.htm
"Floods in Mozambique displace more than 300,000 people in one province, governor says.
"More than 300,000 people have been displaced by flooding in a province in Mozambique, its governor said Monday. Authorities had already announced that around 40% of the Gaza province has been submerged by floodwater following weeks of torrential rain…"
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/mozambique-gaza-south-africa-maputo-davos-b2903481.html
"Extraordinary and unprecedented heat in the Indian Ocean: the islands of Juan de Nova and Europa [off Mozambique] keeps recording Minimums temperatures of 29C+ [84.2F] for days, already 3 in a row and counting..
"Never happened anywhere in Southern Africa, although the record of 30.3 set last year is safe."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2013471881291276375
"Syrian army moves to retake strategic Tishrin Dam from YPG militants.
"The Tishrin Dam, situated on the Euphrates River, is Syria's second-largest hydroelectric facility and holds strategic importance for energy and water management. Last week, Syrian forces began operations to push YPG elements from areas west of the Euphrates."
"Central Asia's water resources are running out: what happens when the tipping point is reached?
"Climate change, growing consumption, and systemic weaknesses in water governance are making the country increasingly vulnerable. Experts warn that without an urgent revision of water policy, the capitals of Central Asia could face a crisis comparable to the one already unfolding in Tehran."
https://asiaplustj.info/ru/node/357021
"Tajikistan Expands Saxaul Plantations to Fight Climate Change.
"Tajikistan is stepping up efforts to combat climate change and land degradation by expanding saxaul plantations across several regions. In the Shahriotus district of Khatlon province, saxaul has already been planted on more than 250 hectares…"
https://caspianpost.com/tajikistan/tajikistan-expands-saxaul-plantations-to-fight-climate-change
"Quetta's water crisis worsens as groundwater depletes and public supply fails [Pakistan].
"Behind people's daily struggles lies a deeper structural crisis rooted in geography, climate and policy failure. Despite covering nearly 44 per cent of Pakistan's landmass, Balochistan receives less than 200mm of annual rainfall, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department."
https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1964668
"When winter burns: Uttarakhand to Kashmir, Himalayan forests are catching fire out of season.
"From Uttarakhand to Himachal Pradesh and deep into Jammu and Kashmir forest fires are breaking all known seasonal patterns. Erupting at a time when they simply should not exist. What we are witnessing is not an isolated anomaly. It is a warning…"
"India's coconut belt battles whitefly crisis…
"Across India, farmers battling climate change, erratic rainfall, rising input costs, labour shortages and unstable markets now face another persistent threat: the rugose spiralling whitefly (RSW)."
https://india.mongabay.com/2026/01/indias-coconut-belt-battles-whitefly-crisis/
"Not just Indore: Urban rivers and lakes turning toxic in Madhya Pradesh.
"Most major cities of Madhya Pradesh—Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain and Sagar—depend directly or indirectly on rivers, lakes and groundwater for drinking water. All these sources are under increasing pressure from urban sewage, industrial waste and solid garbage."
https://www.counterview.net/2026/01/not-just-indore-urban-rivers-and-lakes.html
"CHINA HISTORIC WARM SPELL. This unprecedented January warm spell which has broken hundreds of records continue.
"Many January records today includes: 19.0 Chongqing, Tiancheng, Yubei, Changshou etc. Also almost 31C in Taiwan. Tomorrow >30C [86F] in Yunnan."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2012867048599093556
"Wildfire rages for nearly two days in China's Yunnan…
"The fire broke out at 4:51 p.m. on Friday in Jiasheng Village, under the jurisdiction of Nujiang Prefecture. The local government has organized 326 rescuers, including personnel from forestry, grassland and firefighting departments, to combat the blaze."
"HISTORIC WINTER WARM SPELL IN JAPAN. Another record day in this endless January warm spell with temperatures up to 25.8C [78.4F] and even some tropical nights in the southern islands.
"10 more records of January high temperatures fell (see list credit of JMA)… Geochang in South Korea broke its record of January highest temperature again."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/201319138912386702
"Well, Gorontalo record hasn't lasted long…24 hours Minimum of 26.6C [79.9F] and hottest night in history.
"Record hot nights all over Indonesia which has broken heat records every single day for over 1000 consecutive days."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/201343771315290933
"Persistent floods kill 5, paralyze transport across Java.
"Flooding across Java has left at least five people dead, displaced thousands of residents, and disrupted public transportation networks, with authorities warning the situation could persist through February."
"Perth & WA weather: Scorching temperatures across State prompt extreme heatwave, fire warnings.
"A severe heatwave warning is in effect for residents living in the Kimberley, Central West, and Lower West regions of the State, while people living in Pilbara, Gascoyne, and the North Interior have been issued an extreme heatwave warning."
"Pilbara water sources drying up as blistering heatwave continues in Karratha…
"A key water source for a major city in Western Australia's North West has hit its lowest level since 1987, as the region faces another week of temperatures creeping towards 50 degrees Celsius. Yesterday, Karratha, 1,500 kilometres north of Perth, recorded rainfall for the first time since August 2025."
"Australia's ocean temperatures reached a record high in 2025, according to Weatherzone, due to a number of climate drivers.
"The weather service reported the mean annual sea surface temperature in Australia last year was 21.13 degrees, which is 0.93 degrees above the 1961-1990 average."
"After four shark attacks in 48 hours, NSW authorities urge beachgoers 'just go to a pool'…
"Shark bites are rare in Sydney Harbour. Before Sunday, there had been just four in the past 50 years, including a woman who was seriously injured after a bull shark bit her leg in Elizabeth Bay in 2024."
"EXTRAORDINARY UNBELIEVABLE. Records of Hottest nights ever recorded in VANUATU and NEW CALEDONIA.
"MINIMUMS 28.0 at Mare Island, Lifou Island and Aneityum. Smashed the records with ridiculous margins… ALL TIME RECORD at Raoul Island with 31.1C [88F]."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2013231772658786564
"Chile wildfires rage for third day, entire towns wiped out.
"Wildfires that have killed at least 20 people in southern Chile and wiped out entire towns raged for a third day on Monday, January 19, fanned by warm temperatures and strong winds at the height of the Southern Hemisphere summer."
"An exceptionally long heat wave is culminating with a record hot night in Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL.
"Tonight Minimums in the ciy area were 25C/28C [82.4F], in some cases a record high Minimum (City Center, Marambaia)."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/201328512815216686
"Heat inequality: Study measures the toll of climate change in Rio de Janeiro favelas…
"Michele Campos feels like crying every summer when temperatures in Rio de Janeiro climb above 40°C (100°F), heating up the cement that covers every corner of the favela of Chapeu Mangueira where she lives and making life unbearable in her windowless bedroom."
"Damage in various neighborhoods of Mar del Plata after the storm: "Some people lost their roofs" [Argentina].
""Thank God no one was hurt. We went inside when we saw the strong wind coming," said a neighbor, adding, "Some people lost their roofs.""
"HISTORIC HEAT IN THE CARIBBEAN. Record heat continues from Mexico (39C/102F) in Sinaloa to Central America and Caribbean.
"Today 90F/32.2C St Thomas Airport. US VIRGIN ISLANDS HOTTEST JANUARY DAY - Record broken 5 times in 1 week and all months of 2024 and 2025! Crazy MINIMUM 26.0C Montego Bay JAMAICA Record January hottest night. Temperatures are typical of AUGUST."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2013065882633748665
"We are witnessing record tropical heat waves everywhere:
"Hundreds of records are falling in Oceania (New Caledonia, Fiji, Indonesia),Africa (French Territories, Mozambique, Gulf of Guinea),Central America and Caribbean, every day. We can only imagine how it will be with the next Nino."
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/2012905669121446073
"Insurance companies: Climate-related damage shifts to consumers.
"Extreme weather events are an increasing burden on insurers, who are withdrawing from a growing number of high-risk areas. As a result, the costs of climate-related damage are increasingly being shifted to households, companies and the public sector."
"Wildfires trigger massive soil loss for decades, new global map shows.
"When rain falls on the charred landscapes, it increases surface runoff and soil erosion that can last for decades, according to a new study published in Nature Geoscience."
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-wildfires-trigger-massive-soil-loss.html
"The way Earth's surface moves has a bigger impact on shifting the climate than we knew.
"…the way tectonic plates move about Earth's surface plays a major, previously underappreciated role in climate. Carbon doesn't just emerge where tectonic plates meet. The places where tectonic plates pull away from each other are significant too."
"Breaking News!
"CERES just released the "Earth Energy" data for November, 2025, and there was a new record low for the 36-month running average for Earth albedo, now down to 28.682%.
""Well, darkness has a hunger that's insatiable." -Indigo Girls."
[Prof Eliot Jacobson]
https://x.com/EliotJacobson/status/2012578014106882110
I rely on donations and tips from my readers to to keep the site running. Every little bit helps. Can you chip in even a dollar? Buy me a coffee or become a Patreon supporter. A huge thank you to those who do subscribe or donate.
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The post 20th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Climate News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
19th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News [ 19-Jan-26 9:12am ]Huge thanks to all of you who contributed to my fundraiser, which has now reached its target. I was very touched by the generosity. And thank you, as ever, to all those who subscribe and donate. I couldn't do this without you.
"Billionaire wealth jumps to highest ever at $18.3 trillion as Oxfam warns of 'dangerous inequality'…
"The total number of billionaires in the world has now reached 3,000 for the first time ever, while 1 in 4 people globally do not regularly have enough to eat, and nearly half of the world's population lives in poverty, the report shows."
"Gen Z protests show level of youth frustration.
"Exasperated by lack of opportunity and freedoms, young people across the globe are resorting to direct action… Born between 1997 and 2012, the Gen Z cohort will this year celebrate birthdays between 14 and 29, moving it decisively to the political centre stage."
https://www.ft.com/content/8edfe87e-c3b9-4a1f-ace6-cd904f19f138
"These prophets of economic doom are worried about another collapse.
"The current investment boom is triggering déjà vu for some economists and traders who successfully predicted past economic crashes… A tech-fueled surge in share prices over recent years has driven the total value of the stock market to far outweigh U.S. economic input…"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/01/18/ai-bubble-predictions-crash/
"'We could hit a wall': why trillions of dollars of risk is no guarantee of AI reward…
"…sky-high numbers are all propped up by investors who expect a return on their trillions. AGI, a theoretical state of AI where systems gain human levels of intelligence across an array of tasks and are able to replace humans in white-collar jobs such as accountancy and law, is a keystone of this financial promise."
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/17/why-trillions-dollars-risk-no-guarantee-ai-reward
"Private credit investors pull $7bn from Wall Street's biggest funds.
"Private credit investors pulled more than $7bn from some of the biggest funds on Wall Street in the final months of last year, as jitters over credit quality following the bankruptcies of First Brands and Tricolor hit one of the fastest-growing parts of finance."
https://www.ft.com/content/8d7a9c3d-8e1c-40be-915c-7118c4946468
"Gold, silver hit record highs as Trump-Greenland row sparks safety rally.
"Gold and silver prices climbed to fresh peaks on Monday, as investors poured into safe-haven assets after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose extra tariffs on European countries over the control of Greenland."
"Trump has tariffs. Europe has a 'trade bazooka.' This Greenland standoff could get ugly, fast.
"President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats over Greenland and Europe's potential countermeasures could result in significantly higher import prices that could weaken both economies. Neither side appears to be messing around…"
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/18/business/europe-greenland-trump-tariffs-trade
"Bessent says Europe is too weak to guarantee Greenland's security.
"US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said that Europe was too weak to guarantee Greenland's security, as the US refused to back down on its demand to take control of the strategically important island."
https://www.ft.com/content/4128365f-37d9-4f69-b916-1bc0d1bae040
"Hedge funds have placed a £100bn bet on gilts that the Bank of England believes has left Britain dangerously exposed to a bond market meltdown.
"Andrew Bailey will face questions from MPs this week after Threadneedle Street expressed alarm over trades that allow hedge funds to borrow huge amounts of cash from banks using gilts as collateral."
"Europe already 'at war' with Russia, says central banker.
"Latvia's central bank governor Mārtiņš Kazāks… a member of the European Central Bank's governing council who is a contender to become ECB vice-president, stressed that central banks and the financial system needed to prepare for further escalation."
https://www.ft.com/content/16b95175-6b23-4544-86e5-4d9c6662d6b4
"Zelenskyy demands faster energy imports as Ukraine reels from power outages.
"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said imports of electricity and additional power equipment must be accelerated as Russian attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure have left the country reeling from its worst wartime energy crisis."
"Moscow cheers NATO crisis as the Ukraine war stifles Russia's economy, forcing companies to use 4-day weeks and lay off workers…
"Weapons makers and other suppliers are booming as the Kremlin funnels investments and loans to those industries. But the rest of the economy is suffering."
"China's economy hit growth goal last year despite Trump trade war and property crisis…
"Economy weathered a fraught geopolitical landscape to reach 5% target but structural challenges at home 'are not going away', say experts… Among those is a four-year housing market meltdown that has left Chinese homeowners depressed and unwilling to spend."
"China Home Prices Fall Again as Calls Grow for More Action…
""Beijing cannot afford to let its property sector slide indefinitely," Lu Ting, chief China economist at Nomura Holdings Inc., wrote in a recent note. "Much more decisive action is needed to truly stabilize the property sector and the overall economy.""
"China's demographic alarms blare as births hit historic low and population shrinks again.
"China's birth count plummeted to a record low last year, falling by about 10 million from its 2016 peak and slashing the total by more than half in less than a decade, as the country's population shrank for a fourth consecutive year."
"Japan protests China's latest resource development move in East China Sea…
"Tokyo has confirmed the move in waters close to the Japan-China median line, the ministry said in a statement. "It is extremely regrettable," the ministry said, adding that the boundaries of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the region have yet to be demarcated."
"Japan's 10-Year Bond Yield Hits 27-Year High at 2.23%…
"This trend is attributed to market sentiment that if the ruling party wins the early general election, which Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has decided to hold, the Takaichi cabinet's aggressive fiscal policies will be strengthened."
https://www.chosun.com/english/market-money-en/2026/01/19/GE3MY4KNXVBRVDV7ZB6CT7RCDU/
"South Korea deploying 'monster' ballistic missile to deter North Korea: Report…
"The surface-to-surface missile, which can carry a warhead weighing up to 8 tons, is designed to destroy underground bunkers, and is an important factor in Seoul's plan to deter and, if necessary, respond to a major attack by Pyongyang, according to Yonhap News."
"China flies drone into Taiwan's airspace for first time…
""China has found another soft spot," said Kitsch Liao, an associate director at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub. "They can repeat this to demonstrate that they can enter Taiwan airspace with impunity.""
https://www.ft.com/content/4b73bf1c-76a4-426f-a335-de8528b24acb
"The war on the horizon that global economies haven't priced in.
"A clash between China, Taiwan and the US would dwarf every current conflict - and AI won't save us… The Chinese navy, the world's largest for some time, has lately become much more assertive, staging lots of "near misses" against US and Australian vessels across the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca…"
"Cambodia protests Thai military actions at border.
"Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) has expressed strong protest against the actions of the Thai armed forces that threaten civilian security, strengthen military control, or alter the situation on the ground."
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501828780/cambodia-protests-thai-military-actions-at-border/
"Fresh unrest in Murshidabad, police resort to baton charge to disperse mobs [West Bengal].
"Fresh unrest was reported at Beldanga in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Saturday as locals blocked National Highway 12. Hundreds of locals gathered on the highway at Barua More in Beldanga, bringing traffic on the national highway to a standstill and triggering long queues of stranded vehicles."
"Tajikistan border guards neutralize four militants on border with Afghanistan.
"The Border Troops of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan reported the liquidation of four "members of a terrorist organization" who illegally crossed the state border from Afghanistan."
"UN Warns 17.4 Million Afghans Could Face Severe Food Insecurity in 2026…
"OCHA highlighted that Afghanistan is likely to experience one of the world's largest humanitarian crises next year. Years of conflict, economic fragility, low investment in essential services, and the rapid erosion of basic rights have left vast segments of the population highly vulnerable."
https://www.khaama.com/un-warns-17-4-million-afghans-could-face-severe-food-insecurity-in-2026/
"'He hoped Trump's help would arrive': why protesters in Iran feel betrayed…
"Authorities started shooting, but no help came. On 8 January, the internet was shut off and Iran went dark, Shirzad was shot at a protest in Tehran and died of his wounds hours later, leaving behind a 12-year-old son."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/18/why-protesters-iran-feel-betrayed-donald-trump
"Iraq announces full withdrawal of US forces from its federal territory…
"Iraq's defense ministry said the final contingent of US advisers had departed from Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province in western Iraq, which hosted US troops for more than two decades."
"US kills Al-Qaeda-linked leader behind ISIS attack that killed two service members and American interpreter, military says…
"A retaliatory airstrike strike in northwest Syria on Friday killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, who was "an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks," according to U.S. Central Command."
"Syrian troops seize nation's largest oilfield…
"The Omar facility and nearby gas fields are under army control after the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) pulled back, the BBC reported. The army had earlier captured the strategic Tabqa dam on the Euphrates River."
https://www.upstreamonline.com/politics/syrian-troops-seize-nations-largest-oilfield/2-1-1929753
"Israel seizes swathes of Palestinian West Bank land, raids villages…
"According to reports, the government seized around 700 dunams of land. Hebrew-language paper Yedioth Aharonoth confirmed the land grab, stating: "A few days ago, 695 dunams were taken to establish a new neighbourhood near the settlement of Karnei Shomron"."
https://www.newarab.com/news/israel-seizes-swathes-palestinian-land-west-bank
"A hundred days of Gaza ceasefire? For us, the war continues in all but name…
"We exist between the anguish of our past, the fear of the unknown, and the constant threat of war. I have never felt as though there is a ceasefire. Each day is soundtracked by the background noise of the yellow line bombing the eastern Gaza region."
"Uganda's president calls opponents 'terrorists' in victory speech…
"The whereabouts of the opposition leader, Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi and who won 25% of the vote, were still uncertain after he said on Saturday that he had escaped a police raid on his home and was in hiding."
"Port Assab becomes flashpoint for Ethiopia-Eritrea relations.
"The latest development comes amid a growing feud between Eritrea and Ethiopia over landlocked Ethiopia's lack of sea access. Eritrea's 1993 independence left Ethiopia without direct access to the Red Sea, which Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed sees as a defining strategic constraint for Africa's second-most populous country."
https://www.dw.com/en/port-assab-becomes-flashpoint-for-ethiopiaeritrea-relations/a-75453946
"Sudan's people endure 'horror and hell' in war, says UN rights chief.
"United Nations rights chief Volker Turk says the war in Sudan has put its people through "horror and hell", as Sudan's population continues to face acute food insecurity and displacement."
"The violent convergence of the Sudanese civil war and Chadian sovereign security reached a critical threshold last week, within the strategically vital Tine corridor.
"This lethal engagement, characterized by the Chadian government as a deliberate incursion by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulted in the death of seven Chadian soldiers and the destruction of military assets."
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/sudan-chad-clash-the-tine-incursion-and-north-africa-sahel-security/
"The Biggest Challenge in Venezuela? Forget the Oil, It's Stocking the Fridge…
"After more than a decade in crisis, Venezuela is no stranger to food shortages, high prices and economic pain. But the U.S. military raid that removed Venezuela's leader, Nicolás Maduro, has plunged the South American nation into a chaotic new chapter of political and economic uncertainty, setting off a new wave of inflation…"
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/world/americas/venezuela-economy-food-prices.html
"Clashes in Colombia between rival rebel groups kill 27 people.
"At least 27 members of a leftist rebel group have been killed in clashes in central Colombia with a rival faction, according to military authorities, at a time of heightened tension in the region under the pall of United States military action in Venezuela and threats against Colombia."
"Life in Cuba after Trump's threats: 'This is a ship adrift'.
"The possibility of the US overthrowing the communist regime seems more plausible than ever, even more than during the Cold War. In Havana, a mixture of emotions hangs in the air, sometimes contradictory, but always permeated by the extreme precariousness of the present and anxiety about the future."
"Bank of England must plan for a financial crisis triggered by aliens, says former policy expert.
"Helen McCaw, who served as a senior analyst in financial security at the UK's central bank, has written to Andrew Bailey… saying politicians and bankers can no longer afford to dismiss talk of alien life, and warned a declaration of this nature could trigger bank collapses."
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You can read the previous "Economic" thread here. I'll be back tomorrow with a "Climate" thread.
The post 19th January 2026 Today's Round-Up of Economic News appeared first on Climate and Economy.
