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Judge finds no authority to reinstate Yosemite ranger fired for trans flag 

12 June 2026 at 19:55
A federal judge ruled Friday that she has no authority to reinstate a Yosemite National Park ranger who was fired for unfurling a transgender pride flag at the El Capitan rock formation last year. The decision doesn’t address Shannon “SJ” Joslin’s allegation that the firing selectively targeted them for speech protected by the First Amendment.…

Judge finds no authority to reinstate Yosemite ranger fired for trans flag 

12 June 2026 at 19:55
A federal judge ruled Friday that she has no authority to reinstate a Yosemite National Park ranger who was fired for unfurling a transgender pride flag at the El Capitan rock formation last year. The decision doesn’t address Shannon “SJ” Joslin’s allegation that the firing selectively targeted them for speech protected by the First Amendment.…

Judge refuses to block White House UFC fight

12 June 2026 at 18:23
A federal judge on Friday refused two Virginia residents’ request to block this weekend’s UFC event on the White House South Lawn, ruling they have no right to challenge the fight. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said the two had no legal standing because they hadn’t shown the event, timed to Flag Day and President Trump’s 80th…

Judge refuses to block White House UFC fight

12 June 2026 at 18:23
A federal judge on Friday refused two Virginia residents’ request to block this weekend’s UFC event on the White House South Lawn, ruling they have no right to challenge the fight. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said the two had no legal standing because they hadn’t shown the event, timed to Flag Day and President Trump’s 80th…

Antarctica’s west coast missing an area of sea ice the size of France as temperatures peak 20C above average

Exclusive A vast area of the Bellingshausen Sea should be covered by sea ice by now, with one expert calling the loss of ice ‘depressing’

Antarctica’s west coast is missing an area of winter sea ice the size of France, sparking concerns for threatened penguins other marine life and global sea levels.

One expert said the loss of ice in the Bellingshausen Sea was “depressing” and the failure of ice to form could have intensified a heatwave over the continent’s peninsula last week that saw daytime temperatures peak at 15.4C which is more than 20C above average.

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© Photograph: Alex Ingle/Schmidt Ocean Institute

© Photograph: Alex Ingle/Schmidt Ocean Institute

© Photograph: Alex Ingle/Schmidt Ocean Institute

Weather tracker: heat, humidity and thunderstorms a danger at World Cup

With matches in 16 cities across the US, Mexico and Canada, players and fans face an array of weather-related challenges

With the 2026 World Cup now under way, all 48 teams face a common opposition: summer weather across North America. Matches will be played in 16 cities, from southern Mexico to Canada, with a range of weather risks possible at each venue.

Thunderstorms disrupted play before the tournament had even begun. England’s warm-up against Costa Rica in Orlando was delayed by about an hour after storms brought lightning and heavy rain that waterlogged the pitch. Safety regulations at US venues mean play is suspended when lightning is recorded within roughly 8 miles of a stadium, not resuming until 30 minutes after the last strike.

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© Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

© Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

© Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

Emergency hospital admissions fell after introduction of London’s T-charge and Ulez, study suggests

12 June 2026 at 06:00

Imperial College scientists analysed health records before and after introduction of air pollution reduction zones

Low emission and clean air zones attract controversy whenever they are proposed, but there is growing evidence that they work in improving air quality. The Bradford zone was followed by a reduction of about 25% in GP visits for heart and breathing problems and survey data shows that the central London zone was followed by a reduction in the likelihood of a person taking sick leave.

Now analysis of health records has found emergency admissions to hospital reduced after the introduction of the T-charge and ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez) in central London.

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© Photograph: Marcin Rogozinski/Alamy

© Photograph: Marcin Rogozinski/Alamy

© Photograph: Marcin Rogozinski/Alamy

Britain’s favourite butterfly revealed – and it’s a familiar backyard beauty

12 June 2026 at 05:00

More than 20,000 votes cast in Butterfly Conservation’s poll of 60 native species to find nation’s favourite for first time

The votes are in on Britain’s favourite butterfly, and it is one of the most ubiquitous yet spectacular backyard beauties that has flown to victory.

With its lavender, yellow and maroon eye spots and luscious rusty red and black colouration, the peacock butterfly is both beautiful and commonplace, flying throughout spring, summer and autumn in all corners of the British Isles.

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© Photograph: Mark Seal/Butterfly Conservation/PA

© Photograph: Mark Seal/Butterfly Conservation/PA

© Photograph: Mark Seal/Butterfly Conservation/PA

‘The birds will fly away’: can Albania’s flamingo revolution keep its wetlands free from Trumps and tourists?

12 June 2026 at 05:00

A luxury resort backed by the US president’s family may be built on a wildlife-rich nature reserve in one of Europe’s poorest nations

If the real estate dreams of a billionaire political family come true, an island in one of Europe’s poorest countries will become a luxury hotel complex, sweeping up stretches of the wildlife-rich nature reserve that sits across the water.

No public consultation has taken place, but there are signs the idea is on the way to becoming reality. Albania has been rocked by nearly two weeks of fierce protests after fences and heavy machinery came to a sensitive wetland and preparatory work began on the tourism vision of Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner.

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© Photograph: Fedja Grulovic/Reuters

© Photograph: Fedja Grulovic/Reuters

© Photograph: Fedja Grulovic/Reuters

‘Fuel on the fire’: Scientists confirm El Nino’s return, predict extreme weather effects

12 June 2026 at 02:01
Meteorologists confirmed the arrival of El Nino in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, warning that the climate pattern could grow into one of the strongest on record. Experts say it is likely to amplify global heat and fuel extreme weather including floods, droughts, wildfires and powerful storms in coming months. 

Natural history GCSE to teach teenagers to plant wildflower-friendly gardens

Long-awaited course to examine human effects on natural world and explore everyday ways to aid biodiversity

School pupils will learn how to plant a wildflower-friendly garden, according to long-awaited plans announced on Thursday for a natural history GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Campaigners have for more than a decade called for the study of biodiversity loss and global heating to be introduced as a dedicated subject in classrooms across the country, but despite a curriculum being previously drawn up, its launch has faced repeated delays.

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© Photograph: enviromantic/Getty Images

© Photograph: enviromantic/Getty Images

© Photograph: enviromantic/Getty Images

Trump opens up Pacific marine national monuments to commercial fishing

11 June 2026 at 22:20
President Trump on Thursday opened up previously protected areas of the Pacific Ocean to commercial fishing. Trump signed a proclamation opening up commercial fishing at three marine national monuments.  “We’re officially reopening nearly half a million square miles — wow — of water around [the] northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa,” he…

Trump opens up Pacific marine national monuments to commercial fishing

11 June 2026 at 22:20
President Trump on Thursday opened up previously protected areas of the Pacific Ocean to commercial fishing. Trump signed a proclamation opening up commercial fishing at three marine national monuments.  “We’re officially reopening nearly half a million square miles — wow — of water around [the] northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa,” he…

‘Super El Niño’ is officially here, scientists say. What can we expect?

Experts say climate pattern could supercharge extreme weather events and push temperatures to record highs

EL Niño has officially arrived, US officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) said on Thursday, and scientists predict it could be the strongest of the century.

Forecasters had previously anticipated that a phenomenon known as a super “El Niño” would emerge this summer – supercharging extreme weather events and pushing global temperatures to record heights.

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© Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

Republicans add measure to strip forest protections to wildfire bill, endangering Dem support

11 June 2026 at 20:00
Republican senators have thrown a wrench into an effort to pass a wildfire prevention bill, adding a controversial amendment seeking to nullify Clinton-area forest protections. It’s a move that Democrats say makes the underlying legislation less likely to pass, since they won’t get behind the move to strip protections from 59 million acres of national…

Republicans add measure to strip forest protections to wildfire bill, endangering Dem support

11 June 2026 at 20:00
Republican senators have thrown a wrench into an effort to pass a wildfire prevention bill, adding a controversial amendment seeking to nullify Clinton-area forest protections. It’s a move that Democrats say makes the underlying legislation less likely to pass, since they won’t get behind the move to strip protections from 59 million acres of national…

Greece’s Nisyros Island: A Moonscape Aegean Hideaway

11 June 2026 at 20:01
Nisyros, Greece
View of Mandraki, Nisyros island, Greece. Credit: Alexandros Diamantidis, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia

Nisyros is a magical gem located in the Aegean. The island, part of the Dodecanese archipelago, is situated between Kos and Tilos, and has an active volcano which is also the youngest volcano in Greece.

Nisyros offers untouched villages, quiet beaches, hot springs and ancient walls of black volcanic stone. Top that off with the fact that there are few tourists, and you’ll feel like the entire island and all of its many beauties are exclusively yours.

The amazing villages of  Greece’s Nisyros island

Disfruta de la Grecia auténtica sin prisa ni aglomeraciones. Descubre la isla de #Nysiros y vive la cultura y la historia como nunca antes.⁣
#Grecia #Vacaciones #Travel #GreciaTour #TourPrivado #FelizMiércoles pic.twitter.com/2p23dXOUOS

— GreciaTour.com (@GreciaTour_com) August 10, 2022

There are several quaint villages on the island; the largest is Mandraki. It is straight out of a photo book of traditional Greek island architecture and great views.

The narrow, cobbled streets and squares lace around the villages where you can take a stroll and feel as though you have traveled back to ancient times. The homes, which are made of volcanic rocks and are insulated with pumice stone, boast wooden balconies.

Emporios
Emporios. Credit: Robert Powell, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia

Nightlife on Nisyros is very unlike the hectic pace of party islands in Greece. You will, however, find quaint local tavernas and bars in which to enjoy your lazy summer nights.

The Volcano

You can actually go to the center of the island, walk along the volcano’s rim, and watch its boiling crater. The volcano, which hasn’t actually erupted since 1888, is a spectacular sight.

volcano crater
Credit: Tatiana Bashinskaya, CC BY 3.0/Wikimedia

The Volcanological Museum in Nikia

Located at the edge of the caldera, the view is breathtaking, and you can learn a thing or two about the fascinating geology of the island. 3D animated images to demonstrate various facts about the volcano are available, so be sure to check them out.

Nisyros Greece
Aerial view of Nisyros. Credit: Ferengi, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikipedia

Paleokastro, Nisyros’ Acropolis

Dating back to the classical period and ruins of the ancient city, the Paleokastro is constructed from one of the hardest rocks in the world, basaltic andesite, which was spewed out from the volcano. This has helped preserve the acropolis through the passage of time.

A Monastery Built in a Cave

The Monastery of Panagia Spiliani sits atop of a hill in northwest Mandraki, the largest part of it constructed inside a cave. A truly unique experience, the cave is divided into two churches and is definitely worth a visit.

Panagia Spiliani
Panagia Spiliani. Public Domain

Nisyros’ Thermal Spas

At several points along the coast of Nisyros, you will find spouting hot water springs with temperatures varying from 30 to 60 degrees Celsius (86 to 140 degrees F). The springs are known for their therapeutic effects for muscles and skin.

Around 1.5 km (1 mile) east of the port of Mandraki, you will find the thermal spa of Loutra with hot spring waters at 37 degrees Celsius (or 98.6 Fahrenheit, equal to humans’ body temperature).

Get ready For Beautiful Beaches on Nisyros island

Due to the relatively few numbers of travelers on the island, the beaches of Nisyros are extraordinarily clean, quiet, and relaxing.

You can go to a different beach every day, as there are many to choose from. Some favorites are Lefki Beach, along with Gialiskari, Lyés, Páloi, Pachia Ammos, Katsouni, Aghios Savas, Aghia Irini, and Chochlákia Beaches.

Must-try local cuisine

There are many traditional dishes to be savored on Nisyros island. Some typical “spitiko” or homemade dishes are pita, chickpea nuggets, and kapamas, which is stuffed goat. Of course, as you are on an island, there is always fresh seafood available, too!

Getting there

You can get to the volcanic paradise of Nisyros from the island of Kos or as part of a tour of other islands in the Dodecanese, as well as from Piraeus.

Greece’s Nisyros Island: A Moonscape Aegean Hideaway

11 June 2026 at 20:01
Nisyros, Greece
View of Mandraki, Nisyros island, Greece. Credit: Alexandros Diamantidis, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia

Nisyros is a magical gem located in the Aegean. The island, part of the Dodecanese archipelago, is situated between Kos and Tilos, and has an active volcano which is also the youngest volcano in Greece.

Nisyros offers untouched villages, quiet beaches, hot springs and ancient walls of black volcanic stone. Top that off with the fact that there are few tourists, and you’ll feel like the entire island and all of its many beauties are exclusively yours.

The amazing villages of  Greece’s Nisyros island

Disfruta de la Grecia auténtica sin prisa ni aglomeraciones. Descubre la isla de #Nysiros y vive la cultura y la historia como nunca antes.⁣
#Grecia #Vacaciones #Travel #GreciaTour #TourPrivado #FelizMiércoles pic.twitter.com/2p23dXOUOS

— GreciaTour.com (@GreciaTour_com) August 10, 2022

There are several quaint villages on the island; the largest is Mandraki. It is straight out of a photo book of traditional Greek island architecture and great views.

The narrow, cobbled streets and squares lace around the villages where you can take a stroll and feel as though you have traveled back to ancient times. The homes, which are made of volcanic rocks and are insulated with pumice stone, boast wooden balconies.

Emporios
Emporios. Credit: Robert Powell, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikimedia

Nightlife on Nisyros is very unlike the hectic pace of party islands in Greece. You will, however, find quaint local tavernas and bars in which to enjoy your lazy summer nights.

The Volcano

You can actually go to the center of the island, walk along the volcano’s rim, and watch its boiling crater. The volcano, which hasn’t actually erupted since 1888, is a spectacular sight.

volcano crater
Credit: Tatiana Bashinskaya, CC BY 3.0/Wikimedia

The Volcanological Museum in Nikia

Located at the edge of the caldera, the view is breathtaking, and you can learn a thing or two about the fascinating geology of the island. 3D animated images to demonstrate various facts about the volcano are available, so be sure to check them out.

Nisyros Greece
Aerial view of Nisyros. Credit: Ferengi, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikipedia

Paleokastro, Nisyros’ Acropolis

Dating back to the classical period and ruins of the ancient city, the Paleokastro is constructed from one of the hardest rocks in the world, basaltic andesite, which was spewed out from the volcano. This has helped preserve the acropolis through the passage of time.

A Monastery Built in a Cave

The Monastery of Panagia Spiliani sits atop of a hill in northwest Mandraki, the largest part of it constructed inside a cave. A truly unique experience, the cave is divided into two churches and is definitely worth a visit.

Panagia Spiliani
Panagia Spiliani. Public Domain

Nisyros’ Thermal Spas

At several points along the coast of Nisyros, you will find spouting hot water springs with temperatures varying from 30 to 60 degrees Celsius (86 to 140 degrees F). The springs are known for their therapeutic effects for muscles and skin.

Around 1.5 km (1 mile) east of the port of Mandraki, you will find the thermal spa of Loutra with hot spring waters at 37 degrees Celsius (or 98.6 Fahrenheit, equal to humans’ body temperature).

Get ready For Beautiful Beaches on Nisyros island

Due to the relatively few numbers of travelers on the island, the beaches of Nisyros are extraordinarily clean, quiet, and relaxing.

You can go to a different beach every day, as there are many to choose from. Some favorites are Lefki Beach, along with Gialiskari, Lyés, Páloi, Pachia Ammos, Katsouni, Aghios Savas, Aghia Irini, and Chochlákia Beaches.

Must-try local cuisine

There are many traditional dishes to be savored on Nisyros island. Some typical “spitiko” or homemade dishes are pita, chickpea nuggets, and kapamas, which is stuffed goat. Of course, as you are on an island, there is always fresh seafood available, too!

Getting there

You can get to the volcanic paradise of Nisyros from the island of Kos or as part of a tour of other islands in the Dodecanese, as well as from Piraeus.

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