Australia has refused to release internal documents concerning a US$200 million trust fund for Tuvalu, a Pacific nation vulnerable to climate change. The documents, requested via Freedom of Information laws, were withheld citing potential diplomatic damage, despite the fund being invested in fossil fuel industries.
Volunteers from the Clean Arctic project and Arktikugol Trust Company have cleared 30 tons of scrap metal from Piramida, a former Soviet mining town on the Spitsbergen archipelago. The collected waste will be transported for processing, highlighting Russia's commitment to environmental responsibility in the region.
A blast at the Liushenyu coal mine in Shanxi killed 82 people, highlighting ongoing safety issues in China's coal industry despite reforms. Investigations reveal serious illegal violations by operator Tongzhou Group, including unregistered workers and secret tunnels, complicating rescue efforts.
Chinese scientists suggest coal waste could be a significant source of critical metals, leveraging existing industrial infrastructure. However, challenges remain due to fluctuating coal quality affecting metal content in fly ash.
