Two more Hong Kong beaches closed after palm oil spill, bringing total to 13

Two more Hong Kong beaches have been closed due to the regional palm oil spill as environmental officials revealed that 1,000 tonnes of oil fell into the water following a ship collision in the Pearl River estuary last Thursday.

Okinawa files new lawsuit to block relocation of US Marines base

The Japanese prefecture of Okinawa filed a new lawsuit against the government demanding a halt to construction work for the relocation of the US Futenma base, local media report. The relocation has been the target of protests among locals.

Video: Mysterious, Yellow, Sponge-Like Globs Are Fouling French Beaches

RECENTLY, ON FRANCE’S WESTERN COAST, thousands of sponge-like balls have been appearing, strewn across 18 miles of beaches, from Boulogne-sur-Mer to Le Touquet. And no one seems to know where they are coming from.

Russian military plans to remove over 4,000 tons of metal scrap from Arctic in 2016

The Russian military plans to restart cleaning the Arctic in June next year to remove over 4,000 tons of metal scrap, Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov said on Friday.

Brazil's dam disaster to threaten biodiversity (report)

The wave of mud and iron ore mining waste caused by the rupture of two tailings dams in southeastern Brazil will have a significant negative impact on biodiversity when it reaches the ocean, local daily O Estado de Minas reported Wednesday.

New evacuations ordered at site of Brazil mine disaster

New evacuations were ordered Wednesday at the scene of Brazil's deadly iron ore mine dam burst as the CEOs of the mining giants that own the operation made a joint visit.

Pollution from oil spill on Albanian coastline improves

Albanian agriculture minister Edmond Panariti on Monday said the environmental situation in the Albanian city of Durres that was hit by the recent oil spill has improved, and that the damages to ocean life were superficial.

28 people missing after Brazil dams burst disaster

Twenty-eight people remained missing two days after two dams burst at a major mine in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, wreaking havoc downstream, authorities said on Saturday.

Brazilian Dam Bursts Killing At Least 15. -- 45 Missing In Flood Of Toxic Iron Mine Tailings

A dam holding back tailings and polluted water from a corporate mining operation burst on Thursday in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, killing more than a dozen people, according to local media reports.

Renaissance Dam tripartite meetings to resume in Ethiopia

Egypt's Minister of Irrigation, Hossam Moghazi, said on Monday that the tripartite committee for Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam will meet on 20 and 21 August in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.

BP to pay record $18.7bn over 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Under the agreement reached by BP and five US states along the Gulf of Mexico, the British oil major will pay out $18.7 billion over 18 years. The deal resolves the firm of remaining liabilities from the biggest oil spill in US history.

The impact of tourism on nature

Wildlife tourism generates billions of dollars in revenue every year - boosting local economies and creating employment. But what is the cost to the animals that become the star attractions? 

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan sign declaration of principles to resolve Nile dam dispute (UPDATED)

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have signed a declaration of principles on Monday, in a critical step towards resolving a four-year dispute over Nile water sharing arrangements among Basin countries.

Egypt is 'highly sensitive' to any project to hold Nile water (Irrigation minister)

Egyptian irrigation minister Hossam Moghazi stressed that Egypt is “highly sensitive” towards any project to store Nile water in upstream countries, as it might diminish the country’s water supply, state news agency MENA reported.

Ethiopia is currently building a large dam on the Blue Nile, the Nile’s largest tributary.The Renaissace Dam is to include a 74-billion-cubic-metre reservoir when finished.

Grand Renaissance Dam: Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al -Sisi has asked a government commission to review a proposed Nile agreement with Ethiopia and Sudan.

 Al-Sisi held a meeting Tuesday with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Irrigation Minister Hossam Moghazi.

"The meeting discussed the outcome of meetings of a Nile panel on a [proposed] declaration of principles between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on the Renaissance Dam," presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef said in a statement.

Grand Renaissance Dam: Hydro diplomacy on the Nile

A long-simmering water conflict between Ethiopia and Egypt has moved a step closer to resolution, after the countries' foreign ministers announced last week they had reached a preliminary agreement on sharing Nile water.

Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia agree basis of Nile deal

The foreign ministers of Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia said early on Friday they had reached the basis of an agreement on the sharing of Nile waters and Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam.

Ethiopia dam studies firm to be announced soon (Egypt minister)

An international firm is set to be announced for conducting studies on Ethiopia’s controversial Grand Renaissance Dam following Egypt’s upcoming investment summit.

Grand Renaissance Dam: Egypt ministers head to Sudan for Ethiopia dam meetings

Egypt's foreign and irrigation ministers are headed to Khartoum on Monday for talks over Ethiopia's large-scale dam project which Cairo fears will affect its Nile water supply.

Ethiopia dam tripartite committee to choose impact study firm in early 2015

The tripartite committee looking into Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam is expected to meet by mid-January to choose an international firm to conduct studies on the dam's impact, Egypt's irrigation minister said Friday.