Greens

The Vatican has formally described the destruction of the environment as an 'ecological sin', a move championed by Pope Francis as part of his push to make climate protection a moral and religious duty. The framing, promoted through France 24's 'Down to Earth' programme, has drawn attention to how the Catholic Church is seeking to mobilise its global followers around environmental responsibility and the ethics of caring for the planet.

New European Union rules took effect Sunday aimed at curbing unverified green claims by companies. The measures target vague or unsupported environmental marketing statements, requiring businesses to substantiate eco-friendly assertions made to consumers. The move is part of a broader EU effort against greenwashing, and companies operating in the bloc will now need verifiable evidence for sustainability claims.

The Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers faced off in a Week 3 matchup of the 2026 NFL season, with the league releasing the official game highlights. The matchup is drawing heavy attention from football fans, with millions engaging with the highlight footage as viewers catch up on the key plays from the game.

The Bank of Japan is increasing its lending scheme that channels funds to banks supporting climate action, a programme first introduced in 2021. The move comes as policymakers and economists argue over how far central banks should go in supporting green goals, with critics warning that climate policy sits outside monetary mandates and supporters arguing financial stability depends on it.

Police say the stabbings in Golders Green, north London, are no longer being investigated as suspected terrorism. The counter-terrorism inquiry has been dropped, though the exact circumstances of the attack and any motive have not been publicly confirmed. The incident had earlier prompted a major response and widespread concern in the area.

New York has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging its new public charge rule, which makes it easier to deny green cards or visas to immigrants who use public benefits such as Medicaid or food assistance. Critics argue the rule discourages immigrant families from seeking essential services, while supporters say it ensures newcomers are self-sufficient. The case adds to a series of legal battles between Democratic-led states and the federal government over immigration policy.

The World Trade Organization will examine the European Union's carbon border adjustment mechanism following a formal challenge by Russia. Moscow argues the tariff on carbon-intensive imports, including steel and fertiliser, discriminates against non-EU exporters. The dispute adds to wider criticism of the mechanism from trading partners who see it as protectionist green policy, while the EU defends it as essential to meeting climate goals.

UK prosecutors have determined that the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north London, was a hate crime rather than an act of terrorism. The decision shapes how the case will be charged and prosecuted, and it has drawn attention amid heightened concern about antisemitic violence in Britain.

The United Nations Development Programme is highlighting China's path within the global green transition, drawing attention to the country's approach to shifting toward sustainable, low-carbon development. As one of the world's largest emitters, China's clean energy choices carry significant weight for international climate goals, making its transition strategy a subject of global interest and debate.

Reports say Chinese authorities have approved Nvidia's RTX PRO 5500 chip for use by companies including Alibaba and ByteDance, despite ongoing US export restrictions on advanced semiconductors. The move would let major Chinese tech firms access Nvidia hardware at a time when Washington continues to limit what AI chips can legally reach the Chinese market.

Australian Greens leader Larissa Waters has announced her resignation from the party's top job. The move comes as a surprise to observers and raises immediate questions about who will succeed her and the direction the party will take next. Reaction online has been swift, with commentators debating the reasons behind her departure and what it means for the Greens' future in Australian politics.

A joint study by the OECD, World Bank and Global Green Growth Institute finds Morocco is among the African countries most exposed to climate change risks. The report describes systemic ecological shifts already affecting the country and acting as active macroeconomic constraints, putting pressure on growth and development planning. Commentators are highlighting the findings as a warning for Morocco's economic future.

A new EU directive aimed at curbing greenwashing in advertising comes into force. Terms like 'green', 'sustainable' and 'climate neutral' must now meet stricter rules so environmental claims are clearer and verifiable for consumers. Attention in Germany is focused on the national implementation, which has drawn criticism, along with practical questions about what happens to products already sold in old packaging with sustainability claims.

Reports suggest China could permit Alibaba and ByteDance to purchase Nvidia chips, easing earlier restrictions on access to US-made semiconductors. A green light would be significant for China's cloud computing and artificial intelligence sectors, where demand for Nvidia's hardware remains high, and would mark a notable shift in the technology trade standoff between Washington and Beijing.

Larissa Waters has resigned as leader of the Australian Greens, citing health reasons. The announcement, reported by Guardian Australia, ends her stint leading the party and is expected to trigger a leadership contest. Waters, a long-serving senator for Queensland, has been one of the Greens' most prominent federal figures, and colleagues are likely to pay tribute while discussion turns to who will succeed her.

Researchers at the University of Arizona used satellite data to show that the world's drylands are growing greener, but in an increasingly volatile pattern of sharp booms and busts rather than steady vegetation growth. The findings suggest that while rising carbon dioxide and shifting rainfall are boosting plant life in arid regions, the gains come with escalating instability, complicating assumptions about how dryland ecosystems will respond to climate change.

Kenyan President William Ruto is calling for a sweeping reform of the global financial architecture, arguing that current systems block developing countries from accessing affordable climate finance. He says unlocking green capital pipelines is essential for African nations to fund renewable energy and climate adaptation, and has urged international lenders and wealthy states to restructure lending rules and expand climate funding flows.

Larissa Waters has stepped down as leader of the Australian Greens, citing health reasons. Her departure immediately opens a contest to replace her at the head of the party. Waters, a long-serving senator and prominent figure in Australian environmental politics, leaves the role at a moment of uncertainty for the Greens as contenders move to succeed her.

A new poll shows New Zealand's Green Party at a record high level of support, raising the prospects of a centre-left coalition forming after the country's next election. Stronger Green numbers could prove decisive in whether Labour and its allies can command a parliamentary majority, making the party's surge a key factor in campaign calculations.

China has reportedly given approval for Nvidia's RTX PRO 5500 chips to be supplied to major Chinese tech firms including Alibaba and ByteDance, despite ongoing US export restrictions on advanced semiconductors. The report suggests Nvidia may still find ways to serve Chinese customers with compliant hardware, even as Washington tightens rules on AI-related chip sales to China.

A former schoolfriend of Shamima Begum, the British woman who left London as a teenager to join Islamic State, has been arrested in connection with a suspected terrorism offence, according to reporting by The Observer. The arrest renews attention on the Bethnal Green academy group's case and on how UK authorities handle returnees and associates.

The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers 35-14 in a one-sided road game at Lambeau Field. Atlanta controlled the matchup from start to finish, handing Green Bay a lopsided home loss that few predicted. Fans are reacting to the scale of the defeat, with debate over what went wrong for the Packers and what the result says about the Falcons' form this season.

Australian senators have summoned OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to testify at a Senate inquiry into artificial intelligence and datacentres. The inquiry, led by the Greens, follows reported cases in which OpenAI agents accessed Australian and US government websites. The summons signals growing political scrutiny of major AI companies and their operations, including the infrastructure and security practices behind their systems.

Hong Kong utility Towngas has announced a partnership with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to develop blockchain-based certification of green fuels. The system aims to give verifiable proof of origin and carbon credentials for cleaner fuels. Details of the scope and timeline of the collaboration were not disclosed in initial coverage.

Larissa Waters has resigned as leader of the Australian Greens, citing health reasons. Her departure triggers a contest to replace her at the head of the party, which holds a key role in Australian politics through its balance-of-power position in the Senate. Successor contenders and the party's future direction are now the focus of discussion.

A London schoolgirl who recruited Shamima Begum to join Isis is reported to have been found alive after an arrest connected to a terror plot. The woman, previously believed dead, was said to have played a key role in radicalising Begum before her departure to Syria in 2015 as one of the Bethnal Green schoolgirls. Details of the arrest and the alleged plot have not been fully confirmed.

New findings from Eurofound indicate that Europeans broadly accept the need for climate action, yet many are unwilling to change how they travel or heat their homes. The agency reports that north-western European countries are better prepared to design green policies that fit how people actually live, highlighting a gap between climate attitudes and personal behaviour across the continent.