In early August, people representing over 180 countries met for 10 days in Geneva, Switzerland. They hoped to reach an agreement on dealing with plastic pollution. But the meeting ended in failure. Most countries wanted to put limits on producing new plastic. But countries that produce lots of plastic fought the idea.
Published in “Europe”
Workers in Kiruna, Sweden have been working hard to raise one of the country's most famous churches and roll it over 3 miles (5 kilometers) to a new location. The church's old location was no longer safe. The operation took two days to complete.
Heat waves across Europe are bringing record temperatures and dangerous, widespread wildfires. Southern European countries like Spain, Greece, and Portugal are being hit especially hard. But summer heat waves have also caused problems in Northern Europe and elsewhere around the globe.
The Tour de France is an extremely difficult bike race. Held in France in the summer heat, bikers race for days up and down mountains, on steep, windy, dangerous roads. The men's race ended July 27 when Tadej Pogačar won the race for the fourth time. The women's race finished Sunday with Pauline Ferrand-Prévot taking first place.
If you feel like yesterday just flew by, you're not wrong. Yesterday was the second shortest day this year - about a thousandth of a second faster than normal. For a number of reasons, the Earth will spin slightly faster on several days this summer.
Scientists at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom have created what they call "the world's smallest violin". The violin is made of metal and is so tiny that it can only be seen with a powerful microscope. The project was designed to test new technology for building extremely small things.
Librarians at Harvard Law School have learned that they own an original version of one of the world's most important documents – the Magna Carta. Until recently, Harvard thought that the document, which it bought for just $27.50, was a copy. Instead, It's a valuable historical document worth millions of dollars.
In mid-May, the 2025 International Science and Engineering Fair was held in Columbus, Ohio. It's the world's largest science contest for students who haven't gone to college yet. The grand prize went to a student from Slovakia for a new way of making a medicine.
On Monday, scientists and government leaders came together in Nice, France for the third United Nations Ocean Conference. The meeting is focused on the many challenges facing the world's oceans, and what can be done to help. The event comes as the US has suddenly taken a step back from protecting the oceans.
On May 22, Johan Helberg was woken up by the phone. It was a friend, calling to make sure he was okay. Why? In the very early morning, a massive container ship had crashed into Mr. Helberg’s back yard, stopping very close to his house.
Last Thursday, the United Kingdom signed an agreement which will return control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. In exchange, the UK will be able to continue using the largest island as a military base for the next 99 years.