Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Water bosses in England exploiting bonus loophole face crackdown

admin — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 07:00:24 +0000

Exclusive: Ministers to act after last year’s legislation ‘outwitted’ by failing firms paying millions to executives

The government is to close loopholes which allow bosses of failing water companies to continue to receive large bonuses despite a ban passed last year, it can be revealed.

Bosses of companies that illegally dumped sewage into England’s rivers and seas and presided over water shortages which left thousands of people in misery have still been paid millions in bonuses despite the ban.

Modern Milkman to collect unwanted electronics and toys with deliveries

admin — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 07:00:24 +0000

Grocery delivery firm will begin picking up broken tech across the UK and charging consumers to recycle items

A UK dairy delivery business is to begin collecting unwanted or broken toys, mobile phones and laptops while dropping off milk, orange juice and butter in its latest attempt to expand.

The Modern Milkman was founded by entrepreneur Simon Mellin in Burnley, north-west England, in 2019 and delivers groceries to more than 100,000 households across the UK.

Pumas are back in Patagonia and Penguins are paying the price

admin — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 05:05:44 +0000

Pumas returning to Patagonia have begun hunting mainland penguins that evolved without land predators. Scientists estimate that more than 7,000 adult penguins were killed in just four years, many of them left uneaten. While the losses are dramatic, models show that pumas alone are unlikely to wipe out the colony. Greater dangers come from poor breeding and low survival among young penguins.

Chance of El Niño forming in Pacific Ocean may push global temperatures to record highs in 2027

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 19:00:12 +0000

One expert says 2027 could be even hotter than the last three years, which have been the top three warmest on record

Outrage after US Congress votes to slash $125m in funding to replace toxic lead pipes

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 13:00:02 +0000

Move will hit Michigan, Illinois, New York and other states with highest levels of lead drinking water pipes the hardest

There is outrage among some politicians and activists after the US Congress voted to slash $125m for replacing toxic lead drinking water pipes that are particularly a threat to children.

UK electric vehicle charging firms ‘seeking buyers amid rising costs and tough competition’

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 12:00:02 +0000

Mergers and acquisitions will shrink number of operators from more than 100 to five or six, says Be.EV co-founder

British electric charger companies are asking rivals to buy them as they run out of cash amid rising costs and intense competition, according to industry bosses.

A wave of mergers and acquisitions is likely to shrink the number of charge point operators from as many as 150 to a market dominated by five or six players, said Asif Ghafoor, a co-founder of Be.EV, a charging company backed by Octopus Energy.

Wealthy use loophole to conceal value of £300m in Scottish land sales

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 07:00:55 +0000

Prices paid for large estates not being disclosed on official register, land reform advocates say

Land reform campaigners are alarmed at the increasing use of a legal loophole that allows landowners to conceal the price paid for Highland estates from the public register.

Andy Wightman, a land reform analyst, said the loophole meant the prices paid in more than £300m-worth of Highland property transactions were not disclosed on the register.

Bermuda snail thought to be extinct now thrives after a decade’s effort

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 06:00:56 +0000

Special pods at Chester zoo helped conservationists breed and release more than 100,000 greater Bermuda snails

A button-sized snail once feared extinct in its Bermudian home is thriving again after conservationists bred and released more than 100,000 of the molluscs.

Fostering ocean leaders through science-policy support at U.S. academic institutions

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000

npj Ocean Sustainability, Published online: 07 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s44183-026-00185-2

Storm Leonardo devastates southern Portugal and Spain – video

admin — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 13:30:37 +0000

Storm has ravaged southern regions of Spain and Portugal this week, leaving one man dead in Portugal and one woman missing in Spain

Calls to postpone presidential election as Storm Leonardo lashes Portugal and Spain