International

"The Amazonian rainforest has lost much of its ability to absorb climate-altering greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, scientists reported on Wednesday."

"The mounting death toll and devastation in Vanuatu since Cyclone Pam smashed the Pacific island nation this weekend have heightened calls for a global climate change compensation fund."

"There’s an important debate going on in Europe that could dramatically influence how pesticides are used on the United States’ 400 million acres of farmland. At the center of the debate are endocrine disruptors, a broad class of chemicals known for their ability to interfere with naturally occurring hormones."

"The 100 global power companies most at risk from growing pressure to shut highly polluting coal plants have been revealed in a new report from Oxford University. Chinese companies dominate the top of the ranking but US companies, including Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, occupy 10 of the top 25 places."

"The virus causing a second wave of bird flu across China has mutated frequently and 'should be considered as a major candidate to emerge as a pandemic strain in humans,' researchers reported Wednesday."

"A Vatican official who helped write a first draft of Pope Francis' upcoming encyclical on climate change acknowledged disagreement over the causes of global warming but said 'what is not contested is that our planet is getting warmer' and Christians have a duty rooted in 'ancient biblical teaching' to address the problem."

"The European Union agreed to submit the goal of cutting greenhouse gases by at least 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030 to a global climate conference in a bid to retain its leading role in the battle against global warming."

"DUBAI -- Two pilots attempting the first flight around the world in a solar-powered plane began the maiden leg of their voyage on Monday, the mission's official website said."

"In a world awash in crude, oil producers and traders are facing a billion-barrel conundrum: where to put it all."