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“Nobody trusts the water, not with all the cancers,” Chief Tuccaro.

“Nobody trusts the water, not with all the cancers,” Chief Tuccaro.

Canada’s oil companies want permission to treat and release toxic waste from Alberta’s tar sands into the Athabasca River — the same river that flows into the drinking water supplies of First Nations communities. But many First Nations leaders say they’re already carrying an unbearable burden from the world’s fourth‑largest oil reserve, with health impacts […]

Oil fuels separatism in Canada

Oil fuels separatism in Canada

It’s being called Canada’s “Brexit moment.” Alberta’s premier has announced that a referendum will be held in October, asking voters in the province whether they wish to remain part of Canada, or begin the legal process of pursuing separation.

Germany was largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025, sending 810,000 tonnes overseas

Germany was largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025, sending 810,000 tonnes overseas

In 2025, about a fifth of Britain’s plastic waste exports still went to non-OECD countries, with shipments to Malaysia – now the UK’s third-largest destination – rising by almost 60% since 2024. Pua Lay Peng, a Malaysian activist who campaigns against the influx of foreign plastic waste and the resulting pollution, said: “This is waste colonialism.”

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“Nobody trusts the water, not with all the cancers,” Chief Tuccaro.

“Nobody trusts the water, not with all the cancers,” Chief Tuccaro.

Canada’s oil companies want permission to treat and release toxic waste from Alberta’s tar sands into the Athabasca River — the same river that flows into the drinking water supplies of First Nations communities. But many First Nations leaders say they’re already carrying an unbearable burden from the world’s fourth‑largest oil reserve, with health impacts […]

Toxic for 100 years: the UK golf course built on chemical waste dump

Toxic for 100 years: the UK golf course built on chemical waste dump

Despite contamination at Malkins Bank in Cheshire, it is deemed suitable for golf … and now a children’s play area.

‘It’s Russian roulette’: alarm as Europe backs critical minerals mines in water-stressed regions

‘It’s Russian roulette’: alarm as Europe backs critical minerals mines in water-stressed regions

The European Commission plans to rewrite the EU’s flagship water protection law to speed up the development of critical minerals mines, despite many being located in drying and water-stressed regions, Watershed's analysis has found.

Oil fuels separatism in Canada

Oil fuels separatism in Canada

It’s being called Canada’s “Brexit moment.” Alberta’s premier has announced that a referendum will be held in October, asking voters in the province whether they wish to remain part of Canada, or begin the legal process of pursuing separation.

Gibraltar dumping all of its raw sewage into Mediterranean

Gibraltar dumping all of its raw sewage into Mediterranean

Raw sewage from nearly 40,000 people and businesses is being pumped straight into the sea because the British overseas territory of Gibraltar does not have, and has never had, a wastewater treatment plant.

‘Forever chemicals’ in water linked to film studio

‘Forever chemicals’ in water linked to film studio

The site of a former film studio has been investigated as a possible source of “forever chemicals” found in groundwater, a water company said.

Germany was largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025, sending 810,000 tonnes overseas

Germany was largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025, sending 810,000 tonnes overseas

In 2025, about a fifth of Britain’s plastic waste exports still went to non-OECD countries, with shipments to Malaysia – now the UK’s third-largest destination – rising by almost 60% since 2024. Pua Lay Peng, a Malaysian activist who campaigns against the influx of foreign plastic waste and the resulting pollution, said: “This is waste colonialism.”

‘Drinking from a fetid pond’: superbug-creating genes found in UK’s largest lake

‘Drinking from a fetid pond’: superbug-creating genes found in UK’s largest lake

Watershed detected genes capable of creating antibiotic-resistant superbugs in the UK’s largest lake, which supplies drinking water to about 40% of Northern Ireland.

A decade inside England’s sewage scandal

A decade inside England’s sewage scandal

England is the only country in the world with a fully privatised water system, and it shows. After a decade reporting on sewage spills and regulator failures, I’ve watched a slow-burning pollution crisis turn into a full-blown scandal.

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