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This week, extreme weather events are breaking records as a cyclone on the coast of Australia’s northwest set new wind speed records and China’s coastal sea levels hit new highs last year due to higher water temperatures as well as melting glaciers and polar ice caps.

And keep your eye peeled on the Reuters Sustainable Business page on April. 17 for a feature on how some popular Ramadan meals have been impacted by food insecurity in conflict-ridden countries across the Middle East, what people are doing to cook these meals in more affordable ways, and how this might impact their nutrition value.

1. Cyclone Ilsa hits Australia’s northwest, misses iron ore export hub

A tropical cyclone smashed into Australia’s northwest coast as a category 5 storm, setting new wind speed records, but has largely spared populated regions and the world’s largest iron ore export hub at Port Hedland, authorities said.

A view shows damage to the Pardoo Roadhouse and Tavern in Pardoo, Western Australia, April 14, 2023. AAP Image/Supplied by Pardoo Roadhouse and Tavern/via REUTERS

2. China says coastal sea levels hit new high in 2022

China’s coastal sea levels hit their highest on record in 2022 and have increased by an average of 3.5 millimeters (0.14 inch) per year since they were first measured in 1980, a government official said.

3. US becomes first major fishing nation to ratify subsidies deal, WTO chief

The United States has become the first major fishing nation to ratify a deal to cut subsidies contributing to overfishing, the World Trade Organization’s chief said.

4. France heading towards worse summer drought than 2022

Very low groundwater levels have put France on course for a worse summer drought than last year, mainly in the southern part of the country which had been ravaged by massive wildfires, French geological service BRGM said.

5. Dozens of dead stingrays found on Brazil beach

Dozens of dead stingrays appeared on a beach in Rio de Janeiro this week, sparking confusion and concern in the fishing village’s local community. A woman said she noticed the dead stingrays, which prompted the arrival of vultures, shortly after dawn.

A zoo in Thailand’s Northeast region has successfully hatched a Red-headed vulture, making it the first successful breeding of this species in Thailand in 30 years, and only the second instance worldwide. Click on the video for more.

An upbeat report this week by think tank Ember revealed that a record 12% of global electricity was generated by renewable sources in 2022 and declared that fossil fuel emissions may soon steadily decline as more renewable supply capacity emerges.

Climate trackers have cheered the report, which was based on deep dives into power generation trends across several major economies and incorporated detailed solar and wind capacity development pipelines in all key regions.

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Two investor advisory firms, ISS and Glass Lewis, recommended BP shareholders oppose a climate resolution filed by activist group Follow This at the company’s annual general meeting later this month.

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