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Nevada prisons see a tenfold increase in overdoses, mainly synthetic drugs, linked to mail smuggling. Meanwhile, British Columbia's drug decriminalization has coincided with record overdose deaths, and the UK reports its highest drug poisoning toll since 1993, driven by synthetic opioids.
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Colorado has been releasing wolves since 2023 following voter approval in 2020. About 30 wolves now roam the state, with plans for more. The program faces opposition from rural communities and potential federal restrictions on wolf sourcing, raising legal and political questions. Recent federal guidance suggests wolves must come from northern U.S. states, complicating plans.
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Drax power plant continues to burn 250-year-old Canadian trees despite claims of sustainability. A new report links recent wood sourcing to old-growth forests, raising questions about its environmental impact. The UK government extended subsidies, supporting Drax amid ongoing controversy over its environmental practices.
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A grizzly bear attacked a group of schoolchildren and teachers near Bella Coola, British Columbia, injuring 11. The bear remains at large, prompting authorities to warn residents to stay indoors and avoid the area. The incident led to school closures and community safety measures.
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Heavy rainstorms driven by an atmospheric river have caused severe flooding across Washington state and British Columbia, prompting evacuations and road closures. Authorities report no casualties but warn that flooding effects will persist for days as water levels remain high.
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Recent articles highlight increasing wildfire risks in the Amazon and boreal forests due to climate change and human activity. Fires in Brazil and Canada are intensifying, with new phenomena like 'zombie fires' causing long-term ecological damage. Experts emphasize that these fires are largely man-made and preventable, but require urgent action.
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On December 1-3, 2025, Canada became the first non-EU country to join the EU's €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense initiative, granting Canadian defense firms access to EU-backed loans and reducing reliance on U.S. military procurement. Concurrently, Canada struck an energy and trade deal with Alberta to expand oil exports to Asia via a new pipeline, relaxing federal emissions caps in exchange for stronger carbon pricing and carbon capture projects, despite opposition from British Columbia and Indigenous groups. Canada also restarted stalled trade talks with India aiming to double bilateral trade by 2030.
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Heavy rainfall driven by an atmospheric river has caused record river levels in Washington, prompting evacuations and emergency responses. The Skagit River reached nearly 38 feet, leading to full evacuation orders in Burlington and surrounding areas. Floodwaters threaten infrastructure and communities, with ongoing rescue efforts and warnings of potential levee failures.
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Recent discoveries include 210-million-year-old dinosaur footprints in Italy, a rediscovered flat-headed cat in Thailand, a chick of the endangered takahē in New Zealand, and critically endangered snails on Norfolk Island. These findings underscore ongoing conservation challenges and successes across the globe.
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A delegation of six Canadian parliamentarians was denied entry into the West Bank by Israeli authorities, citing security concerns linked to their associations with Islamic Relief Worldwide. The MPs, part of a trip organized by The Canadian-Muslim Vote, aimed to meet with Palestinian communities but were turned back at the Allenby crossing, raising diplomatic tensions.
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British Columbia will not renew its drug decriminalization pilot, ending the program on January 31, 2026. The three-year trial aimed to ease access to help for drug users but did not meet its expected results, according to provincial health officials. The move shifts focus to strengthening mental health and addiction services.