Illegal Gold Mining Devastates Brazil’s Sararé Indigenous Territory

Brazil cracks down on illegal gold mining in Amazon

Brazilian authorities have stepped up their crackdown on illegal gold mining in the Sararé Indigenous Territory after years of environmental damage caused by miners operating inside the protected area. Mining camps have been dismantled as part of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s efforts to remove illegal operations from Indigenous lands.

About 44.8 square kilometres of forest have been lost since the gold rush began around five years ago, making Sararé one of Brazil’s most heavily damaged Indigenous territories. Officials said rising gold prices have encouraged more illegal mining despite ongoing enforcement efforts. Indigenous leaders welcomed the latest operation but warned the miners could return if security forces withdraw from the region.

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Further reading: ‘It’s total devastation’: inside the Amazonian war against illegal gold mining

EU targets member states over buildings law delays

The European Commission has begun legal action against all 27 EU member states after they failed to fully implement the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive by the 29 May 2026 deadline. Governments now have two months to respond before the cases can be referred to the EU Court of Justice.

The directive is part of the EU’s plan to create a zero-emission building stock by 2050. It requires all new buildings to be zero-emission by 2030, while publicly owned buildings must meet the standard from 2028. It also sets a 2040 target for phasing out fossil fuel boilers and requires countries to improve the energy performance of existing buildings.

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Further reading: EU Targets All 27 States Over Buildings Law

Malaysia forecasts record temperatures from El Niño

Malaysia could experience its hottest temperatures on record next year as a strengthening El Niño brings hotter and drier weather across the country, according to the national weather agency. Forecasters expect the weather pattern to peak between March and May 2027, with temperatures likely to exceed the current national record of 40.1°C.

Lower rainfall is also expected across much of the country, particularly in the northern peninsula and the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Officials said global warming is making El Niño more intense, increasing the risk of prolonged heat and putting extra pressure on agriculture, water supplies and local communities.

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Further reading: ‘Super’ El Nino to bring record temperatures in Malaysia next year, weather agency says

EU launches drone alliance with Ukraine

The European Commission has unveiled the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance to strengthen cooperation on drone and counter-drone technology. Announced during the EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum in Kyiv, the partnership brings together companies, researchers, armed forces and other organisations from the EU and Ukraine.

The Alliance will support joint development of new technologies and encourage closer cooperation between European and Ukrainian defence industries. It is also the first step in delivering the Drone Deal announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The partnership is expected to help both sides work more closely on drone technology and strengthen defence cooperation.

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Further reading: Commission launches EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance to boost drone and counter-drone technology

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com —  In the Cover Photo: Indigenous people during COP30 in Belém, Brazil. “Agroecology is the way”. Cover Photo Credit: Mirna Wabi-Sabi