Higher-than-average Temperatures

The Great Barrier Reef has again been hit with "widespread" bleaching, authorities said Friday, as higher-than-average ocean temperatures off Australia's northeast threaten the already struggling World Heritage site.

Last month saw the lowest polar sea ice extent for November - the seventh month this year to have hit record low - as the Arctic and Antarctic lost vast swaths of ice due to higher-than-average temperatures, scientists say.

The Great Barrier Reef has again been hit with "widespread" bleaching, authorities said Friday, as higher-than-average ocean temperatures off Australia's northeast threaten the already struggling World Heritage site.

Last month saw the lowest polar sea ice extent for November - the seventh month this year to have hit record low - as the Arctic and Antarctic lost vast swaths of ice due to higher-than-average temperatures, scientists say.