Climate change has emerged as the single greatest threat to the world’s natural World Heritage sites, affecting nearly half of them, according to the IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4 released at the IUCN Congress in Abu Dhabi. The report warns that 43% of natural sites now face severe climate-related risks, surpassing all other pressures, while invasive alien species impact 30% of sites. The number of sites affected by wildlife and plant diseases has also increased sharply, rising from 2% in 2020 to 9% in 2025.

The Outlook, based on a decade of global assessments since 2014, provides the most comprehensive analysis of the state of natural World Heritage sites to date. It reveals a continuing decline in their conservation status, with the proportion of sites showing a positive outlook falling from 62% in 2020 to 57% this year. Areas recognised for their biodiversity are among those most at risk.

Seychelles opposition leader, Patrick Herminie, has won the country’s presidential race, defeating incumbent leader Wavel Ramkalawan in a run-off vote. Herminie won 52.7 per cent of the vote, while Ramkalawan took 47.3 per cent. Herminie represents the United Seychelles party, which led the country for four decades before it lost power in 2020.

Herminie’s victory gives his United Seychelles party full control of the government after it also reclaimed a majority in parliament during the first round of the general election last month. The win is also a complete turnaround for Herminie, who in 2023 was arrested on charges of witchcraft that were later dropped. He previously served as speaker of the country’s parliament from 2007 to 2016. In his victory speech, Herminie pledged to lower the cost of living, revive public services and unite the island nation.

The IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) presented 13 rangers and ranger teams with the 2025 International Ranger Awards, recognizing their exceptional courage and dedication to nature conservation.

The awards celebrate the resilience and perseverance of rangers who protect forests and wildlife worldwide, while raising public awareness about their critical role. Winners received financial grants ranging from USD 5,000 to 25,000 to support conservation work in their regions. This year’s recipients represent 13 countries, including Ukraine, Burkina Faso, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh attended the ceremony and released the report “Guardians of the Wild,” which pays tribute to frontline conservation heroes safeguarding forests and wildlife globally.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday virtually laid the foundation stone for the Integrated Aqua Park at Tzudikong in Mokokchung district of Nagaland under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. This will be the first Aqua Park in Nagaland, serving as a hub for fisheries-related development activities. The Integrated Aqua Park will focus on fish and seed production, playing a transformative role in advancing Nagaland’s fisheries sector. It will serve as a comprehensive resource centre, providing quality inputs, market linkages, and equitable pricing for fishery products. The facility will also create new livelihood opportunities, empower educated unemployed youth, and promote sustainable growth in the fisheries sector.

Five beaches in Maharashtra have received the international Blue Flag certification. The list includes Shrivardhan and Nagaon beaches in Raigad district, Parnaka in Palghar, and Guhagar and Ladghar beaches in Ratnagiri district. This information was announced by Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare.

The Blue Flag certification is awarded by Denmark’s Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) to beaches that meet 33 criteria related to cleanliness, beauty, and environmental sustainability.

The evaluation covers aspects such as environmental education, water quality, safety, environmental management, and public amenities.

The fourth edition of India-Australia joint military Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025 will begin in Perth, Australia, tomorrow. In a statement, the Defence Ministry said that an Indian Army contingent comprising 120 personnel departed yesterday to participate in the annual exercise that will conclude on 26th of this month. The Indian Army contingent is being led by a Battalion of Gorkha Rifles along with troops from other arms and services.

The Ministry said that the exercise is aimed at enhancing military cooperation, improving interoperability and providing a platform for participating armies to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures in the domains of sub-conventional warfare in urban or semi-urban terrain.

The exercise will focus on joint company-level operations in open and semi-desert terrain, wherein troops will undertake missions ranging from joint planning, tactical drills and special arms skills.

It will offer a valuable opportunity to hone operational capabilities, integrate emerging technologies and operate jointly in a combat environment.

Diane Keaton, the quirky U.S. actress who won an Academy Award and captured hearts with her endearing performance as Woody Allen’s eccentric, insecure girlfriend in the 1977 romantic comedy “Annie Hall,” has died at the age of 79, People reported on Saturday (October 11, 2025), citing a family spokesperson.

A representative for Keaton could not immediately be reached.

Keaton, who appeared in more than 60 films, including “The Godfather” trilogy, “The First Wives Club” and eight films with Allen, stood out in Hollywood with a personal style that favoured androgynous looks, turtleneck sweaters and her trademark hats.

She earned Oscar nominations for best actress for her portrayal of U.S. journalist Louise Bryant in the 1981 political drama “Reds,” as a caring aunt to Leonardo DiCaprio in the 1996 family saga “Marvin’s Room” and opposite Jack Nicholson in the 2003 romantic comedy “Something’s Gotta Give.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday night rolled out his nuclear-armed military's most powerful weapons, including a new intercontinental ballistic missile, at a massive military parade at Pyongyang's main square.

The parade, held to mark 80 years under the Workers' Party, was attended by top officials from Russia and China. Top officials from Vietnam and Laos also attended, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The spectacle featured some of the country's most advanced weapons, including its new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which KCNA described as its "most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system".

The parade included a long line of weaponry that Pyongyang has tested in recent years, including attack drones, rocket launchers and battle tanks, according to the newspaper.

Armenia has become the newest State Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the announcement, made during the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, underscores Armenia’s growing commitment to advancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

“Through IUCN, Armenia will gain access to global expertise, innovative tools and international partnerships that will help us accelerate our conservation goals,” said Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of Armenia. “This membership also supports our preparations for hosting COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2026, a landmark moment for Armenia to showcase its role in advancing biodiversity and sustainability.”

Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Armenia is home to diverse habitats ranging from alpine meadows and mountain forests to semi-deserts and freshwater ecosystems. These landscapes support several rare and threatened species, including the Critically Endangered Caucasian leopard, the endemic Bezoar goat, and the Sevan trout, found only in Lake Sevan.

The U.S. will allow Qatar to build a military training facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho to deepen the bilateral defense ties.

The agreement was signed yesterday by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatari Defense Minister Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. This agreement will see Qatari F-15QA fighter jets and pilots stationed in Idaho for joint training with U.S. forces over the next decade.

The move follows President Donald Trump’s recent executive order pledging to treat any attack on Qatar as a threat to U.S. security. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions after an Israeli strike in Doha targeting Hamas also killed a Qatari serviceman.