Spotlight on UN desertification summit as it mulls how to spend $12bn war chest

The UN desertification summit starts on 17 August in Mongolia to manage a $12bn fund for drought-hit nations. Yasmine Fouad said, "At the heart of our discussion is the topic of food security." As extreme weather hurts harvests, many countries hope these projects will finally help restore productive soil.

The snake safari nobody talks about: 6 Indian wildlife destinations where snakes are the real attraction

India celebrates Nag Panchami today, August 17, 2026, shifting focus from mythology to real-world habitats. While many prefer tiger safaris, six Indian destinations offer unique reptile encounters. From Agumbe’s king cobras to Bhitarkanika’s pythons, these spots show that snakes are the real attraction for travellers exploring our diverse, slithering wildlife landscapes.

Europe wildfires: 2 dead, 500 evacuated as twin blazes hit Greek island near Athens

Two wildfires on the Greek island of Salamina killed two people and forced 500 residents to flee by sea on Sunday. Strong winds pushed flames through residential areas near Athens. Fire brigadier general Vasileios Vathrakogiannis said, "These conditions enabled the fire to quickly reach dangerous proportions and spread rapidly."

Why is Kaziranga's Eco-Sensitive Zone in focus?

The Assam government plans to ask the Centre to shrink the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga National Park to 1 km from the default 10 km. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said a larger zone would affect civic and urban growth. This move has sparked controversy regarding the conservation of natural assets.

Mass fish kill in Ennore, fishers blame pollution

Fisherfolk in eight villages near the Ennore estuary found four to six tonnes of dead fish on Sunday. Residents blame industrial pollution for the massive kill. Anjali D said, “The fish were half-dead and struggling to breathe.” Officials collected water samples to find the cause as local families staged protests.

Danish shuttler flags winter pollution in Delhi, won't mind paying USD 5000 fine for skipping India Open: ‘Insane’

Danish shuttler Anders Antonsen said he would rather pay a USD 5,000 fine than play in Delhi during the peak pollution season. He called the air quality “insane” during January and February. Antonsen skipped the India Open, choosing to focus on the World Championships instead of competing in poor conditions.