Climate Monitoring Alarm: A group of leading scientists warns Earth observation systems are degrading or at risk, as 2025 warming hit about 1.39°C above preindustrial levels and marine heatwaves surge. El Niño Watch for South Asia: NOAA confirms El Niño onset, raising odds of hotter, more extreme weather; India’s monsoon anxiety grows, though a possible Indian Ocean Dipole could help offset rainfall losses. Wildfire Smoke in North India: Escalating forest fires across Uttarakhand and nearby states are choking hills with hazardous haze, threatening ecosystems, water sources and livelihoods. Water Security Clash: Karnataka presses the Centre to fast-track the Mekedatu reservoir on the Cauvery, while Tamil Nadu keeps objections. Invasive Species Compliance: In Gloucestershire, confusion over Japanese knotweed disposal rules is driving illegal handling risks and penalties. Clean Energy Cooperation: Oil India and Canada’s PTRC sign a framework to collaborate on CCUS, geothermal and other clean energy R&D. Energy Transition Tech: Hitachi Energy plans a new large power transformer factory in Vadodara to support India’s grid buildout for non-fossil capacity. Tourism Pressure in Japan: Matsumoto may introduce a visitor fee for Kamikochi to fund conservation and disaster measures as arrivals surge. Rare Marine Carbon Storage: Japanese researchers find new deep-water rhodolith-forming algae species that can help store carbon. Policy & Trade Signals: China’s mega Yangtze inland waterway project breaks ground to ease a major shipping bottleneck.