India's wild elephant population is on the decline. A survey by the government shows it's shrunk by 25 percent. Habitat loss and increasing human-wildlife conflict are driving the decline.

New Delhi

India's wild Asian elephant population has declined significantly, now occupying only 3.5% of their original habitat, according to the Wildlife Institute of India. This reduction in space has led to increased encounters and fatal conflicts with humans, particularly in areas where commercial plantations and settlements are expanding.

Conservationists are calling for the protection of elephant corridors to prevent further incidents and support the species' survival. Recent measures in Assam include the use of AI-based cameras, solar fencing, and habitat restoration, as the International Union for Conservation of Nature now lists Asian elephants as endangered.

India’s wild elephant population shrinks amid habitat loss, conflict

India's wild Asian elephants are running out of space. They occupy just 3.5% of the area they once roamed, according to new figures from the Wildlife Institute of India. And that's bringing them into conflict with humans, with fatal consequences. Ranjit Kumar was trampled and killed as people try to drive out an elephant from a tea estate. We are scared to go out and work in the tea estate. The elephant often roams around crisscrossing the estate. Every day we work in fear. As India's economy and population grows, so does the number of commercial plantations, fenced farmland and human settlement. I think that's a major challenge, and it's not an easy one. Because a country like India aspiring to develop faster, dealing with a very large number of poor people, poor farmers, it's a big challenge. As the elephant's traditional routes are closed off, they look elsewhere for food and fodder. Conservationists want their corridors to be protected so they don't raid planted fields or wander into cities. We have just launched a scheme in many conflict-prone districts in Assam. We will install AI-based cameras, low-cost solar fences, set up teams to mitigate conflict between humans and animals, restore habitats and resources of fodder and drinking water. India's Asian elephant population has dropped 25% in eight years. The latest survey estimates there are just over 22,000 elephants left. The International Union for Conservation of Nature now lists them as an endangered species. Bernard Smith, Al Jazeera.

Construction work of a concrete wall continued on the Israeli side of southern border with Lebanon, despite the Lebanese presidency's threat to complain to the U.N. Security Council over the wall's extension into Lebanese territory.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Israel constructs wall along Lebanon border

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro slammed planned joint military exercises by the United States and its ally Trinidad and Tobago as "irresponsible," with Washington increasing its armed presence in the Caribbean.

Caracas

Maduro denounces US military exercises

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Washington

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Trump says he's "sort of made up my mind" on Venezuela military action

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Flash flood warnings expanded on Saturday as rain hit wide swaths of California amid fears that the atmospheric river will intensify. Andres Gutierrez has the latest details.

Pacific Palisades

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Belém

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Thousands join protest at COP30 climate talks in Brazil

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Los Angeles International Airport

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Trump administration weighs U.S military action in Venezuela

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Hegseth announces 'Operation Southern Spear'

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Taipei City

U.S. approves massive sale of weapons to Taiwan

Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket on Thursday with NASA twin spacecraft destined for Mars aboard, and in a breakthrough nailed the landing of its booster.

Cape Canaveral

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket deploys Mars satellites

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Rise of AI

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Beijing

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Germany's government plans to bring back military service, to boost troop numbers to deal with the perceived threat from Russia. But voluntary conscription could become compulsory, if not enough recruits come forward.

Berlin

Germany outlines potential shift to compulsory conscription

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Pentagon preparing for possible military action in Venezuela

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Chicago

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U.S. forces kill four in latest Caribbean drug boat strike

Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in the West Bank on Thursday (November 13) and sprayed racist slogans on its walls, Palestinian residents said.

Jerusalem

Israeli settlers torch mosque in West Bank, residents say

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Bangkok

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Breakdown