Life Alarm

Kuala Lumpur has been ranked the world's most polluted major city as heavy haze blankets the Malaysian capital, with Singapore placing third on the same index. The ranking highlights the recurring regional haze problem in Southeast Asia, often linked to seasonal fires and smoke drifting across borders, and is drawing attention to air quality and public health concerns in both cities.

Mercator Ocean International has released a report showing the ocean is warming at an alarming pace, with far-reaching consequences for marine life, coastlines and communities worldwide. The nonprofit's data underpins the warning, which highlights rising risks to ecosystems and coastal populations as sea temperatures continue to climb.

Scientists are warning that plastic pollution and other contaminants could interfere with bioluminescent organisms in the deep ocean, potentially dulling the light-based signals many species rely on to hunt, mate and defend themselves. The concern adds a new dimension to worries about marine debris, as researchers say rising pollution in deep waters threatens one of the planet's most widespread forms of communication among living things.

Keyhan Javanmardi, held in Turkish detention for 45 days, now faces deportation to Iran. Human rights organisations are raising the alarm, warning that forced return to Iran could expose him to serious risks. Advocacy groups, including Kurdish-language human rights monitors, are calling for his release and for Turkey to halt the deportation and uphold its international protection obligations.