The United States on Tuesday ended pollution tracking by its embassies that had been a vital source of data across the world especially in Beijing and New Delhi, as President Donald Trump slashes overseas and environmental spending due to “budget constraints.”

News of the data sharing being cut prompted immediate reaction from scientists across the world who said the data were reliable, allowed for air quality monitoring around the world and helped prompt governments to clean up the air in China, Indian and Pakistan, among other countries.

The US State Department cited "budget constraints" as it said it was ending the Air Quality Monitoring Program's transmission of data.

"The current budget climate requires us to make difficult cuts and, unfortunately, we cannot continue to publish this data," a State Department spokesperson said.

Historical data will remain on a site of the Environmental Protection Agency, but live data stopped Tuesday and will remain down unless funding is restored, the State Department said.

The United States since 2008 has monitored air quality through embassies -- as a service to Americans overseas but also, increasingly, as a way to share accurate scientific data that may otherwise be censored overseas.

In China, authorities in 2014 banned a popular app from sharing data from the US embassy ahead of a major international summit attended by then president Barack Obama.

But researchers say that the transparency has had a noticeable effect, with China taking action after being embarrassed by US embassy data released on social media that showed far worse pollution than official figures.

Obama's ambassador to China, Gary Locke, faced scorn in state media after he presided over the introduction of monitors at the embassy and consulates that tracked the so-called PM 2.5 particulate matter carried in the thick blankets of smog pervading China's capital.

The air quality data from the US embassy is also frequently used as a reference in New Delhi, which has severe pollution issues.

Trump since returning to office in January has slashed spending including on international cooperation and the environment as he vows to trim government and prioritize tax cuts.

Under the guidance of tech billionaire Elon Musk, the Trump administration has effectively shut down the US Agency for International Development, long at the forefront of US efforts for influence overseas.

Trump has also sharply reduced environmental staffing and turned back a slew of climate initiatives by previous president Joe Biden.

Air pollution, which is aggravated by climate change, contributes to nearly seven million premature deaths globally each year, according to the World Health Organization.

“Winter is coming”- A viral dialogue from a famous American TV series- Game of Thrones- is often said before winter’s arrival among Bangladeshi netizens. This year has not been any different. Much to their surprise, winter has already come. To experience this winter right now, you just have to travel to the districts of the north to experience the winter expanding its foggy grasp on local livelihood.

Planning a trip to North Bengal in winter? With services like Uber rental and Intercity, you can easily visit this destination with your friends and family. Intercity services are not only excellent for travelling outside the city, but also a reliable and affordable means of transporting people conveniently to their destinations, irrespective of the distance. It also allows you to keep the ridesharing vehicle with you for days you travel, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey.

The districts of the north, like Panchagar and Thakurgaon, are not just about the winter. They offer a breathtaking sight that is a must-see during this time of year. From mid-October to January, the majestic Kanchenjunga, with its snow-capped peaks, becomes visible from Bangladesh. The view is especially stunning in November when the air is clearer and the weather is quite soothing. The sight of this beautiful mountain, easily visible from Panchagarh and Thakurgaon, is sure to leave you awe-inspired and excited.

One of the most unique experiences of visiting North Bengal in winter is witnessing the transformation of Kanchenjunga at sunrise. The mountain usually emerges between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., as if from nothingness in the blink of an eye, just minutes before the sunlight hits the ground. When the sunlight first touches its peak, the white snow-capped mountain becomes red like hot lava, a sight that is truly breathtaking.

Apart from the mountain’s peak, the wonderful sights of vehicular movements and electric lights of the hilly Kalimgpong town, Darjeeling’s sub-divisional headquarters, and the border watch lights of India that appear at night can be enjoyed from the Tentulia Dak Bungalow area. Visitors can also enjoy the plains tea states of the north, Kazi and Kazi tea states, ensuring this tour.

Winter in the north is different. Its beauty is more enjoyable if the travel plans are made right. Uber rental and intercity are convenient and safe alternatives for the traveler.

Thailand has suspended an airport worker after two travellers smuggled more than 30 live animals – including two baby otters – onto a flight to Taiwan.

The mobile menagerie, which also included 28 baby tortoises and a marmot, was seized when the Thai Vietjet flight landed at Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport on Wednesday.

Local media reported that the unusual cargo came to light when several of the animals escaped and were found crawling around in the plane cabin.

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport said the animals slipped through screening due to human error.

“We have examined the CCTV (closed-circuit television) and found that the smugglers were two foreigners who had their luggage scanned through an X-ray machine,” the airport said in a statement issued late on Thursday

An employee monitoring the X-ray images suspected that the luggage contained banned items and asked another worker to check it. But the worker did not do so and, instead, let the passengers pass through the checkpoint, added the airport.

The worker who failed to inspect the bag was suspended while a probe was carried out.

Meanwhile, the Taiwanese authorities said they were also investigating the two suspected smugglers.

Thailand is a major transit hub for wildlife smugglers who often sell the animals to China and Vietnam.

A 300kg giant freshwater stingray (Urogymnus polylepis) – found in Koh Preah commune of Stung Treng province in the Mekong River in 2022 – has been officially recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest recorded freshwater fish, according to Wonders of the Mekong.

Wonders of the Mekong, a conservation group supported by the United States Agency for International Development, fitted an acoustic tag to the ray, named Boramey, before returning it to the Mekong River last year.

“Since the release, we have gathered invaluable information on this magnificent ray through our acoustic tagging system, which will help us protect this endangered species,” it said in a social media post.

Officials from the Fisheries Administration’s Stung Treng provincial cantonment, worked with a team from Wonders of the Mekong and the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute of Cambodia to measure the ray, which was caught by fishermen in June 2022.

The specimen measured 4m from its head to the end of its tail and was 2.2m wide. It weighed 300kg. After the measurements were completed, an acoustic homing tag was attached and it was released back into the wild.

Sok Vichea, a Cambodian biodiversity researcher, explained at the time that while the kingdom is home to 15 types of freshwater and ocean stingrays, the giant freshwater ray was nearly extinct, with few known to remain in the Mekong.

He said this species is one of three giant fishes known to inhabit the Mekong, along with the Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) and the Mekong giant bard (Catlocarpio siamensis).