SCIBBC NewsTUE 27 OCT 2026 / 9:04 AM CDT

Will a new strategy help protect Northern Ireland's nature?

A new strategy to restore and enhance protection for nature in Northern Ireland has been launched by the agriculture and environment minister.

About 40% of the plants and animals in protected sites across Northern Ireland fall short of meeting the standard for "favourable condition".

And just one of 49 priority habitat types - like ancient and native woodlands, blanket bogs and species-rich grasslands - have favourable status.

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Scotland's recycling rates at five-year low. How is your area doing?

Environmental regulator Sepa says households recycled 42.8% of waste in 2025 - down from 44.3% the previous year.

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New weather warning as third storm hits Scotland

The country is braced for the third storm in as many days as communities continue to clean up after the weekend.

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Nanotyrannus skeleton goes to auction in New York with £4.5m price tag

The auction of the rare skeleton comes amid debate in the scientific community about whether dinosaur remains should end up in private hands or public view.

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The secret to slower aging may be hiding in your gut

The secret to aging more slowly may be hiding in your gut. Scientists discovered that certain gut bacteria are strongly linked to how quickly the body ages, with microbial differences accounting for about 15% of the variation in biological aging rates. Some bacterial species were associated with slower aging, while others were linked to accelerated aging.

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Will a new strategy help protect Northern Ireland's nature?

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Scotland's recycling rates at five-year low. How is your area doing?

New weather warning as third storm hits Scotland

Nanotyrannus skeleton goes to auction in New York with £4.5m price tag

The secret to slower aging may be hiding in your gut