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The death toll from devastating floods on the Indonesian island of Bali has climbed to 14, a government official reported on Thursday. The floods, which followed torrential downpours earlier in the week, have also left two people missing in the capital of Denpasar, prompting a large-scale search and recovery operation. Widespread Flooding and Landslides Heavy rains on Tuesday and Wednesday caused widespread flooding across Denpasar and six of Bali's eight administrative regions. The inundation obstructed major roads, including routes to the international airport, though airport operations remain unaffected. The majority of fatalities occurred when victims were swept away by rivers that had burst their banks. Landslides were also reported in some areas. Search and Recovery Efforts ...

GURUGRAM – The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has acknowledged that at least 20 locations across the city are facing persistent sewerage issues and has committed to finding permanent solutions within the next six months. This decision follows a comprehensive on-ground survey and feedback from residents, councillors, and resident welfare associations (RWAs). Systemic Issues and Solutions MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya stated that the majority of the problems stem from clogged drains and illegal sewerage connections that cause recurrent overflows. He announced that the MCG has deployed special teams to develop "custom-made solutions for each problem." The identified problem areas include: Saraswati Enclave and Shakti Park 10A, where new sewer lines and street work are underw...

An international team of researchers has used artificial intelligence (AI) to reveal a staggering number of previously undetected earthquakes in Italy's Campi Flegrei volcanic field, an active caldera home to over 500,000 people. The new data shows there were four times as many earthquakes in the area than had been previously recorded, providing a clearer picture of the region's seismic risk. A Clearer View of Seismic Activity The study, a collaboration between Stanford University and Italian research institutions, developed a machine-learning model to analyze seismic data from January 2022 to March 2025. While existing tools had tracked around 12,000 earthquakes during this period, the AI model identified over 54,000, enabling researchers to pinpoint their precise locations and magn...

NEW DELHI – Parts of Delhi are facing a worsening waste crisis, with garbage piling up on streets and emitting foul odors, due to a combination of expired long-term contracts and procedural delays in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Residents and officials alike are raising alarms about the unsanitary conditions, particularly during the ongoing monsoon season. A System in Disarray The crisis stems from the expiration of seven-year waste collection contracts across three key MCD zones. While the Central Zone's contract was extended yearly until 2025, and a temporary six-month deal was recently awarded, the South and West Zones have been operating without a new agreement since their tenders expired in April 2025. A senior MCD official noted that the absence of a Standing Commi...

A new study published in the journal Science has found that the potential of tree planting to combat climate change has been drastically overstated. The research warns that relying on forests to offset carbon emissions could distract from the urgent need to cut fossil fuel use, as nature-based solutions alone are not enough to meet global climate goals. Overestimated Land and Carbon Sequestration The study, conducted by a team of scientists primarily based in China, found that the amount of land suitable for forestation is far less than previously thought. After carefully excluding unsuitable areas, such as snowy regions where planting trees can actually cause warming, the researchers calculated that only 389 million hectares worldwide are available for new forests. Even if this e...

India Path to "Viksit Bharat 2047" Through Agri-Food System Transformation NEW DELHI – As India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, a new report argues that the country must move beyond its traditional focus on maximizing crop yields and undertake a complete transformation of its agri-food systems. This shift is essential to address the paradox of being "food secure" yet "nutritionally vulnerable." The report, authored by Shalander Kumar, an agricultural economist, highlights that for over five decades, India’s agricultural policy has been optimized for high yields and price stabilization, a legacy of the Green Revolution. While this approach has ensured food security, it has also led to critical challenges, including: • Soil degradation in one-third of agricultural land. ...

LUDHIANA – The Public Action Committee (PAC) has petitioned the National Green Tribunal (NGT), accusing the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the Punjab state government of negligence that led to recurring "man-made" floods. The PAC claims that unscientific dam operations and a failure to curb illegal mining and riverbed encroachments aggravated the situation. PAC members stated that the BBMB prematurely released water from dams, causing sudden flooding even before reservoirs reached their maximum capacity. They argue that this was a "human error," not a natural disaster. The group cited a 2014 report by the Central Water Commission (CWC) that advised BBMB to review its Full Reservoir Levels (FRL), but the board has continued to adhere to outdated parameters set in 1990. The PA...

PARIS – Hungary has reported its first outbreak of bluetongue disease in ten years, according to a report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The outbreak, which was confirmed by Hungarian authorities, affects a cattle herd in the southwestern Somogy county. The report, released by the WOAH on Wednesday, indicates that 15 out of 303 animals in the herd have been infected. This is the first time the country has seen a bluetongue case since a previous outbreak in December 2015. Understanding Bluetongue Disease Bluetongue is a viral disease that primarily affects ruminants like sheep, cattle, and goats. It is not contagious and does not affect humans. The disease is spread by the bite of infected midges (Culicoides species), small insects that can carry the virus lo...

MANCHERIAL – A rare species of fungus, the Purple Pinwheel fungi (Marasmius haematocephalus), has been recorded in Telangana for the first time, marking a significant discovery for the state's biodiversity. The find was made by wildlife researcher Dr. Venkatesh Anagandhula in the Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR). Dr. Anagandhula, who is also a regional coordinator for the Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society (HyTiCoS), spotted the tiny, scarlet-colored mushroom during a fungal data collection survey. This discovery highlights the rich ecological diversity of KTR, a protected forest area known for its varied flora and fauna. About the Purple Pinwheel Fungi Marasmius haematocephalus is a delicate fungus characterized by its reddish to blood-red cap and a slender, wiry stem. While it is too...

NEW DELHI – A groundbreaking study by Indian scientists has revealed a direct connection between the ancient formation of Antarctic ice sheets and the early evolution of the Indian monsoon system. Published in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, the findings show that a major climatic event on one side of the planet had a profound ripple effect on the other, shaping the climate that now supports a billion people. Fossil Leaves Tell a 34-Million-Year-Old Story The discovery stems from the analysis of well-preserved fossil leaves found in the Laisong Formation of Nagaland. Dating back roughly 34 million years ago to the Eocene-Oligocene transition, the fossils indicated that the region once had a warm, wet, and tropical climate. Scientists from the Birbal ...