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For the first time renewable energy has overtaken coal as the world’s largest source of electricity, marking a historic milestone long projected by the International Energy Agency. Yet progress toward clean energy is far from even. While the transition has slowed across the United States and the European Union, developing nations are advancing rapidly, each driven by its own mix of necessity, innovation, and opportunity. China often dominates global headlines for the vast scale of its clean energy expansion. However, smaller nations across South Asia are making equally significant strides, reshaping their energy landscapes through policies and projects that meet local needs. Their motivations go beyond tackling climate change; many aim to reduce dependence on costly fossil fuel imports,...

Nepal is reeling under the impact of widespread floods and landslides that have claimed 60 lives in just three days, leaving several districts devastated. The situation remains dire as rescue teams continue to search for the missing amid torrential rainfall and damaged infrastructure. According to Nepal Home Ministry, eight deaths were reported on Monday alone, with the Ilam district in Koshi province facing the heaviest toll. The district has recorded 37 fatalities, making it the worst-hit area in the current wave of disasters. Ilam District Bears the Brunt The severe downpours have triggered landslides across 11 districts, sweeping away homes, roads, and bridges. Many families have been displaced, while others continue to live in fear of fresh slides as rain persists in the hill...

China has unveiled a groundbreaking technology that converts dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) from seawater into biodegradable plastic a dual solution to ocean pollution and climate change. Developed by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China the new process, called Direct Ocean Capture (DOC) removes CO₂ directly from seawater through electrochemical reactions. But what makes it remarkable is that the captured carbon isn’t just stored it’s transformed into useful plastic precursors. The oceans hold nearly 150 times more CO₂ than the atmosphere, and excess levels are causing acidification that threatens marine ecosystems. By removing and reusing this carbon, researchers hope to clean ocean waters and create sustain...

Once celebrated as India’s “Brass City,” Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, located along the banks of the Ramganga River, has now emerged as one of the country largest informal e-waste recycling hubs. What was once a city renowned for its gleaming brass handicrafts has slowly turned into a landscape of smouldering circuit boards and toxic fumes. With global demand for brass products declining amid economic slowdown, thousands of artisans and manufacturers have been forced to shift from traditional brass work to the more lucrative but hazardous business of e-waste recycling. Families that once molded beauty from brass now dismantle discarded electronic devices computer monitors, CPUs, mobile phones, remote controls, and radio transmitters in search of precious metals. From Handicraft to Haz...

The Indian Summer Monsoon often described as the heartbeat of the subcontinent sustains agriculture, fills rivers, and defines the rhythm of life for millions across South Asia. Yet, it remains one of Earth’s most complex and least predictable climate systems. For decades scientists have observed how El Niño the periodic warming of the Pacific Ocean, disrupts this rhythm by weakening or delaying the monsoon. But new research reveals a fascinating counterbalance much closer to home a small patch of warm water off the Kerala coast known as the Arabian Sea Mini Warm Pool (MWP) that quietly helps restore balance after an El Niño event. Published in the Journal of Climate the study by researchers at the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences IIT Delhi, uncovers how this “mini warm pool,” which form...

Iran has reported an outbreak of the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus affecting poultry in its northern region, according to information released by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on Tuesday. The development has raised renewed concerns over the spread of avian influenza across international poultry networks. Virus Detected in Poultry Flock Authorities confirmed that the virus killed 10 birds from a flock of 90, prompting officials to cull all remaining birds to prevent further transmission. The immediate response aimed to contain the infection and stop it from spreading to nearby farms. The outbreak was detected during routine monitoring, officials added. Global Concern Over Rising H5N1 Cases The incident in Iran comes amid growing global unease over repea...

A new study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar and Durban University of Technology, South Africa has revealed how rainfall dramatically alters the movement, concentration, and composition of microplastics in Dal Lake, Srinagar. The findings highlight rainfall dual role as both a disperser and intensifier of microplastic pollution in freshwater systems. Microplastics plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimetres come from sources such as cosmetic microbeads, textile fibres, and the breakdown of larger plastic waste. Persistent and non-biodegradable, they have now infiltrated every part of the planet, from deep ocean sediments to mountain streams. Yet, how these particles behave in freshwater systems under ...

Delhi woke up to an early winter surprise as cold northwesterly winds swept across the city, dragging temperatures well below the seasonal average. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that Wednesday marked one of the coldest October days the capital has seen in recent years. According to IMD data the maximum temperature dropped to 26.5 degrees Celsius eight degrees below normal while the minimum settled at 20.3 degrees Celsius. Several parts of the city recorded even lower readings, with the Ridge area in north Delhi registering a chilly 17.6 degrees Celsius and Palam close behind at 18.4 degrees Celsius. Weather officials attributed the sudden chill to the retreating influence of a western disturbance and the flow of cold northwesterly winds from snow-clad Himalayan ...

India has taken a major stride toward achieving self-reliance in defence technology with the launch of the Indian Radio Software Architecture (IRSA) Standard 1.0. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) and the Tri-Services, the new framework was formally unveiled at a national workshop held at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi. The event, marking a new era of secure and interoperable communication systems for the armed forces, was attended by Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, as Chief Guest. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, and Dr. Rajat Moona, Director of IIT Gandhinagar, were present as Guests of Honour. Setting a New Stan...

Northern Vietnam is reeling from devastating floods triggered by torrential rains following Typhoon Matmo, which have claimed at least three lives and damaged thousands of homes. The latest disaster marks yet another blow in a relentless storm season that experts warn is being worsened by climate change. Although Typhoon Matmo did not make direct landfall, its outer rainbands pounded northern provinces on Tuesday, overflowing rivers and unleashing landslides in communities already struggling to recover from four previous storms since September. Streets turned into rivers as homes and farmland were submerged, leaving many residents stranded and rescue teams scrambling to deliver food and relief supplies by boat. According to source more than 4,800 homes have been affected so far. Thre...