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Delhi air quality has seen a welcome improvement with the Air Quality Index (AQI) holding steady at a 'satisfactory' level of 89 for the second consecutive day. This marks the cleanest air recorded in the city in over eight months, according to official monitoring data. The improvement follows a 100-day government plan focused on reducing pollution levels across the city. As part of the initiative, more than 11 lakh kilometres of roads have been cleaned since February 20, alongside daily water sprinkling to keep dust under control. Weather conditions are also expected to play a role in maintaining or further improving air quality. The India Meteorological Department has issued a 'yellow' alert for thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall in the capital, which could help clear air...

A large majority of Indians believe that oil, gas, and coal companies should be taxed to pay for the environmental harm caused by floods, droughts, wildfires, and health issues linked to pollution. This was revealed in a recent international survey released during the ongoing Bonn Climate Conference 2025. According to the findings, 80% of Indian respondents agreed that fossil fuel corporations should bear financial responsibility for these damages. Over half of them said oil and gas companies should be taxed directly, while another 23% felt that taxes should be extended to other businesses. Around 13% said the cost should be passed on to consumer goods, and 10% felt working people should also contribute. When asked who should carry the main burden of such taxes, 43% of respondents po...

  Mauritius is facing an alarming water shortage as changing weather patterns, rising temperatures, and increasing demand strain the island nation’s limited water resources. Once abundant, the country’s reservoirs are now dangerously low, holding just 38.2% of their capacity compared to 92.6% in February 2024. The island’s population has more than doubled since the 1950s, pushing demand for water to new highs. At the same time, rainfall over the past decade has declined by 8%, compounding the stress on supplies. Scientists warn that droughts in Mauritius are becoming more frequent and severe, threatening agriculture, industries, and the daily lives of people, especially in the central plateau and coastal regions. The government has imposed strict water-use restrictions. Washi...

A recent analysis by a Delhi-based think tank has revealed a troubling rise in ground-level ozone pollution across the National Capital Region (NCR) during the summer of 2025. The study found that ozone levels breached national safety standards nearly every day from March to May, with a wider spread and longer duration compared to previous years. Between May 25 and June 11, ozone emerged as the dominant pollutant on 12 of 18 days in the city’s official Air Quality Index readings, surpassing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) for the first time over such an extended period. However, the city’s current pollution control framework under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) does not include specific measures to curb ozone or its precursor gases, leaving a critical gap in efforts to manage th...

For a city long plagued by choking smog and dust-laden skies, Delhi woke up to a rare and refreshing sight this week clean, breathable air. For the second consecutive day, the capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) held steady at a 'satisfactory' level of 89, marking the best air quality the city has seen in more than eight months. This welcome change, confirmed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), follows the rollout of an ambitious 100-day action plan by the Delhi government. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa credited this rare improvement to intensified road cleaning efforts, with more than 11 lakh kilometers of city roads swept and regular water sprinkling operations helping to keep dust levels in check since February 20. And there’s more relief on the way. The Indi...

Two years after the fierce winds and heavy rains of Cyclone Gabrielle battered Auckland and much of New Zealand’s North Island, the scars of that storm are still visible but so are signs of strength, unity, and renewal. Thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who supported a special Lotto draw held in March 2023, Auckland’s local communities are now receiving much-needed support. Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden announced that $1.8 million in grants has been distributed to 71 community organisations across Auckland, funding projects aimed at rebuilding, strengthening emergency services, and preparing for future climate risks. “Cyclone Gabrielle caused devastating damage, tearing through homes, disrupting lives, and testing the spirit of our people,” van Velden said. “But this...

On June 21, India and the world will mark the 11th International Day of Yoga with a renewed spirit of unity, health, and environmental harmony. Under this year’s thoughtful theme, ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health,’ the day highlights how human well-being and the planet’s health are deeply connected a message that reflects India’s vision from its G20 presidency: ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’ Leading this global celebration is Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will participate in the main event, Yoga Sangam, in Visakhapatnam. Over 100,000 locations across the country will join simultaneously in performing yoga, showing the growing reach and popularity of this ancient practice. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, speaking at a yoga and meditation camp in Shalimar Bagh, praised PM Mo...

India is setting its sights on reviving two vital sectors tourism and land health with fresh efforts that promise long-term benefits for people and the environment. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat recently visited the ancient Sun Temple in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, a region slowly regaining confidence after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead. Despite the tragedy, Shekhawat sounded hopeful. He said tourist activity had seen a strong recovery over the past month and a half, and he believed that by December, Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector could return to its earlier heights. "The spirit of the people here and the beauty of this land cannot be dimmed by fear," he said during his visit. Shekhawat emphasized that peaceful conditions and proactive ...

A wave of breakthroughs and challenges is shaping the world of science, space, and the environment this week. French satellite company Eutelsat made headlines after sealing a massive $1.15 billion deal with the French government, pushing its shares up by 10%. Under this agreement, the French military will get top-priority access to OneWeb satellites, ensuring better connectivity and communication security. This deal highlights Eutelsat’s growing role in the defense sector as space technology becomes critical to national interests. In another exciting development from Europe, aerospace giants Leonardo, Airbus, and Thales are reportedly exploring the creation of a joint space venture called 'Project Bromo.' Their bold aim? To compete with Elon Musk's Starlink and cement Europe’s position...

Torrential rains swept across Jharkhand on Thursday, leaving behind a trail of destruction, sorrow, and rising fear among residents. At least four lives were lost in the downpour including two schoolboys and a 10-year-old girl while search teams are still trying to locate a person reported missing near a waterfall. The heavy rainfall not only claimed lives but also damaged crucial infrastructure. Walls collapsed, bridges gave way, and houses crumbled in various districts, though no additional injuries were reported from these incidents. Several rivers, swollen by the sudden influx of rainwater, are now flowing dangerously close to their danger marks. Districts such as Ranchi, Khunti, and East Singhbhum have been hit the hardest. The state government has responded by deploying teams f...