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A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, killing at least 10 people and injuring around 260 others, according to Afghan health authorities. The US Geological Survey located the epicenter 22 kilometers west-southwest of Khulm, with tremors recorded shortly before 1 am local time. The quake severely impacted Balkh and Samangan provinces, where homes and buildings were damaged, and rescue operations are underway. In Mazar-e-Sharif, minor damage was reported at the city’s iconic Blue Mosque, a centuries-old site revered across the region. Officials confirmed that the structure remains intact but is being assessed for safety. The Afghan Ministry of Defence said emergency teams have been deployed to the affected districts to assist survivors and coor...

In a remarkable discovery for biodiversity research, scientists have confirmed the presence of the rare Black-spot Royal butterfly Tajuria luculentus in Sikkim, marking the first record of the species in the state. The finding, published in the March–June 2025 issue of Bionotes by the Butterfly Research Centre, Bhimtal, expands the known habitat range of the butterfly, previously confined to Manipur, Meghalaya, and Nepal. The discovery was made by local researchers Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha, Monish Kumar Thapa, Sonam Pintso Sherpa, and Nosang M. Limboo during a field survey on April 19 in Noam Panang, Dzongu, North Sikkim. The butterfly was spotted perched high in a tree among 30 to 35 other species, confirming its existence in Sikkim’s thriving ecosystem. Sikkim, already renowned for it...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled one of India’s most ambitious science and technology initiatives yet, announcing sweeping reforms and a massive financial commitment aimed at placing the country firmly on the global innovation map. Speaking at the inaugural Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave in New Delhi, Modi outlined a renewed national vision centred on high-risk, high-impact research and stronger private sector participation. At the heart of this push is a newly established Research, Development and Innovation Fund worth Rs 1 lakh crore, designed to attract significant private investment and accelerate breakthroughs across cutting-edge scientific disciplines. The prime minister said the fund would open doors for transformative ideas, encourage deep-te...

BEIJING, November 3, 2025 — China has dispatched its 42nd Antarctic expedition, commencing a seven-month mission highlighted by the country's first-ever scientific drilling into the continent’s deep inland subglacial lakes. The endeavor marks a significant expansion of China's polar research capabilities and strategic presence on the icy continent. The expedition team, consisting of over 500 members, set sail from Shanghai supported by the polar research icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2. The primary scientific objective involves performing clean drilling and sampling operations through more than 3,000 meters of thick ice, targeting deep inland lakes that host unique, isolated ecosystems. New Technology and Strategic Focus According to Wei Fuhai, the leader and chief scientist of ...

GENEVA, Switzerland – November 3, 2025 – In a significant move to combat rising breast cancer mortality, particularly in developing nations, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and the WHO Academy have officially launched a new online learning course for health professionals worldwide. The course, titled "Using the IARC Atlas of Breast Cancer Early Detection," is designed to rapidly enhance the capacity of frontline health-care workers in recognizing and managing breast abnormalities. The initiative comes as breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer among women globally, responsible for nearly 700,000 deaths annually, with a disproportionate number occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Bridging ...

NAIROBI, Kenya – November 3, 2025 – The death toll from the devastating landslide that swept through Kenya's Rift Valley has tragically climbed to 26, with rescue efforts temporarily suspended due to a new flash flood. At least 25 people remain unaccounted for following the disaster, which occurred early Saturday morning in the Chesongoch area of Elgeyo-Marakwet County following torrential rainfall. The initial rescue operations, led by police and military units, were hampered late Sunday when flash floods from a nearby hill forced teams to abandon the search site. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the updated casualty figures and the suspension of the search, stating that military aircraft had been deployed to intensify the mission and help access areas that were completel...

New Delhi, November 3, 2025 — Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, overseeing a portfolio including Science, Technology, and Personnel, today chaired an extensive brainstorming session on “Effective Government Communication,” urging departments to abandon traditional formats in favor of citizen-centric, engaging, and credible outreach. The high-level meeting, attended by Secretaries and senior officials from DoPT, DARPG, DST, and other key ministries, concluded with a collective resolve to make communication a strategic tool for nation-building and trust creation. Key Strategic Directives Dr. Singh set two crucial mandates for all ministries under his charge: Whole-of-Government Approach: The Minister stressed the need for unified, coherent messaging across all departments. This ...

New Delhi, November 3, 2025 — The national capital awoke Monday morning under a blanket of thick, grey haze, as air quality continued its steep deterioration, signaling the onset of the region hazardous winter pollution season. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and its Sameer app data, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi registered at 316, firmly placing the city in the 'Very Poor' category. Alarmingly, 28 of the city monitoring stations recorded readings surpassing the 300 mark, with some pockets likely nearing the 'Severe' category (401-500). The current 'Very Poor' status (AQI 301-400) indicates that prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory illness even in healthy people, and seriously affects those with pre-existing conditions like asthma, heart,...

A new global study has sounded the alarm over worsening land subsidence across India largest cities, revealing that excessive groundwater extraction is causing the ground beneath urban areas to sink posing grave structural and safety risks for millions. Published in Nature Sustainability on October 28, 2025, the research warns that Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru are sinking at alarming rates, threatening more than 13 million buildings and nearly 80 million people. Delhi Worst Affected Among the five cities, Delhi recorded the highest subsidence rates up to 51 millimetres per year followed by Chennai (31.7 mm/yr), Mumbai (26.1 mm/yr), Kolkata (16.4 mm/yr), and Bengaluru (6.7 mm/yr). In the National Capital Region, the most affected zones include Bijwasan, Faridabad,...

Nww Delhi: Delhi's wetlands have been steadily vanishing under the pressure of rapid urbanisation, with a new study warning of severe ecological consequences. A 2025 study titled ‘The Impact of Urbanisation on Wetland Ecology in Delhi Using AWEI and GIS' by Delhi University researchers found that the city lost around 8.2% of its total wetlands between 1991 and 2021, while south Delhi lost nearly 97% of its wetland area during the same period. The research team comprising Grinedge Yadav, Rupesh Kumar Gupta and Arpit Gupta from DU's Department of Continuing Education and Extension; Ajay Srivastava from HCL Tech and Nani Gopal Mandal from Terna Global Business School, Navi Mumbai used satellite imagery and the Automated Water Extraction Index (AWEI) to map changes in Delhi's surface wat...