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A new satellite study has revealed that emperor penguin numbers in Antarctica are dropping much faster than previously feared, sparking fresh concerns about the species' survival as climate change worsens. Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey, publishing their findings in Nature Communications: Earth & Environment, found a 22 per cent decline in emperor penguin numbers over the past 15 years across key regions the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, and Bellingshausen Sea. This data covers nearly 30 per cent of the continent’s emperor penguin colonies, raising fears that the problem could be just as severe across the entire Antarctic region. Dr Peter Fretwell, one of the lead scientists, warned that while there is some uncertainty in satellite-based wildlife counting, the ...

Delhi is likely to get an early break from the ongoing heatwave as the southwest monsoon could reach the city nearly 10 days ahead of schedule. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon may arrive in the national capital by the third week of June, instead of its usual onset date around June 30. The weather department confirmed that after a brief lull of almost 10 days, the monsoon has gathered pace again, especially over South India. Since Wednesday, states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Konkan, and Maharashtra have been receiving heavy to very heavy rains. This renewed monsoon activity is expected to push the rainy system northwards rapidly, spreading across other parts of the country soon. In its latest report, the IMD predicted that the second phase ...

A new study has revealed that climate disasters like Superstorm Sandy may be quietly shaping the brains of babies even before they are born. Scientists at The City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center and Queens College have found that children whose mothers were pregnant during the devastating 2012 storm show distinct differences in brain development, which could impact their emotions for years to come. The research, published in PLOS One, suggests that climate events especially when combined with extreme heat can alter the growth of critical brain areas that control how emotions are processed. “We are seeing how climate change might already be affecting the next generation before they even take their first breath,” said Donato DeIngeniis, the study’s lead author and a psyc...

Disagreements continue as developed and developing countries struggle to agree on funding pathways to meet global climate targets. At COP29, countries failed to reach a breakthrough on climate finance for developing nations. The much-anticipated New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) fell short of expectations. Developed nations promised to raise climate funding from $100 billion annually to $300 billion by 2035 but this is far less than the estimated $1.3 trillion needed every year to help poorer nations fight climate change, adapt to its impacts, and reduce emissions. As part of the NCQG deal, the Baku to Belém Roadmap was launched by the COP29 and COP30 Presidencies. Its purpose is to figure out how to raise the $1.3 trillion required annually by 2035 to support developing countries’...

A devastating wave of floods has swept through South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, claiming at least 49 lives in what officials are calling one of the region’s worst natural disasters in recent memory. The toll may rise further as rescue teams continue to search for the missing amid the wreckage. The floods, driven by relentless rain and rare snowfall, have left a trail of destruction. Homes, schools, and hospitals across the province have been damaged or destroyed, forcing hundreds to flee to temporary shelters. Entire communities are struggling to cope with the aftermath as roads remain washed out and essential services disrupted. Premier Oscar Mabuyane confirmed the grim figures, warning that more bodies may yet be found as the search continues. “The situation remains precarious...

As the monsoon approaches, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has reassured residents that the city is better prepared to handle floods this year, learning from the devastation caused by last year’s severe waterlogging and inundation. Chairing a meeting of the Flood Control Committee, Gupta outlined the government’s measures, which include extensive drain desilting and the full activation of emergency response centers across the capital. However, while the city gears up for flood risks, another issue has stirred public debate. A demolition drive in the Kalkaji area has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders. AAP’s Atishi has accused the government of breaking promises to low-income residents by clearing out nearly 370 structures in the Bhoomihini camp. She questioned the role of th...

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has praised India’s remarkable progress in weather forecasting and disaster preparedness, crediting the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for elevating the country’s capabilities to match those of developed nations. Chairing a high-level review meeting on flood management, Shah stressed the need for close coordination between central agencies like the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with state governments. He also called on the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the NDMA, and the National Remote Sensing Centre to remain alert to potential risks from glacial lakes, whose sudden outbursts can trigger devastating floods. Reaffirming India’s commitment to a 'zero casualty approach' in disaster manag...

As Uttar Pradesh continues to reel under an intense heatwave, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has urged people to remain cautious and follow safety measures to protect themselves from the soaring temperatures. With hospitals across the state put on high alert, the government is taking no chances in preparing for potential heat-related emergencies. Pathak advised residents to limit outdoor activities during peak hours and to carry umbrellas or cover their heads when stepping outside. He emphasized the importance of simple precautions in avoiding heatstroke and related illnesses. The India Meteorological Department has predicted that some relief may arrive for northwestern India, including Uttar Pradesh, starting June 14, raising hopes that the relentless heat may soon ease. In...

Extreme heat is no longer just an uncomfortable season to endure it has quietly become one of the deadliest and least addressed climate hazards of our time. In a high-level event held at the 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, leaders from governments, global agencies, labor unions, academia, and humanitarian organizations came together to sound the alarm: the world must radically rethink how it prepares for and manages the rising danger of extreme heat. “Extreme heat is the deadliest of all climate-related hazards,” warned Celeste Saulo, Director-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). “Yet it remains the least recognized and least managed.” A Growing, Silent Threat The numbers are stark. Between 2000 and 2019, extreme heat contributed to nearly half a...

A powerful new AI tool designed by researchers at Johns Hopkins and Duke universities could transform how public health officials predict and manage infectious disease outbreaks like flu and COVID-19. This cutting-edge system, called PandemicLLM, has outperformed current top forecasting methods, offering fresh hope for handling future pandemics more effectively. The tool uses large language modeling the same generative AI technology behind ChatGPT — to "reason" through complex, changing data. It moves beyond traditional mathematical forecasting by considering factors like new virus variants, mask mandates, and recent spikes in infections. “COVID-19 taught us that old models broke down when things changed like when new variants arrived or public policies shifted,” said Lauren Gard...