Thursday, October 30News That Matters

Breaking News

Devastating Windstorm Batters Nepal: Four Dead, Dozens Injured, and Infrastructure Severely Damaged

Devastating Windstorm Batters Nepal: Four Dead, Dozens Injured, and Infrastructure Severely Damaged

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Nepal faced a deadly natural calamity on Friday as a powerful windstorm swept through several regions, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm claimed the lives of at least four individuals, injured 28 more, and caused widespread damage estimated at over NPR 1.08 billion. Authorities and citizens alike were left reeling from the intensity and unexpected nature of the event. Lives Lost Across Multiple Districts Tragically, four people lost their lives in different parts of the country. The victims included 14-year-old Shukna Kewat from Kapilvastu, 54-year-old Rambha Devi Dhanuk from Bara, 30-year-old Mira Bayambu, and 40-year-old Durga Bahadur Pun from Nawalparasi West. Each death represents not only a personal loss for grieving families but also a stark reminder of the ...
WMO and Republic of Korea Forge Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Global Water Resilience

WMO and Republic of Korea Forge Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Global Water Resilience

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has taken a major step in global water governance by entering into a groundbreaking partnership with the Republic of Korea. This alliance, formalized through two key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed on 14 May 2025, aims to boost international efforts in operational hydrology, flood forecasting, and sustainable water resource management, with a sharp focus on supporting Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Signed by WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo and representatives from the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Environment and the Korea Institute of Hydrological Survey (KIHS), these agreements reflect a united commitment to building water resilience in a rapidly changing climate. A Longstanding ...
Tornado Tragedy Deadly Storms Tear Through U.S. Midwest and South, Claiming 27 Lives

Tornado Tragedy Deadly Storms Tear Through U.S. Midwest and South, Claiming 27 Lives

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
A series of violent storm systems tore through the U.S. Midwest and South this weekend, leaving at least 27 people dead and causing extensive destruction across multiple states. The most severe impact was reported in Kentucky, where 18 lives were lost, including a veteran firefighter, as tornadoes ripped through communities with devastating force. Kentucky Suffers the Heaviest Toll Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that 17 of the Kentucky fatalities occurred in Laurel County, with another tragic death in Pulaski County. Homes were flattened, vehicles were overturned, and entire neighborhoods were left unrecognizable. Emergency responders are continuing search-and-rescue operations, with fears that the death toll may rise as debris is cleared and more victims are discovered. The ...
Career In Sustainability: Youth Must Have These Skill

Career In Sustainability: Youth Must Have These Skill

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments
Youth Want to Act on Climate But Feel Ill-Prepared A global report released today by the Capgemini Research Institute in collaboration with UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited paints a sobering picture of how young people perceive their role in climate action. Titled Youth Perspectives on Climate: Preparing for a Sustainable Future, the report highlights that while young people are increasingly motivated to tackle climate change, a lack of green skills remains a major obstacle. According to the research, 61% of 16–24-year-olds believe acquiring green skills would lead to new career opportunities. Yet, less than half (44%) of them feel they actually possess the skills needed for today’s green economy. This gap is stalling their ability to transition into meaningful, climate-focused jobs. Cli...
India Proposes Five-Point Global Plan to Protect Mountains at Sagarmatha Sambaad

India Proposes Five-Point Global Plan to Protect Mountains at Sagarmatha Sambaad

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
India reaffirmed its climate leadership at the international stage on Friday, as Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, addressed the inaugural Sagarmatha Sambaad in Kathmandu, Nepal. Representing India at the high-level global dialogue on “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity,” Yadav unveiled a five-point global action plan to protect fragile mountain ecosystems and foster climate resilience across borders. The summit brought together environment ministers, climate leaders, and policymakers from around the world to discuss the rapidly escalating impacts of climate change on mountain regions, especially the Himalayas. Honouring Sagarmatha: A Shared Heritage Opening his address, Yadav praised Nepal’s initiative in convening the ...
Scorching Heat Grips Uttar Pradesh as Banda Hits 46.2°C

Scorching Heat Grips Uttar Pradesh as Banda Hits 46.2°C

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters
Banda district in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest temperature in India on Friday, reaching a searing 46.2°C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This extreme heat has prompted a severe heatwave warning across many parts of the state, expected to persist until Sunday. Eastern Uttar Pradesh, in particular, is bearing the brunt of the heatwave, with temperatures remaining well above normal levels. The IMD has cautioned residents about the ongoing heat stress, while the possibility of light rainfall in some eastern areas remains minimal. In response, the state government has directed all district administrations to enforce precautionary measures to protect public health. The health department is on high alert, preparing for a potential surge in heat-related illness...
Global Unity on Climate Change: Sagarmatha Sambaad Underscores Urgent Call for Action

Global Unity on Climate Change: Sagarmatha Sambaad Underscores Urgent Call for Action

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
World leaders, climate experts, and international delegates gathered in Nepal for the Sagarmatha Sambaad, where they reaffirmed their collective commitment to combat climate change with special focus on its mounting impact on mountainous regions. The summit emphasized collaboration, environmental justice, and urgent global action to secure the planet’s future. Summit Opens with Global Backing for Nepal’s Climate Vision The three-day Sagarmatha Sambaad began with a strong show of international support for Nepal’s climate leadership. Nepali Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba highlighted the growing global consensus in support of safeguarding fragile mountain ecosystems, acknowledging endorsements even from non-mountainous nations that recognize the interconnectedness of climate impac...
EU–India Launch €41 Million Green-Tech Drive: Focus on Ocean Health and Hydrogen Innovation

EU–India Launch €41 Million Green-Tech Drive: Focus on Ocean Health and Hydrogen Innovation

Breaking News, Learning & Developments, Tech, Thoughts & Talks
In a significant step toward deepening bilateral cooperation and tackling global environmental challenges, the European Union and India have jointly announced two landmark initiatives under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC). With a combined investment of €41 million, the projects aim to address marine pollution and accelerate development in hydrogen-based clean energy technologies, showcasing a shared commitment to sustainable innovation and geopolitical partnership. Research & Innovation: A New Chapter in EU–India Collaboration Backed by the EU's Horizon Europe programme and Indian ministries, the two projects mark a major milestone in international scientific cooperation. By uniting researchers, startups, and industries from both regions, the initiatives aim to de...
Delhi Air Quality Crisis: Emergency Steps Trigger Political Feud as Pollution Surges

Delhi Air Quality Crisis: Emergency Steps Trigger Political Feud as Pollution Surges

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment
Delhi NCR is once again grappling with a severe air pollution episode, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to enforce Stage-I measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on May 16. The decision follows a rapid rise in the city’s pollution levels, driven by strong winds that carried dust from distant regions, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to a concerning 278. Forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) indicate that these poor air quality conditions are likely to persist at least through May 17. Despite recent official claims of progress, with only two ‘poor’ air days recorded in the first half of May 2025 the lowest in four years the sudden spike has reignited political fault lines. Th...
Born in the Heat: How Climate Change Is Putting Pregnant Women and Babies at Risk

Born in the Heat: How Climate Change Is Putting Pregnant Women and Babies at Risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
As climate change continues to drive extreme weather events around the globe, pregnant women are emerging as one of the most vulnerable populations. A groundbreaking new report from US-based research group Climate Central paints a disturbing picture: global warming is drastically increasing the number of “pregnancy heat-risk days” days when dangerously high temperatures threaten maternal and fetal health. The consequences are already being felt in hundreds of countries, especially in the Global South, where access to healthcare is limited. Heatwaves and Pregnancy: A Global Health Crisis Between 2020 and 2024, the number of high-heat exposure days for pregnant women more than doubled in 222 of the 247 countries and territories analyzed by Climate Central. These pregnancy heat-risk days ...