A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes near the Tibet-Nepal border, killing at least nine people. It causes building collapses and shakes regions across Bihar and North India. The quake's epicentre is in Tibet, about 93 km from Lobuche, Nepal. Two aftershocks were also recorded.
Related news
Delhi residents experienced a partly cloudy morning with a minimum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius, slightly above the seasonal average. The India Meteorological Department forecasts the maximum temperature will range between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius. Wind speed is expected to be around 10 kmph in the afternoon. The air quality remains moderate with an AQI of 194.
Rich nations' unfulfilled promises on climate finance might force developing countries to reconsider climate targets. The Economic Survey highlights India's vulnerability and advocates focusing on adaptation over emission mitigation. Key measures include climate-resilient seeds, urban resilience, early warning systems, mangroves, sea walls, and water management. Developed countries falling short of their commitments make low-carbon transition challenging.
Telangana's forests face a severe fire crisis, with incidents rising significantly to 13,497 in 2024. Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts are among the top affected. Fires damage ecosystems, causing biodiversity loss and habitat destruction. Human activities, including negligent agricultural practices, are major contributors.
Some fascinating animals, including cephalopods like octopuses and squids, thrive without the ability to hear. Instead, they rely on their exceptional eyesight and sensitivity to water pressure changes to detect threats and prey. This adaptation demonstrates nature’s innovative ways of surviving and flourishing in diverse environments, proving that silence can be powerful.
Wildfires in Brazil last year consumed a total area larger than all of Italy, a monitor reported Wednesday, as the country continues to battle blazes often set by farmers and ranchers illegally expanding their territory. But in Brazil, the main driver of the fires are ranchers and farmers who clear land for pasture and agriculture -- a crime the government struggles to contain.
India's central forest belt is undergoing a major conservation effort with the creation of new wildlife corridors linking key national parks in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. These corridors aim to enhance wildlife movement, improve gene flow for endangered species like tigers, and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
India's tiger territory has expanded by 30% between 2006 and 2018, covering over 1.4 lakh sq km, even within densely populated human areas. This success underscores the potential for wildlife-human coexistence and emphasizes the importance of protecting core regions for continued conservation.
Japan has set new decarbonization targets, aiming to cut emissions by 60 per cent by 2035 and 73 per cent by 2040 from 2013 levels. The updated energy plan boosts renewables to 40-50 per cent by 2040 while reviving nuclear power, targeting 20 per cent of energy supply. However, nuclear expansion faces safety concerns and slow regulatory processes. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is monitoring plant restarts, including at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, amid local opposition.
International environmental negotiations are facing significant setbacks. Recent UN-sponsored talks on climate change, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, and desertification have yielded limited results, raising concerns about the effectiveness of multilateral environmentalism. Experts cite various challenges, including the consensus-based decision-making process, influence of the fossil fuel industry, geopolitical shifts, and the sheer scale of the problems.
Between January and October 2024, the World Health Organization recorded roughly 7.3 million malaria cases and 1,157 deaths in Ethiopia.