Mohini Barman

Kenya has launched the continent’s first fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses in Nairobi, marking a leap toward green public transport. Developed by Japanese and South Korean partners, the buses run silently with zero tailpipe emissions. The initiative is part of Kenya’s Vision 2040 to cut carbon emissions and promote sustainable urban mobility. The government plans to install hydrogen refueling stations at six locations over the coming year. East African cities like Uganda's Kampala and Rwanda’s Kigali, along with South Asian metros, are watching closely for possible adaptation of hydrogen technology in mass transit systems.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has started early, with tropical Storm Aurora forming weeks before the official June 1 start date. Meteorologists now predict an above-average season, with up to 20 named storms and as many as 10 reaching hurricane strength. Climate scientists attribute the early formation to record-warm ocean temperatures and weaker wind shear. Coastal states from Texas to Florida are ramping up preparedness, deploying aid stores and reinforcing infrastructure. With similar trends appearing in the Bay of Bengal region—where tropical cyclones threaten Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka—regional disaster agencies are coordinating enhanced early warning systems ahead of the…

California has introduced a first-of-its-kind environmental tax to combat its worsening wildfire seasons. The levy imposes an additional $50 annual fee on high-risk homeowners—those with properties in forested or brush-heavy zones. Revenue will fund vegetation thinning, controlled burns, and firefighter resources. State officials project that the fund could raise $500 million annually, significantly enhancing wildfire resiliency. Critics, however, argue it may burden lower-income families living in at-risk areas. Experts in Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, and Bhutan see this model as potentially replicable, given increasing fire threats. Many are now evaluating how a similar levy could bolster mountain community safety.

The City Council of Chicago has passed a groundbreaking ordinance banning the use of facial recognition technology in public surveillance systems operated by law enforcement. Citing concerns over privacy, bias, and wrongful identification, the law has been welcomed by civil liberties groups across the USA. The law makes Chicago the first major American city to enforce such a sweeping digital rights measure. Exemptions are made for airport security and private businesses, but police departments must now rely on alternative tracking methods. Legal think tanks in India and Bangladesh, where facial recognition is expanding, are reviewing the implications. Experts suggest that…

Kenya has inaugurated the largest wildlife corridor in Africa, connecting Tsavo East and West National Parks. Stretching over 100 kilometers, the corridor aims to facilitate safe migration for elephants, lions, and other endangered species. Built through a partnership between the Kenyan government and the African Wildlife Foundation, the project involved land acquisition from private owners and the construction of underground roads for vehicles to reduce animal-vehicle collisions. It’s a groundbreaking model of human-wildlife coexistence. Wildlife experts in Assam and Terai regions are taking cues from this corridor’s success, considering similar models to reconnect fragmented elephant corridors. Conservationists from Nepal and…

In response to growing complaints about noise pollution, the Paris City Council has passed a new ‘Quiet Nights’ ordinance, banning amplified music, street performances, and loud gatherings in residential zones between 10 PM and 7 AM. Violators face fines up to €150 and potential suspension of entertainment licenses. The policy is a response to health data linking chronic noise exposure to sleep disorders, anxiety, and hypertension. Authorities will increase night-time patrols, particularly in hotspots like Le Marais and Montmartre. Urban experts from Mumbai, Dhaka, and Kathmandu, cities with similar density issues, are observing the implementation. There’s growing discourse in South…

Amazon has announced the expansion of its Prime Air drone delivery service to additional U.S. cities, including Los Angeles and Austin, aiming to reduce delivery times to under 30 minutes. The service, which began with limited trials in Lockeford, California, has now been scaled up with FAA approval. The drones can carry up to 5 pounds of packages and are equipped with AI-powered obstacle avoidance systems. According to Amazon, nearly 80% of customer orders fall within this weight range. Officials say the system is part of Amazon’s push toward sustainable logistics, as the drones are fully electric. This model could…