Mohini Barman - The Purbottar

26 Jul

Chicago Sizzles at 43°C as Power Grid Faces Pressure

Mohini BarmanInternational

A blistering heatwave has gripped the Midwestern United States, with temperatures soaring to over 43°C (109°F) in parts of Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. Chicago recorded its hottest day in nearly a decade on Wednesday, prompting city authorities to open cooling centers. The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings for over 30 million Americans. Hospitals have reported a rise in heat-related illnesses, especially among children, the elderly, and outdoor workers. With the U.S. power grid under strain, some parts of Illinois experienced brief blackouts. Climate experts say such extreme events are no longer anomalies but signals of worsening global…

25 Jul

Arunachal cops, govt shockingly unproductive: Family of missing Assam doctor

Mohini BarmanAssam

Nearly two months after Dr. Debanjib Sharmah mysteriously vanished from Tulow Resort in Wakro, Arunachal Pradesh, on May 31, his family has accused the state police and the government of showing no urgency in the investigation. Expressing anguish and frustration, the family alleged that despite repeated assurances and the passage of over a month since DNA samples were collected, the probe remains "mission-less” and “shockingly unproductive.” What was initially touted as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry has, in their words, turned out to be “mere lip service.” Key events and lapses in the investigation May 31 Dr. Sharmah goes…

25 Jul

Assam BJP announces names of new office bearers

Mohini BarmanAssam

President of the Assam Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Dilip Saikia, on July 25, announced the appointment of State Morcha Presidents, with two leaders from Guwahati securing key positions. Dilip Saikia, with the consent of the party’s National President JP Nadda, named Nabarun Medhi from Guwahati as the new president of the Scheduled Caste (SC) Morcha, while Pankaj Borbora, also from Guwahati, has been appointed to lead the Kisan Morcha.The fresh appointments reflect the party's growing focus on urban political leadership and grassroots engagement in the capital city. Alongside Guwahati's representation, other leaders across Assam have been appointed to lead…

24 Jul

Bangladesh’s Padma Bridge Linked to New Regional Rail Corridor Connecting South Asia

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has successfully completed trial runs on the new Padma Bridge rail link, which is set to become part of a greater regional railway corridor. The line will eventually connect Dhaka with India’s Siliguri and extend toward Nepal and Bhutan via integrated freight and passenger systems. Bangladesh Railways, in collaboration with Indian authorities and SAARC partners, sees this as a game-changer for trade, tourism, and regional mobility. Officials said the full route will open by 2026, with economic zones being developed along the tracks. This initiative is expected to transform South Asia’s logistics landscape, especially benefiting border districts like Jalpaiguri,…

24 Jul

U.S. Wildfire Season Begins Early with Blazes Raging Across California and Oregon

Mohini BarmanInternational

California and Oregon are once again facing a severe wildfire crisis, with over 500,000 acres burned in just two weeks. High winds and extreme heat have intensified the fires, prompting mass evacuations and emergency declarations in several counties. Authorities have deployed over 7,000 firefighters, but containment remains difficult. Power lines and infrastructure are at risk, and smoke has spread as far as Canada and the Midwest. The wildfire threat comes earlier than expected this year, raising alarms about climate-linked shifts. Indian and Nepali-origin firefighters, who form a growing part of the seasonal U.S. forest workforce, are among those deployed in…

23 Jul

Bangladesh Launches Satellite-Based Crop Monitoring Program to Fight Food Insecurity

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has rolled out a satellite-driven crop monitoring system, enabling real-time tracking of rice, jute, and wheat yields across all divisions. Developed in partnership with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and BARI, the system aims to improve food security and reduce import dependency. Farmers will receive harvest forecasts and pest alerts via mobile apps. The Agriculture Ministry believes this will help smallholders improve output and protect against climate shocks. The model is being watched by West Bengal and Bihar, which face similar agrarian challenges. India’s Ministry of Agriculture has expressed interest in data-sharing agreements, especially for border districts reliant on…

23 Jul

Record Surge in Migrant Crossings at U.S.-Mexico Border Raises Political Tensions

Mohini BarmanInternational

The U.S.-Mexico border is witnessing a dramatic increase in migrant crossings, with over 8,000 people arriving daily, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Many are fleeing climate-related disasters in Central America, while others come from as far as South Asia and Africa. President Biden’s administration faces mounting pressure ahead of the 2024 election, as Republican leaders blame weak border policies. The crisis is also creating humanitarian concerns, with record heatwaves causing multiple migrant deaths in Arizona and Texas. With South Asian nationals increasingly using Latin American routes to reach the U.S., several regional embassies have issued advisories, warning citizens…

22 Jul

Bangladesh Launches Smart Flood Forecasting System with European Aid

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has launched a nationwide flood prediction system, integrating satellite data, river sensors, and AI modelling. Developed with support from the European Union and the World Bank, the system offers 5-day forecasts across major river basins, including the Padma, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. Authorities say the system will reduce disaster losses by enabling earlier evacuations and smarter dam operations. The launch comes as extreme rainfall patterns are hitting South Asia more frequently due to climate change. The system could inspire similar adoption in Indian flood-prone states like Assam, Bihar, and West Bengal, where monsoon-related displacements are rising sharply.

22 Jul

Mediterranean on Fire: Tourists Flee as Temperatures Soar Beyond 45°C

Mohini BarmanInternational

Southern Europe is reeling under one of its most extreme heatwaves on record. Spain, Greece, and Italy are experiencing temperatures exceeding 45°C, forcing the closure of major tourist sites like the Acropolis and prompting heat-related health alerts. Hospitals in Athens and Rome report a 30% rise in emergency admissions, mostly among seniors and tourists. The European Space Agency attributes the phenomenon to a “heat dome” caused by high-pressure zones linked to climate change. With South Asia experiencing similar heat patterns, including in Delhi, Dhaka, and Kathmandu, climate scientists urge more trans-regional cooperation on early warning systems and urban cooling strategies.

21 Jul

Assam: Man arrested in shocking Nagaon m*rder case, victim identified after a month

Mohini BarmanAssam

A major breakthrough has been made in the sensational murder case of a young girl in Nagaon, with police arresting the prime accused nearly a month after the crime. Acting on leads from the preliminary investigation, Nagaon Police apprehended Saddam Hussain, a car driver, from Morongial in Nagoan district. During interrogation, Hussain reportedly confessed to the murder of 17-year-old Namrata Engtipi, a resident of Dhenatghat in Karbi Anglong. According to police sources, the incident occurred on the night of June 16, when the accused and the victim got into a heated argument while travelling together in a car. In a…