Mohini Barman

NASA has officially announced a two-year delay in its much-anticipated Artemis III mission, which aimed to return humans to the Moon by 2025. The new timeline is now set for late 2027, due to critical issues with the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield and SpaceX’s Starship lander. This will be the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson confirmed that while the delay is disappointing, “safety remains non-negotiable.” Countries like India, with its Chandrayaan-3 success, and Bangladesh, which recently launched its space research initiative, are watching the developments closely as they seek regional space partnerships.

Lagos has become the first African city to host a continent-wide Smart City Hackathon, drawing over 800 participants from 14 countries. The event, co-organized by the African Development Bank and Google Africa, aims to address urban issues using technology. Winning projects included an AI-powered drainage monitor to prevent floods and an app to optimize public transport routes. The Nigerian government plans to fund four of the top projects. Urban planners in South Asia, including in Kolkata and Kathmandu, are now looking at similar civic-tech hackathons to crowdsource urban innovation from youth.

California has declared a state of emergency after over 50 wildfires erupted across the state amid an intense heatwave. The largest, the Sunset Valley Fire, has already burned 70,000 acres near San Bernardino, forcing the evacuation of 25,000 residents. Governor Gavin Newsom activated the National Guard and requested federal disaster relief funds. Authorities blame the unusual spike in temperatures, prolonged drought, and strong winds for accelerating the crisis. Experts from South Asia are also watching the situation closely, as parts of India and Bangladesh face similar climate-induced wildfire risks in forested zones.

The London Mayor’s Office has launched a “Green Heat Zone” pilot in five boroughs to combat the rising urban heat island effect. The plan includes planting 250,000 trees, installing cooling pavements, and expanding green rooftops. Data from the Met Office shows that inner London now experiences up to 6°C higher temperatures than nearby rural zones. Vulnerable residents, including the elderly, will also receive cooling kits and subsidies on AC units powered by renewable energy. South Asian cities like Delhi and Dhaka, facing similar heat stress, are closely monitoring this climate-resilient model for adaptation in densely populated zones.

New York City has rolled out robotic patrol dogs equipped with cameras and sensors in select subway stations as part of a public safety pilot. The move, announced by Mayor Eric Adams, aims to deter crimes and aid in crowd management. While some commuters welcomed the tech, others raised concerns over surveillance, cost, and potential racial profiling. Civil liberties groups have demanded transparency in data use and AI oversight. This kind of tech testing is being followed closely in cities like London, Tokyo, and even Mumbai, where urban transport safety remains a priority.

Ahead of the Paris Olympics, France has passed sweeping AI legislation that limits facial recognition and mandates transparency in algorithmic surveillance. The law is a response to privacy advocates’ concerns about intrusive tech use during the global event. The French interior ministry confirmed that AI will be used for crowd monitoring but under strict oversight. Activists, however, warn that the law doesn’t go far enough in preventing misuse. Countries like India, which plans to host major sporting events, and Bangladesh—prepping for its own AI strategies—are observing the French model for policy cues.

A severe heatwave is sweeping across the southern United States, with temperatures soaring past 45°C in parts of Texas, Arizona, and Nevada. The National Weather Service has issued red alerts, advising people to avoid outdoor exposure and conserve energy. Hospitals in Houston and Phoenix have reported a 30% rise in heatstroke and dehydration cases. Authorities are urging citizens to check on the elderly and vulnerable, while energy providers are struggling to maintain uninterrupted supply. The crisis has reignited debate over climate resilience, with experts pointing to similar risks in densely populated South Asian cities like Dhaka and Kolkata during prolonged…

In a surprising liberalization move, Saudi Arabia will soon permit alcohol in select luxury resorts within newly created tourism zones like NEOM and the Red Sea Project. The policy is designed to attract more Western tourists as part of the Vision 2030 initiative. Strict regulations will govern alcohol sales, and consumption will remain prohibited in public areas and for citizens. Travel analysts in Bangladesh and India note this could shift outbound tourism trends, especially among affluent Gulf-bound vacationers. The development also opens up business opportunities for regional hospitality companies seeking partnerships in Middle Eastern tourism infrastructure.