Mohini Barman - The Purbottar

30 Jul

First Woman and First Person of Colour to Land on Moon in Historic US Space Mission

Mohini BarmanNASA

NASA has formally named the four-member crew of its upcoming Artemis III mission, which will mark the first human moon landing since 1972. The 2026 launch aims to put the first woman and the first person of colour on the lunar surface. The astronauts are undergoing high-pressure simulations at Johnson Space Center, Texas. The mission is part of NASA’s broader goal to build a permanent base on the moon under the Artemis program, supported by global partners including ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and ISRO (India). With rising student interest in astrophysics across Nepal, Bhutan, and Eastern India, space educators see…

28 Jul

AI Policy Overhaul in the United States Targets Deepfake Threats

Mohini BarmanInternational

In a major push to regulate emerging technology, the White House has issued new executive orders instructing leading tech firms to clearly label and watermark AI-generated content to fight misinformation and election interference. The move comes as the U.S. enters its critical pre-election period. The rules, part of a broader AI Governance Framework, aim to hold companies accountable for the potential misuse of deepfakes, especially in political propaganda and synthetic news. The new policy also mandates independent audits of large language models, a trend many countries—including India and the UK—are observing closely as they update their own digital safety laws.

26 Jul

Nairobi Emerges as Digital Hub, Attracts Investment from Asia and Europe

Mohini BarmanInternational

Kenya has inaugurated East Africa’s largest data centre in Nairobi, a $200 million investment aiming to transform the country into a major digital services hub. The centre, powered by renewable energy, will serve regional governments and businesses with secure data storage and cloud solutions. The launch has drawn attention from international tech giants, including companies from India, South Korea, and the UK, who are exploring partnerships and expansion in the region. Kenya’s ICT Minister said the move would create thousands of jobs and boost connectivity across the continent. The digital leap in East Africa has prompted renewed interest in India-Africa…

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…