Mohini Barman

In a major education reform, the UK government has announced a plan to provide free AI-powered tools to state schools by 2026. These tools will help personalize learning for students and automate administrative tasks for teachers. The Department for Education (DfE) is partnering with top ed-tech firms to deploy software that can adapt to students' learning styles, identify weaknesses, and generate targeted content. A pilot across 100 schools showed a 12% improvement in literacy and math scores. Education boards in India and Bangladesh are observing the UK’s public-private collaboration model, particularly as NEP 2020 encourages tech integration in classrooms. Experts…

Kenya’s iconic Nairobi National Park will begin offering night safaris from next month, a first for the urban-proximate wildlife reserve. Officials say the move is part of a broader post-COVID tourism recovery plan. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) announced that trained rangers, low-impact lighting, and noise-control vehicles will allow tourists to safely observe nocturnal species such as hyenas, porcupines, and leopards. The move is generating interest from Bhutan’s Royal Manas Park and Nepal’s Bardia reserve officials, who are exploring similar eco-tourism experiences without disturbing wildlife cycles.

The US state of California has announced that all new commercial trucks sold from 2036 must be zero-emission, making it the first region in the world with such a mandate. The decision is expected to reshape the logistics industry across North America. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) says the move is vital to meeting climate goals and reducing pollution in urban and freight-heavy zones. Trucking companies are now racing to adapt, with Tesla and Volvo already showcasing electric heavy vehicles. With India and Bangladesh heavily reliant on diesel freight, transport ministries are observing this policy for long-term emissions reduction…

Kenya has deployed 50 new mobile clinics to serve pregnant women and new mothers in remote rural regions, where maternal mortality remains high. The solar-powered vans offer prenatal checkups, emergency care, and baby vaccinations. Launched by the Ministry of Health in partnership with UNICEF and the Gates Foundation, the initiative is already seeing success in the Rift Valley and Nyanza regions. Officials report a 40% increase in safe deliveries within weeks of launch. South Asian health ministries—including those in Nepal and Bhutan—are exploring similar mobile clinic models to improve access in hilly and hard-to-reach areas.

The Nigerian government has launched an ambitious program to train 30,000 young people in solar panel installation, aiming to improve rural electrification and youth employment. Launched under the Solar Power Naija initiative, the training spans all 36 states, with international support from the EU and World Bank. Participants will receive hands-on instruction in photovoltaic technology, safety, and entrepreneurship. Governments in Bhutan and Nepal—with similar mountainous energy needs—are following Nigeria’s model closely for its potential to address both energy access and rural employment.

The state of New York has passed a law banning the use of facial recognition technology in schools, citing privacy concerns and potential bias. The law, effective immediately, follows a year-long legal battle between civil rights groups and state education authorities. Parents and advocacy groups argued that the use of such technologies could lead to racial profiling and unauthorized data sharing. The legislation mandates a full review of biometric data practices across educational institutions. While the US debates the ethics of student surveillance, countries like India and Bangladesh—where biometric tech is expanding—are observing these developments to inform local policy.