Mohini Barman

Brazil’s environmental agency, IBAMA, has shut down over 50 illegal gold mining operations in the Amazon rainforest. The crackdown followed months of surveillance revealing unlicensed deforestation, mercury pollution in rivers, and human rights violations involving Indigenous communities. Backed by drones and military helicopters, the raids mark a renewed push by President Lula’s government to protect the rainforest from extractive industries. Environmentalists welcome the move but call for sustained oversight. South Asian conservationists, especially in India and Bhutan, have drawn parallels with illegal mining in forest zones near national parks, emphasizing the need for technology-driven monitoring systems.

The state of California has declared a state of emergency after over a dozen major wildfires erupted across northern and central regions, burning more than 400,000 acres. Firefighters are battling flames under triple-digit temperatures and dry winds, with over 15,000 residents already evacuated. Governor Gavin Newsom has requested federal aid as the fires threaten infrastructure and national parks. Climate scientists attribute the intense fire season to prolonged droughts and rising global temperatures. South Asia, including parts of central India and Nepal, is closely monitoring this crisis, as wildfire patterns begin affecting Himalayan forest belts as well—prompting calls for international collaboration…

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.