Mohini Barman

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.

South Africa’s Department of Communications has announced an ambitious plan to set up 2,000 free public Wi-Fi hotspots in under-served urban townships by 2025. The move aims to bridge the digital divide in areas like Soweto, Khayelitsha, and Umlazi. The initiative is being supported by local telecom companies and partially funded by the World Bank. Authorities say improved connectivity will boost access to online education, e-governance, and job opportunities. Similar digital inclusion strategies are being considered by governments in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, where rural-urban connectivity gaps persist. Stakeholders view this as a scalable model for the Global South.

Cities across the U.S. Midwest are experiencing an unprecedented early summer heatwave, with Chicago recording 41°C—the hottest June day since 1944. Health officials have issued red alerts in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, urging residents to stay indoors, hydrate, and check on vulnerable populations. Hospitals in Chicago and Detroit reported a 20% rise in heatstroke cases over the weekend. Local power grids are under pressure as air conditioning use surges. The U.S. National Weather Service attributes the heat to a stalled high-pressure system and links it to a longer trend of climate volatility. Meteorologists in South Asia are monitoring the pattern…

Kenya’s government has declared a state of national emergency as prolonged drought continues to ravage crops, livestock, and livelihoods. Over 3 million people are in urgent need of food and water, with Turkana and Garissa counties worst affected. President William Ruto has called for international assistance, while the UN is coordinating a $450 million humanitarian appeal for East Africa. The drought has triggered concern across South Asia, including India and Nepal, which face erratic monsoons and extreme weather linked to climate change. Agronomists suggest this could be a wake-up call for coordinated regional efforts on climate-resilient farming.

At its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in California, Apple launched iOS 18, featuring an all-new AI assistant called “Apple Intelligence.” Unlike competitors, Apple promises on-device processing and strict user privacy—clearly differentiating itself from Google’s cloud-based approach. Tim Cook emphasized, “We believe privacy is a fundamental human right. AI should not come at the cost of your data.” The update introduces smart message summarization, context-aware Siri, and on-screen real-time translation in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi and Bengali. Apple’s new AI strategy is likely to appeal to growing markets in South Asia, where data protection is becoming a policy priority.

The Biden administration is moving to further restrict the export of advanced AI and semiconductor chips to China, citing concerns over national security and military use. The new rules target Nvidia and AMD’s top-tier chips used in large-scale computing and defense-related AI systems. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated, “We must safeguard American innovation from being misused.” The move is expected to escalate trade tensions between the two nations, which are already locked in disputes over tech and cybersecurity. India, which recently launched a semiconductor mission, is being courted by both US and Chinese firms as a neutral ground for production…

Australia has officially classified koalas as endangered across New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory due to habitat loss, disease, and climate impacts. Conservationists have warned for years that urban sprawl and bushfires are pushing the species to extinction. The Australian government announced a $50 million fund to support habitat restoration and breeding programs. Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek called it “a national emergency for biodiversity.” India’s conservationists have drawn parallels with local challenges, such as the declining numbers of elephants and leopards due to encroachment. Collaborative wildlife preservation projects between Asia-Pacific countries are being explored.