Mohini Barman

A severe heatwave is scorching the U.S. Midwest, with temperatures crossing 43°C (110°F) in parts of Illinois and Michigan. The National Weather Service has issued red alerts in several cities, urging residents to stay indoors. Chicago reported at least 17 cases of heatstroke over the weekend, and power grids are under strain as people crank up air conditioners. Public cooling centers have opened to aid the elderly and vulnerable populations. Environmentalists say rising global temperatures are making such events more frequent. Similar hot spells in parts of India, including Delhi and Rajasthan, have sparked renewed climate discussions between the two…

In a landmark move for sustainable transport, Kenya has launched the largest public electric bus fleet in Africa. Over 200 e-buses began operating in Nairobi this week, reducing urban emissions and traffic noise. Manufactured locally with support from Swedish and Indian partners, the fleet features charging stations powered by solar grids. Commuters have welcomed the move, citing smoother rides and lower costs. Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said the initiative is part of Kenya’s broader green transition and aims to set an example for the continent. The Indian Ministry of Urban Affairs is reportedly studying Nairobi’s model to adapt similar systems…

Massive wildfires have engulfed large swathes of northern and central California, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency. Fueled by record-high temperatures and dry winds, the fires have consumed over 80,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of structures. Thousands of residents have been evacuated as firefighting crews struggle to contain the blaze. Fire officials say it could take weeks to bring the situation under control. Smoke from the wildfires has affected air quality across multiple states, including parts of Nevada and Oregon. Climate scientists have linked the frequency of such fires to global warming, calling for stronger mitigation…

In an ambitious pilot programme, over 50 public schools across England have introduced AI-powered teaching assistants to aid educators in lesson planning, grading, and student feedback. The digital assistants, developed by a UK-based ed-tech firm, use large language models to support teachers with real-time suggestions and classroom engagement tools. The Education Department says this move will reduce workload stress and improve learning outcomes. While teacher unions have cautiously welcomed the innovation, they demand transparency in AI usage and data privacy. "Technology must supplement, not replace, human teachers," said a spokesperson for the National Education Union. Several schools in India and…

In a groundbreaking move, New York City has started deploying surveillance drones for routine monitoring of public spaces. The NYPD confirmed the rollout aims to curb rising street crimes, particularly in subway stations and major parks. The initiative, launched under the “Safe Skies NYC” program, has already sparked privacy debates. While authorities claim the drones are equipped with motion sensors, not facial recognition, civil liberty groups are demanding clearer usage protocols. “Technology can be a partner in public safety, but it must not intrude on civil rights,” said NYCLU director Anthony Romero. The drones will operate under strict time-bound schedules…

The western United States is battling a dangerous heatwave, with temperatures in parts of California and Arizona crossing 47°C (116°F), prompting heat advisories and wildland fire warnings. Phoenix recorded its hottest June day in over 100 years, while power grids in California are under strain as residents rely heavily on air conditioning. Hospitals in cities like Las Vegas and Palm Springs are reporting an uptick in heatstroke and dehydration cases. Experts link the extreme weather to the El Niño phenomenon combined with long-term climate change. “This is not normal June weather—this is August-level heat,” said a meteorologist at the National…

Apple has officially announced a suite of generative AI tools under the name “Apple Intelligence” at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025. The features will be embedded into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15, promising highly personalized user experiences. Apple Intelligence integrates deeply with native apps like Mail, Notes, and Messages. It offers smart summarization, tone adjustments in writing, image generation, and even automatic organization of notifications. The company is also partnering with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Siri, allowing users to get more nuanced responses. Unlike many competitors, Apple claims all AI processing will happen on-device or via…