International - The Purbottar

01 Aug

Coastal Forest Revival to Boost Fisheries and Climate Resilience

Mohini BarmanInternational

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Environment has announced a $25 million mangrove restoration project, aiming to revive over 10,000 hectares of degraded coastal ecosystems by 2028. The plan focuses on Puttalam, Batticaloa, and Hambantota districts. Mangroves are crucial in protecting coastlines from erosion and acting as nurseries for marine life. The initiative is expected to boost local fishing communities and serve as a natural barrier against future cyclones. Environmentalists in West Bengal, Odisha, and Bangladesh — regions with shared mangrove heritage — are watching the program closely, with calls to launch similar restoration efforts across the Sundarbans delta.

01 Aug

California Declares State of Emergency Amidst Record Wildfires

Mohini BarmanInternational

The state of California has declared a state of emergency as multiple wildfires rage across the northern and central regions, threatening homes and critical infrastructure. Over 120,000 acres have already been consumed by fire, prompting the evacuation of more than 40,000 residents. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of National Guard units and aerial firefighting support. The largest blaze, dubbed the Sierra Complex Fire, has destroyed homes in Butte and Plumas counties and is only 15% contained. Experts link the intensifying fire season to climate change and extreme drought, urging other wildfire-prone regions — including parts of Australia and Uttarakhand,…

31 Jul

Canada Approves First Psychedelic Therapy Clinics for Depression

Mohini BarmanInternational

In a historic move, Health Canada has granted licenses to three clinics in Toronto and Vancouver to offer psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression. The psychedelic compound, found in magic mushrooms, will be administered under clinical supervision. This marks a shift in mental health care, where traditional antidepressants have failed for many. Experts say the therapy offers potential breakthroughs, though critics caution about regulation and misuse. Mental health professionals in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh are watching closely. While psychedelics remain illegal in South Asia, growing interest in alternative psychiatric treatments is sparking debates on policy flexibility and clinical trials.

30 Jul

Sri Lanka’s Tea Sector Turns to AI to Boost Exports

Mohini BarmanInternational

Sri Lanka’s iconic Ceylon Tea industry is embracing artificial intelligence to compete with China and Kenya. A pilot project in Nuwara Eliya and Kandy has introduced AI-powered leaf graders that analyse moisture, colour, and aroma to enhance export quality. Tea is one of Sri Lanka’s top foreign exchange earners, and the country hopes this tech-driven shift will improve global rankings. Exporters in Bangladesh’s Sylhet and India’s Darjeeling are watching the development closely as similar automation trials are being considered. The Sri Lankan government says it plans to roll out AI-backed monitoring to smallholder tea gardens by 2026.

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…

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

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…

22 Jul

Mediterranean on Fire: Tourists Flee as Temperatures Soar Beyond 45°C

Mohini BarmanInternational

Southern Europe is reeling under one of its most extreme heatwaves on record. Spain, Greece, and Italy are experiencing temperatures exceeding 45°C, forcing the closure of major tourist sites like the Acropolis and prompting heat-related health alerts. Hospitals in Athens and Rome report a 30% rise in emergency admissions, mostly among seniors and tourists. The European Space Agency attributes the phenomenon to a “heat dome” caused by high-pressure zones linked to climate change. With South Asia experiencing similar heat patterns, including in Delhi, Dhaka, and Kathmandu, climate scientists urge more trans-regional cooperation on early warning systems and urban cooling strategies.