International - The Purbottar

09 Jun

Record-Breaking Heatwave Grips Western USA

Mohini BarmanInternational

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…

07 Jun

Apple Unveils AI-Powered Features at WWDC 2025

Mohini BarmanInternational

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…

03 Jun

California Battles Early Wildfire Season as Drought Returns

Mohini BarmanInternational

California is facing an unusually early and aggressive wildfire season, with over 20,000 acres already scorched in the northern regions due to dry conditions and high winds. Emergency services have ordered evacuations across parts of Butte and Tehama counties, with over 2,000 firefighters deployed. Officials blame a severe drought resurgence and record heat for the fires, reigniting concerns about climate resilience and forest management in the United States. Satellite images show thick smoke affecting air quality across western states, prompting health advisories in Nevada and Arizona. Environmentalists are urging other countries, including India and Nepal, to study California’s approach to…

02 Jun

UK Elections 2025: Campaigns Heat Up as July Vote Nears

Mohini BarmanInternational

The United Kingdom is bracing for a closely contested general election this July, with the Labour Party and the ruling Conservatives presenting contrasting visions for the country’s future. Key issues dominating the debate include economic recovery, the NHS, immigration, and climate policy. Labour leader Keir Starmer has pledged to cut taxes for working families and reinvest in public services, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasizes fiscal discipline and national security. The rise of smaller parties like the Liberal Democrats and the Greens may also impact the final outcome. The UK’s political shifts are being watched with interest across the Commonwealth,…

29 May

South Korea Unveils AI-Driven Defense Drone Fleet

Mohini BarmanInternational

South Korea’s Ministry of Defense has introduced a next-gen AI-powered drone fleet designed for border surveillance, emergency response, and potential combat deployment. The “K-Drone” system uses machine learning for autonomous flight, target identification, and real-time data sharing with command centers. The system is being tested along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) bordering North Korea. Defense experts say the program enhances national security while also showcasing Seoul’s technological advancement in military AI. Defense analysts in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal are keenly observing the development, as it signals a shift toward intelligent defense systems in Asia. Collaborative research in AI and drone technology…

29 May

US State Cracks Down on Deepfakes Ahead of 2026 Elections

Mohini BarmanInternational

In a first-of-its-kind move, the state of California has passed legislation banning the use of AI-generated content in political advertisements. The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, is aimed at curbing misinformation and manipulation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Under the law, political campaigns are prohibited from using synthetic videos, voices, or images that portray candidates in misleading ways. Violators can face heavy fines or disqualification of campaign materials. Lawmakers say deepfakes are a growing threat to democracy, especially when used to create false narratives on social media. Several Asian countries, including India and Bangladesh, have raised concerns about…

28 May

Los Angeles Declares Housing Emergency as Rent Prices Soar

Mohini BarmanInternational

The city of Los Angeles has officially declared a housing emergency as rent prices continue to surge and homelessness reaches record levels. The city council approved an emergency plan to fast-track affordable housing construction and expand rental subsidies. Mayor Karen Bass stated that nearly 50,000 people are living without shelter in LA County, marking a 9% increase over the past year. The emergency declaration unlocks special funding and federal support. Urban planners in South Asian metros like Dhaka and Kathmandu are studying LA’s response to consider similar housing strategies, especially as their own cities face rapid population growth and income…

27 May

New York Introduces Free Public Wi-Fi for Low-Income Areas

Mohini BarmanInternational

In a move to bridge the digital divide, New York City has launched a new initiative to provide free public Wi-Fi in low-income and underserved neighborhoods across all five boroughs. The project, known as "ConnectNYC," will install high-speed internet hubs in community centers, parks, and libraries, aiming to benefit over 1.5 million residents by mid-2026. City officials hope this will improve access to education, job portals, and telehealth services for marginalized groups. The initiative is being closely watched by digital policy makers in cities like Dhaka and Kathmandu, where public internet access remains a challenge for many communities.

26 May

France’s Paris 2024 Olympics to Include Refugee Athletes from South Asia

Mohini BarmanInternational

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that the Paris 2024 Olympics will host a larger-than-ever team of refugee athletes, including participants from conflict-affected regions in South Asia. Athletes from Rohingya camps in Bangladesh and Tibetan communities in India are expected to participate under the Olympic flag. A Bhutanese refugee table tennis player, training in Nepal, has also qualified for final trials. This inclusion highlights the Olympic spirit of unity and could raise awareness of refugee issues in the global spotlight, especially among youth in South Asia.

26 May

Silicon Valley Sees AI Hiring Surge Amid Global Talent Race

Mohini BarmanInternational

Silicon Valley companies are ramping up hiring in AI and machine learning sectors, with top firms like Google, Meta, and OpenAI posting thousands of new roles for research scientists and software engineers. Industry insiders confirm that a significant portion of this recruitment is targeting talent from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, either through remote work contracts or U.S. visa sponsorships. In 2024 alone, Indian engineers accounted for over 40% of new AI-related H1B visa entries. With AI integration expanding to sectors like healthcare and education, the U.S. tech job boom is expected to draw skilled professionals from across South Asia, making…