International - The Purbottar

01 Sep

Thousands Ordered to Evacuate as Storm Strengthens

Mohini BarmanInternational

The U.S. National Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning for the East Coast, as Hurricane Elena intensified into a Category 4 storm on Monday. Coastal states including Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have ordered over 1.2 million people to evacuate low-lying areas. Forecasters warn that wind speeds could reach 210 km/h, along with heavy rainfall and storm surges that may flood coastal towns. Airlines have canceled hundreds of flights, while Amtrak suspended train services in affected regions. U.S. President Joe Biden said federal emergency teams are on standby, urging citizens to take the warnings seriously.

30 Aug

California Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate

Mohini BarmanInternational

Northern California is once again battling massive wildfires that have forced more than 25,000 residents to evacuate their homes. Dry winds and record heat have fueled the flames, burning over 50,000 acres of forestland in just three days. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, promising additional firefighting aircraft and personnel. Highways have been partially closed, and several schools are now functioning as temporary relief camps. Health officials have also issued an air quality alert as smoke blankets the San Francisco Bay Area. Experts warn that climate change is intensifying fire seasons, making recovery more difficult each year.

29 Aug

Hurricane Isaac Pounds U.S. Gulf Coast

Mohini BarmanInternational

The U.S. Gulf Coast is reeling after Hurricane Isaac made landfall late Wednesday, bringing winds of over 140 km/h, torrential rain, and widespread flooding. More than 300,000 homes have lost power, while emergency shelters in Louisiana and Mississippi are operating at full capacity. Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors as rising water levels threaten low-lying towns. President Donald Trump, who was visiting Florida, assured federal support, saying disaster relief funds will be released immediately. Local officials have expressed concern about oil refineries in the Gulf region, which supply nearly 15% of U.S. fuel demand. Any prolonged disruption could impact…

28 Aug

“Venice Film Festival Opens with Sorrentino’s La Grazia”

Mohini BarmanInternational

The 82nd Venice Film Festival officially opened on August 27 in the Sala Grande at the Palazzo del Cinema with the world premiere of La Grazia, directed by Paolo Sorrentino and starring Tony Servillo. The festival's opening night marked the beginning of a major international cinematic event celebrating creativity, culture, and cinematic excellence.

28 Aug

“Britain’s Energy Price Cap Hiked Amid Fuel Poverty Concerns”

Mohini BarmanInternational

Britain’s energy regulator Ofgem has announced a 2 percent lift in the energy price cap, raising annual household bills by £35 to about £1,755, starting this October. The price revision reflects rising operational and wholesale costs linked to government policies and expanded support schemes like the warm home discount. Charitable organisations have raised alarms about the impact on low-income, elderly, and disabled households, warning of deepening fuel poverty as winter approaches . Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, US–India tensions are escalating. Former President Trump has imposed a hefty 50 percent tariff on Indian imports, responding to New Delhi’s continuing purchases of…

27 Aug

Brazil Sees 65% Drop in Amazon Fires This July

Mohini BarmanInternational

According to MapBiomas data, the area burned in Brazil's Amazon rainforest fell by 65% in July compared to the same period last year—a promising improvement in forest protection efforts. Conservationists across South Asia—especially in Nepal’s Terai, Bhutan’s subtropical zones, and Bangladesh’s Sundarbans—are taking note, hopeful this trend signals enhanced fire management and ecological resilience strategies applicable to their own forest landscapes.

27 Aug

U.S. Commerce Hits Indian Goods With 50% Tariffs

Mohini BarmanInternational

On August 27, the U.S. implemented a punitive 25% tariff, adding to an existing 25% duty on imports from India—pushing total tariffs up to 50% on key products including clothing, gemstones, footwear, furniture, and chemicals. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) is warning of steep cost burdens affecting around 55% of Indian exports worth $47–48 billion, advising the government to urgently support exporters.This move complicates trade dynamics, drawing interest from markets across South Asia, such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, as exporters reconsider supply chain strategies and tariff impacts.

26 Aug

Court Challenge Launched Against Reversal of 2015 Power Plant Rules

Mohini BarmanInternational

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is under scrutiny after announcing plans to repeal the Clean Power Plan, a key piece of climate legislation from 2015. Environmental groups have swiftly filed a lawsuit, arguing the rollback will increase carbon emissions and harm public health—especially in communities already vulnerable to air pollution. The court case brings attention to the mounting conflict between environmental safeguards and regulatory rollback, especially during global climate discussions. Environmental planners in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal say such developments might impact overseas climate finance flows and international negotiation dynamics.

25 Aug

Canada Moves to Decarbonize Timber with New Industry Oversight

Mohini BarmanInternational

A recent study conducted in California’s Sierra Nevada reveals that timber plantations—dense, single-species forests—are nearly 50% more likely to fuel megafires than traditional, mixed forests. The startling analysis has pushed Canadian authorities to re-evaluate plantation practices, especially in provincial logging zones. This could lead to ecosystem-based silviculture reforms and stricter oversight over forestry practices. South Asian countries with plantation economies—like Bangladesh and parts of India—stand to benefit from this research when considering forest resilience and fire risk in plantation planning.

25 Aug

EPA Proposes Rolling Back Greenhouse Gas Regulation

Mohini BarmanInternational

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled a proposal to repeal the Endangerment Finding, a 2009 regulation that led to the introduction of strict greenhouse gas standards for vehicles and trucks. The move promises to reduce perceived “hidden taxes” of up to $1 trillion on businesses, according to EPA officials. The proposal is framed as a restoration of regulatory clarity for automakers and revives debates over balancing climate goals against economic competitiveness. South Asian environmental strategists—especially in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal—will watch closely, as impacts could ripple into global auto markets and emissions norms.