Deadly windstorms sweep Pakistan, leaving 14 dead and over 100 injured
Powerful windstorms, following a severe heatwave with temperatures exceeding 45C, have devastated central and northern Pakistan, resulting in at least 14 deaths and over 100 injuries. The destructive storms, characterized by high winds and reduced visibility due to dust, caused widespread damage to infrastructure, uprooted trees, and collapsed buildings. Pakistan's Meteorological Department forecasts more storms, raising concerns about further casualties.
UAE hits highest May temperature on record at 50.4C
The United Arab Emirates recorded a sweltering 50.4 degrees Celsius on Friday, its highest temperature for May since it began documenting them in 2003, according to the National Center of Meteorology. The highest temperature recorded over the country today is 50.4C (122.7 Fahrenheit) in Al Shawamekh (Abu Dhabi)30 UAE Local time, it said in a post on X. This is the highest temperature we've ever recorded (for May) since we started keeping records in 2003, the NCM told AFP. That topped the highest temperature of 50.2 Celsius recorded in May 2009, said the centre.
Pingara FPC all set to lend a hand to areca farmers in Dakshina Kannada
The initiative was mooted to extend a helping hand to those growers who are under the stress of maintaining the plantations amid the paucity of labourers, says the FPC president
Top 5 longest living turtles in the world that span centuries
Turtles are among the longest-living animals on Earth, and some species go much beyond the average lifespans. While most turtles live between 10 to 80 years, certain land tortoises and sea turtles are capable of surviving well beyond a century. Their slow-paced lives, strong bodies, and peaceful lifestyles may hold the secret to their exceptionally long life.Determining a turtles exact age isnt easy, especially when they have outlived generations of humans. For the oldest among them, age estimates are based on historical records, DNA testing, and biological maturity markers.Here are a few oldest known turtles in the world
Naidu insists on scientific crop planning that aligns with global and domestic market trends
Cultivation must be restricted to crops with strong market demand, he says, adding that short-term and long-term challenges need to be addressed through the Cabinet Sub-Committee
Japan invests big in LNG despite climate-friendly promises
Despite a G7 pledge, Japan remains a major public financier of oil and gas projects, investing $93 billion between 2013 and 2024. Through initiatives like AZEC, Japan promotes LNG as a transitional fuel, raising concerns about 'greenwashing' and hindering renewable energy transitions in countries like Indonesia. Critics argue Japan's LNG investments lock nations into fossil fuel dependency.
What does the recent blackout tell us about renewables?
A widespread blackout struck Spain and Portugal on April 28, disrupting essential services and sparking an investigation into its cause. While power was largely restored by the next day, the incident has ignited debate about Spain's reliance on renewable energy sources.
India poised to emerge as worlds leading potato producer, say international scientists
Annual output projected to touch 100 million tonnes by 2050; partnerships and innovation credited for growth trajectory
Indus water belongs to Indian farmers, Chouhan assures farm outfits
The decision to keep in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty corrected the historic injustice done to the country by the Jawaharlal Nehru government, he says while addressing farmers organisations
Can we learn to live with wildfires?
Europe faces escalating wildfire risks due to climate change, land use, and urbanization, with potential for severe events every two years. While the number of fires may decrease, they're projected to become larger and more devastating, particularly impacting Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece. Experts advocate for controlled burning, ecosystem restoration, and increased public awareness to mitigate the growing threat.
The US towns that took on 'forever chemical' giants - and won
Carbon capture startup Climeworks to cut staff
Swiss firm Climeworks, which has pioneered the direct capture of CO2 using huge industrial fans in Iceland, is holding talks with staff representatives to cut jobs, Swiss television said Friday. It has been operating a facility in Iceland for several years that uses huge industrial fans to suck CO2 from the air and bury it underground.
Zimbabwe is full of elephants and conflict with villagers is growing, a new approach hopes to help
In Zimbabwe, a GPS-triggered alert system is helping to mitigate human-elephant conflict near Hwange National Park. Local volunteers, like Capon Sibanda, use real-time tracking data to warn communities of approaching herds, reducing crop damage and potential harm. While the initiative shows promise, villagers express frustration over continued losses and advocate for elephant population control measures like culling to balance conservation with community needs.
China first-quarter emissions fell despite rising power demand
China's emissions fell in the first quarter of 2025 despite rapidly growing power demand thanks to soaring renewable and nuclear energy, a key milestone for world's top emitter, analysis showed Thursday. Renewable energy is now beginning to not only meet China's growing demand but also reduce emissions, said Li Shuo, head of the Asia Society Policy Institute's China Climate Hub.
Mercury fuels gold mining in Senegal. And it's poisoning the people who use it
In Senegal's gold-rich Kedougou region, the widespread use of mercury in artisanal mining poses severe health and environmental risks, particularly for women and children. Despite government pledges to reduce mercury use, the lack of accessible, effective alternatives and weak enforcement perpetuate the dangerous practice. The lure of quick profits outweighs concerns about long-term health consequences, hindering efforts to implement safer gold processing methods.
Prices of low grades such as kari gotu went up by 50 %, while prices of pathora and ulli were up by 16.66% and 38.88%, respectively
Paddy, pulses acreage has increased this kharif season: Centre
Ministry says stock of rice and wheat is higher than the buffer standard and the harvest of wheat in almost all major wheat-growing States has been completed and there is no impact of heatwave or high temperatures
Copenhagen to offer giveaways to eco-friendly tourists
The city of Copenhagen will offer special rebates and freebies to eco-friendly tourists this summer, including free bike rentals to those arriving by train and staying more than four days. Those who make climate-friendly and environmental choices, such as using bikes and picking up trash, will also be offered rebates at museums and tourist sites, as well as free yoga classes and vegetarian meals.
Hundreds of farmers protest in U.P. against heckling of Rakesh Tikait; FIR lodged, one arrested
Centre defers May 4 meeting with farmers over participation of Punjab Government
Union Agriculture Ministry claims the farming community harboured deep resentment against the Punjab government over the eviction of protesting farmers from Shambhu and Khanauri border points in March
Madhya Pradesh farmers involved in stubble burning to lose Kisan Samman Nidhi aid
The State Cabinet suspends financial aid for farmers burning stubble to control pollution, impacting minimum support pricepurchases for a year
Odisha transfers 1025 crore to 51 lakh farmers account on Akshaya Tritiya
The State sets a target to bring 15 lakh hectares of land under irrigation in the next five years, with an investment of around 1,00,000 crore, says Odisha CM
Iraq farmers turn to groundwater to boost desert yield
Hadi Saheb is just one of many Iraqis who have turned to drilling wells in the desert to help sustain the country's agriculture
Scarcity of brides hits Old Mysore region
Finding brides for young farmers has become a social challenge in several parts of Karnataka. Farmers leaders cite non-remunerative agriculture and the skewed sex ratio as key reasons for this issue
Uptick in farmer suicides in Marathwada this year
India's First Prototype Fast-Breeder Reactor To Be Commissioned By September 2026
The commissioning of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) will mark the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear programme that aims to recycle spent fuel to reduce the inventory of radioactive waste.
Favourable weather may herald bountiful rabi wheat harvest in Punjab and Haryana
However, untimely rain, wind andhailstorms over the past two days in some parts of the key grain-producing States have triggered concerns that the standing crop could be damaged
Land-holding farmers doing non-farming activities improve labour efficiency
Study by National Law School of India University and IIT-Madras researchers finds farmers move affects farm operations positively
Tamil Nadu posts marginally higher coverage of foodgrains in 2024-25 over 2023-24
India's farm exports may withstand US tariffs as competitors face steeper duties, says economist
Despite the newly imposed 26% tariff by the U.S. on Indian goods, agricultural economist Ashok Gulati believes India may maintain or even expand its agricultural exports to the U.S. compared to regional competitors facing higher tariffs. With countries like China (34%), Vietnam (46%), and Thailand (36%) facing steeper duties, India holds a relative tariff advantage, especially in seafood and rice exports.
