FLOOD PROTECTION SYSTEM
Urgent climate finance pleas at COP31 face a non-urgent response
Poor nations are calling for urgent financial support to address climate-related disasters, yet responses are sluggish. Despite past agreements, funding to vulnerable countries has not met the required targets, causing severe delays. Geopolitical issues and rising military expenditures further divert attention and resources away from climate financing.
US military downs 2 Iranian attack drones as Iran claims a strike on a US radar in Bahrain
The U.S. military reported intercepting two Iranian attack drones that were approaching Bahrain without causing any damage. Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for an alleged strike on a U.S. radar system in the kingdom. In a separate incident, the Guard stated a tanker struck a naval mine while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The situation remains tense as Iran continues to threaten maritime navigation in the region.
"Very salient": UN climate chief backs PM Modi's remarks on clean energy cushioning India against oil price shock
UN climate chief Simon Stiell has endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that clean energy investments helped India withstand the oil price shock, calling them "very salient". Stiell also welcomed India's Green Energy Corridor, emphasising the role of renewable energy, stronger electricity grids and battery storage in protecting economies.
Better forecasts save lives in cyclones, but India needs stronger defences and faster recovery
India experiences an average of five cyclones annually, with two becoming severe cyclonic storms. The Bay of Bengal generates more cyclones than the Arabian Sea due to its shape and temperature. Improved cyclone response has led to reduced fatalities through timely evacuations and better tracking. However, there is a need for enhanced infrastructure and environmental defenses to decrease destruction.
Hanging glacier above Badrinath could trigger avalanche affecting helipad, roads and nearly 400 buildings: Study
A hanging glacier in Badrinath has been identified as a significant avalanche risk to various buildings. The glacier could potentially impact agricultural land, forests, and critical infrastructure in the area. Research simulations suggest that the threat level is serious, but not imminent. Recommendations include improved monitoring systems and public awareness to mitigate risks from glacier-related hazards.
Bengal shifts 12,000 people to safety, Assam monitors situation as GLOF hits adjoining Bhutan
West Bengal has taken precautionary measures by evacuating 12,000 residents from areas near the Sankosh River. This action follows a significant rise in water levels caused by a glacial lake outburst flood in Bhutan. Authorities in Assam are closely monitoring vulnerable regions for potential impacts from the flood. National and State Disaster Response Force teams are prepared for rescue operations if necessary.
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Bhutan glacial lake outburst flood triggers alert in North Bengal; thousands relocated, disaster response teams deployed
A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) has been reported at Lemthang in Bhutan, triggering a high alert across North Bengal as water flows downstream towards the Sankosh River. Authorities have urged residents along the river and its tributaries to move to safer locations. Around 4,000-5,000 people have been moved to shelters, while disaster response teams remain on alert amid concerns over possible flooding in the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars.
From Patna to Kanpur, can an emerging market fix dirty, broken cities?
Patna is set to become the first municipality in Bihar to issue municipal bonds, raising Rs 200 crore for urban infrastructure. This move highlights the ongoing need for investment in India's urban infrastructure amid challenges like urban flooding and sanitation. Other cities like Kanpur are also expected to follow with their own bond issues soon. However, many municipalities still struggle with reliable revenue sources needed for debt repayment.
Who is Dr M. V. Ramana Murthy? An IIT Madras alumnus honoured after a new electric ray species discovered deep in the Arabian Sea has been named after him
New electric ray species found: Dr M. V. Ramana Murthy, Mission Director of India's Deep Ocean Mission, has been honoured by the naming of a newly discovered electric ray after him. An IIT Madras-trained ocean engineer, he has worked in coastal research, desalination, marine technology and hazard management, including as director of the National Centre for Coastal Research.
Cyclone Arnab covers large parts of India: Satellite image shows dense clouds covering entire country including central, eastern and southern regions
Cyclone Arnab has brought severe weather conditions across various regions of India, notably heavy rains and thunderstorms. States like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana are facing the cyclone’s brunt, prompting authorities to start evacuations, set up shelters, and cancel educational sessions. Transport operations, including trains and flights, have experienced widespread disruptions. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and heed local safety advisories.
Trumpism’s Midterm Crisis: Can MAGA survive the backlash against Trump?
As the US midterm elections approach, they stand as a significant gauge of Donald Trump's impact on Republican candidates. Rising gas prices and economic challenges are at the forefront of voters' minds, shaping their preferences. Those in competitive races are striving to distance themselves from Trump's legacy. On the Democratic side, hopes are high for seat gains, particularly in crucial battleground states like Texas and Kansas.
Veolia opens India disaster hub as climate risks mount, commits over €1 million globally to emergency response
Veolia has opened a New Delhi hub to deploy mobile water-treatment units and trained personnel for disaster response across South and Southeast Asia.
Money managers say there’s nowhere to hide as Super El Niño forms
Investors are preparing for the impacts of an unprecedented El Niño cycle affecting global markets. The weather phenomenon is linked to rising food prices and inflation estimates, heightening economic concerns. Analysts identify several vulnerable nations, including Indonesia, Brazil, and Colombia, likely to experience spillover effects. Strategies to cope include focusing on businesses developing technologies for extreme weather resilience. The widespread effects of El Niño necessitate adaptations spanning various sectors globally.
Deepfakes muddy protest coverage as online platforms restrict individual accounts
Several AI-generated clips have gone viral on Instagram, Facebook and X, drawing millions of views and comments. A recent viral clip of a woman criticising the protests, for instance, led users to an Instagram profile that regularly posts AI-generated political content.
Warren Buffett on 5 habits that feel like good investing but make you poorer
Buffett offered a bet in public and then waited. Thousands of managers who have grown rich telling people they can beat the market did not take it up. Only one man accepted. Nine years later, the scoreboard was not close, and the more revealing number is not the gap between them.
"India stands ready to work with ASEAN as reliable, equal partner": Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called for stronger defence cooperation between India and ASEAN countries, including joint research on maritime security, counter-drone systems, cyber defence and disaster response, stressing that regional challenges require collective action and practical solutions.
Amit Shah meets Nepal Home Minister Sudhan Gurung, discusses border security, crime
Amit Shah and Nepal's Home Minister Sudhan Gurung met to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation. The meeting focused on issues such as border management, security cooperation, and disaster preparedness. Both leaders emphasized the importance of mutual respect and cooperation for regional peace. They reaffirmed commitments made during the First BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting which stressed combating regional security threats.
Saudi warning system stayed silent before deadly airport attacks
Saudi Arabia stopped issuing public warnings of incoming attacks days before a series of strikes on Riyadh airport killed at least 18 people and injured more than 300, raising concerns about public safety and the kingdom’s ability to defend key sites.
Nepal flash floods explained: Why the country is facing repeated disasters and should India be worried?
Nepal Flash Floods Reason: Nepal has witnessed another flash flood after a landslide blocked the Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha district. Here's why repeated floods are hitting the Himalayan country, how climate change and unstable mountain slopes contribute to the risk, and why India needs to monitor downstream rivers.
Tropical Storm Rachel updates: California flooding, Long Beach evacuations and coastal damage- here's everything you need to know about Rachel hurricane
Southern California is currently facing significant flooding and damage from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel. Long Beach has experienced substantial destruction, leading to evacuations and road flooding along the waterfront. Newport Beach officials declared an emergency following flooding incidents on the Balboa Peninsula. Additionally, flash flood warnings have been issued for several counties, raising community concerns.
Govt notifies 375 permissible works under VB-G RAM G, expands scope by 41 per cent
The Centre has introduced 375 new permissible works under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission. The categories include water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure, and disaster preparedness. An emphasis has been placed on livelihood infrastructure, with 128 works focused on water security. The revised framework replaces MGNREGA with guaranteed wage employment for rural households each year.
Chicago dug 60 miles of freight tunnels under the Loop in 1899 and forgot them; in 1992, a damaged wall let the river in, and losses topped $1 billion
Chicago's forgotten freight tunnels were constructed to ease street congestion, acting as essential channels for coal and parcels. However, neglect set in, tarnishing their initial purpose. A pivotal moment came in 1992 when a structural failure led to severe flooding, revealing the dire need for strict infrastructure management. Now, only a handful of these tunnels are still in operation, highlighting the ongoing necessity for vigilant maintenance of urban facilities.
Hurricane Polo path: Where is "extremely dangerous" Hurricane Polo now? Category 5 storm near Mexico triggers US Embassy warning, schools shut
Hurricane Polo has rapidly escalated to a formidable Category 5 storm and is being treated 'extremely dangerous', boasting maximum sustained winds of 165 mph. It is forecasted to track along Mexico's southwestern coastline, leading to school closures in vulnerable regions as authorities have warned of possible mudslides and flash floods from intense rainfall. The US Embassy in Mexico has advised citizens to steer clear of beaches and heed local precautions.
In 2024, Arup invested £1 million in a UK wildland project. Its funding supported restoration across 71.24 hectares and secured 10,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits
In 2024, Arup invested £1 million in Nattergal’s Boothby Wildland project in Lincolnshire, supporting restoration activity across 71.24 hectares and securing 10,000 tonnes of future carbon removal credits over 50 years. The project forms part of an approach focused on using upfront private-sector finance to support nature restoration while recognizing benefits beyond carbon removal. Boothby Wildland is a 617-hectare former degraded arable farm where Nattergal has gradually moved away from arable farming. The project aims to improve biodiversity, ecosystem services and community engagement. Its wider benefits include flood mitigation, improved water quality, pollination and evidence about nature restoration outcomes.
In 2019, AXA launched a $175 million climate and biodiversity fund. Within a year, $41.5 million had been allocated to projects targeting measurable environmental outcomes
In July 2019, AXA Group launched a $175 million private equity vehicle with a mandate that traditional financiers usually leave to non-profit foundations. The fund set out to test whether commercial capital could generate market-rate returns while restoring ecosystems, managing water basins, and protecting threatened species. Structured as a 12-year private equity pool, the fund marked a deliberate departure from standard corporate philanthropy by treating natural capital as a core financial asset rather than an operational expense.
Quote of the day by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 'You forget that the fruits belong to all and that the land belongs to no one' offers timeless lessons on human connection, emotional well-being, purpose, meaning, validation
Quote of the day by Jean-Jacques Rousseau remains a powerful advice because it challenges a question that has never disappeared: who truly benefits from the earth? Its meaning can be interpreted through philosophy, economics, environmentalism and social responsibility, but its central message remains clear. Human beings depend upon resources they did not create and inherit a natural world they did not build.
In 2019, Aidan Gallagher linked fan pledges to mangrove planting in Madagascar. 6 years later, the campaign had planted 113,706 trees and removed 38 million kg of carbon
In July 2025, UNEP announced a $7.1 million grant-supported initiative for Madagascar that includes plans to restore 3,000 hectares of mangroves and coastal forests while benefiting vulnerable coastal communities. Aiden Gallagher's campaign is therefore part of a much wider story—one in which individual pledges, community restoration and international climate action can intersect to give damaged ecosystems a chance to recover.
In 1980s, sea otters gradually returned to California's coastlines after being nearly extinct. Their return restored kelp forests, reduced carbon emissions and flooding
Once hunted to extinction for their pelts, sea otters gradually returned to the Californian coastlines. Their comeback reduced the sea urchin and crap populations allowing kelp forests and coastal marshes to heal. These ecosystems help prevent carbon emissions to the ecosystem and also provide natural protection against flooding. Helping one small predator have a stale habitat can also help the environment recover in various ways.
India's climate priorities gain voice at UN Human Rights Council
Climate finance for vulnerable communities and adaptation was discussed at the UN Human Rights Council. RSKS India called for finance linked to human rights and greater adaptation support. They proposed a Global Climate Finance Passport to track funds from donors. India is strengthening climate resilience as a key development priority.
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