International

22 May

Low Water Levels Disrupt Grain Exports and Transport in America’s Heartland

MohiniInternational

The Mississippi River has reached historic low levels due to prolonged drought, severely affecting agricultural shipping routes across the U.S. Midwest. Barges are now operating at reduced capacity, delaying grain exports and raising concerns ahead of harvest season. Farmers in Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas are facing rising storage costs and reduced market access. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working to dredge deeper channels, but analysts warn the problem may persist due to climate change. This has implications for food-importing countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, which rely on U.S. grain shipments. South Asian ports may also experience price fluctuations…

17 May

Washington Restricts Chinese Drone Imports Amid Rising Tensions

MohiniInternational

The U.S. government has announced a ban on the import and sale of drones made by Chinese manufacturers such as DJI, citing national security threats. The decision follows concerns about surveillance and data misuse. The ban, effective from August 1, will affect businesses, filmmakers, and even farmers who rely on drone technology for mapping and crop monitoring. American drone makers are expected to benefit. In South Asia, where DJI drones are widely used in agriculture and disaster relief (including in Bangladesh and Nepal), local authorities are reviewing cybersecurity guidelines. The ban may prompt regional governments to reassess drone dependency.

13 May

British Agriculture Faces Crisis After EU Tariff Changes

MohiniInternational

Hundreds of farmers in the UK staged protests outside Parliament this week over a new EU-UK trade agreement that slashes tariffs on imported produce. British farmers argue the deal undercuts local prices and risks collapse of small farms. The National Farmers' Union has called for government subsidies to offset the impact, but talks remain unresolved. Imported tomatoes and dairy products from the EU have already flooded UK supermarkets, reducing demand for local goods. This issue echoes in South Asia, where farmers in Bangladesh and India have faced similar pressures from global trade changes, especially in dairy and rice exports.

12 May

Asian Tech Giants Collaborate on Lunar Research Base Plans

MohiniInternational

In a rare show of unity, Japan and South Korea have jointly launched a lunar probe, part of a wider plan to establish a research base on the moon’s surface by 2032. The project is backed by both nations’ space agencies and involves AI-powered robotics and 3D printing for building modules. Scientists say the mission will test soil composition, radiation levels, and sustainability for human habitats. NASA and the European Space Agency are acting as observers in this mission. Interest in space technology is growing in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, where students and institutions are increasingly involved in space education…

07 May

Tech Giants Face New AI Regulations in the European Union

MohiniInternational

The European Union has passed its first major legislation regulating artificial intelligence. Known as the AI Act, the law classifies AI systems by risk level and imposes strict rules on high-risk applications in healthcare, education, and law enforcement. Companies like Google and Meta are required to comply with transparency standards and ensure their algorithms do not discriminate or harm users. The EU says the act aims to safeguard human rights while supporting innovation. Countries like India and Bangladesh—where AI adoption is rising—are watching closely as they draft their own AI governance frameworks.

05 May

Kenya Becomes Africa’s First Country to Ban Single-Use Vapes

MohiniInternational

Kenya has announced a complete ban on single-use electronic cigarettes starting next month, citing rising health concerns among youth. The Ministry of Health said the ban follows a dramatic increase in teenage vaping cases and a lack of recycling infrastructure for disposable devices. Manufacturers have been given 60 days to clear inventories or face penalties. Health experts call this a landmark decision that may inspire other African and Asian countries to take similar actions. Public health officials in Bhutan and Bangladesh have praised the decision and hinted at conducting impact studies on the availability of such products in local markets.

22 Apr

Venice Becomes First Major City to Curb Mass Tourism with Entry Pass

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

Starting this month, Venice has become the first city in the world to implement a €5 entry fee for day-trippers. The initiative is designed to reduce overcrowding and protect the historic city’s fragile infrastructure. Residents and overnight guests are exempt, but tourists will need to book visits online. Officials say the revenue will go into preservation and maintenance. Tourism-dependent cities like Pokhara (Nepal), Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh), and Thimphu (Bhutan) are also debating how to manage tourist influx without harming local ecosystems. Venice’s model could become a global template for sustainable tourism.

21 Apr

USA Plans Permanent Human Settlement on Lunar Surface

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

NASA has announced its most ambitious space program yet—a plan to build a permanent human outpost on the Moon by 2030. As part of the Artemis mission series, the base will support scientific research and serve as a test ground for future Mars missions. The base will use solar power, 3D-printed habitats, and autonomous robots for construction. “This is no longer science fiction—it’s becoming reality,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. India's ISRO, which has also launched successful lunar missions, welcomed the development, saying it could open doors for international collaborations. Young scientists in Nepal and Bhutan are also being encouraged…

19 Apr

Marine Scientists Raise Alarm on Climate Impact in Queensland Waters

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef is facing its worst coral bleaching event since 2016, according to marine scientists at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). Warmer-than-usual ocean temperatures are stressing large sections of coral across the northern and central reef systems. The phenomenon, largely driven by global warming and El Niño effects, threatens biodiversity and tourism, two major contributors to Queensland’s economy. More than 60% of coral reefs in surveyed areas show signs of bleaching. Australian officials have urged the international community to treat this as a global issue. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has also expressed concern, warning…

18 Apr

Amazon Opens Its First AI Robotics Warehouse in Texas

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

Amazon has inaugurated a state-of-the-art AI-driven warehouse in San Antonio, Texas, designed to speed up order processing and improve worker safety. The facility is equipped with more than 5,000 mobile robots and an AI-powered logistics system that optimizes sorting and packaging. The company says the new tech will reduce human workload by 30% while increasing delivery speed by up to 40% in the southern U.S. region. The warehouse is also designed with ergonomics in mind to reduce worker injuries, a frequent criticism of Amazon in the past. Labor unions remain cautious, warning about job displacement, though Amazon insists no jobs…