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Rare Red ELVE Halo Reappears Over Italian Alpine Town

December 03, 2025

Rare Red ELVE Halo Reappears Over Italian Alpine Town

A spectacular red halo illuminated the skies over Possagno, a small town in northern Italy, on November 17, marking the second occurrence of this unusual atmospheric display in just three years. The phenomenon, photographed by Valter Binotto, formed a near-perfect luminous ring approximately 200 km wide at an altitude close to 100 km. Its reappearance over the same location has drawn significant scientific curiosity due to the rarity and extremely brief duration of such upper-atmospheric events.

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SoLAR Phase II Launched to Expand Climate-Resilient Solar Irrigation

December 03, 2025

SoLAR Phase II Launched to Scale Climate-Resilient Solar Irrigation

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), has launched SoLAR Phase II, an international programme aimed at accelerating climate-resilient and socially inclusive solar irrigation in agriculture. Extending the work of Phase I (2019–2024), the initiative now covers India, Bangladesh, Kenya and Ethiopia, focusing on promoting clean energy transitions among smallholder farmers.

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India Secures 154 Votes to Retain Seat in IMO Council for Next Term

December 03, 2025

India Re-Elected to IMO Council as Category (b) Member for 2026–27

India has been re-elected to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026–27 term, reaffirming its influential role in global maritime governance. The election, held during the 34th IMO Assembly Session in London, saw India secure 154 out of 169 valid votes, demonstrating strong international confidence in its maritime leadership.

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India Releases New Seismic Map: Himalayas Categorised Under Highest-Risk Zone VI

December 02, 2025

India Unveils New Seismic Map Placing Himalayas in Highest-Risk Zone VI

India has rolled out a revised national seismic map under the updated Earthquake Design Code, introducing a new Zone VI—the highest hazard category—and placing the entire Himalayan belt within it. This marks one of the most significant updates in India’s earthquake risk assessment, increasing the share of land classified as moderate to high hazard to 61%. The new framework is expected to reshape infrastructure planning, building practices and disaster preparedness across many vulnerable regions.

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Tenkasi Launches ‘Golden Jackal Ambassadors’ Conservation Programme

December 02, 2025

Tenkasi Launches ‘Golden Jackal Ambassadors’ Conservation Initiative

Tenkasi district has introduced a new conservation initiative aimed at protecting the dwindling population of golden jackals, a species increasingly threatened by habitat destruction and expanding human settlements. With rampant construction and loss of natural vegetation near residential zones, several small wildlife species are facing sharp declines. To counter this trend, the Forest Department is set to train school and college students as ‘Golden Jackal Ambassadors’, strengthening community-led conservation.

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