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Scientists Uncover Novel Meiofauna Species in Kavaratti Lagoon, Highlighting Marine Biodiversity

January 20, 2026

Novel Microscopic Crustacean Discovered in Lakshadweep’s Lagoon Ecosystem

Scientists have identified a minute crustacean from the Kavaratti lagoon in Lakshadweep as a completely new genus and species, highlighting the immense yet poorly documented marine biodiversity within India's critical island ecosystems. This microscopic organism, belonging to the copepod family Laophontidae, requires high-powered microscopic examination for study due to its sub-millimeter size.

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South Africa Oldest Hindu Temple Faces Service Cut Over Unpaid Bills

January 20, 2026

Financial Crisis Threatens Operations at South Africa’s Oldest Hindu Temple

A severe financial crisis has put South Africa’s oldest Hindu temple, the Umbilo Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam in Durban, at risk of having its essential municipal services disconnected. The nationally protected monument, founded in 1873, has accrued unpaid utility bills exceeding half a million rands, prompting temple authorities to issue a public alert. The situation has sparked deep concern within the Indian-origin community, accompanied by allegations of financial mismanagement at the historic site.

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Brandt Hedgehog Discovered in Jammu and Kashmir, First Record for India

January 20, 2026

New Hedgehog Species Recorded in India for the First Time in Jammu and Kashmir

India’s biodiversity map has expanded with the discovery of a previously unrecorded hedgehog species in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Confirmed through DNA sequencing and detailed morphological analysis, the finding marks the first-ever Indian record of Brandt’s hedgehog, underscoring the ecological significance of the western Himalayan region.

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GBS Outbreak in Neemuch: Madhya Pradesh Steps Up Surveillance and Medical Response

January 20, 2026

Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak Triggers Health Alert in Madhya Pradesh’s Neemuch District

Health authorities in western Madhya Pradesh have intensified surveillance and medical response after a sudden cluster of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases emerged in Neemuch district, particularly in the border town of Manasa. The outbreak, which has claimed the lives of two children, has raised concerns about early detection, cross-district spread, and public health preparedness in adjoining regions of Rajasthan.

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Mumbai Climate Week 2026: City-Led Climate Action Through a Child Rights Lens

January 20, 2026

Mumbai Climate Week 2026 to Spotlight Climate Action as a Child Rights Priority

Mumbai is preparing to host a pioneering urban climate initiative that reframes climate change as a child rights and intergenerational justice issue. Mumbai Climate Week 2026, scheduled from February 17 to 19, will be India’s first city-led climate platform driven by citizens, with a special focus on the voices, vulnerabilities, and leadership of children and youth.

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