The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia's Afar region erupted, coating nearby villages in ash. According to locals quoted by the Associated Press (AP), there is no previous record of this volcano erupting. The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program confirmed that Hayli Gubbi had no known activity during the Holocene period, which began around 12,000 years ago. Satellite images reviewed by the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre showed ash rising up to 14 km and drifting westward.
A thick ash cloud from the eruption reached India, leading India's aviation regulator, the DGCA, to issue a detailed advisory. Airlines have been told to avoid volcanic ash-affected routes and flight levels, adjust planning and fuel, and immediately report any suspected ash encounter, including engine anomalies.
Nov 21, 2025
Historic Milestone: Indian-Born Cheetah Gives Birth to 5 Cubs
Mukhi, the first Indian-born cheetah that became the face of 'Project Cheetah', gave birth to five cubs in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park, thereby giving a boost to India's Cheetah reintroduction initiative.
Mukhi was born in March 2023, in Kuno National Park to Jwala and Shaurya, two cheetahs brought from Namibia the previous year.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the successful reproduction of an India-born cheetah was a strong indicator of the species' adaptation, health and long-term prospects in Indian habitats.
Nov 19, 2025
India Falls 13 Places In Global Climate Change Performance Index
India slipped 13 places from its previous ranking to 23rd position in a latest global chart on climate change performance, brought out by a group of three organisations, mainly due to absence of any deadline to exit from coal usage.
The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026, jointly published and released by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute and Climate Action Network at the ongoing UN COP30 Climate Summit, is an annual independent monitoring tool for climate mitigation performance of 63 countries and the European Union.
The fourth position was held by Denmark with 80.52 points, followed by the UK with 70.8 and Morocco with 70.75. Saudi Arabia was placed at the bottom with a score of 11.9, while Iran and the USA were at 66th and 65th positions with 14.33 and 21.84 points respectively.
The top three positions are vacant.
Nov 17, 2025
Scientists Discover New Flying Reptile Species in Fossilised Dinosaur Vomit
In a scientific discovery, researchers identified a new extinct flying reptile species inside fossilised dinosaur vomit. The remains, known as 'regurgitalite', were stored for years in the Museu Camara Cascudo at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil. Although they had been kept safely in the museum, they were mostly ignored until now.
This fossil was preserved with other specimens from the Araripe region, but its provenance and collection time were unclear. The specimen included bones from two individuals of the recently identified filter-feeding pterosaur species Bakiribu waridza and four fossil fish.
Odisha Sets Global Standard as Two Beaches Win Blue Flag Again
In a proud moment for eco-tourism in India, Odisha's Sunapur and Puri beaches once again achieved the prestigious Blue Flag Certification for the year 2025–26. This international honour reaffirms their position among the cleanest and most environmentally sustainable beaches globally.
The Blue Flag is a globally recognised eco-label awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) based in Denmark. It is granted to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators that meet 33 stringent criteria covering,
- Water quality
- Environmental management
- Safety standards
- Eco-education and awareness
Nov 16, 2025
SC Orders Jharkhand to Declare Saranda Forest a Wildlife Sanctuary (16)
The Supreme Court directed the Jharkhand government to notify 31,468.25 hectares of the Saranda Game Sanctuary as the Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary within 90 days. The order aims to protect one of India's most intact sal forests while ensuring that the rights of tribal communities inhabiting the region remain secure.
Saranda Forest is home to 23 mammal species, including the Asiatic elephant, four-horned antelope, mouse deer and sloth bear, along with 138 bird species. About 70% of the forest cover remains intact, making it one of the finest sal-dominated ecosystems in Asia.