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US plans for livestreamed execution would put it in company with few nations

US plans for livestreamed execution would put it in company with few nations

The Pentagon's plans to live-stream a military execution would put it on a very short list of nations to execute someone publicly

Kandahar Farmers and Traders Seek Improved Markets for Grapes and Raisins Amidst Falling Prices

Kandahar Farmers and Traders Seek Improved Markets for Grapes and Raisins Amidst Falling Prices

Kandahar Farmers and Traders Seek Improved Markets for Grapes and Raisins Amidst Falling Prices

Rural Arizona Residents Face Water Scarcity as Wells Dry Up, Rely on Haulers

Rural Arizona Residents Face Water Scarcity as Wells Dry Up, Rely on Haulers

Residents in rural Chino Valley, Arizona, are increasingly dependent on water haulers as their private wells run dry due to prolonged groundwater overdraft and insufficient recharge. The Prescott Active Management Area, which includes Chino Valley, has been designated outside of safe yield by the Arizona Department of Water Resources for 27 years, meaning more water is being extracted than replenished. This situation is exacerbated by regional growth, with Prescott Valley adding 10,000 residents in the last decade. Water haulers like Adam Brice deliver water to approximately 90-100 regular customers, many of whom are elderly or unable to haul water themselves. The issue is attributed to reduced incidental recharge from drought and climate change, coupled with increased groundwater pumping. While local governments are exploring regional cooperation and stormwater retention, individual homeowners are also considering solutions like rainwater harvesting, though it is not yet a widespread practice.

Jammu and Kashmir Faces Environmental Crisis Amidst Funding Mismanagement

Jammu and Kashmir Faces Environmental Crisis Amidst Funding Mismanagement

Jammu and Kashmir, often referred to as 'Paradise on Earth' due to its natural beauty, is currently grappling with a severe environmental crisis. Despite receiving 21 crore rupees (approximately 2.5 million USD) between 2019 and June 2022 under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), only 0.5% of these funds, amounting to 12 lakh rupees (approximately 14,400 USD), have been utilized. This significant underutilization of funds raises serious questions about accountability and program execution. The region's capital, Srinagar, has seen its air quality ranking drop from 4th in 2023 to 26th among 39 Indian cities with populations over 10 lakh. Contributing factors to this decline include the open burning of municipal solid waste, lack of dust control mechanisms, increased vehicular emissions, unchecked illegal cement plants and stone crushers, and inadequate construction and demolition waste management. Furthermore, a recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report revealed that over 500 lakes in Jammu an...

Explainer-What is the International Criminal Court?

Explainer-What is the International Criminal Court?

By Stephanie van den Berg THE HAGUE, Oct 9 (Reuters) - South African judge Navanethem "Navi" Pillay, who was awarded the Nobel peace prize on Friday, has been a judge on several international courts, including the International Criminal Court.

Texas High Plains Drought Persists Despite Rain

Texas High Plains Drought Persists Despite Rain

The Texas High Plains continues to face severe drought conditions despite recent rainfall in September and October 2026. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the region requires approximately 7 inches of rain over three months to fully recover from the drought. The ongoing dry conditions have severely impacted cotton farmers, with some reporting complete crop failures. Satellite imagery from NASA highlights the stark contrast between the parched landscapes of 2026 and the greener conditions of 2025. The drought has also exacerbated groundwater shortages in the High Plains aquifer, leaving many irrigation wells dry. Efforts are underway to address these challenges, including collaborations between farmers and NASA to optimize water use and restore playa lakes.

Taliban firmly in control in Afghanistan 25 years after US-led invasion to oust them

Taliban firmly in control in Afghanistan 25 years after US-led invasion to oust them

A U.S.-led coalition invaded Afghanistan 25 years ago and launched Operation Enduring Freedom to dismantle al-Qaida

A quarter century later, the legacy of the US-led invasion of Afghanistan endures

A quarter century later, the legacy of the US-led invasion of Afghanistan endures

A U.S.-led coalition invaded Afghanistan 25 years ago and launched Operation Enduring Freedom to dismantle al-Qaida

Afghan women facing arrest for wearing makeup and alleged dress code violations, UN says

Afghan women facing arrest for wearing makeup and alleged dress code violations, UN says

The Taliban has arrested dozens of women in Afghanistan in recent months for alleged dress code violations, the United Nations says

World Bank Reports Pakistan Bears Region's Largest Poverty Burden Amid Economic Crises

World Bank Reports Pakistan Bears Region's Largest Poverty Burden Amid Economic Crises

The World Bank has reported that Pakistan accounts for approximately 48% of the people in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP) region living below the $3 per day poverty line. This makes Pakistan the country with the largest poverty burden in the region. The report indicates that poverty in Pakistan increased significantly, with the poverty rate rising by 6.4 percentage points at the $3 per day line and 3.2 percentage points at the $4.2 per day line between 2018-19 and 2024-25. This surge is attributed to a series of adverse shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the devastating 2022 floods, a macroeconomic crisis characterized by high inflation and currency depreciation, and a prolonged period of economic adjustment. These factors have collectively weakened real household incomes and employment opportunities. The World Bank projects Pakistan's population-growth adjusted real GDP growth to remain at 2.2% for the current fiscal year, similar to the previous year's level, with ...

Great Salt Lake Falls Below 30% Capacity

Great Salt Lake Falls Below 30% Capacity

The Great Salt Lake in Utah has reached a critical low, with only 29.7% of its natural volume remaining, according to Grow the Flow, a nonprofit organization focused on restoring the lake. This marks a significant decline from early 2025, when the lake was at 37.5% capacity. Over 57% of the lakebed is now exposed, and only 26% of the lake's natural area remains within a healthy salinity range to support its ecosystem. The lake's decline poses serious risks, including toxic dust storms affecting 2.5 million residents, loss of critical wildlife habitats, and reduced lake-effect snow, which could impact Utah's ski industry. The billboard campaign, launched by Grow the Flow, aims to raise public awareness by displaying real-time lake levels along major traffic routes in Salt Lake and Davis Counties.

EU, Ghana, UNICEF, and UNHCR Collaborate to Support Forcibly Displaced Persons in Zini, Ghana

EU, Ghana, UNICEF, and UNHCR Collaborate to Support Forcibly Displaced Persons in Zini, Ghana

The European Union (EU), the Government of Ghana, UNICEF, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have joined forces to enhance essential services for forcibly displaced persons and their host communities in Zini, located in Ghana's Upper West Region. This collaborative effort is part of the two-year 'Supporting the Resilience of Forcibly Displaced People and Host Communities in Northern Ghana (UNITE)' project, funded by the EU and implemented by UNICEF Ghana and UNHCR. As part of this initiative, the partners have handed over a rehabilitated kindergarten block, new sanitation facilities, and a solar-powered water system. Additionally, essential supplies have been provided to the Zini Health Centre, and efforts are underway to strengthen emergency preparedness and support for frontline health workers. The UNITE partnership aims to foster more inclusive, resilient, and peaceful communities in northern Ghana.