Science

Indian capital chokes after Diwali firework frenzy by AFP Staff Writers New Delhi (AFP) Oct 21, 2025 Toxic air in India’s capital hit more than 56 times the UN health limit early Tuesday, after fireworks for the Hindu festival of Diwali worsened air pollution. This month, the Supreme Court relaxed a ban on fireworks during

Toxic haze chokes Indian capital by AFP Staff Writers New Delhi (AFP) Oct 20, 2025 India’s capital New Delhi was shrouded in a thick, toxic haze on Monday as air pollution levels soared to more than 16 times the World Health Organization’s recommended daily maximum. New Delhi and its sprawling metropolitan region — home to

Could these wacky warm Jupiters help astronomers solve the planet formation puzzle? by Clarence Oxford Los Angeles CA (SPX) Oct 15, 2025 What do you do when you have an unanticipated astronomical phenomenon, a dataset made of planets thousands of light-years away and theoretical models that fail to explain what exactly you’re looking at? If

Yeast withstands Mars-like shocks and toxic salts in survival test by Simon Mansfield Sydney, Australia (SPX) Oct 15, 2025 Life on Mars, if it ever existed, would need to survive an environment defined by violence and toxicity – from meteorite impacts to soil laced with corrosive perchlorate salts. Now, scientists at the Indian Institute of

China defends Russian oil purchases, slams US ‘bullying’ by AFP Staff Writers Beijing (AFP) Oct 16, 2025 China said on Thursday that its purchases of Russian oil were “legitimate” and decried “unilateral bullying” by the United States, as President Donald Trump pushes countries to stop buying fuel from Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Trump

Jumbo drop in estimates of India elephant population by AFP Staff Writers New Delhi (AFP) Oct 15, 2025 India’s wild elephant population estimates have dropped sharply by a quarter, a government survey incorporating a new DNA system has found, marking the most accurate but sobering count yet. India is home to the majority of the

India’s pollution refugees fleeing Delhi’s toxic air By Aishwarya KUMAR Bengaluru, India Oct 16, 2025 Pollution levels in India’s capital shaped Natasha Uppal and her husband’s decision on parenthood — either raise their child away from the city, or stay put and remain childless. New Delhi and the surrounding metropolitan area, home to more than

US advisor on India accused of taking documents, meeting Chinese by AFP Staff Writers Washington (AFP) Oct 14, 2025 A well-known US scholar on India who advised the US government was charged with retaining classified information and allegedly met Chinese officials, prosecutors said Tuesday. Ashley Tellis, 64, who has worked in or advised the US

US expert on India accused of China meetings denies charges by AFP Staff Writers Washington (AFP) Oct 15, 2025 A prominent US scholar of India who was arrested after allegations of retaining classified documents and meeting Chinese officials is denying the charges against him, his lawyers said Wednesday. Ashley Tellis, 64, who held senior positions

Madagascar on edge as embattled president’s address delayed by AFP Staff Writers Antananarivo, Madagascar (AFP) Oct 13, 2025 A keenly awaited national address by Madagascar’s cornered President Andry Rajoelina, who went missing as calls grew for his resignation, was delayed twice Monday as a group of armed forces tried to take control of the state-owned