Ozone levels in 2024 have been highest since 2020. Ozone filters out UV radiation which is responsible for higher prevalence of skin cancer and cataracts.
The WMO Ozone Bulletin 2024 said lower ozone depletion was partly due to natural atmospheric factors but stressed the long-term improvement reflects the success of global action.
Asia warming faster than global average, the report said, adding that early warning systems and disaster preparedness plans, however, have saved thousands of lives.
The WMO also found a 98% chance that one of the next 5 years will be the hottest on record, surpassing 2016 which saw a global temperature impacted by about 1.3C (2.3F) of warming.
In 1st forecast since March, World Meteorological Organisation has indicated chance of EL Nino onset, likely to 'fuel higher global temperatures', is 70-80% during July-September period.
WMO said that after 3 years of La Nina weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean, there was a 60% chance that will change to El Nino, its warmer counterpart, in May-July.
While the chances of an El Niño developing early in the year are small, current forecasts say there is a 55 per cent chance it could develop between June and August.
The industry forecasts exports are set to grow 16% in 2025-26, boosted by surplus domestic production and a drive to push into 26 underserved global markets with strong potential.
Taylor ‘Fema’ Hiester, commander of USAF F-16 Viper Demo Team, hit out at air show organisers for continuing with the show after Wing Commander Namansh Syal lost his life in the incident.
It is a brilliant, reasonably priced, and mostly homemade aircraft with a stellar safety record; only two crashes in 24 years since its first flight. But its crash is a moment of introspection.
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