NewsBytes

Rising temperatures increase survival challenges of migratory species

Migratory wildlife, including Himalayan species such as musk deer and snow trout, are facing increasing survival challenges, with rising temperatures forcing cold-adapted species to move higher into smaller, fragmented habitats, according to a new report.   The report released on Friday by the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), based on an international expert workshop held in Edinburgh earlier this year, said climate-driven habitat shifts are compounding existing pressures from human activity. The researchers also warned that Asian elephants are encountering a "habitat gridlock" with limited movement. "Climate and land-use changes are shifting elephant habitats eastward, but with limited connectivity, most elephants in India and Sri Lanka cannot follow, escalating human-elephant conflicts," the report said.

"Cold-adapted wildlife, such as musk deer, pheasants and snow trout, are being pushed upslope into smaller, fragmented refugia, with some small mammals projected to lose over 50 per cent of their range," the report said.

Professor Sathyakumar Sambandam of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), who contributed a case study, reiterated the concern surrounding the shrinking refugia. "We predict that high-altitude protected areas (PAs) may buffer climate impacts, but many areas outside PAs also serve as climate refugia. Conservation efforts must secure movement corridors, habitat islands and refugia to mitigate biodiversity reorganisation under climate change," he said.

Church of England names first female Archbishop of Canterbury

The Church of England named Sarah Mullally on Friday as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman to hold the 1,400-year-old office, prompting immediate criticism from conservative Anglican churches in Africa who oppose women bishops. The 63-year-old former nurse will become the ceremonial head of 85 million Anglicans worldwide and, like her predecessors, will face a Communion divided between conservatives and more liberal Christians in the West over the role of women in the Church and over same-sex couples. Bishop of London since 2018, Mullally has previously championed blessings for same-sex couples — a major source of contention in the global Anglican Communion, with homosexuality outlawed in some African countries.

Mullally will replace Justin Welby, who resigned over a child abuse cover-up scandal and who was criticised by many conservative Anglicans for taking an activist role on social issues.  Married to Eamonn and with two adult children, Mullally became one of the first women to be consecrated as a bishop in the Church of England in 2015.

Reflecting the Church of England's status as the country's established church, the appointment was announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office, with the formal consent of King Charles. As monarch, Charles is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, a role established in the 16th century when King Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church.

India may procure additional batches of S-400 air defence systems

India is looking at procuring additional batches of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia as the weapons proved to be very effective during Operation Sindoor, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.   It is learnt that the proposed procurement may figure in talks between New Delhi and Moscow when Russian President Vladimir Putin visits India in December.

In October 2018, India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding a warning by the US that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions under the provisions of Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Three squadrons have already been delivered. The S-400 systems played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor.

The people cited above said India may also look at procuring the S-500 missile system as well.

Centre advises against prescribing cough syrups to children below 2 years

The Centre has issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories, directing that cough and cold medications should not be prescribed to children under the age of two years.   The advisory, issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), comes amid reports of child deaths allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry noted none of the tested syrup samples in Madhya Pradesh contained Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG) — contaminants that are known to cause serious kidney injury.

The DGHS, which comes under the health ministry, said in the advisory that cough syrups are generally not recommended for children below five years.

"Most acute cough illnesses in children are self-limiting and often resolve without pharmacological intervention. Non-pharmacological measures, including adequate hydration, rest, and supportive measures, should be the first-line approach," it said.

On reports of two child deaths in Rajasthan because of contaminated cough syrup consumption, the ministry clarified that the product in question does not contain Propylene Glycol — a possible source of DEG/EG contamination, it said.