Authorities said there were no reports of deaths or injuries, but residents described a dramatic and frightening event, with the ground shaking and a column of smoke rising far above the desert basin.

The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre reported ash clouds reaching an altitude of about 14 kilometres and drifting across the Red Sea. Plumes were later detected moving towards Yemen and Oman, and further towards India and northern Pakistan.

Locals on the ground spoke of panic as the eruption began without warning. 

Ahmed Abdela, who lives in Afdera, said the explosion “felt like a sudden bomb had been thrown," leaving families running from their homes.

The region attracts visitors heading to the Danakil desert, known for its salt flats and volcanic landscapes. Travel was brought to a standstill, with stranded tourists unable to move through ash-covered roads.

Officials warned that, although human lives were spared, the consequences for pastoral communities could be severe. Local administrator Mohammed Seid said ashfall had smothered grazing land vital for livestock.

“Our animals now have little to eat,” he said, noting fears that herds may perish if conditions do not improve quickly. Most residents rely almost entirely on livestock for income and food.

The volcano stands roughly 500 metres above sea level within the East African Rift Valley, an area shaped by the slow separation of tectonic plates and frequent seismic activity.

According to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, Hayli Gubbi has no recorded eruptions during the Holocene – the geological epoch that began around 12,000 years ago – making Sunday’s event the first known in human history .

A map produced by The World in Maps highlights four nations where cattle reign supreme over the human race and underscores the vital role livestock plays in their economies, exports, and cultural heritage.

Argentina stands out with  53.8 million cattle , surpassing its 45.5 million citizens. Known for its vast pampas and world-famous beef, Argentina’s cattle industry is beyond big business. It’s a national symbol.

Brazil, with its huge 252.7 million cattle, far exceeds its population of 211.1 million people. As a global leader in beef exports, Brazil’s livestock sector fuels international food markets and supports millions of jobs across the country.

In Uruguay, the dominance of cattle is even more striking: 11.9 million cows compared to just 3.3 million people. That’s more than three cows per person. Uruguay’s premium beef is in high demand worldwide, making livestock a cornerstone of its economy.

New Zealand rounds up the list with 10 million cattle for a population of 5.2 million. Known for its rolling green pastures and premium dairy products, New Zealand’s cattle sector is integral to both its exports and rural identity.

According to FAOSTAT’s latest figures , the global cattle population exceeds 1 billion head, with Latin America and Asia leading production.

Brazil alone accounts for nearly 25% of South America's cattle, supporting both domestic consumption and export demands, while Uruguay’s beef industry is so robust that it exports over 70% of its beef production, mainly to China and the European Union .

The new rule which took effect on February 27 could shake up Argentina’s meat industry.

The country is one of the world’s biggest beef exporters, with a cattle population of around 53 million—more than its human population.

Major local meat companies, such as Grupo Coto and Grupo Beltran, compete with large Brazilian firms like Marfrig Global Foods and Minerva.

Milei, who describes himself as a libertarian, has been pushing for free-market policies to pull Argentina out of its economic struggles.

Supporters believe lifting restrictions on cattle exports will create new business opportunities, while some have expressed concerns that it could disrupt the local meat industry.

Argentina is the world’s fifth-largest beef exporter, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

The province is now struggling to adapt to the changing climate as staple crops continue to be threatened.

Limpopo has always been dry, but the droughts are getting worse. A UN official called the current drought in southern Africa the worst in 100 years.

The change in livestock farming forms part of efforts by farmers to explore more viable ways of farming amidst the drought.

Majority of them can’t afford irrigation or modern technology and therefore still depend on rain.

“Goats are more climate resilient. They can survive on less grass and even eat acacia trees,” Kingsley Ayisi, director of the University of Limpopo’s Centre for Global Change was quoted as saying .

Climate change in Limpopo is not only affecting animals, crops like maize are also being affected as farmers are advised to move to other crops like sorghum.

Ayisi says solutions like shade nets to protect crops and better water management could help. But these require money and government support, both of which are in short supply.

South Africa loses nearly half of its water through leaks, theft, or unpaid bills, according to reports. Rich countries have promised to help fund climate adaptation, but the money is far less than what poorer countries say they need.

A government official suggested the region should focus on industries like logistics, banking, or public services, which don’t need as much water but this would be difficult in a province with limited infrastructure and education.

Unusually high temperatures in Pakistan are causing ancient ruins in Mohenjo Daro a town in Sindh, southeastern Pakistan to deteriorate, threatening the UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to 2,500 BC. The extreme weather is causing the ruins to contract, leading to structural damage. The site has also been affected by heavy rains and floods, leading to collapsed walls and other structural damage. “Due to the prevailing heat wave, the ruins of Mohenjo Daro bricks are gradually melting,” Ali Hyder, an archaeological engineer with the Sindh Culture, Tourism & Antiquities Department in Mohenjo Daro, told Arab News .

Donkey population rises

Pakistan's donkey population has increased by 1.72% to reach 5.9 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year, while horses and mules remained unchanged, according to the nation’s latest official livestock data. Livestock, including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, has shown growth in Pakistan's rural economy, with the sector accounting for 60.84% of the agricultural value added and 14.63% of GDP. The gross value addition of the livestock sector has increased to Rs 5,804 billion in 2023-24, Business Standard reports.

Over 600,000 Afghans deported from Pakistan

Pakistan has deported over 600,000 Afghan nationals as part of a deportation drive aimed at illegal foreigners. The government blames Afghan nationals for smuggling, militant violence, and other crimes. The majority of migrants in Pakistan are Afghans, many arrived after the Taliban seized control of Kabul in 2021, but many had been in the country since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, according to Arab News . The deportation drive has strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Locally manufactured wagons added to railway fleet

Pakistan Railways has added 40 high-capacity wagons to its fleet, manufactured locally with Chinese technology. The wagons can carry 70 tons and move containers were unveiled at the Cantt Railway Station in Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan on June 12. "Local manufacturing of wagons is a major step towards self-reliance," Pakistan Railways' Chief Executive Officer Amir Ali Baloch said. According to the Pakistani Railways, manufacturing wagons at the local level will increase income by over Rs9 billion ($32.3 million) annually and save foreign exchange reserves, local media the News reports.

Unveiling of budget

Pakistan will unveil its budget for the fiscal year to June 2025, with analysts expecting ambitious fiscal targets to strengthen the case for a new IMF bailout deal. The budget is expected to stick to fiscal prudence under the IMF program, but concerns remain about the government's ability to pursue reform due to coalition politics and public pressure. The budget will be in line with IMF requirements, but adherence to fiscal austerity and containment of populism will be the real challenge, Arab News reports.

Viatina-19 FIV Mara Móveis is valued at $4 million, and that's not all. Her selling price is said to be three times more than that of the previous record holder. Weighing 1,100 kilograms (more than 2,400 pounds), she is estimated to be twice as heavy as an average adult of her breed.

Experts attribute the cow's massive price tag to one thing: how quickly she puts on vast amounts of muscle. This, along with her fertility and—crucially—how often she has passed those characteristics to her offspring, makes her highly valuable. Those eager to enhance their livestock's genetics are paying around $250,000 for an opportunity to collect Viatina-19’s egg cells. These incredible features and characteristics are why she is monitored by security cameras and an armed guard.

Despite her recent high auction price tag, Viatina-19 has always been a star cow. She has won award after award, including "Miss South America" at the Fort Worth, Texas-based "Champion of the World" competition—a bovine version of Miss Universe where cows and bulls from different countries compete. However, at 3 years old, she had not yet proven that her egg cells, when fertilized and implanted in a surrogate cow, would reliably produce offspring bearing her champion characteristics, according to Pereira, an internet executive who transitioned into elite cow breeding.

Viatina-19's owner, Pereira, mentioned that she receives special treatment to boost egg cell production . However, he believes she would thrive if she were put to pasture, where almost all his elite cattle feed.

Currently, Viatina-19 is pregnant for the first time, which helps maintain her hormone cycles. Pereira is considering expansion; her egg cells have been sold to Bolivian buyers, and he aims to export to the United Arab Emirates, India , and the US.

"If she is the best in the world—not just in price, but in quality—I believe we need to share her with the world ," Pereira stated.