India granted 'observer' status in Arctic Council

India has been granted the status of an observer in the Arctic Council, an organisation of global nations that coordinates Arctic policy. With the melting of Arctic ice, new waterways are emerging, creating opportunities for countries to tap the region’s so far inaccessible resources. There is growing competition over the untapped oil, natural gas, minerals and fish resources of the region.

Google bullies a lexicon

The word, ogooglebar, is used regularly in the Swedish language. It means “something that cannot be found on the Web using a search engine”, and was under consideration by the Language Council of Sweden for addition to the latest edition of the country’s official dictionary.

Women interrupted

Ireland ratifies Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol

Ireland has become the 10th country to ratify the international treaty that deals with liability arising from damage caused by genetically modified organisms (GMOs)—the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Ireland deposited its ratification on January 14, making it the first country to ratify the treaty this year.

Cardboard camera

Swedish furniture retailer Ikea has unveiled an eco-friendly digital camera, made almost entirely from cardboard, as part of the company’s advertisement campaign for new eco-friendly home furniture collection. The project aims to get buyers to click images of their furniture using the camera and post it on Ikea’s website.

Is Arctic rush worth it?

Science and Technology - Briefs

Zoology Tweets in burbs

Stolen work

Swedish retail clothing giant H&M was ripped apart by netizens for stealing the work of US artist Tori LaConsay and reproducing it on a range of its household items, including pillowcases, towels and doormats. According to BBC, LaConsay had painted a billboard, saying, “You look nice today”, in 2008 to make her tight-knit neighbourhoods in East Atlanta feel good about themselves.

Car Control

Cities all over the world are checking car population to free their road space. Anumita Roychowdhury finds out where India is headed

Delhi to go greener

Ambitious as it may sound, but Delhi plans to run its buses on biogas. In collaboration with the Swedish government, the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy plans to set up a biogas plant inside Kesopur Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) complex in West Delhi. The plant will receive raw gas emitted by the STP and upgrade it so that it can be used to propel vehicles.