Locusts entering Bengal? Experts, govt officials say little chance

Last reported locust swarm in Bengal in 1965, says an expert

Nigeria was once an indisputable leader in Africa: What happened?

The intractable problems of Boko Haram and Islamic State, coupled with kidnappings, have created a security crisis in the country

Tonight we riot? What Nintendo’s ‘revolutionary’ video game misses about worker liberation

Some might think this fantasy epitomises the modern movement for worker liberation. It doesn’t.

COVID-19: Centre’s financial package through DBT attracts criticism

Financial assistance given to approximately 390 million beneficiaries, says Union government, countered by experts who say stranded migrants left out

COVID-19: The need is to decentralise how we manage wastewater

The water crisis in India is dire: By 2030, the country’s water demand is projected to be twice the available supply

COVID-19: Daily electricity demand dips 15% globally, says report

There is, however, a spike in residential demand for electricity, because of people staying and working from home

The case of anti-microbial resistance: Adding worry to the woes of COVID-19 pandemic

The WHO, in 2019, said AMR is one of the top 10 threats to health, with speculation emerging of it having the potential to become a global epidemic

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (September 1, 2020)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal

COVID-19: Bats’ immune system, longevity offer clues for treatment, says study

Bats’ immune systems have mechanisms to control inflammation, a mainstay of disease and ageing

Trump starts withdrawing US from WHO

Withdrawal process to take at least a year, will be effective from July 6, 2021

COVID-19: 400 mln jobs lost in Q2 2020, says ILO

Job losses up 400% in Africa, Asia since first 3 months; working hours lower than estimates

COVID-19: Around 45 mln pushed into global food insecurity, says FAO report

Around 33 million reside in South and South east Asia, remainder in sub-Saharan Africa

Sexual and gender-based violence during COVID-19: lessons from Ebola

Sexual and gender-based violence does not begin with disasters like the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. But the chaos and …

Vishakhapatnam gas leak: What were the errors and what are the lessons

Industrial management methodologies have to be fine-tuned in line with the COVID-19 pandemic, not only to ensure safety but to function effectively

Food wrappers overtake cigarette butts as beach litter: Report

A record 4,771,602 food wrappers picked up in a single day by 943,195 volunteers of environmental advocacy group Ocean Conservancy across …

Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance: A strong EC Act is still needed

The ordinance does not expressly define ‘extraordinary circumstances’: Such legislative ambiguity makes one question the entire …

The IMF’s $4 bln loan for South Africa: The pros, cons and potential pitfalls

The most important benefit is that South Africa is getting $4.2 billion at about 1.1 per cent interest. This is a very cheap source of funds

COVID-19: Phase 3 of vaccine developed by Chinese researchers underway, says Lancet

The Ad5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine tested on people above 55 years of age, is considered a step up from another vaccine being developed by the UK

Pangolin scale seizures jumped 10 times between 2014 and 2018: UN report

Pangolins have, recently, been vilified because of reports that linked them to the emergence of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes …

Study predicts 4 outcomes for aquaculture industry amid COVID-19 impact

The relatively young industry suffers curb in exports, layoffs, reduced demand and production because of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) …

COVID-19: Researchers develop portable, battery-operated ventilator

The device, called AirBridge, works as a bridge for a few hours to a few days before conventional ventilation is provided

COVID-19: Revised guidelines show how biomedical waste must be handled

Extra precautions to be taken by sanitation workers, healthcare facilities and COVID-19 isolation wards are also described

Odisha sal seed pickers face Amphan, COVID-19 double whammy

Sal seed procurement was delayed because of Cyclone Amphan

International Albinism Awareness Day celebrates those with rare genetic condition

‘Made To Shine’ — the chosen theme for this year’s International Albinism Awareness Day — celebrates the …

Prioritise safety in industry during the COVID-19 era

Recent accidents pose serious questions on claims of world-class practices in Indian manufacturing industries