2020 Tokyo Olympics will recycle e-waste to make medals

For the first time in the history of Olympics, medals will be made from metal recovered from old cell phones and laptops

Super Bug found in the Arctic traced back to Delhi

A scientist has found a “Superbug” gene in the Arctic region, Soil samples from Norwegian archipelago, a place which lies between mainland Norway and north pole, have now confirmed the presence of NDM-1(New Delhi-Metallo-beta-lactamase-1) gene. This multi-drug resistant bacteria was first detected in New Delhi over a decade back.

India’s unemployment rate jumped to a record 6.1% in 2017-18

India’s unemployment rate jumped to a record 6.1% in 2017-18, reported Business Standard (Jan 31, 2019) Unemployment was at 2.2% in 2011-12. That means it tripled after demonetisation (November 2016). The financial daily cited the National Sample Survey Office’s unpublished Periodic Labour Force Survey.environment.

Desertification: Forest cover on the planet continues to shrink

The rate of deforestation has slowed down after 2005 yet forest cover on the planet continues to shrink, says a preliminary assessment report by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. This is the first such global assessment of land degradation. Out of 197 countries party to UNCCD, 145 have submitted data on land degradation

10 threats to global health in 2019

The world is facing disease outbreaks like Ebola, measles, drug-resistant pathogens, health impacts of environmental pollution and climate change and multiple humanitarian crises. The World Health Organization has started a new strategic 5-year plan to address these health challenges and has listed 10 major threats to global health in 2019

Total e-waste generated would be enough to create 4,500 Eiffel Towers

United Nations has warned that the world is soon going to be hit by a tsunami of e-waste. It says that in 2018 the world has already produced 48.5 million tonnes of e-waste. 4,500 structures as big as Eiffel Tower can be created from this waste.

Why does India plan to send humanoids to space?

ISRO wants to send humanoids because it wants to test its space module before they are used by humans. A humanoid with the necessary sensors could simulate a human's space journey and send data which could safeguard human space travel.

Humans should always be in control of AI and Robots says ILO report

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) wants people to be given priority over Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation. In its new report called Work for a Brighter Future, ILO has called for a Humans-in-command approach. Humans-in-command is when machines remain machines and people retain control over these machines at all times.

One per cent of Indians hold 51.53% of the country’s wealth

The world's top 26 billionaires now own as much as the poorest 3.8 billion, according to Oxfam International. For its part, India added 18 billionaires to its kitty last year, taking the total to 119. Their wealth crossed $400 billion (Rs 28 lakh crore). The corpus jumped to $440.1 billion (2018) from $325.5 billion (2017). That’s the biggest jump since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.

The magnetic North Pole is shifting and that too very rapidly

There is unusual activity at the North Pole. The magnetic north pole is sliding away from the Arctic region of Canada into Siberia. It has always tended to drift at about a few kilometres every year. From 9 km/year in the mid 1990s it picked up speed to 55 km/year.

IMD's India 2018 weather report

How did India's weather fare in 2018? Indian Meteorological Department's report on India's climate in 2018 has some important messages. It was the sixth-warmest year since 1901, when recording started. The annual mean temperature was 0.41°C above normal. Five of the warmest years were in the last decade: 2016: +0.720°C; 2009 :+0.560°C; 2017: +0.550°C; 2010: +0.540°C; 2015: +…

China became the first country to sprout a seed on the moon

This is the farthest point from the Earth where humans have grown plants. A lone cottonseed sprouted in a canister aboard the Chang’e-4, China’s moon lander that touched down on the far side of the moon.

National Clean Air Programme is a half hearted policy

India may have announced the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), but neither does it have any legal backing nor financial support, making it a toothless tiger

Oceans are warming at a faster rate than predicted

Oceans absorb 90% of the warming caused by human carbon emissions. A new analysis by University of California, Berkeley, suggests that oceans are warming at a faster rate than earlier predictions. They are absorbing excess heat 40% faster than what was previously estimated

Open defecation continues despite new toilets

Removing open defecation was one of the most touted goals of Swachh Bharat Mission, backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Lakhs of toilets have been built in India since 2014, when the Modi government assumed power

Problems of livestock economy and growing menace of stray cattle

Several states governed by the BJP enacted strong laws against cow slaughter. But we talk less about its effect on agriculture and rural economy

Reviving Delhi lake using constructed wetlands

Neela Hauz lake that’s spread over 10 acres used to serve as the biggest water body in south Delhi but rapid urbanisation turned it into a dump

One crore people became unemployed in India in 2018

84 per cent of these job losses happened in rural areas

Lead in Maggi shows how dangerous Indian food standards are

There seems to be a problem with India’s Food safety and standards. This comes in the wake of Nestle admitting that the lead in Maggi noodles is below the Indian standard. India’s Food Safety and Standards Act prescribes a maximum of 2.5 mg/kg (2.5 ppm) as the safe level for lead in noodles. But this standard is flawed and dangerous.

Are Delhi schools serving unhealthy food?

Schools in Delhi are serving unhealthy food to the students. An inspection by the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights has found that to be the case. Unhealthy foods can be classified as those, which are high in fats, salt, and sugar or HFSS. These foods can lead to childhood obesity, hypertensions and heart diseases.

Universal Basic Income explained in less than two minutes

With an eye on the 2019 elections, the BJP-led government may announce a Universal Basic Income (UBI) scheme. Under UBI, every citizen, regardless of their identity or social and economic position, will be entitled to periodic cash payments.

Tales of cruelty and compassion from a home for destitute animals

All Creatures Great and Small, a shelter set up by humanist and social worker Anjali Gopalan, is a sanctuary for a disparate group of animals