Time is running out to keep global warming below 1.5°C since pre-industrial era levels The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has come out with a clear scientific consensus that calls for a reversal of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, to prevent severe harm to humanity in the decades ahead. World leaders …
Read More »Monthly Archives: October 2018
Arrest the exodus
Gujarat must rethink the proposalto limit jobs for migrant workers Following the horrific rape of a toddler, allegedly by a migrant worker, in Sabarkantha district on September 28, there has been an exodus out of northern Gujarat of Hindi-speaking migrant workers. There have been incidents of “revenge attacks” on them. …
Read More »We need a pro-liberty judicial approach
The judiciary is deviating from its own precedents in terms of civil liberties Article 21 of the Constitution places the personal liberty of citizens on the highest pedestal, and so it is the duty of our courts to protect it. However, two recent decisions of the Supreme Court suggest that …
Read More »Another warning on warming
The new IPCC report makes it clear that the path forward offers no simple or easy solutions The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has just released a special report on global warming of 1.5°C over pre-industrial temperatures. Produced speedily, it provides details on how the global response to climate …
Read More »‘If the Opposition wants to go on a wild goose chase, so be it’
The Defence Minister fields questions about a number of concerns that relate to the Rafale deal — ranging from pricing to due process Last month, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said there was “a perception battle” the Centre was fighting over the Rafale deal and she would do so by “stating …
Read More »Salvaging a strategic partnership
The India-Russia dialogue should not get inextricably entangled in the India-U.S. dialogue At their meeting in Goa at the India-Russia annual summit, in October 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi quoted a Russian proverb to Russian President Vladimir Putin: “An old friend is better than two new ones.” It was a …
Read More »Humpback whale calf rescued from net off Australian beach
A whale calf has been freed after it got tangled in a shark net off the Australian east coast. Authorities worked for almost two hours on Tuesday morning to free the calf. “The calf had some superficial wounds, but nothing life threatening, and swam away with its mother when released,” …
Read More »Tiny device helps nerve growth
Scientists say they have developed the first bioelectronic medicine — an implantable, biodegradable wireless device that speeds nerve regeneration and improves the healing of a damaged nerve. Researchers at the Washington University in the U.S. developed a device that delivers regular pulses of electricity to damaged peripheral nerves in rats …
Read More »Legendary Arab poet Antara rises as comic book superhero
The story cuts across class and race lines, says writer In a red cape, dark hair blowing in the wind, he crosses the dunes under a blazing sun: Antara, the famed 6th century Arab poet born a slave, is now a superhero. A pre-Islamic poet, Antara is celebrated in the …
Read More »Ancient Mayans produced salt: study
Evidence shows that the civilisation also stored and traded the commodity Salt may have been a valuable commodity for the Mayans, say scientists who found that the ancient civilisation produced, stored and traded the mineral over 1,000 years ago. Stone tools found at a site called the Paynes Creek Salt …
Read More »