It has brought about behavioural change, empowered women and broken caste barriers, says the Secretary to the Drinking Water and Sanitation Ministry In his office, Parameswaran Iyer keeps a countdown calendar to October 2, 2019, the deadline for all of India to become ‘open-defecation free’. On Tuesday, the countdown dipped …

As Ranjan Gogoi takes over as the new Chief Justice of India, it’s his own warning he must heed In Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland , there is a segment called “The Mouse’s Tale”. It features a dialogue between a dog (called Fury) and a mouse. Fury is bored, and …

Artificial sweeteners toxic for gut microbes: study Artificial sweeteners and sport supplements may be toxic to digestive gut microbes, a study warns. The study, published in the journal Molecules , indicated relative toxicity of six artificial sweeteners — aspartame, sucralose, saccharine, neotame, advantame, and acesulfame potassium-k.PTI Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/artificial-sweeteners-toxic-for-gut-microbes-study/article25107135.ece

‘Wildfires to worsen even if climate goals are met’ Even reaching the most optimistic goals in the Paris climate treaty will still increase the area of southern Europe devastated by forest fires each year by between 40-54%, scientists at the University of Barcelona warned on Tuesday.AFP Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/europe-fires-to-worsen-even-if-climate-goals-met/article25107133.ece

Google to let users stream games on Chrome Google has announced that it will test a video game streaming platform with the release of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey this week. The test will be limited to the U.S., where a select number of people will get to play Assassin’s Creed Odyssey …

The suits prolong bacteria’s life Scientists have developed “spacesuits” for bacteria that may allow the microbes to survive space environments that would otherwise kill them. The protective suits pair live bacteria with light-absorbing semiconductors in order to capture carbon dioxide and convert it into chemicals that can be used by …

‘Only 300 birds exist, need protection’ A team of ornithologists in Ecuador has identified a new species of hummingbird: a lovely blue-green creature that lives in a cold, barren highland area and is in danger of extinction. Team leader Francisco Sornoza saw one of the birds through binoculars a year …

The imprints may also shed light on whether or not trauma can be passed on between generations Children subjected to abuse may carry the physical hallmark of that trauma in their cells, scientists said on Tuesday, in research that could help criminal investigations probing historic mistreatment. The imprints may also …

The way forward has to be through fuels found above the ground, PM tells ISA Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged world leaders to move towards a future of ‘one world, one sun, one grid’ in which countries around the world would share electricity so that none is without …

Shareholders say they will decide on rights issue after board’s deliberations at the meeting on Oct. 8 All eyes are on the first board meeting of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services’ (IL&FS), as shareholders said a decision would be taken on the rights issue after the board’s deliberations. The board …