By Elise Harris Vatican City, Feb 17 (CNA/EWTN News) – On Friday Pope Francis paid a visit to Rome’s “Roma Tre” university, stressing to students the importance of dialogue, listening and integration in putting an end to the fear that…
Category: Environment
Cities and monuments to dim lights in a nod to Earth
From Sydney to New York,cities and monuments will dim their lights on Saturday in a show of solidarity against the threats being faced by the planet from humankind. This year marks the tenth anniversary of Earth Hour, an annual bid…
A carbon law to protect the climate
By Stephen Leahy Uxbridge, Canada, Mar 24 (IPS) – The Carbon Law says human carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions must be reduced by half each decade starting in 2020. By following this “law” humanity can achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by mid-century…
Qatar gets until November to improve its HR record
Doha – A UN agency has granted Qatar even more time to address allegations of “forced labor” before deciding whether the country should be sanctioned.
Asia’s Water Politics Near the Boiling Point
In Asia, it likely will not be straightforward water wars. Prolonged water scarcity might lead to security situations that are more nuanced, giving rise to a complex set of cascading but unpredictable consequences, with communities and nations reacting in ways…
Mobile phone towers emit harmful radiation, finds ministry
Mobile phone towers in the country are emitting a harmful level of radiation, a government report has found. The Health Ministry submitted a report on the radiation levels of phone towers to the High Court on Wednesday with a directive…
Florida eco-friendly town opens for business
With a farm-to-table restaurant, driverless shuttles, homes built with the latest green techniques and a massive solar farm to offset energy use, Florida’s first sustainable town is now open for business. The buzz about Babcock Ranch, an eco-friendly city of…
World Water Day Wednesday
Dhaka, March 22 – The World Water Day is being observed in the country, as elsewhere across the globe Wednesday with a theme ‘Water and Wastewater’.
Catch stray dogs!
Stray dogs are now frequently seen freely wondering in different parts of the metropolis. Some days back I read a news report stating some stray dogs attacked a police officer’s house in some district and killed his goats. Even in…
Illegal buildings on St Martin’s: HC issues contempt rule
Dhaka – The High Court on Tuesday issued a contempt rule against 11 government officials including four secretaries for not complying with its 2011 order asking to demolish illegal structures at St Martin’s Island.
Older Syrian Refugee Dies Waiting for Family Reunification
Fatima, 62 years old, fled persecution and the destruction of her city of Aleppo, Syria, with the dream of reuniting with her daughter and grandchildren in Germany. She survived the treacherous journey to Greece, but border restrictions in the Western…
India Pakistan resume talks on Indus Treaty: Stakes are high
When on March 20-21, 2017, on the eve of the World Water Day, India and Pakistan’s Permanent Indus Commission met in Islamabad for its 113rd meeting, there is a lot at stake besides the immediate issues or even the Indus…
‘No ground water, manage waste water for drinking’
Experts at human chain programme yesterday stressed the need for proper management of waste water to resolve the drinking water crises instead of over relying on underground water.
Climate change ‘makes deadly China pollution worse’
Global warming has boosted the frequency and severity of deadly air pollution peaks in northern China, scientists said Monday. Toxic particles in the air cause nearly a million premature deaths in the country every year, according to earlier research. “Climate…
Eliminating energy-related carbon emissions possible: IRENA
Decarbonisation of global energy system, led by renewables and efficiency, would create economic gains Berlin, Germany, 20 March — Global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions can be reduced by 70% by 2050 and completely phased-out by 2060 with a net…
Cabinet okays draft bill to bring discipline in land management
The Cabinet on Monday approved the draft of Urban and Zone Planning Bill, 2017 aimed at brining discipline in land management and restricting the misuse of land in the country. The Cabinet gave the approval in principle at its regular…
Can India and Pakistan bridge differences over river pact?
By Juliet Perry and Sugam Pokharel, CNN (CNN)For years, it’s been held up as a rare diplomatic success story between rivals India and Pakistan. But last year a long-standing river pact that governs how the two countries share crucial water…
Chamber Judge stays tannery owners fine
Dhaka – The Appellate Division Chamber Judge on Sunday stayed a High Court (HC) order that directed 154 tannery owners of Hazabibagh in the city to pay Tk 30.65 crore fine for not relocating their factories to the Tannery Estate…
Bangladesh: Population movement emergency appeal launched
This Emergency Appeal is being launched on a preliminary basis and seeks a total of 3,265,766 Swiss francs to enable the IFRC to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) to deliver assistance and support to some 25,000 people for…
Next refugee crisis will be caused by environmental disasters
The next big migration wave won’t be caused by war or hunger. It will be caused by environmental disasters. People will be fleeing cities and countries to escape environmental pollution that makes life short, sick, and unbearable. The global consequences…
US climate scepticism clouds G20 meet
After threatening environmental financing with the axe, US President Donald Trump’s administration on Saturday defied the international community by refusing to renew a pledge on combating climate change. Finance ministers from the G20 top economies meeting in the western spa…
Death toll rises to 72 in Peru rains, flooding, mudslides
Lima, Mar 19 (AP/UNB) — The intense rains, overflowing rivers, mudslides and flooding being experienced in the country are the worst seen in two decades, Peruvian authorities said Saturday, affecting more than half the nation as the death toll since…
Wintry breeze rules BD after winter officially ends
GW news desk with Abdur Rahman Jahangir, UNB Staff Writer Dhaka, Mar 19 – When the residents in the capital are feeling the pinch of summer heat and pleasant cold coming in a rotation for several weeks people in the…
CO2 stable for 3rd year despite global growth: IEA
Global carbon dioxide emissions from the energy sector held stable for the third straight year in 2016 despite the global economy continuing to expand, the International Energy Agency said Friday. By far the main culprit in global warming, carbon dioxide…
Mideast may become uninhabitable?
By Baher Kamal Rome, Mar (IPS) – New evidence is deepening scientific fears, advanced few years ago, that the Middle East and North Africa risk becoming uninhabitable in a few decades, as accessible fresh water has fallen by two-thirds over…
Make Teesta deal condition for other treaties: BNP
The BNP yesterday demanded the government of giving a condition to New Delhi to sign an agreement on Teesta water sharing before signing any agreement with it during the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India. Standing committee member Goyeshwar…
31 Somali refugees killed in helicopter attack off Yemen coast
Thirty-one Somali refugees were killed off the coast of Yemen late on Thursday when a helicopter reportedly attacked the boat they were travelling in. Coastguard Mohamed al-Alay said the refugees, carrying official UN refugee agency (UNHCR) documents, were travelling from…
‘Narcissistic’ bird becomes Internet star
When wildlife expert Caitlin Raynor saw a bird mesmerised with its reflection, she feared people might be concerned. So she posted a note above it. “I’m a bush stone-curlew,” the message explained. “I’m fine. I just like to stare at…
Indonesia summons UK envoy over coral damage
Indonesia has summoned the British ambassador after a ship operated by a British company ran aground on a coral reef, causing extensive damage. On March 4, the 4,290-ton Caledonian Sky hit reefs off an island in Raja Ampat, Papua province,…
Greece: A year of suffering for asylum seekers
EU-Turkey deal traps people in abuse and denies them refuge Athens – The EU-Turkey deal has trapped thousands of people in abysmal conditions on the Greek islands for the past year, while denying most access to asylum procedures and refugee…