The Global Gender Gap Index annually benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions (Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment). It is the longest-standing index tracking the progress of numerous countries’ efforts towards closing these gaps over time since …
In a bid to block its implementation, an association of German brewers has moved court against the government's directive introducing deposits on non-returnable beer and soft drink cans and bottles. The body, which includes 55 brewers who handle about two-thirds of the country's brewing production, recently filed a suit against …
taking a cue from Sweden and Germany, Belgium is going ahead with its plan to phase out the country's nuclear reactors by 2025. Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt recently said that his cabinet would ask parliament to pass a controversial bill to this effect. "We are going to proceed with …
at least 27 million vehicles are junked every year. Ever wondered what happens to them? Studies show that they spawn an environmental disaster that governments are finding difficult to handle. The European Union (eu ) has taken the lead in reversing this trend. From April 21, 2002, with the implementation …
Up to 20 per cent of women with inherited breast cancer have a mutation in the gene that is responsible for repairing damage by radiation therapy. A team, comprising Australian and German researchers, recently found two key mutations in the gene called ATM. "If one copy of the mutated non-functioning …
the Austrian health ministry seized 13.62 kilogramme of Dutch calves' liver that tested positive for the antibiotic chloramphenicol (cap). The authorities confiscated the meat immediately and placed the stock under strict veterinary quarantine. It is believed that a Dutch slaughterhouse had exported veal contaminated with the potentially dangerous cap to …
germany is aiming to produce 25 per cent windpower by 2030. To increase its current wind generation capacity, offshore wind parks in the Baltic and the North Seal have already been set up. According to environment minister J
there is hope for winged creatures in Germany. The Westkuestenpark Oiled Seabird Rehabilitation Centre at St Peter-Ording in Schleswig-Holstein is preventing around 200 birds from being killed due to an oil spill. Earlier, cleaning oiled birds was thought to be futile by wildlife authorities. "They would literally hire hunters after …
a recent spurt has been witnessed in the demand for ultra low sulphur diesel (ulsd), with several European countries switching over to the green fuel (containing 50 parts per million of sulphur). The resultant shortage has pushed up ulsd prices on the Rotterdam (Netherlands) barge market by us $20 a …
Quite frankly our friends in government would be right in saying that they are damned if they don't and even more damned if they do. But what can we say. It is truly amazing how our government agencies learn so little about how programmes can be made to work. Every …
giving impetus to non-conventional energy, the parliamentary budget committee of Germany decided to raise subsidies for solar, thermal, biogas and geothermal energy to 400 million marks from 300 million in 2001. Earlier, the Economics minister, Werner Mueller, wanted to cut this budget by 100 million marks. He also wanted to …
most materials expand when heated and contract when cooled. But what about a material which contracts when in light and expands in the dark? Scientists in Germany and uk have developed precisely such a material. If the material can be made into other compounds, it could prove immensely useful in …
Luxembourg: Supporters gathered at Rue de la Gare, a one-way street with two lanes. This street became car-free in one lane. Ostersund, Sweden: In this city of Central Sweden, people arranged a car-free day by giving free bus rides to those who showed their car keys. Prague, Czech Republic: Banners …
The Netherlands: A long-term project in 1999 started at the Dutch Cyclist Union funded by the Ministry of Transport to adopt better cycling policy in over 60 municipalities. The first city to have won the award is Veenendaat in November 2000. United Kingdom: A new initiative launched by the national …
Resource use: There is a low energy building standard involved. Solar-supported heating gets promoted. Rainwater is collected and recycling facilities and composting get a boost. Community: Residents are able to participate during planning. They are involved in running facilities too. And they have institutionalised representation. Mobility: An integration with public …
German researchers have developed ultra thin wires from cobwebs. These wires, based on latest technology, could spark revolution in miniature electronics. Spider silk is remarkably strong and can stretch a lot before it snaps. The researchers managed to reduce the silk from it's usual diameter of 3 and 5 micrometres …
plans for massive development of wind power have been recently introduced by the German government. The plans will help the country to implement its nuclear phase-out policy. All nuclear plants in Germany are set to close in 2021. "The plans are a cornerstone of Germany's changing energy production system
the unwillingness of the us to take strong action against the tobacco companies was highlighted during the second round of talks regarding the World Health Organisation's framework convention on tobacco control. The talks were held in Geneva from April 30 to May 4, 2001. The us government's reluctance has been …
