The report forecasts global economic growth to 2.6% in 2024, barely above the 2.5% threshold commonly associated with a recessionary phase. The report says the prevailing focus on inflation overshadows urgent issues like trade disruptions, climate change and rising inequalities. It advocates for structural reforms and coordinated global efforts, proposing …
despite stiff opposition from the greens, the parliament of Norway cleared the nation's first petroleum development project in the Arctic Barents Sea. It was passed by a 75-25 vote recently. The natural gas project
What is the idea behind the fsm? I looked at the kind of social structure of the society I wanted to live in, and I said, since I am not allowed to live in that society with proprietary software, I just won't use them. The aim of the fsm is …
Trade controls will be imposed on potentially dangerous pesticides and asbestos under a treaty aiming to protect workers in poor countries from hazardous exports. This was stated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently. The UNEP statement said that an experts' committee had recommended three pesticides to be added …
Unquiet woods With the ban and without access to forest revenue, Northeast economy is in doldrums THERE is an unusual quietness in the forests of India's northeast, arguably the country's best timberlands and one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. Brought about by the Supreme Court's blanket ban on tree felling …
THE ban comes at a time when the region's economy is in an inertia and is desperate for an economic miracle. The post-ban realisation of the economic potential of forests and the apex court's instruction to measure the sustainability of forests comes as a reminder of the development model that …
Ban blessing Some people in the region regard the ban as a blessing in disguise. Though the situation was difficult initially, they have ventured into other sources of income. In Tirap district, many people once involved in timber trade have now switched to tea cultivation. Says Mithi: "We are promoting …
Reinforcing laws The court acted methodically. First, it asked states to define forests. Interestingly, a clear definition of forests is not given in the existing legal instruments - Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980, Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 1988, and the Indian Forest Act, 1927. Under Section 2 of the FCA …
In a move that is inviting the wrath of animal rights activists, South Africa is seeking permission to trade in white rhino horns. Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (cites), such trade is prohibited. "If permission is granted, it would enable South Africa to have limited sales …
The City of London is full of monuments, but none record the East India Company's existence. Like a snake, the City seems embarrassed of an earlier skin. This being Britain, however, what remains is a pub - the East India Arms on Fenchurch Street. Popular with office workers, it stands …
Devinder Sharma New Delhi-based food and trade analyst the issue is a part of the trends in global trade in totality. Western countries are trying to put obstacles in the name of sanitary and phytosanitary measures. They are trying to erect trade barriers in the name of environment and health. …
The World Trade Center (WTC) may not be resurrected in New York but the pieces are being picked up by India and China. Steel from the wreckage of the twin towers in the US is destined for a new life in the two Asian countries, where it is meant to …
KISHAN PAL collects wasps for a living. He feeds them beefliver and chicken to ensure they retain their sting. Farmers make a beeline at Pal's house to buy these tiny cannibals. They are more than willing to pay Rs 500 for each carton of wasps. When let loose on fieldsthese …
Tall pines enveloping the mountains, is the image most commonly conjured up when one talks of the Himalayas. Few, however, know that many of these conifers are in fact forced entries and largely responsible for the fragile state of the mountains. Before the British entry into India, the Himalayan forests …
In the last six months, Japanese fisherfolk sold 52 Minke whales under the country's controversial scientific whaling programme. This sale was made possible by changing the previous law to suit the needs of the fisherfolk. The changed law now allows them to harvest any whale that gets trapped in their …
In line with its deregulation of the country's downstream oil industry, Nigeria is inviting bids to build independent oil refineries. The new private refineries' licensing programme is aimed at reducing the country's dependence on imported fuel. According to guidelines, prospective refinery operators will first have to pay a non-refundable us …
a recent analysis of us customs department records has exposed the double standards being applied by America. According to the figures, nearly 29,484 tonnes of pesticides that are banned or severely restricted in the us were exported between 1997 and 2000. Fifty-seven per cent of these products were shipped to …
To assess the gas reserve potential and tap alternative usage of natural gas, the Bangladesh government has formed two committees. The first committee will ascertain the recoverable reserves of gas after updating proven, probable and possible reserves of the existing fields. Apart from this, the committee will also forecast a …
the Indian Board for Wildlife (ibwl), headed by prime minister (pm) Atal Bihari Vajpayee and predominantly comprising wildlife specialists, recently held its 21st meeting in New Delhi after an hiatus of four years. It was, therefore, not surprising that a slew of recommendations were made, including setting up of a …
the European Commission (ec) has slapped a record fine of us $755.1 million on eight chemical and pharmaceutical companies. Their offence: hatching a nine-year conspiracy to fix the prices of some of the most popular vitamins. "This is the most damaging series of cartels the ec has ever investigated,' says …
