The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
INDORE: Several popular packaged instant food items are failing the quality test, besides Maggi noodles by Nestle. Three samples of Ching's Secret, another leading packed food manufacturer, were found to be sub-standard by the Indore's Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Failing to meet standards, FDA initiated prosecution against the manufacturer …
Last year, Illinois governor Pat Quinn signed the country’s first bill to ban the sale or manufacture of personal care products containing microbeads, tiny plastic exfoliators that have been proven to pollute waterways. Maine, New Jersey and Colorado have since passed similar laws, and a federal version of the bill …
Microbeads, those tiny plastic beads included in personal care products for exfoliating power, have been popular for a number of years, with a growing number of companies sneaking them into toothpaste, body scrubs, soap and more. That’s despite evidence that they cause significant environmental problems, an issue that’s led a …
The European Parliament voted last week to re-assess the use of cadmium in TV sets sold across Europe, saying safer alternatives to the toxic and carcinogenic substance were now widely available. Cadmium is widely used in illumination and display lighting applications such as LCD screens used in television sets or …
Tiny particles used in sunscreens and other consumer products may harm marine creatures by disabling the defense mechanisms that protect their embryos, according to a new study. Small amounts of microscopic metals in some sunscreens, toothpastes, cosmetics, and boat paints can alter the cells of sea life in ways that …
Plastic drinking bottles, canned goods and other items containing the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) distributed in California might soon be required to carry a label disclosing that the compound can cause reproductive harm to women. Thursday's decision by a board of scientific experts to include BPA on a list of chemicals …
Leading discount retailer Aldi has signed up to Greenpeace's Detox campaign, committing to the zero discharge of hazardous chemicals from the lifecycle and production of all its textile and footwear goods by 2020. As part of the commitment, Aldi has pledged to provide full transparency of its audit process and …
The NGT directed the DPCC and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (DSIDC) to submit a complete plan regarding the establishment of a hazardous waste disposal unit in Bawana and Narela. The NGT, while noting that it was “surprising that nobody is present on behalf of DSIIDC”, issued …
BHOPAL: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked the pollution control board to test the point sources of pollution from nullahs for second time. This was done after the petitioner challenged that the previous test didn't show true picture of water contamination. On Tuesday, applicant Subhash C Pandey yet again pointed …
Greenpeace has today announced its Detox Catwalk, listing how major fashion brands rank on removing toxic chemicals from their supply chains and tackling water pollution. As part of the four-year Detox campaign, fashion brands have had to commit tozero-discharge of all hazardous chemicals by 2020 and require their suppliers to …
In what has caused concern among environment lovers, the state government has failed to utilize the "green cess" collected by it for its avowed purpose of environmental conservation and reduction of carbon footprint, ever since the Goa Cess on Products and Substances Causing Pollution (Green Cess) Act 2013 came into …
Exposure to bisphenol-A (BPA), a material commonly used in a variety of plastic consumer food and beverage containers, may be linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, according to new research. The next time your retail salesperson or grocery store cashier asks you if you want your receipt, think …
Plan hunger stir during the budget session The Endosulfan Peeditha Munnani (EPM) has decided to stage a hunger strike in front of the State Assembly during its upcoming budget session demanding fulfilment of assurances given to the victims in the past. The decision to launch the stir was taken following …
More Indian women than men are diagnosed with cancer every year. It is reflected in insurance statistics that show more women in our cities claim medical insurance for cancer treatment. Blame it on physiology or the stereotypical image of an Indian woman who chooses to ignore her symptoms for long, …
Toxic air pollutants even a trace amount heighten the risk of childhood cancer, according to cancer specialists, who say that the overall incidence of childhood cancer in India is reported to be over a lakh of new cases per year. “About 1.6 to 4.8 per cent of all cancers in …
The year 2015 is opening with a new hope for cleaner environment in terms of tackling challenges that hindered the efforts of achieving the set goals in 2014 for a sustainable environment. Nigeria's forecast last year was to sustain the environment and protect it from unfriendly elements and activities. Though, …
A new study suggests pharmaceuticals and chemicals from personal care products end up in swimming pools, possibly interacting with chlorine to produce disinfection byproducts with unknown properties and health effects. Chlorination is used primarily to prevent pathogenic microorganisms from growing. Previous research has shown that many constituents of urine including …
Standing Committee on Labour (2014-15) present this Third Report on `The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2014’ relating to the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was introduced in Lok Sabha on 7.8.2014 and referred to the Committee by the Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha for examination and report …
Bengaluru: Those brightly-coloured, cute toys that all little kids love, can be harmful to their health, especially since many chew om them for a long time. A recent study done by The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which is a public interest research and advocacy organisation, found that there …
In spite of a global ban on endosulfan enforced about four years ago, more than 600 children below the age of 14 in eight grama panchayats in the Chittur taluk in Palakkad district continue to suffer from illnesses caused by the aerial spraying of the pesticide. These children have not …
