The coastal city of Abu Dhabi is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to the impact of climate change as it is threatened by rising sea levels and researchers suggested that it could be too hot to live in by the end of this century. Mangroves, which are woody, salt-tolerant trees that grow along tropical coastlines, protect coastal areas from erosion, wave surges and floods by creating buffer zones and regulating tides. These trees are helping Abu Dabhi fight the climate crisis. The head of Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency (EAD) Shaika Al Dhaheri said, “Mangroves are the fir
On Saturday, the Saudi government eased COVID curbs and allowed 1 million people to join the Hajj pilgrims this year. The government will expand the key event to allow participants outside the nation after two years of restriction. The Saudi Haj Ministry “has authorised one million pilgrims, both foreign and domestic, to perform the Haj”, which will take place in July. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said in a statement on April 9 that the pilgrims visiting Mecca must be under 65 years of age and should be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. Visitors coming from different natio
On Thursday, Germany’s parliament rejected the government's proposal for mandatory Covid vaccines for people above 60. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition lost the bid, which in November touted compulsory jabs for all adults as the surest way to overcome the pandemic. Scholz has set a goal of introducing the jabs in “late February or early March”. However, his government's proposal for over-60s to get immunized failed, receiving only 296 votes in favour while 378 voted against it. On Thursday, a proposal for over-60s to receive vaccinations was put to a vote after weeks of wranglin
United Nations panel pats Kolkata for the much-maligned public transport. The city has been recognised internationally in detail in the report published on climate change. The report titled “Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change” is cited as an “illustrative case study” that showcases how integrated action can combat climate change. The report explains how several public transport modes “contribute positively in bringing down the trend of greenhouse gas emission per unit of GDP to half in one decade” in Kolkata “with potential for further reduction”. Kolka
On Sunday, Musicians Ricky Kej and Falguni Shah from India won the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas. Composer Rickey won the award for the second time along with Stewart Copeland for Best New age Album. Indian-American singer-songwriter Falguni won her first award for Best Children's Music Album at the awards ceremony for her album A Colorful World. Based in New York previously worked with AR Rahman on Slumdog Millionaire. Her early training in music took place in Mumbai, where she studied with the legendary sarangi and vocal master Ustad Sultan Khan. In her acceptance speec
Sweden's government has recommended a fourth COVID-19 vaccine for people above 65 years along with the people who are living in nursing homes or getting home care. According to the Swedish authorities, the new guidelines drop the age from the previous recommendation of 80 years and above. It also includes the fourth shot for the aged 18-64 years having moderate to severe immune deficiency. Sweden’s public Health Agency chief Karin Tegmark Wisell said in a statement, “The goal is just as before to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19”. Tegmark Wisell added that it is
India’s wheat export hits a record high with 7.85 million tonnes in the fiscal year to March. The sharp increase is from 2.1 million tonnes from the previous year. The world's second-largest producer of grain benefited from a rally in global prices earlier this month as per the top government official, India would export a record 7 million tonnes of wheat in 2021-22. However, the target of 7 seven million was surpassed indicating robust exports in the 2022-23 fiscal year starting from April 1. According to traders, wheat shipment including cargoes sold to Bangladesh by land was about
On Wednesday, the European Union issued a warning to consumers to avoid using their garments as throwaway facial tissues and announced plans to combat the polluting usage of trendy fast fashion. In the EU, almost three-quarters of all textiles and clothing are imported. In 2019, the EU's 27 nations imported more than 80 billion euros (USD89.2 billion) in clothes, mainly from China, Bangladesh, and Turkey, and consumers discard 11 kilograms (more than 24 pounds) of textiles each year. As per the new rule, the EU executive arm call for a mandatory minimize the use of recycled fibres by 20
A $7.3 billion plan was unveiled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to cut carbon emissions. The nation aims to meet its target by significantly reducing the oil-and-gas sector. According to the plan announced on Tuesday, $2.3 billion (2.9 billion Canadian dollars) will be invested in zero-emission vehicles and related infrastructure, as well as $800 million (one billion Canadian dollars) to "green" Canadian homes and buildings. On Tuesday, PM Trudeau linked Europe's effort to reduce the dependency on Russian oil and natural gas after its invasion of Ukraine. He said, “Th
India’s power project replaces the Chinese venture in Sri Lanka which was cleared by Colombo last year. Sri Lanka's Cabinet announced in January 2021 that Sinosoar-Etechwin had won the competitive bid for renewable energy projects in Nainativu, Delft or Neduntheevu, and Analaitivu islands. The Indian government expressed concern to Sri Lanka over the Chinese project in Palk Bay, only 50 km off the coast of Tamil Nadu. The same project could be executed with a grant instead of a loan by New Delhi. Colombo was unable to decide and later suspended the project for over a year, apparently