London (AFP) April 21, 2021 Britain should introduce legally-binding air pollution targets based on World Health Organization guidelines, the coroner in the inquest of a nine-year-old who died after a severe asthma attack said Wednesday. In a legal first, Philip Barlow ruled in December last year that poor air quality from vehicle emissions made a “material contribution” to the death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah in 2013.http://dlvr.it/RyCbSN Continue reading UK coroner urges tough air pollution targets after girl’s death

Brussels, Belgium (SPX) Apr 21, 2021 For several years, political tensions between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have been escalating in a conflict over the near-complete Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The GERD is Africa’s largest hydropower plant. It dams the Blue Nile river coming from Ethiopia’s highlands just before it crosses into Sudan where, after merging with the White Nile, it continues northwards to Egypt. … Continue reading Solar and wind power could break the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam deadlock

Beijing (AFP) April 15, 2021 China on Thursday summoned Japan’s ambassador over Tokyo’s “wrong decision” to release more than one million tonnes of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. Assistant foreign minister Wu Jianghao “lodged solemn representations” with ambassador Hideo Tarumi and accused Japan of “suspected violation of international law,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statemenhttp://dlvr.it/Ry7Zl5 Continue reading China summons Japanese ambassador over Fukushima water plan

An increasing number of consumer-packaged goods companies are shifting to the direct-to-consumer e-commerce model, thus bypassing retailers as middlemen. This raises questions of how manufacturers can meet customers’ needs without jeopardizing relationships with their retail distribution partners. The E-Commerce Times spoke with several DTC experts to help shed some light on these issues.http://dlvr.it/Ry7ZB0 Continue reading CPG Brands Doubling Down on Direct-to-Consumer E-Commerce

Berlin (AFP) April 18, 2021 In the green forest outside Berlin, a David and Goliath-style battle is playing out between electric carmaker Tesla and environmental campaigners who want to stop its planned “gigafactory”. “When I saw on TV that the Tesla factory was going to be built here, I couldn’t believe it,” said Steffen Schorch, driving his trusty German-made car. The 60-year-old from Erkner village … Continue reading From lizards to water, eco-bumps snag Tesla Berlin plant

Paris (AFP) April 15, 2021 Eight Egyptian architects have won an international competition for the reconstruction of the historic Al-Nouri Mosque complex in Mosul, Iraq, selection organiser UNESCO said Thursday. The complex was severely damaged by conflict in 2017, and the rebuilding of the mosque is part of the organisation’s project for the rehabilitation of the ancient city. The mosque, built in the 12th centuhttp://dlvr.it/Ry3ZWL Continue reading Egyptian architects win Mosul mosque competition

Washington DC (UPI) Apr 16, 2021 Need a helping hand? Science says look for an older adult. According to a new study published Friday in the journal Psychological Science, effortful prosocial behavior – a willingness to exert physical effort on behalf of someone else – is more common among older adults. “A lot of research has focused on the negative changes that happen as people … Continue reading Older adults are more likely to help others than younger adults

Yangon (AFP) April 19, 2021 Japan urged Myanmar authorities on Monday to release from prison a Japanese journalist accused of spreading fake news, one of at least 65 reporters arrested during the junta’s crackdown on anti-coup protests. The military has ramped up its attempts to crush dissent following mass demonstrations against its ousting of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with at least 737 civilians … Continue reading Japan urges release of journalist in Myanmar

Yangon (AFP) April 16, 2021 A “parliament” working in hiding to oust Myanmar’s junta from power announced a new shadow government Friday, with deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi at its helm alongside ethnic minority politicians. The country has been in turmoil since the military detained Suu Kyi and seized power, triggering a massive uprising that the junta has sought to quell with lethal force. … Continue reading Myanmar’s ousted MPs form new shadow government

Paris (AFP) April 17, 2021 The French National Assembly on Saturday approved the creation of an “ecocide” offence as part of a battery of measures aimed at protecting the environment and tackling climate change. The ecocide measure was passed by 44 votes to 10 in the lower house of parliament and will, if it becomes law, apply to “the most serious cases of environmental damage … Continue reading France approves ‘ecocide’ offence to punish environmental damage