Maharashtra tops in graft cases, but logs only 15% conviction rate.
Maharashtra recorded the highest number of corruption cases for three years in a row—2016 to 2018—but the conviction rate in 2018 was abysmally low at 15%, shows the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. And pendency of corruption and vigilance cases in court was as high as 93%. As far as departmental action is concerned, corrupt public servants seem to have got away with just a rap on the knuckles—NCRB data shows that 18 officials were dismissed from service and only two awarded major punishment in 2018.
City lost 22.6% of green cover in a decade: Study
Mumbai lost 22.6% of its green cover in the decade spanning 2001-2011, according to a new study from IIT Bombay. In fact the loss crossed 60% in some western suburbs. Sixty-nine of the city’s 88 census wards lost green cover in the 2001-2011 decade, found the study that analysed satellite imagery along with census data. Worst hit were Goregaon, Andheri West, Malad West, Kandivli and Vile Parle. The island city, which had less greenery to begin with, saw smaller reductions. Per capita greenery also reduced by a median of 2.8 square metres per person, they found. Decline was not only in quantity but quality: most neighbourhoods saw fragmentation of their green spaces.
TN saw second highest custodial deaths
Tamil Nadu had the second highest custodial death cases in the country in 2018 recording 12, just one less than Gujarat, but not a single charge sheet has been filed nor any arrests made. In contrast, Gujarat ordered magesterial inquiries in 7 of 13 cases and also arrested 10 people. However, Gujarat registered cases for only three incidents, while Tamil Nadu has registered cases for all 12 incidents, according to the latest report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
By 2030, 57% of global power demand should be met by renewables: IRENA
Renewable energy should supply 57% of global power demand by the end of the decade, up from 26% now, according to the intergovernmental International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Abooklet, ‘10 years:Progress toAction’, publishedon thesidelinesof 10th annualAssembly of IRENAin AbuDhabi, has charted the recent global advances and outlined the measures required to scale up renewables. Annual investment needs to double from around $329 billion in 2018 to$737billion todeploy renewable energy at the speed required.
‘Nepal to discourage projects opposed by India, China’
Nepal is drafting a new policy to “discourage” international NGOs from undertaking programmes with potential to hamper the country’s relations with its giant neighbours, India and China, officials said on Sunday. While cross-border terrorism and criminal activities continue to be the major causes of concern for India, China has in the past complained about the Tibetans’ movement via Nepal. Based on Nepal’s foreign policy of keeping balanced relations, the projects that are opposed by either country will not be implemented, according to the draft of the strategy policy which is being prepared by the Social Welfare Council, Kathmandu Post reported.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksato visit India in Feb: Report
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will visit India early next month and hold talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, a media report said on 12.01.2020. This will be his first trip to India after assuming office in November last year and the third high-level visit to New Delhi by a member of the new Sri Lankan government headed by the prime minister’s brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Prenatal air pollution may hike sugar levels in kids
Kids who are exposed to air pollution in the womb may have higher blood sugar levels during childhood than kids without this exposure, as per a study that suggests particle pollution could be a risk factor for diabetes. The study, which focused on PM 2.5, included 365 children in Mexico City who were exposed to average daily PM 2.5 levels of 22.4 micrograms per cubic meter of air while they were in the womb, far above the 12-mcg limit. Researchers measured the children’s hemoglobin A1c levels, which reflect average blood sugar levels over about three months. From about age 5 until about age 7, kids’ average levels of exposure to PM 2.5 in the womb were associated with 0.25% larger annual increases in HbA1c levels than would be expected with fine particulate matter exposure within regulatory limits.
Serena ends 3-year title drought, donates purse to bushfire victims
Serena Williams ended a three-year title drought and donated her winner’s cheque to victims of the Australian bushfires in an emotional WTA Auckland Classic final on 12.01.2020.Williams raised expectations for this month’s Australian Open, where she can equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles, with her 6-3, 6-4 victory — her first WTA trophy since she won in Melbourne in 2017. But the 38-year-old tempered celebrations as she donated her US$43,000 winners cheque to the Australian bushfire relief fund and described how the tragedy had affected her deeply.
Kerala’s Ancy stars with 2 gold medals, TN’s Sherin Wins Silver In Under-21 Long Jump Event
Stealing the limelight, Kerala athlete Ancy Sojan grabbed two gold medals in Under-21 category on the third day of track and field events in the Khelo India Youth Games here on 12.01.2020. Tamil Nadu’s Sherin Abdul Gafoor won the silver with a best jump of 6.30 m in a thrilling competition.
Source & Courtesy: Times of India
Source & Courtesy: Times of India
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