A temple in Kerala offers space for Eid namaz when mosque remains submerged in floodwaters
Although floodwaters have receded in most parts of flood-ravaged south Indian state of Kerala, there are certain areas still submerged. On Wednesday, the Muslim community in Thrissur gathered to offer their prayers at Kochukadavu Juma Masjid on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, only to find the mosque still submerged in floodwaters. That is when in a heartwarming gesture, a temple in the vicinity gave space to...
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More than 86,000 pets find loving homes during ‘Clear the Shelters’ drive
The fourth annual pet adoption drive ‘Clear the Shelters’ sponsored by NBC and Telemundo stations was a roaring success this year with more than 86,800 animals finding loving homes since the event was launched last month. Over 24,000 animals were adopted on Saturday alone. To encourage families to find a new pet, many of the participating animal shelters and rescue organizations reduced or waived...
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Five ISRO satellites playing a crucial role in Kerala rescue operations
Five Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) satellites – Oceansat-2, RESOURCESAT-2, CARTOSAT-2 and 2A and INSAT 3DR – are playing a vital role in monitoring the flood situation and planning rescue operations in flood-hit Kerala by gathering data and sending real-time images to the ground station. The INSAT 3DR, an advanced meteorological satellite, provides the latest information in fluctuating...
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Sikh volunteers cook and serve hot meals to flood-affected people in Kerala
The southern state of Kerala in India recently witnessed nature’s wrath when unprecedented flooding caused massive destruction and claimed over 350 lives. More than 300,000 people have been displaced and are currently living in relief camps across the state. Thousands others are stranded in their own homes with only a limited amount of food and other supplies at their disposal. In this unfortunate...
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Reebok introduces sneakers made from cotton and corn
In an attempt to boost sustainability and cut down on plastic pollution, Adidas launched sports shoes made from 95% ocean plastic last year. Now another leading fitness apparel brand Reebok has come up with its first plant-based athletic shoes called the NPC UK Cotton and Corn sneakers. These shoes have an upper made from 100% organic cotton and a bio-based sole made entirely from non-food source industrial corn...
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French theme park ’employs’ birds to pick up trash
The Puy du Fou theme park in western France has recently employed six unusual members to its work force. They are a group of birds that have been ‘hired’ to collect trash in exchange for food. The six rooks named Boubou, Bamboo, Bill, Black, Bricole and Baco officially started their new gigs on Monday. Their job is to collect small pieces of paper and cigarette butts. For the record, the park would...
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Tree cover loss in Indonesia’s primary forests dropped 60% in 2017
2017 proved to be a great year for Indonesia’s primary forests as the country witnessed a 60% drop in deforestation as compared to 2016. That’s the difference in carbon dioxide emissions from primary forest loss equivalent to 0.2 gigatons of carbon dioxide, or about the same emissions released from burning over 199 billion pounds of coal. New data from the University of Maryland, released on Global Forest...
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London might soon introduce sanitary bins in men’s loos to tackle drain-clogging wet wipes
While the female population has had access to sanitary bins in public loos since ages, it is often thought that men do not need this convenience. However, we forget that men use wet wipes too, and in the absence of any bins to dispose them off, they usually end up being flushed down the pot, clogging sewers. Now if Greater London Assembly members have their way, sanitary bins are poised to be introduced into...
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It’s time to ditch your plastic straws for pasta straws!
With plastic straws getting banned left, right and center, it seems that the world is finally on its way of getting rid of these for good. And while some might think the answer is simply to ditch plastic straws altogether, small children or people with certain disabilities rely on them to drink and even eat. Now another great news is that pasta is taking over the plastic straw. Yes, you read that right! Already,...
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World’s first test-tube rhino embryos give hope to revive the functionally extinct species
World’s last male Northern White Rhino, Sudan, died in March this year, leaving behind only two females of the sub-species. With no breeding partner and just two surviving females, it was speculated that these rhinos would finally go extinct. However, now an international team of scientists has successfully created the first ever test tube rhino embryos from southern white rhino eggs and northern white...
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