Global steps to battle climate change might have faltered, but philanthropic institutions in the United States have swung into action, more than tripling their support for climate related causes in 2008. Donations jumped from the 2007 total of US$240 million to $897 million in 2008, according to a report from the Foundation
Center, an organization that supports philanthropies, in New York.

Sandeep Joshi

NEW DELHI: From Thursday, petrol and diesel prices will go up in 13 cities, including the four metros, where stricter Bharat Stage-IV emissions norms are being implemented, requiring the sale of upgraded and less polluting fuel.

The prices of petrol and diesel will increase by Rs 0.50 and Rs 0.26 a litre, respectively, from April 1 in 13 big cities that switch to cleaner Euro-IV grade fuel.

Yagnesh Mehta | TNN

Melvyn Thomas | TNN

Surat: The city of diamonds and textile may have earned the distinction of being one of the cleanest cities in the country, but it lags behind when it comes to keeping a check on industrial pollution.

Basic water supply is crucial to effectively address the challenges of both urban and rural development. Municipal authorities/state governments in developing nations are especially hard pressed to design, develop and finance the basic urban services such as safe and reliable water supply.

Vadodara: No smoking area' if you see this board at government offices in Vadodara, Surat and Ahmedabad, thank the RTI applicant from a city-based NGO. His RTI seeking information from all government offices in 12 cities in the state on whether these offices have put up No smoking' in their office premises forced them to act.

Surat: Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) found close to 1,000 kg of haphazardly disposed biomedical waste after raiding two scrap godowns in Unn area. A complaint has been lodged against two scrap dealers dealing in this waste.

Surat : Is a hepatitis-B bomb ticking in Surat? At a time when state's health department has launched intensive drives against
unauthorised medical practice to rein in the deadly virus, quacks rule the roost in the diamond city.

The problem of water availability was a pivotal facet of daily life, particularly in urban areas, where it had to be made perennially obtainable in large quantities. Thus, apart from river water, artificial water reservoirs of massive proportions, and also step wells were constructed on a great scale in most parts of the country.

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