-The United Nations As a result of the increased production of genetically modified crops worldwide, the United Nations food agency warns in a ground-breaking survey that an increasing number of incidents of low levels of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are being reported in traded food and feed. "The incidents have led to trade disruptions between countries with shipments of grain, cereal and other crops being blocked by importing countries and destroyed or...

-The Times of India UDAIPUR: Despite restrictions on growing BT Cotton (Bacillus thuringiensis) in the state, mass cultivation of the crop has been reported at various tribal-dominant tehsils in Udaipur adjoining Gujarat. BT cotton is a genetically modified (GM) variety of cotton which produces an insecticide that has been restricted for cultivation in the state due to harmful effects like causing skin diseases and allergies in farmers producing it. Studies reveal that...

-The Telegraph Bhubaneswar: Six out of every 100 Class V students in government schools of the state cannot identify alphabets and 17 of each 100 can read only a word. The ASER report 2013 - an annual assessment of the quality of education between Classes I and VII - paints a grim picture of education in the state. The report is based on a survey done in 845 schools of 30 districts. While...

-The Hindu Hyderabad: The road to motherhood is fraught with risks for women visiting the two government maternity hospitals in the city, says a recent study by women's group ‘Stree Vimukti Sanghatana'. A report detailing the matter was presented to Principal Secretary, Health, L.V. Subramanyam on Monday. The study reveals the appalling conditions prevalent at the teaching hospitals at Petla Burz and Koti, which are frequented by poor pregnant women from Old...

-The Business Standard But beef up safeguards for genetically modified crop trials Environment Minister M Veerappa Moily has made the right move by overturning the untenable position taken by his predecessors on field trials of genetically modified (GM) crops. Around 200 gene-altered varieties of different crops will now be allowed to be field-tested, subject, of course, to certain necessary conditions. This could, depending on the outcome of the trials, clear the way...