Cyborg cockroach could aid rescue missions Scientists have developed a cyborg cockroach powered by a tiny neuro-controller that could be used in search and rescue missions to find people trapped under collapsed buildings. The neuro-controller is part of a tiny electronic ‘backpack’ that can be attached to the insect with …

‘The strongest woman of the State’ When 23-year-old Majiziya Bhanu took to the stage to compete in the women’s segment of the Mr. Kerala competition in Kochi earlier this year, all eyes were on her — never before had a bodybuilder wearing a hijab (Muslim head scarf) participated in the …

The work on the statues looks more like a vengeance than a restoration, says a Spanish Minister St. Anne, the patron saint of the village of Rañadorio in northwestern Spain, has fuchsia lips, black eyeliner and a bright dress. The Virgin Mary has turquoise hair. Baby Jesus resembles a Playmobil …

It hopes to clear half of the infamous ‘garbage patch’ in next five years, once all systems are deployed A supply ship towing a long floating boom designed to corral ocean plastic has set sail from San Francisco for a test run ahead of a trip to the Great Pacific …

ONGC Videsh Ltd. (OVL) has rejected Venezuela’s offer for additional stake in an oilfield as it fears the Latin American nation may use it as an excuse to not pay $449 million of dues, a top official said. State oil firm Petroleos de Venezuela SA had last year offered a …

Stresses need for special package for rain-affected crops A high-level meeting will be held on Monday at the Coffee Board to discuss the impact of the floods on coffee-growers, a majority of whom are small cultivators. The meeting is likely to be attended by senior officials of the Union Commerce …

Almost fourfold rise in tax compensation to States for June-July prompts move Alarmed by a nearly fourfold rise in GST compensation to States for June-July, the Finance Ministry is crafting a strategy to shore up tax revenues and engaging with States to identify issues hindering their collections. Finance Secretary Hasmukh …

External developments need to be watched, though. Oil prices and exchange rate volatility can sting beyond endurance Those with a long memory must be consumed by a sense of deja vu over developments in the past few weeks. In many ways, the present turbulent times are reminiscent of what happened …

Sweden Democrats could garner 16-25% of the vote share Swedes voted in legislative elections on Sunday with a far-right surge expected if voters punish traditional parties over their failure to address immigration concerns. Social Democratic Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has called the election a “referendum on the future of the …

Obama campaigns for Democrats in California ahead of midterm polls in Nov. Former President Barack Obama said the November midterm elections will give Americans “a chance to restore some sanity in our politics”, taking another swipe at his successor as he raised his profile campaigning for fellow Democrats to regain …

Foreign Minister Wang says on Pakistan visit that only four of the 18 projects use concessional loan China has rejected accusations that its financial backing for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a “debt trap” that could compromise Islamabad’s sovereignty. Beijing has billed the Gwadar to Kashgar corridor as …

Case relates to faulty hip implants A Johnson & Johnson subsidiary caught in a controversy over faulty hip replacement systems has opposed RTI disclosure of crucial documents it submitted to the country’s drug regulator for seeking import clearance for these devices, the CIC has said. The commission, however, said it …

Assembly had on August 30 approved the Bill; it was revoked during Emergency A crucial Bill that will pave the way for the re-introduction of the provision of anticipatory bail, which was revoked over 40 years ago in the State during the Emergency, has been referred for Presidential assent. Uttar …

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has urged Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to accord tribal status to the Hatti community of Sirmour district. This has been a long-pending demand of the State government, he said. Stating that the community has been accorded this status in Uttarakhand, Mr. Thakur …

Court frames charges via messaging app Popular among users for its ease and speed, instant messaging service WhatsApp caused raised eyebrows in the Supreme Court this week when it was informed that a criminal case was conducted via the service. The case, involving a former Jharkhand minister Yogendra Sao and …

Swami Vivekananda’s ideas of universal tolerance, compassion, and concern for the poor are as relevant today as they were during his lifetime, Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu told the World Hindu Congress (WHC), an international conference organised by affiliates of the RSS. The event coincides with the 125th anniversary of Vivekananda’s …

He has suggested trimming the number of admissible documents as citizenship proof from 15 to 10 Suggestions to the Supreme Court by the officer heading the exercise to update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to slash the list of “admissible documents” as citizenship proof from 15 to 10 has …

Increasing awareness has seen eco-friendly Ganesh idols making steady inroads into a sea of plaster of paris gods Ganesh Chaturthi observances today owe much to Bal Gangadhar ‘Lokmanya’ Tilak. Under British rule the festival, which had been celebrated with gusto in Maharashtra under the Peshwas, became a smaller family occasion. …

Pilots being sent to France again for training; Rs. 400 crore sanctioned for readying bases Though the Rafale jet deal has been caught in a political firestorm, the Indian Air Force is quietly readying infrastructure for the new fleet and training its fighter pilots to fly the aircraft. Official sources …

RPF Director-General says the force is getting closer to the core areas of the extremists, cutting down the striking distance and striking time The Central Reserve Police Force has been the main force fighting Maoists in 10 States affected by left-wing extremism. CRPF Director-General R.R. Bhatnagar says the force was …