From driving licences to marriage certificates, residents can now apply for 40 documents; no. of services will be raised to 100 in future, says govt. After months of planning, the Delhi government on Monday launched its ambitious project to home-deliver services, starting with the applications for 40 different licences and …
Read More »Monthly Archives: September 2018
Does the buck stop with the Governor?
With the Tamil Nadu government making a renewed effort to obtain the release of the seven life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case through a Cabinet recommendation to the Governor, legal experts differed on the scope of his power. While a senior advocate is of the opinion that any …
Read More »Casting capers: Maneka sees animals in wrong role
Minister accuses the AWBI of not enforcing rules that specify how animals can be depicted in films and television shows Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has locked horns with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), accusing it of being lax in enforcement of rules that specify …
Read More »Interpol Red Notice against Nirav’s sister
Purvi helped brother launder funds: ED The Interpol has issued a Red Notice against the sister of Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case “mastermind” Nirav Modi in connection with the money laundering probe by the Enforcement Directorate. It is alleged that Purvi Modi helped her brother launder the funds generated …
Read More »SC poser to judge on Babri Masjid case trial deadline
‘How will you finish it by April 2019?’ The Supreme Court on Monday asked additional sessions judge S.K. Yadav, who is hearing the Babri Masjid demolition cases against top BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders like L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and “lakhs of unknown kar sevaks”, to explain …
Read More »Cyborg cockroach could save people trapped under debris
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 …
Read More »Kerala bodybuilder in hijab breaks barriers
‘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 …
Read More »In repaint job, Virgin Mary gets turquoise hair
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 …
Read More »Ocean Cleanup team heads to the Pacific
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 …
Read More »OVL declines Venezuela’s offer for additional stake in oilfield
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 …
Read More »Coffee Board to discuss flood impact on growers
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 …
Read More »Finance Ministry to engage with States to shore up GST revenue
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 …
Read More »Deja vu? But things seem better than in 2013
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 …
Read More »Far-right party expected to win big as Sweden votes
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 …
Read More »‘Time to restore sanity in U.S. politics’
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 …
Read More »CPEC won’t lead to a debt trap, says China
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 …
Read More »RTI disclosure irks J&J subsidiary
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 …
Read More »U.P. Bill to restore anticipatory bail clause referred to President
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 …
Read More »Give tribal status to Hatti community: H.P. CM
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 …
Read More »Trial by WhatsApp in Jharkhand riles SC
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 …
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