He was a man who looked for a harmonious universe, but he was also a pragmatist As the world prepares to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary in 2019, opinions and views about his person and his non-violent technique of struggle remain deeply divided. For some, he was a puritanical, …

‘Martian soil’ on sale for $20 per kg, plus shipping The University of Central Florida has a unique product to sell: experimental Martian and asteroid soil. Interested buyers can get it for $20 a kg plus shipping. The astrophysicists developed the soil based on the chemical signature of the soils …

The British government is drawing up guidelines to limit the number of hours children spend online on social media sites and apps, authorities announced on Sunday. U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he has ordered the plans to be drawn up and attacked social media giants, such as Facebook, for …

The breakthrough came after 18 months of trials at the University of Pretoria Watching the two little lion cubs play with each other at a conservation centre outside of South Africa’s capital Pretoria, it is hard to see anything out of the ordinary. But these cubs are unique. “These are …

Reward for tip-offs on GST evasion on the anvil The revenue department is planning to come out with a ‘GST informant reward scheme’ to check tax evasion by unscrupulous traders and businesses, an official said. It will be on the lines of similar schemes for excise and service tax, which …

Insurance regulator IRDAI has allowed the distribution of all micro-insurance products through point-of-sales (PoS), with an aim to further increase insurance penetration in the country. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has created a special category of insurance policies called micro-insurance policies to promote insurance coverage among …

U.S. was top export destination with $47.9 bn worth of shipments in the last fiscal India’s exports hold a promising outlook with the U.S. economy growing at its best in four years, coupled with the rupee depreciation leading to enhanced net revenue realisations, according to a report by Assocham. The …

The potential for cooperation between India and Israel in plantation sectors such as tea and coffee is high, said Shai Mosses, Israel Consul for Trade and Economic Affairs. Speaking at a conference organised by the United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI), Mr. Mosses said there were many collaborations happening …

Banks with robust financials, strong liability franchise, control on asset quality will continue to do well Non-banking financial companies are going through growth de-rating and are expected to remain volatile in the near future, says Dhiraj Relli , managing director and chief executive officer, HDFC Securities. Investors are also cautious …

Around three centuries ago, India’s share of the global economy was about 25%. Today, it has dwindled to single digits. During this period, India missed three waves of industrialisation: Industry 1.0, driven by mechanisation, steam power and weaving loom; Industry 2.0, driven by mass production and assembly line; and Industry …

More exports, price stability, clearance of dues on wish list As the Indian sugar sector steps into a new season, it looks forward to more exports, price stability in the domestic market, and clearance of cane arrears to farmers. The problems the industry confronts today are many, and stem mainly …

The continued rise in oil prices and a crisis of confidence set off by the IL&FS episode pose a challenge Three weeks is a long time for the economy. Ask Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and the mandarins in North Block. Until recently, it seemed as if growth was finally returning …

Ownership and management are treated at arm’s length, says HPCL CMD State-owned oil marketing company (OMC) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) generated heated debates when it chose not to recognise ONGC as its parent even after the latter bought 51% stake in HPCL from the government for Rs. 37,000 crore. …

A Syrian rebel alliance has not pulled any heavy arms from the country’s north, its spokesman said on Sunday, denying reports it had begun implementing a demilitarisation deal there. Russia and Turkey reached a deal earlier this month to create a buffer zone around the opposition stronghold of Idlib that …

Digital recreation of the iconic leader’s heartbeat and digital kit will be launched to mark his 150 birth anniversary Visitors can now listen to Mahatma Gandhi’s “recreated heartbeats” at Delhi’s National Gandhi Museum. The Museum will launch a series of programmes on Monday to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of …

Transport fuel prices continued to rise on Sunday, with petrol inching closer to Rs. 91 a litre mark in Mumbai. Petrol touched Rs. 90.84 per litre, up from Rs. 90.75 on Saturday, data on the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) website showed. Petrol prices in Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai on Sunday …

Will not allow fake news and targeted voter messaging Internet major Google and social media giants Twitter and Facebook have assured the Election Commission that they will not allow their platforms to be used for anything which affects the sanctity of polls during the campaign period, Chief Election Commissioner O.P. …

‘It is controlled neither by govt. nor by capitalists’ Inaugurating a new chocolate-making factory set-up by dairy giant Amul in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said a cooperative like Amul is a viable economic alternative to capitalist and socialist models. The factory is an expansion of an already …

150 people will march from Andhra Pradesh to Chhattisgarh Around 150 people, from various States affected by Maoist insurgency will begin a 186-km long ‘Peace Padyatra’ (peace march) on Monday to appeal to “all sides to give peace a chance.” The Peace Padyatra, which will start from the Shabri Gandhi …

The National Security Guard (NSG), which provides security cover to select VIPs like Home Minister Rajnath Singh and many Chief Ministers, has upgraded its protocol and armour on lines of the Special Protection Group (SPG) in view of the upcoming election season in the country. The elite counter-terror force has …