There are conceptual differences between the two countries on the Indo-Pacific The U.S. has sold nearly $15 billion worth of arms to India over the last 10 years. So the Donald Trump administration’s displeasure at India’s recent decision to buy the S-400 missile system from Russia puts a question mark …

With wild polio virus strains reduced by 99.9% since 1988, the world is inching towards eradicating polio. But unfortunately, more children today are affected by the live, weakened virus contained in the oral polio vaccine (OPV) that is meant to protect them. The weakened virus in the vaccine can circulate …

Liberals hoping that Rahul Gandhi’s Congress would rescue them from Hindutva may be in for a rude awakening The stage is all set for Assembly elections in five States — Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana. Described as a ‘semi-final’ for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, they offer a …

China unveiled on Tuesday a replica of its first permanently crewed space station, which would replace the international community’s orbiting laboratory and symbolises the country’s major ambitions beyond the earth. The 17-metre core module was a star attraction at the biennial Airshow China in the southern coastal city of Zhuhai. …

Whitewash, single-use, vegan, plogging among key words “Single-use” was named the Collins Dictionary word of the year on Wednesday, following a four-fold increase in its usage since 2013, in a reflection of increased concerns about sustainability. It edged out “MeToo” and “whitewash” to top the list of 10 new and …

Suggests eliminating or limiting fear and violence in a parent-child relationship Parents should not spank their children, the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a strongly-worded policy statement. The group, which represents about 67,000 doctors, also recommended that paediatricians advise parents against the use of spanking and said to avoid …

A scientific paper led by two researchers at Harvard University made a splash this week by claiming that a cigar-shaped rock zooming through our solar system may have been sent by aliens. The researchers noted in a pre-print of the article that it was an “exotic scenario,” but that “Oumuamua …

Indian regulations on capital requirements, provisioning for sour assets and prompt corrective action (PCA) restricting regular activities by lenders are conservative and rule-based, SBI’s research wing said in a report. It did not call for any relook in the report which comes amid a heated debate between the government and …

Several Asian member countries of the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have offered India a significant concession on the extent to which it needs to open up its markets, in a bid to encourage it to join the partnership quickly, according to a diplomat from Singapore. The RCEP is …

‘Board’s objective is to protect institution, not to serve others’ interests’ Amid mounting tension between the Reserve Bank and the Finance Ministry, former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has said the central bank was like a seat belt in a car, without which accidents could happen. Pitching for respect for the …

Cash in circulation and ATM withdrawals have only increased, RBI data shows Thursday, November 8, marks the second anniversary of the demonetisation exercise. It was on the same day in 2016 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 currency notes would no longer be legal …

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has mooted holding a floor test when Parliament reconvenes on November 14 to give the two rival political camps a chance to display majority. Issuing a statement after meeting representatives of all parties on Wednesday evening, Mr. Jayasuriya said that the government wanted the House adjourned soon …

It was a big win despite pressure from a nasty and hostile media, says President U.S. President Donald on Wednesday claimed victory in the midterm congressional elections despite his Republican Party losing control in the House of Representatives to the Democrats. “Those that worked with me in this incredible Midterm …

The costs incurred on publicising information about the criminal cases against a candidate, as recently directed by the Supreme Court, will be counted as part of poll expenditure, according to the Election Commission. The expenses will be borne by the candidate and the political parties. “This being an expenditure [made] …

The Supreme Court has framed a series of guidelines for the conduct of criminal trials, primarily dealing with the preparation of a “case calendar” by judges to put themselves on a deadline to complete the trial. The judgment by a Bench of Justices A.M. Sapre and Indu Malhotra on October …

It marks first anniversary of GI tag for popular sweet The West Bengal government has decided to observe ‘Rosogolla Day’ on November 14 to commemorate the first anniversary of the State’s famous sweet getting Geographical Indication (GI) tag as ‘Bengal’s Rosogolla’, an official said on Wednesday. Different varieties of rosogollas …

Deepavali celebrations in Delhi pushed the air quality index to hazardous in several parts of the city with fireworks choking the city well past 11 p.m. on Wednesday. A thick haze engulfed the national capital with the air quality deteriorating to the “very poor” category as Delhiites continued to burst …

Right to Food campaign exhorts poll-bound parties With five States set to go to the polls this month, the Right to Food Campaign has decided to raise the mandatory requirement of Aadhaar for availing of social benefits an electoral issue. ‘Amend Aadhaar Act’ “We intend to go to all political …

There are no mandatory pension benefits in the final version of the Centre’s model construction workers’ welfare scheme, despite earlier suggestions that 20% of the construction cess fund be set aside for retired workers. The final version of the scheme, which was released last week, simply notes that: “Considering that …

Minimum temperatures drop below the freezing point throughout Kashmir Srinagar recorded the season’s coldest night at minus 2.2 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperatures throughout Kashmir Valley dropped below the freezing point on Wednesday, the weather office said. “The minimum temperatures remained below the freezing point in the Valley as …