High-resolution satellite data can precisely assess the status of poverty at household level in rural areas of developing countries, according to a study. If countries are to achieve the U.N. sustainable development goals, it is particularly important to track the living conditions in poor nations around the world where the …
Read More »Yearly Archives: 2019
Why some snakes are deadlier than others
The environment holds the key: study Scientists have uncovered why the venom of some snakes makes them so much deadlier than others. Some species, such as cobras, boomslangs and rattlesnakes, have far more venom than they apparently need. Why venoms vary so much in their ability to kill or incapacitate …
Read More »Mona Lisa’s eyes are not following you around the room, says study
2,000 assessments showed that her gaze is not straight but to the viewer’s right German researchers say they have finally cracked the intriguing question of whether the Mona Lisa ’s eyes follow viewers around the room. The answer is a disappointing ‘no’. In science, the “Mona Lisa Effect” refers to …
Read More »Annual show of zeal grips Manila
Many believe that a historic Jesus statue, paraded every year, brings good fortune Throngs of believers flung themselves at a historic statue of Jesus Christ as it was paraded through the Philippine capital on Wednesday in an annual festival that is one of the world’s biggest shows of Catholic zeal. …
Read More »RBI makes changes in gold scheme
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made some changes in the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) by including charitable institutions and the Central government, among others. Apart from individual and joint depositors, the scheme could now be availed by charitable institutions, the Central government, the State government or any other entity …
Read More »India’s GDP may grow at 7.3% in 2018-19, says World Bank
Upswing in consumption and investment to drive growth India’s GDP is expected to grow at 7.3% in the fiscal year 2018-19, and 7.5% in the following two years, the World Bank has forecast, attributing it to an upswing in consumption and investment. The bank said India will continue to be …
Read More »Tax threshold among key GST meet agenda
Rate cut for under construction properties, composition scheme for small service providers on cards Some of the key issues likely to be discussed during the 32nd GST Council meeting on Thursday include increasing the Rs. 20-lakh threshold for GST eligibility, reducing tax rate on under-construction properties in a bid to …
Read More »Trump insists on steel wall with Mexico
The barrier will stop the shedding of American blood by illegal immigrants, says U.S. President President Donald Trump used a prime-time address to the nation on Tuesday to insist on $5.7 billion for a steel wall along the Mexican border that he said would stop the shedding of “American blood” …
Read More »SC orders Bedi report to be given to petitioners
“The stage of acceptance of the report will come later. The report was submitted to this court as per our orders. You [Gujarat] say whatever you have to say when the report is considered later,” the Chief Justice orally addressed the Gujarat side. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, who said he …
Read More »Parliament passes Bill for 10% quota for poor
The Bill fixed the following criteria for beneficiaries: an annual family income of less than Rs. 8 lakh, not owning more than five acres or a flat of 1,000 sq feet or more, land of 100 sq yards in notified municipality area and 200 yards in non-notified area. Participating in …
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