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Later in September, Hong Kong’s first high-speed train will head for Guangzhou, a port city and industrial power house. Its 200-km-an-hour sprint will finally end in nearby Shenzhen, the crucible of China’s reforms. The high-speed train will cover a short span of 141 km between Hong Kong’s West Kowloon station …

The two countries have signed an MoU to establish a 1,700 km corridor, connecting key areas China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) got a high-octane boost last week, when Myanmar — facing the heat from the West because of the Rohingya refugee crisis — inked an agreement with Beijing to …

Governor denies referring matter to Home Ministry Clarifying that no reference had been made to the Union Home Ministry in connection with the release of the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Saturday said a decision would be taken in a just and …

The Border Security Force has prevented the influx of Rohingya into India after they fled Myanmar, Director General of the force K.K. Sharma said on Saturday. “About eight to 10 lakh Rohingya have entered Bangladesh. We have prevented their illegal influx in the country [India],” he said. The BSF guards …

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale of the Republican Party of India, an NDA ally, recently announced that he would move the Supreme Court against the Union government’s directive to the media discouraging the use of the word “Dalit” for the Scheduled Castes. He says there is no popular sentiment against the …

The BJP’s booth campaign strategy in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha election will also involve an outreach to the Other Backward Classes and the Dalits. The strategy, prepared and circulated among members of the party’s Uttar Pradesh unit, makes this clear. The note lays down an explicit requirement: …

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer Shaleen Kabra on Saturday announced the dates of elections to the urban local bodies in the State despite a boycott threat by the regional parties. The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party described the decision as “unfortunate”. “The municipal polls will be conducted …

Smiling does not necessarily indicate that a person is happy, according to a study. It is widely believed that smiling means we are happy, and it usually occurs when we are engaging with another person or group of people. Researchers from the University of Sussex, U.K., show this is not …

‘They wouldn’t talk about that with previous administrations’ India has asked for a trade deal with the U.S. due to his tough policies, President Donald Trump told his supporters. Addressing a rally in South Dakota on Friday, he said countries have learned to respect the U.S. now. “India called us …

Trump seeks to force an ‘ultimate deal’ The United States has decided to close the Palestinian mission in Washington in the latest move against them by President Donald Trump, a Palestinian official said on Monday, denouncing it as a “dangerous escalation”. The closure comes as Mr. Trump seeks to force …

‘We will prioritise livelihood projects and extend them to western Pakistan’ China and Pakistan are looking afresh at projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), in tune with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s focus on development of social infrastructure. “China will give more assistance on a priority basis to such areas …

The court said Mr. Singh should face charges as soon as he ‘ceases’ to be Governor. In its 40-page judgment in April 2017, the Supreme Court had invoked its extraordinary constitutional powers under Article 142. It had evoked the maxim — ‘Let justice be done though the heavens fall.’ Besides …

Gives call to produce more children while posters deride interfaith marriages The three-day World Hindu Congress (WHC) organised by Sangh Parivar affiliates concluded on Sunday with calls for Hindu unity and resurgence. Several delegates called upon Hindus to produce more children to protect their “social and territorial” integrity. The media …

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 …

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 …

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 …

‘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 …

‘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 …

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 …