CATEGORIES

India's merchandise trade deficit narrows to five-month low in Sept

THE country's merchandise trade deficit declined five-month low to $20.78 billion in September, attributed to a slowdown in import growth to 1.6% and a slight increase in merchandise exports by 0.5%. Goods trade deficit had reached a 10-month high of $29.7 billion in August.

PM Starmer says UK weighing sanctions against Israel ministers

BRITISH Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Wednesday that the government was considering sanctions against far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

Mayor of Lebanon city among 25 dead in Israel strikes

Ahmad Kahil killed while holding municipal council meet to discuss relief efforts for his town of Nabatiyeh, says Lebanese officials

Imran out, PIO candidates in race for Oxford chancellor post

THE University of Oxford on Wednesday announced the 38 finalists in the race to be elected the new Chancellor of the University of Oxford, which includes Indian-origin candidates but excludes former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan.

More than 140 dead as overturned fuel tanker explodes in Nigeria

MORE than 140 people, including children, were killed and dozens were injured in Nigeria after an overturned gasoline tanker truck exploded in flames while they were trying to scoop up fuel pouring from the vehicle, emergency services said Wednesday.

B'desh SC bows to protesters, suspends 12 High Court judges

BANGLADESH'S Supreme Court on Wednesday suspended 12 High Court judges from judicial activities amidst protests by students seeking the removal of pro-Awami League \"fascist judges\".

Govt doc held for wearing 'straight spine' badge joins fast-unto-death of medics

A day after Tapobrata Roy, a doctor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, was arrested and later released for wearing a badge for the RG Kar rape-murder victim and attending duty on the state government-sponsored puja carnival, he joined the junior doctors' hunger protest at Dharmatala along with other senior doctors of the corporation on Wednesday.

PM to unveil projects worth ₹6.6K cr in Varanasi

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the National Centre of Excellence Stadium (NCES) in Varanasi city during his visit to his parliamentary constituency on Sunday, October 20.

Hooch claims 4 more lives in 'dry' Bihar, two officers face legal action

AT least four people died and 11 others fell ill after consuming spurious liquor in Bihar's Siwan district late on Tuesday. However, unconfirmed reports put the death toll at seven. In a similar incident on Monday, one person died and two others were taken ill in neighbouring Saran district.

MahaYuti says Oppn scared of Maha plans, MVA peeved

AHEAD of the Maharashtra assembly polls, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday presented a \"report card\" of the MahaYuti government's work, accusing the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of adopting an anti-development vision.

Maha talk to pick BJP candidates

CEC meet, chaired by PM Modi, focuses on clean image and winnability factor for selection

Global initiative aims to make oral care affordable

AS India faces a significant burden of oral diseases affecting over 70% of its population, a global initiative was launched on Wednesday to address the oral health burden and strengthen health systems to ensure that high-quality oral health services are available, affordable and accessible to all.

Cabinet hikes MSP for rabi crops, DA 3%

Approval also given for construction of a new rail-road bridge on river Ganga in Varanasi with an outlay of ₹2,642 cr

Govt depts told to solve pensioners' woes in 21 days

THE Centre on Wednesday directed all departments to redress pensioners' grievances within 21 days. In the cases where redressal requires more time, the departments must provide an interim response, as per an official statement.

With 446 species, Kaziranga emerges India's second butterfly diversity hub

ASSAM’S Kaziranga National Park, famous for its one-horned rhino population, has also earned the distinction of being the second butterfly diversity hub, after Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.

ANOTHER ROUND OF KITCHEN POLITICS FOR RAHUL GANDHI

Dining with others is different from being part of the cooking process. Rahul is trying to leverage both. It's hard to predict whether it will fetch him electoral gains

WHEN NOBEL IS USED AS A POLITICAL TOOL

HE Japanese hibakusha movement began in 1956, a decade after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atom bombings, when the survivors decided to band together to inform the world about the sheer brutality of nuclear bombs. Nihon Hidankyo, a federation of hibakusha organisations, was founded that year, at the second World Conference Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs held in response to ongoing US nuclear tests.

ASI invites applications for morning walk passes

THE Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Thrissur Circle has invited applications for morning walk passes at Bekal Fort for individuals who wish to take morning walks at the historic fort of Kasaragod.

MUDA chief Marigowda quits amid probe into scam

AMID investigation into the MUDA site allotment scam in which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is an accused, MUDA chairperson K Marigowda resigned on Wednesday, citing health reasons. Marigowda, a close aide of Siddaramaiah, submitted his resignation letter to Urban Development secretary Deepa Cholan, following a directive from the CM.

Naidu cabinet nod to 6 new policies

Unveils industrial, economic policy with six components to boost growth of industries

Stalin visits rain-hit areas, assures permanent solution

CHIEF Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday assured the residents of Chennai city and its suburban areas that a permanent solution to the long-standing issue of flooding during monsoon is in the works. Around 25-30% of the work is yet to be done and would be completed soon, he said.

Sabarimala board says 70K slots, out of daily cap of 80K, for online booking

THE Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Wednesday started virtual queue bookings for the upcoming annual pilgrimage season at Sabarimala temple with a daily limit of 70,000 pilgrims, 10,000 less from an earlier decided limit.

IP varsity to launch 30-day course on 'Carbon Credit'

IN a bid to equip students with better knowledge about the carbon market, the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) is all set to introduce a month-long certificate course on 'Carbon credit', officials said on Wednesday.

Six arrested for stabbing man to death

Six people were arrested after they allegedly thrashed and stabbed a person to death in the Vikaspuri area of west Delhi, police said on Wednesday.

Stampede-like situation in busy Sadar Bazar

A stampede-like situation erupted in the busy Sadar Bazar recently in Delhi due to a heavy footfall of shoppers ahead of Diwali festivities, showed a purported video of the incident that surfaced on social media on Wednesday.

Man held for killing lover in Kalindi Kunj

THREE days after the body of a 30-year-old woman with multiple stab wounds was found in the Kalindi Kunj area of southeast Delhi, police have apprehended her alleged lover in connection with the case, officials said on Wednesday.

Amity student suicide: HC seeks Bar Council's stance on attendance policy

THE Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the Bar Council of India's (BCI) stance on mandatory attendance requirement for five-year LLB programme. The court was reviewing whether the strict attendance policy contributes to students' stress and mental health concerns.

₹15 lakh fines imposed for flouting dust pollution norms

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has issued 30 fines of ₹50,000 each, totalling ₹15 lakh, to those violating the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines on dust pollution.

Man kills friend for refusing to give money to buy alcohol, held

A 30-year-old man murdered his \"best friend\" by repeatedly hitting his head with a brick as the latter refused to give him money to buy alcohol, an official said on Wednesday.

DU whitewashing defaced walls as per court order

Students share online how the college walls are being painted white