Researchers of western Assam’s Bodoland University have recorded a new plant species that may go a long way in fighting cancer. The species, named Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala, has been found at 675 metres above mean sea level in central Assam’s Dima Hasao district. It has been classified under the Rubiaceae family of flowering plants, to which the plant yielding coffee belongs. Recurvipetala means petals curved back. The finding was published in the March 2021 issue of the Nordic Journal of Botany. “This is a new species to plant science and may be a potential anticancer research candidate. All members of this…
Author: Mike Harrison
In unusually pointed remarks for a staid diplomatic meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Communist Party foreign affairs chief Yang Jiechi took aim at each other’s countries’ policies Top U.S. and Chinese officials offered sharply different views of the world on March 18 as the two sides met face-to-face for the first time since President Joe Biden took office.In unusually pointed remarks for a staid diplomatic meeting, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Communist Party foreign affairs chief Yang Jiechi took aim at each other’s countries’ policies at the start of two days of talks in…
The Railways has suspended a loco pilot and a guard after the Purnagiri Jan Shatabdi express train travelled in the reverse direction for over 20 km after hitting an animal.No injuries were reported. The incident took place on Wednesday evening on the Khatima-Tanakpur section in Uttrakhand.A Railways official said the incident happened due to an animal being run over, resulting in issues with the control of the train. He said a ‘JA Grade’-level enquiry has been ordered for the same. “The loco pilot and the guard have been suspended pending enquiry,” the official added.The North Eastern Railways said on Twitter,…
The back and forth underscored Joe Biden’s desire to distance himself from former President Donald Trump’s perceived softness on Vladimir Putin U.S.-Russia ties nosedived on March 18 after Russian leader Vladimir Putin shot back at President Joe Biden’s description of him as a killer.The back and forth underscored Mr. Biden’s desire to distance himself from former President Donald Trump’s perceived softness on Mr. Putin despite actions his administration took against Russia.Although Mr. Biden agreed to extend a major arms control deal with Russia, he has been notably cool toward Moscow and highly critical of many of its activities.In taking a…
Maharashtra, Kerala and Punjab together account for 76.4% of active COVID-19 cases currently, with Maharashtra alone contributing nearly 60%, said data released by the Health Ministry on Wednesday.It reported a surge with 28,903 new cases in the last 24 hours along with 188 deaths. Of the new cases, 83.9% are from Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.“Six States account for 86.7% of the new deaths with Maharashtra registering the highest (87). Punjab follows with 38 daily deaths and Kerala 15,’’ said the Ministry.It said Maharashtra alone accounts for 61.8% of the daily new cases (17,864), followed by Kerala…
On a near party-line 228-197 vote, lawmakers on March 18 approved one bill offering legal status to around two million Dreamers, and hundreds of thousands of other migrants The House voted to unlatch a gateway to citizenship for young Dreamers and immigrants who have fled war or natural disasters abroad, giving Democrats a win in the year’s first vote on an issue that once again faces a steep uphill climb in Congress.On a near party-line 228-197 vote, lawmakers on March 18 approved one bill offering legal status to around two million Dreamers, brought to the U.S. illegally as children, and…
Former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the fresh veiled diplomatic outreach between India and Pakistan was “an acknowledgement of our stand”.“We are subjected to canards, called as anti-national and timid when we call for having a dialogue with the neighbouring country to solve all the impending issues. The fresh veiled diplomatic outreach between India and Pakistan, and the successive DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) level accord on the implementation of ceasefire on the borders between India and Pakistan is an acknowledgement of our stand,” Mr. Abdullah said, as he toured south…
The Congress on Thursday slammed Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat’s comment on “ripped jeans” and demanded that he should either apologise for displaying his “anti-women” mindset or resign.Party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over Mr. Rawat’s remarks. Posting photographs on Twitter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat wearing the organisation’s khaki shorts, she said, “Oh my God!!! Their knees are showing.”On Tuesday, Mr. Rawat made a controversial statement, criticising women for wearing ripped jeans, and wondered what values they…
Russia hosted a peace conference for Afghanistan on Thursday, bringing together government representatives and their Taliban adversaries along with international observers in a bid to help jump-start the country’s stalled peace process.The one-day gathering is the first of three planned international conferences ahead of a May 1 deadline for the final withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from the country, a date fixed under a year-old agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban. Call for ceasefireMoscow’s attempt at mediation comes as talks in Doha between the Afghan government and the Taliban, still waging an insurgency, have stalled. Washington and Kabul…
Host India will look to continue its global domination in shooting when the first final of the World Cup is held at the Dr. Karni Singh Range. In new avatarAfter the pandemic, shooting, especially in rifle and pistol events, returns in a new avatar.The qualification for air rifle men and women will be held on Friday. The finals for both the events, apart from the air pistol for men and women, will be staged on Saturday.It will continue with the team competition for air rifle and air pistol on the third day, Sunday.Earlier, every event used to start and finish…