Bs Reads

Chapal Rani: A poignant portrait of gender and exclusion in folk theatre

Through the story of a female impersonator in theatres, this book offers a commentary on how queerness exists around us in different shapes, forms, words, and feeling

River Traveller: Hazarika brings alive the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra ecosystem

Mr Hazarika's book will appeal to environmentalists, historians, diplomats, anthropologists, political scientists, bureaucrats, and activists as well as readers who enjoy reading travelogues

Iran threatens war 'beyond the region' as Trump hints at new strikes

Six weeks since Trump paused Operation Epic Fury for a ceasefire, talks to end the war have largely stalled

Rupee hits record low of 96.96/$ on oil, US Treasury yield strain

The rupee slid to ‌96.96 per dollar, breaching its previous record low of 96.6150 hit in the prior session, and ended the day at 96.82

London Falling: Deception and a death without answers in a gilded city

How a teenager in London crafted a double life as the son of a Russian oligarch, and paid for it with his life under suspicious circumstances

Naxalism eradicated before March 31 deadline due to forces' sacrifice: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said Naxalism has been completely eradicated from the country ahead of the March 31 deadline due to the valour, courage and supreme sacrifice of the security forces. Addressing a press conference here, Shah said certain dates hold historical significance in the "Naxal-Free India Campaign" -- December 13, 2023, when the BJP government in Chhattisgarh took oath, the resolute campaign for the complete eradication of Naxalism began. The second date is August 24, 2024, when a meeting of the directors general of police (DG) from all states was convened to resolve to make the country Naxal-free by March 31, 2026, Shah said. "The third date, which you all know - March 31, 2026 (deadline set by the Centre to eliminate Naxalism from the country). Due to the valour, courage, and supreme sacrifice of the security forces, Naxalism has been completely eradicated from the country ahead of the set deadline," Shah told reporters. The home minister said he co

The Good Reporter: Rural women's stories, uninterrupted amid media clutter

In a crowded media world, a women-led newsroom offers a refreshing breather

Niti Aayog urges raising R&D spend from 0.64% to 2% of GDP in 4-5 years

India should significantly enhance its investment in research and development from the current level of 0.64 per cent to at least 2 per cent of GDP in the next four to five years to strengthen the country's R&D ecosystem, Niti Aayog said on Monday. The Aayog, in a report titled Ease of Doing Research & Development in India - Removing Obstacles, Promoting Enablers, said the government should consider restoring a 5 per cent GST slab for R&D procurement. "To strengthen India's R&D (research and development) ecosystem, there is an urgent need to significantly enhance the national investment in R&D, from the current level of 0.64 per cent to at least 2 per cent of GDP in the next four to five years," it noted. The report also suggested that India needs to introduce time-bound, incremental fiscal incentives to boost private sector investment in R&D. According to the report, adding the reporting head of R&D expenditure under Schedule III (Balance Sheet & ...

Fuel price hike cuts OMC losses by 25%; daily loss drops to ₹750 cr

A Rs 3-per-litre increase in petrol and diesel prices has helped state-run oil marketing companies trim daily losses by nearly a quarter, reducing overall losses to around Rs 750 crore per day from Rs 1,000 crore, a senior oil ministry official said Monday. However, elevated global crude prices and a weak rupee continue to keep pump rates below cost-recovery levels. At a news briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said a bailout package, in the form of a government subsidy to make up for losses state-owned oil companies are incurring on selling petrol, diesel and cooking gas LPG below cost, is "still not on the table". International oil prices rose sharply after the US-Israeli war against Iran triggered the largest-ever oil supply disruption. To keep the domestic market insulated, the state-owned oil companies continued to sell fuel at two-year-old rates till May 15, when prices of petrol and diesel were raised by Rs 3 per litre. The

PM Modi conferred Norway's top civilian honour, his 32nd global award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Monday conferred with Norway's highest civilian honour, the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. This is Prime Minister Modi's 32nd international honour. The Grand Cross is the highest grade of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. It is awarded for exceptional service in advancing Norway's interests and international relations. A day earlier, Modi was awarded Sweden's prestigious 'Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross,' in recognition of his exceptional contributions to bilateral ties and his visionary leadership. The award is Sweden's highest honour conferred on foreign Heads of Government. PM Modi arrived here earlier in the day on a two-day visit from Sweden. This is Modi's maiden visit to Norway, and marks the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the country in 43 years.

Gunveer Singh appointed RBI Executive Director with immediate effect

The Reserve Bank on Monday promoted Gunveer Singh as Executive Director (ED), the central bank said in a statement. Prior to this, Singh was serving as Chief General Manager-in-Charge of Department of Payment and Settlement Systems of the central bank. His appointment as ED is effective from Monday. As Executive Director, Singh will look after the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems, the RBI said. Singh has over three decades of experience in the Reserve Bank having worked in areas of payment and settlement systems, banking and non-banking supervision, risk monitoring, government banking and other areas. He has also served as a payment systems expert at the Central Bank of Oman. Singh is a Chartered Accountant and a Cost and Works Accountant.

Delhi govt cuts VAT on ATF from 25% to 7% to benefit airlines, passengers

The reduction comes against the backdrop of uncertainty in global fuel supplies linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia

Tejas Mk1A deliveries may slip beyond June; IAF open to concessions: Source

IAF willing to accept deliveries if jet is combat-capable and remaining gaps are assured to be bridged in a timely manner

Bengal govt scraps Police Welfare Board, eyes stricter law and order

The West Bengal government on Saturday dissolved the Police Welfare Board, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said. The chief minister, after chairing an administrative review meeting at Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas district, asserted that attacks on police personnel would not be tolerated under any circumstances and stressed the need for strict enforcement of law and order. "Earlier, there was the law of the rulers; now there is the rule of the law," Adhikari said, underlining his government's stand on policing and administration. "The Police Welfare Board was constituted with a good intention. But eventually, it became a party's frontal organisation. I do not know how that helped in the welfare of the police, but it became a place for getting illegal extension (of employment). There are people who have personally benefited. Today, we are dissolving the Board," Adhikari said. The chief minister also announced that women police personnel would be given priority in postings wit

Delhi HC judge to initiate contempt action in liquor excise policy case

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court on Thursday said she "cannot stay silent" and will initiate contempt proceedings against some of the discharged accused in the liquor policy case for posting vilifying and defamatory material against her. Justice Sharma said she will pronounce an order on this aspect around 5 pm. "It has come to my notice that extremely vilifying, extremely contemptuous, and defamatory material is being posted by some of the respondents against me and against this court and I cannot stay silent. I have decided to draw contempt proceedings against some of the respondents and some other contemnors," the judge said. The court was hearing CBI's petition challenging the trial court's order discharging former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and 21 others in the liquor policy case. The court had earlier decided to appoint senior lawyers as amici curiae to represent the unrepresented respondents, i..e AAP leaders Kejriwal

Japan's imperial hubris holds a dire warning for a violent century

As new empires pursue old ambitions and borders become bargaining chips, this anti-war treatise reminds us how history repeats itself through humanity's amnesia

Trump, Xi agree Strait of Hormuz must reopen to restore energy flows

US President Xi Jinping and his Chinese counterpart were in agreement that the Strait of Hormuz needs to be opened to support global energy needs, according to a readout of their Thursday meeting by a White House official. Xi also opposed any implementation of tolls on vessels crossing the strait, which effectively has closed since the start of the US and Israel war against Iran. Xi expressed interest in China purchasing more US oil to reduce future Chinese dependence on Gulf oil, according to the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The leaders also discussed further stemming the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals into the U.S. and increasing Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products.

China Under Xi Jinping: Caution gives way to control, nationalism, ambition

The book provides a one-stop access point for information and analysis on China under Mr Xi

Central govt employees body seeks 'work from home', online meetings

An association of central government employees on Wednesday asked the Centre to issue guidelines on work from home, online meetings and virtual conferencing. The move came following a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on cutting down avoidable expenditure due to the West Asia crisis. "The visionary leadership of hon'ble Prime Minister and the dedicated government workforce will definitely give the fruitful results of this initiative," the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Forum said. The forum is a representative body of CSS officers, who form the backbone of the central secretariat's functioning. "CSS Forum urges the #DoPT to issue comprehensive guidelines on Work From Home for Government offices, as Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encouraged a revival of Work From Home (WFH), online meetings, and virtual conferencing for both government and private sectors," it said in a post on X. A balanced and structured framework can enhance productivity, employee well-being, dig

India targets $1 trillion goods and services exports this year: Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday asked for taking the country's goods and services exports to USD 1 trillion this fiscal year. In 2025-26, exports reached an all-time high of USD 863.11 billion, registering an increase of 4.6 per cent year-on-year, despite global economic uncertainties, including high US tariffs, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the West Asia crisis, he said. Merchandise exports grew 0.93 per cent to USD 441.78 billion in the last fiscal year from USD 437.70 billion in 2024-25. Services shipments too surged to an all-time high of USD 421.32 billion in 2025-26, compared to USD 387.55 billion in 2024-25, recording a growth of 8.71 per cent. "This year, let's aspire for a USD 1 trillion exports target. It's possible," he said at an event here. The minister said that taking from USD 863 billion to USD 1 trillion needs USD 137 billion, which is a 16-17 per cent growth. The minister added that India is opening doors and is providing preferenti