The stated objective of the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill to 'promote' the safe use of modern biotechnology is a serious distortion of the need for regulation in this sphere

Can a regulator be a promoter?

Business Standard

Mark Lynas, a proponent for transgenics, may have flamboyantly declared that the debate on genetically modified (GM) crops is over but he has actually re-ignited the debate, though his supposed conversion from an anti-GM activism is two years old (which makes you wonder why the media thinks it is newsworthy now, unless there is careful PR work behind the curtains)! Debate is not bad at all. The fact that the debate is not being limited to scientists alone is a wonderful thing, too. Being scientific, however, is important. This requires us, first, to admit upfront the complexity of many issues that confront us today without getting into simplistic solutions. Lynas described people resisting GM crops as explicitly anti-science. Proving him wrong were some noteworthy developments in the last few days.

<B>Kavitha Kuruganti:</B> How scientific are GM proponents?

Billionaire Gautam Adani's conglomerate plans to invest Rs 20,000 crore in setting up a super critical thermal power plant in Bihar even as it expands its cement, food processing and logistics business in the state.
Speaking at the Bihar Business Connect 2024, Pranav Adani, Director, Adani Enterprises Ltd, said the ports-to-energy conglomerate is invested in three sectors in Bihar - logistics, gas distribution and agri logistics, where it has already invested around Rs 850 crore.
"We are now going to invest another Rs 2,300 crore in these sectors. This investment will not only massively increase our warehousing and handling capacity and expand our presence in the EV, city gas distribution (CGD) and compressed biogas (CBG) space but will also generate an additional 27,000 direct and indirect local job opportunities," he said.
The group is also looking to potentially invest another Rs 1,000 crore in developing strategic infrastructure in Bihar, like Gati Shakti Railway Terminals, ICDs

Adani group

Websol Energy Systems shares hit a new high of Rs 1,774.50 in intra-day today; they have rallied 40% thus far in the month of December

Stock Market, Market, Crash, Funds, up, Stock, Gain, Lost, decline, statistic, Crisis, Capital, BSE, NSE, Bull

ChatGPT app on Mac can now access on-screen data from third-party apps like Apple Notes, Notion, Android Studio, AppCode, and more to understand the context of users' prompts

Work wit Apps on ChatGPT app

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the casino hub of Macao to diversify its economy as he swore in the former Portuguese colony's new government on Friday at an event marking the 25th anniversary of its handover to China.
New Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai  Macao's first leader born in mainland China  vowed to address the territory's unbalanced and uncoordinated economic development.
Since its 1999 handover, the city of 687,000 has transformed from a monopoly-driven gambling enclave into the world's largest gaming hub, drawing hordes of tourists from mainland China.
The casino boom has improved living standards, but authorities are concerned that the semi-autonomous city's economy is unhealthily dependent on the industry.
Some young people say the tourism-dominated economy has limited their career options and the city's diversified development. Critics say years of easy money from tourists have discouraged local businesses from innovating and improving, with many residents rely on ...

Xi Jinping, Jinping, China President

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said the FIR filed against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is a "symbol of government's desperation" and claimed the BJP is indulging in distraction as it knows that the country will not tolerate its "insult" of B R Ambedkar.
The BJP knows that its real feelings about Ambedkar are out in the open and therefore it is afraid of the Opposition which is raising this issue, the Congress general secretary said in an obvious reference to Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha.
"This government is scared. This government is scared of a debate on the Adani issue, they are scared of any debate. They know their real feelings for Ambedkar ji are out in the open and therefore they are afraid of the Opposition because we are raising this issue," she told reporters in Parliament premises after the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die.
She asserted that national interest is connected with the issue of the insult inflicted on ...

Priyanka Gandhi, Priyanka

The Banning of Unregulated Lending Activities Bill calls for the CBI to handle probes in cases spanning multiple states or UTs

The Centre, in collaboration with states, has proposed to classify unregulated lending as a cognizable and non-bailable offence, with penalties including imprisonment of up to 10 years. The finance ministry has invited feedback by February 13 from st

Aditya Birla Money shares hit a record high of Rs 289, as they surged 17 per cent on the BSE in Thursday's intra-day trade amid heavy volumes in otherwise a weak market.

The number of active investors on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) have jumped 44 per cent over the past one year to 47.9 million at the end of September 2024. The surge in active clients is underpinned by the rally in the markets, with the Nifty 50

The meet comes against the backdrop of merchandise exports hitting a 25-month low in November amid continued geopolitical tensions as well as a decline in petroleum prices

Exports, Export

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) -- the nation's top oil firm -- will invest over Rs 21,000 crore to expand the Barauni refinery in Bihar as well as in setting up a city gas distribution network across the state, a senior executive said on Thursday.
IOC is expanding its Barauni refinery to 9 million tonnes per annum from current 6 million tonnes together with a petrochemical plant at a cost of about Rs 16,000 crore and invest another Rs 5,600 crore in setting up network to retail CNG to automobiles and piped cooking gas to households and industries in 27 cities of Bihar, company Executive Director Suman Kumar said while speaking at the Bihar Business Connect 2024 investor summit here.
"IOC is the oldest investor in Bihar, setting up the Barauni refinery in 1964. The initial capacity was 3 million tonnes per annum which was later expanded to 6 million tonnes. Now we are expanding the capacity from 6 million tonnes to 9 million tonnes per annum. Alongside, a 200,000 tonnes polypropylene is

Indian Oil

According to reports from Australia's Channel 7, Kohli seemed visibly upset by the presence of cameras aimed at his family, particularly his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.

Virat Kohli angry video

The uptick in Nitco share price came after the company announced that it has secured an order Rs 105.40 crore from Prestige Estates Projects

Morbi tiles

An Australian state government on Tuesday proposed new restrictions on protesters in response to rising antisemitism, including a ban on demonstrations outside places of worship.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan proposed the new laws after arsonists damaged a Melbourne synagogue this month and protestors kept fearful worshippers trapped inside a Sydney synagogue for three hours a week earlier.
That's not peaceful protest. It's menacing behaviour, Allan said.
Antisemitism is a cancer and we must leave no stone unturned to fight the evil of antisemitism, to fight the evil of this racism in all of its forms and also to continue to work to help heal our multicultural community, to help build on that social cohesion and continue to support our strong, united Victoria, she added.
The new laws would protect the right of people to gather and pray free from fear, harassment and intimidation, her office said in a statement.
The proposed laws, which will be voted on by the state legislature ea

Australia

Tech companies are offering perks such as pet leave, unlimited sick days, and mental health support to attract and retain millennial and Gen Z employees, to enhance their well-being and productivity

IT company

From January 1, 2025, handing money to beggars in Indore may lead to an FIR

Begging, beggars

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir held a meeting to discuss the key security issues in the country, including a recent protest by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party in Islamabad in which several people were killed.
The government did not officially share the details of the huddle held on Monday, but Dawn reported quoting a source privy to the meeting that they discussed the November 24 D-Chowk protest and vowed to spare nobody involved in violence and the killing of law enforcers.
It was decided that no leniency will be shown for those who killed security personnel and destroyed state property, the source said.
The meeting, attended by top security officials, also discussed a surge in terrorism, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan.
The huddle also took stock of a renewed threat by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur about another protest march to Islamabad if the government did not release PTI founder Khan from ...

Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan PM

On Vijay Diwas, PM Modi honoured Indian soldiers whose sacrifices secured victory against Pakistan in the 1971 war, leading to the liberation of Bangladesh

1971 Surrender pic India Pakistan

Allahabad High Court judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav, who purportedly gave controversial statements at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad function, appeared before the Supreme Court collegium on Tuesday, sources said.
According to the sources, Yadav appeared before the collegium headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and was asked to put forth his version on the statements made.
The top court on December 10 took note of news reports over the statements and sought a report from the Allahabad High Court on the issue.
"The Supreme Court has taken note of newspaper reports of a speech given by Mr Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a sitting judge of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. The details and particulars have been called from the high court and the matter is under consideration," an official statement had said.
According to the established norm, a judge, against whom a report is sought by the apex court collegium on any controversial issue from the high court concerned, is given opportunity to 

Supreme Court, SC

India cannot stay out of global technological race and should build capabilities that will keep it at the top while remaining vigilant against its misuse, said Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd.
Speaking at IIT Bombay's Techfest 2024, Adani, the 27-year old younger son of infrastructure magnate Gautam Adani, said the future of technology is both scary and exciting.
"But be it scary or exciting, we cannot afford to ignore technology or even go slow in our use of technology -- either as a nation or as its citizens. India cannot stay out of this global race," he said.
"Our generation needs to build capabilities to lead India into this new technological era if we want to stay at the top of our game and realise our dream of Viksit Bharat -- to become a USD 26-trillion economy by 2047," he said.
While technology has helped mankind progress, it is also being applied to wrong causes -- fake news, fake photos, fake videos, fake money, online scams, spoofing, phishing, and ...

Jeet Adani, director of Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL)

Launched in collaboration with Visa, the HSBC Taj metal co-branded credit card is specially curated for those who appreciate finer life experiences and services and are seeking unparalleled luxury

Tata Group’s hospitality arm and Taj Hotels’ parent company Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) on Tuesday set a target to grow consolidated revenue 2x to Rs 15,000 crore and double the portfolio of hotels to over 700 by 2030.

Tata Group's hospitality arm and Taj Hotels' parent company Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) on Tuesday set a target to grow consolidated revenue 2x to Rs 15,000 crore and double the portfolio of hotels to over 700 by 2030.

The Centre has described 'One Nation, One Election' as a transformative shift to improve governance, cut costs, minimise disruptions, and streamline the country's electoral process

'One Nation, One Election' proposal likely to have German blueprint

Kavitha Kuruganti

Kavitha Kuruganti

Kavitha Kuruganti

Can a regulator be a promoter?

Kavitha Kuruganti: How scientific are GM proponents?

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Adani Group plans Rs 20K crore super critical thermal power plant in Bihar

This solar photovoltaic company stock has skyrocketed 2,000% in 15 months

ChatGPT on Mac gets on-screen awareness for Apple Notes, and more apps

China's Xi swears in Macao's new leader, urges economic diversification

Symbol of govt's desperation: Priyanka Gandhi slams FIR against Rahul

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Draft Bill moots unregulated lending ban, up to 10-year imprisonment

This Aditya Birla Group stock surged 17% today; up 74% so far in December

Commerce dept plans mega global meet to boost exports in six product areas

IOC to invest over Rs 21,000 cr in Bihar refinery expansion, gas projects

IND vs AUS: Watch Virat Kohli gets angry at Melbourne airport; here's why