-The United Nations Argentina’s announcement that it would export an additional 2.75 million tonnes of maize this year will help ease tight international markets, the United Nations food agency said today, adding that while this is a welcome measure, countries must remain vigilante to avoid a global food crisis. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the announcement was made by Argentina’s Minister of Agriculture, Norberto Yauhar, who had just...

-The Hindustan Times The government’s go-ahead to FDI in multi-brand retail on Friday drove another wedge between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress, with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee threatening to take “hard decisions” if the decision wasn't reconsidered within 72 hours. Banerjee, who  has also demanded a rollback of the diesel price hike, said the decision was a “big jolt” and called an emergency meeting of her party in...

-The Hindu The draft law on acquisition strikes a balance between development and justice for those who will be displaced in the process India is a rapidly industrialising economy and society with intense demands for better infrastructure from its people. The last 20 years have seen a great acceleration in this process, with India becoming one of the world’s fastest growing economies. However, for those whose lands were acquired for these purposes...

-PTI Pharma firm Biological E Limited (BEL) today launched the country's first indigenous vaccine to tackle Japanese encephalitis (JE), a deadly viral disease. The vaccine, JEEV, is priced at Rs. 985. This is a one-time vaccine to be taken in two doses and will soon be available in the domestic market, Mahima Datla, senior vice-president of the city-based company, said at the launch here. "The vaccine, which will also be exported, has good...

-NDTV The Congress is not in favour of a petrol price hike anytime soon, sources have told NDTV. The party's core group met this evening and discussed the issue, sources said. Oil Minister Jaipal Reddy, who is not a part of the core group, was also present at the meeting. Just a few hours, before the meet, Mr Reddy had said the "painful duty" of a hike in fuel prices cannot be...