world top universities

"Chandrayaan-3 will have a lander, rover and a propulsion module. The government has approved the project and we have formed the project team. Work is going on smoothly," Isro chief K Sivan said. He further said that the first unmanned flight of Ganaganyaan is also targeted for this year. He allayed fears that these big ticket projects will hamper other missions.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2020-will-be-year-of-chandrayaan-3-gaganyaan-over-25-missions-planned-isro-chief/articleshow/73055387.cms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, saying that the post of CDS is a momentous and comprehensive reform that will help our country face the ever-changing challenges of modern warfare. The PM's tweets came as General Bipin Rawat took over as the country's first CDS.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-narendra-modi-congratulates-general-bipin-rawat-on-his-appointment-as-cds/articleshow/73055133.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/we-keep-ourselves-away-from-politics-we-follow-govt-directives-gen-bipin-rawat/articleshow/73054519.cms

"We have been giving attention to our western front in the past. The northern front now also requires an equal amount of attention. The Army is capable of tackling any dangers to the country," General Naravane told reporters after receiving the first Guard of Honour as the Army chief.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-needs-to-pay-more-attention-to-china-border-says-new-army-chief-naravane/articleshow/73054262.cms

Stay with TOI for all the latest news and updates from India and around the world:

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/breaking-news-live-updates-january-1/liveblog/73053004.cms

"Have a wonderful 2020! May this year be filled with joy and prosperity. May everyone be healthy and may everyone's aspirations be fulfilled," Prime Minister Modi tweeted to his 52.3 million followers on the micro-blogging website. Besides him, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also greeted the nation on the advent of New Year.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/vice-president-naidu-pm-modi-extend-new-year-greetings/articleshow/73053568.cms

A veteran on the domestic scene, Test opener Mayank Agarwal talks about his hard-earned first year as an international cricketer and how he will continue his international run in New Zealand where, he says, the focus and the goal will remain the same, to contribute to the team's success.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/my-journey-has-been-a-little-different-to-other-players-mayank-agarwal/articleshow/73053604.cms

Despite an internet clampdown, Jammu and Kashmir registered 83.5% attendance of candidates registered in the UGC-NET December 2019 exam, second only to 84% in Kerala, and also recorded a 10% qualification rate as against the national average of 8.2%.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/big-rush-for-ugc-net-in-kashmir/articleshow/73052798.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/why-did-the-us-become-the-focus-of-iraqis-anger/articleshow/73053276.cms

At a time when dissent gets traction among intellectuals and social media, the Supreme Court in 2019 achieved the unexpected by rendering a unanimous verdict on the 70-year-old Ayodhya land dispute and putting stamp of approval on the deal to purchase 36 fully-loaded Rafale jets from France.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/after-ayodhya-rafale-verdicts-in-2019-sc-to-decide-on-caa-jk-this-year/articleshow/73052875.cms

The country lost 110 tigers in 2019, a third of them to poaching. The year also saw the death of 491 leopards, according to figures compiled by NGO Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI). As many as 38 tigers were lost to poaching, up from 34 in 2018.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-lost-110-tigers-491-leopards-in-19-poaching-up-report/articleshow/73052610.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/inside-chinas-push-to-turn-muslim-minorities-into-an-army-of-workers/articleshow/73048506.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cds-post-rajyavardhan-rathore-manish-tewari-in-twitter-spat/articleshow/73049709.cms

If you or any of your loved ones has ever been hospitalized, one of the complaints you may have heard about most is how hard it is to sleep in the hospital. There are lots of things about hospital routines that can make things difficult for patients to sleep, besides noise and illness. While some hospitals have taken steps to ensure that patients are not interrupted unnecessarily at night, this is not universal. Here are some things you can expect, and some steps you might be able to take to help the hospital give you a better night’s rest.

Some reasons you might be woken at night might be unavoidable

You might be on a particular medication, such as certain antibiotics, that must be given in the middle of the night, depending on when the first dose was given, and blood tests for levels of some antibiotics must be timed to their dosing, resulting in blood draws in the middle of the night, too. If you are admitted to check for a heart attack, you might also be ordered for timed blood tests that might involve having your blood drawn in the middle of the night. Vital signs, such as pulse and blood pressure, are required to be taken every four hours for some conditions, which would also awaken you.

One study shows the top thing keeping patients awake is pain, followed by vital signs and tests, noise, and medications. Studies have also shown that hospital routines can disrupt patient sleep, and having a designated quiet time, where nonessential tasks are minimized and lights and noise are lowered, may help. Here is a partial list of things that keep patients awake, and what you might be able to do about them.

Pain. Pain is easier to control before it gets bad. Don’t hesitate to ask for pain medicine at bedtime, even if your pain is not yet severe.

You are woken up to have your blood pressure taken. Vital signs are usually taken every eight hours. Often these are done between 11 pm and midnight, after the night shift starts, but it’s often just after you have fallen sleep. Alternatively, the night shift could be taking your vital signs at 6 am, when you’d be awoken for other hospital routines anyway. If you are given the opportunity to give feedback during or after your stay, it would be important to mention this — hospital administrators look closely at patient feedback.

The IV pump that keeps beeping. This is usually because the flow of IV fluid is blocked (occluded), most often because the IV was inserted in the crook of your elbow. Thus, every time you bend your arm, the pump will alarm and start beeping. If this is the case, ask to have the IV put in a different place, like your hand.

You are woken to be given medications. Sometimes a medication or breathing treatment might be ordered “every four hours” or “every six hours” which means the nurse or respiratory therapist is required to wake you to give it to you even if you are asleep. You can ask if the order can be changed to four times a day instead of every six hours, or “every four hours while awake” so you don’t have to be woken.

Noise. Lots of things can be noisy in the hospital at night — staff voices, cleaning machines, your roommate if you have one. You can always ask to have your door closed, and you can ask someone to bring in ear plugs.

You are up all night urinating. If this is not the case when you are at home, it might be because you were ordered for a diuretic to be given late in the day, after 6 pm or so, or you are ordered for IV fluids at a rate that is higher than you actually require. Your nurse can ask the doctor to change these orders.

Blood transfusions at night. If you need a blood transfusion, it is best not to do it during sleeping hours, because it requires the nurse to monitor your vital signs frequently and would keep you awake for hours. If you need a transfusion at that hour, ask if it can possibly wait until daytime.

Frequent nighttime disruptions can often cause patients to want to nap during the day, and throw off their sleep schedules. Patients might already be weak and tired from their underlying illness. If you’re hospitalized, it’s important to keep your normal sleep schedule and circadian rhythm. During the day, keep the window shades open for natural light and keep the room dark during sleeping hours. An eye mask might be helpful if exposure to light at night is unavoidable. A favorite blanket, pillow, photos, and your favorite music can help you relax and be more comfortable.

My colleagues and I at Somerville Hospital (since closed to inpatients) found that when we instituted a program to decrease disruptions during the night, such as purposely avoiding all the things described above, patients used as-needed sedatives about half as often in the hospital. Most hospitals can do better to make nighttime routines friendlier for patients, but institutional change can be challenging. Knowing what to ask for is useful and will help move healthcare forward.

The post Getting sleep in the hospital appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/getting-sleep-in-the-hospital-2019123118571
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In the first confirmation on Chandrayaan-3, Union minister for department of space Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said the second lander mission to Moon will be a "cost-effective mission and most likely be launched in 2020". "The orbiter is already there (on Moon's orbit & functional). So we are going to cut on cost. It will carry only a lander mission." said Singh.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/chandrayaan-3-will-be-economical-likely-to-be-launched-in-2020-mos-jitendra-singh/articleshow/73048925.cms

On the New Year's eve, the railways announced fare hike across its network, excluding suburban trains, effective from January 1, 2020, according to an order issued on Tuesday. The railways also announced a two paise/km hike in fares of mail/express non-AC trains and four paise/km hike in the fares of AC classes. Premium trains like Shatabdi, Rajdhani and Duronto trains are included in the fare hike.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/railways-announces-fare-hike-effective-from-january-1/articleshow/73048839.cms

Army chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday said India reserves the right to preemptively strike at sources of terror threat if the neighbouring country does not stop state-sponsored terrorism. ​​"The Pakistan army's proxy war design received setback due to elimination of terrorists and decimation of terror networks (by India)," he said.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-reserves-right-to-preemptively-strike-at-sources-of-terror-army-chief/articleshow/73047772.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/internet-services-at-all-govt-hospitals-in-kashmir-to-be-restored-from-midnight/articleshow/73046857.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cds-olive-green-uniform-to-represent-3-services/articleshow/73046772.cms

Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday said the Parliament alone has got powers to pass any law regarding citizenship and not a state legislatures, "including Kerala assembly."

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/state-legislatures-including-kerala-assembly-has-no-power-on-citizenship-law-ravi-shankar-prasad/articleshow/73046339.cms

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday unveiled Rs 102 lakh crore of infrastructure projects that will be implemented in the next five years as part of the govt's spending push. The minister said another Rs 3 lakh crore of projects are likely to be added to this pipeline on top of Rs 51 lakh crore spent by the Centre and the states in the last six years.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/sitharaman-gives-major-push-to-infra-sector-says-rs-102-lakh-crore-projects-identified/articleshow/73045493.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bangladesh-govt-suspends-mobile-networks-along-borders-with-india-citing-security-reasons/articleshow/73045136.cms

Stay here for real-time updates on breaking news from India and across the world that you can't miss

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/breaking-news-live/liveblog/73039017.cms

For many Indian tycoons, 2019 turned woeful as lenders -- empowered by the nation’s recent bankruptcy law and desperate to clean up soured debt from their books -- started seizing assets of delinquent firms or dragged them into insolvency.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/2019-the-year-indian-tycoons-faced-bankruptcies-jail-and-even-death/articleshow/73040898.cms

General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday took charge as the chief of Army staff, succeeding Gen Bipin Rawat. Gen Naravane served as vice chief of the Army before taking charge of the 1.3 million strong Army.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/general-mukund-naravane-takes-charge-as-indias-28th-army-chief/articleshow/73042342.cms

Top government sources told TOI that as many as five potential sites close to highways passing by Ayodhya have been identified and sent to the Union home ministry for clearance.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/uttar-pradesh-government-identifies-land-for-mosque-in-ayodhya/articleshow/73040180.cms

General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday took charge as the chief of Army staff, succeeding Gen Bipin Rawat. Gen Naravane served as vice chief of the Army before taking charge of the 1.3 million strong Army.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/general-mukund-naravane-takes-charge-as-new-army-chief/articleshow/73042342.cms

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray’s choice of 12 new Shiv Sena ministers has triggered resentment in a section of party MLAs who couldn’t make it to the final list.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/shiv-senas-alliance-driver-sanjay-raut-doesnt-attend-swearing-in/articleshow/73038540.cms

Though the one-day special session was convened to ratify the extension of the reservation for SC and ST in the Assembly and the Parliament for another decade, the resolution against CAA was also taken up in view of the the widespread concerns among public in this regard, official sources said. While presenting the resolution, Vijayan said the CAA was against the "secular" outlook and fabric of the country and would lead to religion- based discrimination in granting citizenship.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kerala-cm-tables-anti-caa-resolution-in-assembly/articleshow/73041245.cms

After a farewell guard of honour, General Rawat also hoped that the Army will rise to greater heights under the new chief Lt General M M Naravane. When asked wether the Army is better prepared now to face the security challenges facing the country he said: "Yes, we are better prepared."

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hope-army-will-rise-to-greater-heights-under-the-new-army-chief-general-bipin-rawat/articleshow/73040855.cms

Debutant MLA Aaditya Thackeray (29) was on Monday inducted as cabinet minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by his father Uddhav Thackeray, making the Thackerays the first father-son duo to be part of the cabinet together in Maharashtra.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/uddhav-thackeray-inducts-son-aaditya-into-cabinet-ajit-pawar-back-as-maharashtra-deputy-cm/articleshow/73038546.cms

Since January 2018 - when Bumrah made his debut - India's pacers have taken 274 wickets in 22 Tests at 20.74, the best among all teams. They also have the most five-wicket hauls (14). In wins, Bumrah has the best strike rate (30.4), best average (13.19) and best economy rate (2.59) among all bowlers since his debut.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/yearender-2019/how-pacers-powered-the-rise-of-team-india-in-2019/articleshow/73039696.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/timestopten.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/yogi-hits-back-at-priyanka-says-he-wore-saffron-clothes-for-public-service/articleshow/73035836.cms

The government on Monday night declared that General Bipin Rawat will take over as the country’s first-ever Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) or tri-Service chief. The announcement came barely a few hours before he completes his three-year-tenure as the Army chief on December 31. The government Gen Rawat will take over as the CDS “with effect from Tuesday until further orders and extension in service.”

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/general-bipin-rawat-becomes-indias-first-tri-serivce-chief/articleshow/73035307.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-gets-its-first-chief-of-defence-staff-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/73035514.cms

The Navy has banned the use of Facebook for all its personnel, while also directing them not to carry smart mobile phones into bases and dockyards as well as onboard warships. The stern directive comes after seven sailors were arrested this month for allegedly leaking info to Pakistan after being “virtually honey-trapped” by women into online relationships.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/navy-bans-use-of-facebook-by-personnel-to-prevent-honey-trapping/articleshow/73032917.cms

In October 2019, the Annals of Internal Medicine published controversial guidelines advising Americans to carry on consuming red and processed meat at current amounts. The guideline authors characterized meat-eaters as somewhat incapable of dietary change, and portrayed the benefits for reducing red and processed meat intake as insignificant. These guidelines contradict previous studies that link processed meat and red meat with early death and an increased risk of disease, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer.

If omnivores are confused, it’s hard to blame them.

Americans are eating less meat, but not less processed meat

To frame their argument, the article authors referenced an average meat intake from North America and Western Europe of two to four servings per week. But we are not France, and about a third of Americans eat more than this. In fact, on average we eat about five servings (17 ounces) of red and processed meat per week.

We have made progress decreasing our consumption of unprocessed beef, pork, and lamb over the past two decades. But our intake of processed meat remains unchanged: sausage, hot dogs, and ham reign among the nation’s most beloved processed meats.

Red meat and processed meat increase disease risk

The message from the Annals guidelines was perplexing and, at times, poorly translated by the media, with some headlines goading Americans to go full speed ahead on their intake.

This is particularly alarming, because recent research indicates eating 3 1/2 more servings of meat per week is associated with a higher risk of death. Consuming more than three additional servings may sound like a significant escalation. But consider that a standard serving equals about 3 ounces, a portion the size of a deck of cards. Eating a steakhouse filet, which typically weighs up to 12 ounces, you could consume roughly 3 1/2 servings in a single meal.

The connection is stronger for processed meats, which have a smaller standard serving size. For bacon lovers, eating a mere four slices more of thick-cut bacon a week is enough to increase risk of death.

Red and processed meat have also been associated with an increased risk of cancer. According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, there is sufficient evidence to label processed meat as a carcinogen (a cancer-causing substance). Consuming a daily portion of less than two ounces per day — the equivalent of two slices of ham or bologna — is associated with increased cancer risk.

Eating less red meat makes room for healthier foods

Unfortunately, outlining the health hazards of red and processed meat sends a negative message and misses the bigger picture: many of us simply do not eat enough protective foods, and eating less meat would allow space for the foods we are neglecting.

According to the USDA, close to 90% of Americans do not eat the recommended amount of vegetables per day. (Most people should aim for two to four cups daily depending on their age and sex.) . Adults are not eating enough legumes, like beans and lentils, nor are we consuming enough seafood. The good news is that replacing some red and processed meat with whole grains, vegetables, and marine and plant-based proteins may help you live longer.

This is helpful for our collective health too, as livestock are responsible for 14% of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and threaten our planet. (Seafood practices also contribute to global warming, but only lobster and crab come close to cattle, our country’s most popular red meat and the animal responsible for the greatest greenhouse gas emissions.)

Shift focus to the foods you should eat more of

Ultimately, we do Americans a disservice if we cast them as incapable of making change. We can’t assume that it would be a burden to switch from beef jerky to nuts or from ham to tuna.

But asking how much meat is too much is, perhaps, the wrong question. Rather, we should really be asking: what do we need to eat more of instead?

The post An omnivore’s dilemma: How much red meat is too much? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/an-omnivores-dilemma-how-much-red-meat-is-too-much-2019123018519
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The last date for the mandatory linking of the Permanent Account Number (PAN) with Aadhaar has been extended till March next year, the CBDT said on Monday. The earlier deadline was Tuesday, December 31. This is the eighth time that the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the deadline for individuals to link their PAN with Aadhaar.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/pan-aadhaar-linking-deadline-extended-to-march-2020-cbdt/articleshow/73034704.cms

A minor fire broke out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Monday. A fire was reported at an electrical unit after which nine fire tenders were pressed into action. The fire was, however, doused by the security staffers. A precautionary check is being conducted.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/fire-breaks-out-near-prime-minister-narendra-modis-residence/articleshow/73034235.cms

Uddhav Thackeray expanded his over a month-old ministry by inducting 36 ministers, including his 29-year-old son Aaditya, while NCP leader Ajit Pawar was sworn in as deputy chief minister. Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered oath to 14 ministers from NCP, 10 from Congress and 12 from Shiv Sena at Vidhan Bhavan (state legislature) premises in south Mumbai.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/uddhav-thackeray-inducts-son-35-others-ajit-pawar-sworn-in-deputy-cm/articleshow/73032914.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/war-of-words-between-priyanka-up-government/articleshow/73031668.cms

Struggling Air India might be forced to shut down by June next year unless it finds a buyer as "piecemeal" arrangements cannot be sustained for long, according to a senior airline official. Amid continuing uncertainty over the fate of the national carrier, the official said there is also need for funds to restart operations of 12 grounded narrow-body planes.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/without-buyer-air-india-might-be-forced-to-shut-down-in-six-months-airline-official/articleshow/73032466.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-set-to-record-coldest-day-in-119-years-on-monday-imd/articleshow/73030521.cms

The J&K administration on Monday released five political leaders who were under detention since August 5, when the Centre announced the abrogation of Article 370 provisions and bifurcation of the state. The leaders include Ishfaq Jabbar and Ghulam Nabi Bhat (NC), Bashir Mir (Congress) and Zahoor Mir and Yasir Reshi (PDP). Two leaders were earlier released in Nov.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/five-kashmiri-political-leaders-released-after-four-months-of-detention/articleshow/73032176.cms

Stay here for real-time updates on breaking news from India and across the world that you can't miss

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/breaking-news-live-updates-30-12-2019/liveblog/73023944.cms

The govt has decided to give 5G spectrum for trials to all players, including Huawei. "We have taken a decision to give 5G spectrum for trials to all players," telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. An in-principle decision has been taken in this regard, he said at an event. "5G is future, it is speed. We will encourage new innovation in 5G," he added.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/government-will-give-5g-spectrum-for-trials-to-all-players-ravi-shankar-prasad/articleshow/73031195.cms

In a jibe at the Uttar Pradesh chief minister days after he had said that those who had damaged public assets would be made to pay, Priyanka Gandhi said saffron denotes Hinduism, a religion that does not advocate violence or "revenge".

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-place-for-violence-revenge-in-country-priyanka-gandhi/articleshow/73030954.cms

NCP's Ajit Pawar took oath as a minister in Maharashtra government on Monday during the expansion of the cabinet. He will be the deputy chief minister. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray was formed on November 28. The state Cabinet currently has six ministers, besides the chief minister.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/maharashtra-cabinet-expansion-ajit-pawar-takes-oath-as-minister-to-be-deputy-cm/articleshow/73027731.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/maharashtra-cabinet-expansion-the-political-story-so-far/articleshow/73024980.cms

After more than a month since taking charge as CM, Uddhav Thackeray will finally expand his cabinet today. Thackeray, who was sworn in on November 28, will induct 36 cabinet members, 13 each from Shiv Sena and NCP and 10 from Congress.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/maharashtra-cabinet-expansion-live-news-updates-december-2019/liveblog/73023895.cms

The force, which provides her armed commandos under the 'Z+' category of security cover to her, said the Congress leader undertook "unscheduled" movement without intimation. Therefore, an advanced security liaison (ASL) could not be conducted, it said in a statement. "During travelling the protectee used non-bullet resistant civil vehicle without a personal security officer," the statement said.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-breach-in-priyanka-gandhis-security-crpf/articleshow/73027139.cms

PM Narendra Modi said that the CAA is meant to give refuge to the persecuted refugees and launched a social media campaign in support of it. Earlier, BJP had also launched a campaign to "bust myths" surrounding CAA. "#IndiaSupportsCAA because CAA is about giving citizenship to persecuted refugees & not about taking anyone’s citizenship away," the PM tweeted.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-narendra-modi-launches-social-media-campaign-in-support-of-caa/articleshow/73025969.cms

PM Narendra Modi launches social media campaign in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act. Stay tuned to TOI for all latest updates

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/citizenship-amendment-act-live-news-updates-december-29/liveblog/73014129.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/timestopten/msid-73019102,card-73019503.cms?

India’s ambassador to Austria, Renu Pall, has been transferred back to Delhi amid allegations of financial irregularities against her. A 1988 batch IFS officer, Pall had not yet completed her tenure as ambassador in Vienna. Official sources here ruled out suggestions that she had been recalled abruptly, describing it as a case of transfer.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/envoy-to-austria-brought-back-to-delhi-amid-talk-of-irregularities/articleshow/73023218.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-a-first-jk-job-openings-for-all/articleshow/73021914.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pakistan-kartarpur-overreach-a-self-goal-at-unsc/articleshow/73021052.cms

The Indian Navy plans to build 24 submarines, including 6 nuclear attack submarines, a parliamentary panel was told. In its report tabled this month, the Navy stated that there are presently 15 conventional submarines and 2 nuclear submarines in its fleet. The Indian Navy has 2 nuclear submarines - INS Arihant and INS Chakra, the latter being leased from Russia.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/planning-to-build-six-nuclear-attack-submarines-navy-to-parliamentary-panel/articleshow/73018905.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/major-terror-strike-averted-with-timely-detection-of-ied-along-loc-in-jks-rajouri/articleshow/73020534.cms

Former batsman Gautam Gambhir lashed out at the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) for the fist fight that broke out in the association's annual general meeting (AGM) on Sunday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/watch-brawl-at-agm-gautam-gambhir-urges-bcci-to-dissolve-ddca/articleshow/73020523.cms

The stage is now set for the government to announce the name of the country’s first-ever chief of defence staff (CDS), with the Army Rules of 1954 being amended to allow the tri-Service chief to serve till the age of 65. The Army, Navy and IAF chiefs, as per the existing government rules, can only serve up to the age of 62 or for 3 years, whichever is earlier.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-amends-army-rules-to-allow-chief-of-defence-staff-to-serve-till-65/articleshow/73019504.cms

Taking on the Adityanath govt over handling of protests against the CAA, Cong leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said it has "crossed all limits of inhumanity" and claimed party worker Sadaf Zafar was arrested on "baseless" charges. Hitting back, UP deputy CM Maurya said that such 'nautanki' (theatrics) will not fetch votes for the Congress and what's left of the party will also be finished.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/insensitive-up-govt-has-crossed-all-limits-priyanka-on-sadaf-zafars-arrest-bjp-says-theatrics-wont-fetch-votes/articleshow/73019529.cms

India is expected to overtake Germany to become fourth-largest economy in 2026 and Japan to become third largest in 2034, according a recent report by the UK-based Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). It further said India is also set to reach a gross domestic product (GDP) of $5 trillion by 2026, 2 years later than the government's target.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-may-surpass-germany-to-become-fourth-largest-economy-in-2026-report/articleshow/73019410.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/uddhav-thackeray-to-expand-cabinet-on-december-30/articleshow/73019159.cms

Days after he hogged the limelight for being ill treated by few players during his playing days due to his Hindu religion, former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has now alleged that the national team welcomed those players in the side who "sold" their country. "There are people who have sold their country and who are still welcomed in the team. I never sold my country for money," Kaneria said.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/pakistan-welcomed-back-players-who-sold-the-country-danish-kaneria/articleshow/73018304.cms

Stay here for real-time updates on breaking news from India and across the world that you can't miss

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/breaking-news-live-updates-29-12-2019/liveblog/73013571.cms

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) working president Hemant Soren was on Sunday sworn in as the 11th chief minister of Jharkhand. Governor Draupadi Murmu administered the oath of office and secrecy to Soren, in the presence of senior political leaders and chief ministers from across states. This will be the 44-year-old JMM leader's second stint as Jharkhand chief minister.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hemant-soren-takes-oath-as-jharkhand-cm/articleshow/73016565.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/china-sends-5-lakh-muslim-kids-to-boarding-schools/articleshow/73013292.cms

There’s a pall of gloom along Goa’s world-famous beach belt. Usually chock-a-block with tourists, vehicles, and its commercial stretches throbbing with life, a sharp decrease in tourism this year has seen stakeholders subdued. A “flop season” is how shack operators have already labelled it.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/as-new-years-eve-approaches-goa-grapples-with-sharp-dip-in-tourists/articleshow/73012717.cms

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren will take oath as the 11th CM of Jharkhand today at Morabadi Ground at 2 pm. Governor Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office to Soren while opposition leaders from across the political spectrum will grace the occasion. The event has been termed as "Sankalp diwas" of an era of new Jharkhand.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jharkhand-cm-hemant-soren-swearing-in-ceremony-live-news-updates/liveblog/73013811.cms

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) working president Hemant Soren is set to take oath as the 11th chief minister of Jharkhand on Sunday. Governor Draupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Soren at around 2pm in Ranchi, amid a galaxy of politicians and dignitaries, some of whom would be sharing the dais. This will be his second stint as Jharkhand chief minister.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hemant-soren-set-to-take-oath-as-11th-chief-minister-of-jharkhand/articleshow/73015740.cms

Vishwesha Teertha Swami of the Pejawar Mutt passed away in Udupi on Sunday. He was 88. He was admitted to the Kasturba Hospital in Manipal for the treatment of pneumonia on December 20 and was shifted to the Pejawar Mutt in Udupi early on Sunday on ventilator after his health condition worsened on Saturday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/pejawar-mutt-seer-vishwesha-teertha-swami-passes-away/articleshow/73013770.cms

The process of creation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is completely an "internal affair" of the Indian government and the cooperation between the border guarding forces of the two countries is very good, the chief of Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) said on Sunday. The BGB will continue to work to prevent illegal crossings into India, its director general Major General Shafeenul Islam said.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nrc-an-internal-affair-of-indian-government-border-guards-bangladesh-dg/articleshow/73015059.cms

Addressing his last 'Mann ki Baat' of 2019, the Prime Minister said the youth hate anarchy and disorder and dislike casteism and nepotism. "Our youth believe in the system and have an opinion, and question when system does not respond properly. I consider this to be a good thing.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/youth-hate-instability-anarchy-pm-on-mann-ki-baat/articleshow/73015211.cms

PM Narendra Modi will address this year's final monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' today. The 60th edition of the programme will be broadcast on the entire network of AIR and Doordarshan and Narendra Modi App at 11 am.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-mann-ki-baat-2019-address/liveblog/73013707.cms

A day after Delhi recorded season's lowest temperature at 1.4 degrees Celsius, temperatures have risen by 2-3 °C in the national capital on Sunday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/day-after-teeth-chattering-cold-delhis-temperature-improves/articleshow/73013717.cms

Indian grapplers, boxers and shooters led from the front in the year 2019, achieving several firsts during the year. Ace shuttler PV Sindhu also had her date with history at the World Championships in Basel. TOI takes a look at the talking points of 2019.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/yearender-2019/medals-mirth-and-melancholy-talking-points-in-sports-in-2019/articleshow/73013919.cms

MC Mary Kom on Saturday sealed her spot for next year's Olympic qualifiers with a 9-1 verdict against flyweight (51kg) Nikhat Zareen, who had publicly demanded a trial for the race to Tokyo. Refusing to shake hands with Nikhat after the bout, she said, "Why should I? If she wants others to respect her, she should first respect others..." Nikhat reacted saying, "I expect seniors to respect us too. I felt hurt but that's okay..."

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/boxing/mary-kom-wins-ill-tempered-bout-against-nikhat-zareen/articleshow/73013590.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-concession-to-pakistan-saudi-arabia-to-host-oic-meet-on-kashmir/articleshow/73013088.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/therell-be-social-vetting-of-npr-entries-upa-2-minister-told-ls/articleshow/73013059.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/wont-allow-nagpur-to-run-assam-rahul-gandhi/articleshow/73013066.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-cbi-chiefs-presence-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-tells-bankers-dont-fear-3cs/articleshow/73013073.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/at-1-4c-delhi-is-punishingly-cold-fog-delays-500-flights/articleshow/73013051.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/priyanka-gandhi-alleges-manhandling-by-up-cops-they-grabbed-me-by-neck-pushed-me-i-fell-down/articleshow/73010853.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kerala-governor-says-eminent-historian-irfan-habib-tried-to-disrupt-his-speech/articleshow/73010359.cms

The frigid air barrelling through parts of north India plummeted temperatures to the season's lowest in several places Saturday, including Delhi where the mercury hit a low of 2.4 degrees Celsius, as dense fog reduced visibility and delayed air, rail and road traffic. The cold wave was not expected to relent until the New Year.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cold-wave-tightens-grip-in-north-india-hits-rail-and-air-traffic-no-respite-till-new-year/articleshow/73010757.cms

In the much hyped trial bout between MC Mary Kom and former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen for a spot in the next year's Olympic qualifiers, the 36-year-old and six-time world champion emerged on the top. Mary Kom convincingly won the bout 9-1 but remained combative after the match as well, refusing the customary handshake and also rebuffing an attempted hug from her younger rival.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/boxing/i-did-not-start-this-mary-kom-fumes-at-nikhat-zareen-after-bout/articleshow/73008759.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/prudent-commercial-decision-taken-by-bankers-will-be-protected-fm-sitharaman/articleshow/73009915.cms

Deviating from her scheduled plan, Congress general secretary Priyanak Gandhi Vadra dodged the Lucknow Police to meet the kin of SR Darapuri, former IPS and social activist, who has been arrested in connection with the violence that followed CAA-NRC protest in the state capital on December 19. Speaking to reporters after meeting the family, Priyanka said that she was "manhandled and strangulated" by UP cops while she was on her way to visit Darapuri's family.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/priyanka-gandhi-defies-police-restriction-to-meet-anti-caa-activists-kin/articleshow/73008045.cms

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said Assam might return to the path of violence due to policies of the BJP governments at the Centre and the state. "The Assam Accord was the foundation of peace in Assam. Today I am sad, I fear that the state might return to its old path of violence due to BJP,” Gandhi said.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/fear-bjp-will-take-assam-down-to-the-path-of-violence-rahul-gandhi/articleshow/73006576.cms

Amid all the reports of anti-CAA violence in UP and other parts of the country, there was a brief moment of sanity and humanity. Last Friday, during protests across UP, a Muslim cleric Haji Qadir after performing his prayers at a local mosque in Firozabad district, braved the angry stone-pelters and saved an injured police constable’s life.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/muslim-man-saves-injured-constable-during-up-stir-takes-him-to-police-station-cops-applaud-gesture/articleshow/73000595.cms

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday instructed public sector banks to clear pending vigilance cases against their officials for alleged malpractices. The minister also said no Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges will be applicable on select modes of payment from January 1.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/banks-instructed-to-clear-pending-vigilance-cases-against-officials-sitharaman/articleshow/73006176.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/banks-bad-loans-may-rise-again-warns-rbi/articleshow/73002075.cms

Attacking the government over the issue of the National Population Register (NPR) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said these exercises will be more disastrous than the note ban in November 2016. "These will have twice the impact of demonetisation on people," he said.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rahul-gandhi-slams-government-over-npr-nrc-says-it-will-be-more-disastrous-than-demonetisation/articleshow/73004011.cms

The Congress on its 135th foundation day on Saturday said India has always come first for it through the ages and sacrifice for the nation stands above all else for the party. On the occasion, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi hoisted the party's flag at its headquarters in New Delhi. Former PM Manmohan Singh and senior Congress leaders AK Antony among others attended the event.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/congress-marks-135th-foundation-day-says-it-is-always-india-first-for-party/articleshow/73003721.cms

The national capital on Saturday witnessed season's lowest temperature of 2.4 degree Celsius, reported news agency ANI quoting IMD. The temperature was recorded at 6.10 am. The city has been witnessing the longest December cold spell since 1997. A thick layer of fog has also engulfed the national capital.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-winter-at-2-4-degrees-city-records-seasons-coldest-morning/articleshow/73002977.cms

Be it Russia getting banned from participating at the Olympics and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, to US women's soccer captain Megan Rapinoe having a go at President Donald Trump, there were several occasions when things kept coming to a boil in the year 2019. Racist chants reared their heads from time to time, not sparing the best of international athletes, mostly footballers.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/yearender-2019/the-biggest-sports-controversies-in-2019/articleshow/73003072.cms

Cold wave conditions continued unabated in several parts of north India on Friday with Delhi recording the season’s lowest temperature and the IMD predicting some relief in the region from December 31 onwards. The minimum temperature settled at 4.2°C in the Capital, three notches below normal. Twenty-one trains were delayed for a maximum of six hours in the north.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/winter-chill-grips-north-india-srinagar-coldest-in-a-decade/articleshow/73002064.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/caa-may-hit-status-of-indian-muslims-us-congress-thinktank/articleshow/73001960.cms

Former IAF chief B S Dhanoa said on Friday the government had rejected a proposal of the air force to strike Pakistani terrorist camps after 26/11. “We knew where the terror camps were located in Pakistan and were ready. But it is a political decision whether to carry out a strike or not,’’ he said. Dhanoa was the air chief between December 31, 2016, and September 30, 2019.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/govt-rejected-iaf-proposal-to-strike-pakistan-after-26/11-b-s-dhanoa/articleshow/73001989.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bulandshahr-locals-repent-pay-rs-6-lakh-as-stir-damages/articleshow/73002012.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/armed-forces-secular-driven-by-insaniyat-army-chief/articleshow/73001951.cms

India has recorded as many as 3,200 ceasefire violations along the LoC with Pakistan this year, with the two rival armies continuing to pound each other with heavy-caliber weapons like artillery guns and anti-tank guided missiles on a daily basis. The exchange of firing across the LoC further escalated after the revocation of Article 370 on August 5.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/border-hostilities-with-pak-break-all-records-3200-ceasefire-violations-this-year/articleshow/72998427.cms

Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday said the armed forces had the utmost respect for human rights laws and they not only ensured protection of human rights of the people of the country, but also of its adversaries.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/armed-forces-have-utmost-respect-for-human-rights-laws-gen-rawat/articleshow/72994131.cms

Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday questioned the Centre over identification and deportation of illegal immigrants even as his party, Congress, strongly opposed the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/why-illegal-immigrants-not-identified-deported-tarun-gogoi-questions-centre/articleshow/72995769.cms

Mumbai on Friday saw rallies for and against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Students and social activists held a protest against the Act and NRC at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai, while a large number of people gathered for a pro-CAA rally at the historic August Kranti Maidan, where a massive protest against the Citizenship Act was held last week.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pro-caa-rally-vs-anti-caa-protest-in-mumbai/articleshow/72995783.cms

Danish Kaneria said there were a "few players" who targeted him for being a Hindu during his time with the national team but he never felt the pressure to change his religion. Kaneria, who is serving a life ban for spot-fixing, is in news after Shoaib Akhtar alleged that some Pakistani players refused to even share food with him due to his faith.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/was-targeted-but-never-felt-need-or-pressure-to-convert-danish-kaneria/articleshow/72996670.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/npr-a-tax-on-poor-says-rahul-bjp-hits-back-calls-cong-leader-liar/articleshow/72995913.cms

You know probiotics can be good for your gut, but does your vagina need one too? You might think so, based on probiotic marketing these days. Probiotics are in everything from drinks to pills and powders, and in many cases, are being promoted as a means of improving your vaginal health.

Women seem to be listening, says Dr. Caroline Mitchell, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School. Vaginal probiotic supplements are hugely popular. This includes both probiotic pills and suppository capsules that are inserted into the vagina using an applicator.

But evidence of effectiveness is scant. “There is almost no evidence that these have benefit for vaginal health. The studies are mostly poorly done and don’t adhere to rigorous reporting standards, even if they are randomized trials,” says Dr. Mitchell. But that hasn’t stopped companies from promoting products for that purpose.

However, while today’s vaginal probiotic products should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism, that may change as scientific knowledge builds. Meanwhile, here’s what’s known — and unknown — about probiotics and your vaginal health.

Sorting facts about probiotics from fiction

Vaginal probiotics are touted as a way to introduce live microorganisms into your vagina to improve health. It’s true that your vagina, like your digestive tract, is teeming with beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms. When it comes to vaginal health, some common gynecological conditions are thought to be caused by an imbalance of bacteria inside the vagina. More often than not, when women seek out probiotics, they’re doing it in an attempt to ease discomfort caused by two of them: bacterial vaginosis and yeast infection, says Dr. Mitchell.

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. There’s still a lot that experts don’t understand about the condition, but it is associated with an overgrowth of harmful microorganisms (such as Gardnerella vaginalis or Prevotella), which outnumber healthier types of vaginal bacteria, including a common organism called Lactobacillus.

Vaginal yeast infection also stems from an imbalance in the vagina. But in this condition, the problem is a fungus called Candida, which overcomes healthy bacteria. Candida can exist normally in the vagina without any problem, but may cause trouble if it outnumbers other microorganisms.

“There are some women who could benefit from probiotics — at least in theory,” says Dr. Mitchell. Among them are women with bacterial vaginosis or yeast infection. For example, when it comes to recurrent bacterial vaginosis, the thinking is that introducing more of the helpful lactobacilli might protect against that overgrowth of harmful organisms, and consequently reduce recurrent infections. However, proof is lacking, says Dr. Mitchell. If that theory is shown to be true, a probiotic could be beneficial, but no one is sure. And it’s not at all clear that taking a probiotic orally will help the vagina.

There are also unknowns related to vaginal yeast infection. “In the vagina, yeast and lactobacilli coexist quite happily, while in the laboratory, lactobacilli can kill yeast,” says Dr. Mitchell. So, taking probiotics isn’t a scientifically based strategy, because real-life circumstances don’t match what happens in the laboratory.

For now, the only proven treatments for bacterial vaginosis and yeast infection are antibiotic or antifungal treatments, says Dr. Mitchell.

A solution springs from frustration

But sometimes women don’t respond to the standard treatments and experience recurrent problems that leave them searching for solutions. Dr. Mitchell says that some women she’s encountered are trying not only probiotic supplements, but also alternative treatments they’ve found on the Internet. These include putting yogurt-soaked tampons, tea tree oil, and even garlic cloves into their vaginas in an effort to introduce beneficial bacteria. These solutions, she says, are not only ineffective but highly inadvisable.

“It’s true that a compound in garlic, allicin, has been shown to kill yeast in a laboratory. But you cannot put enough cloves of garlic in your vagina — or take enough oral garlic capsules — to achieve the same effect,” says Dr. Mitchell. Tea tree oil also has no demonstrated benefit and can cause irritation. Yogurt-infused tampons don’t work either. Many probiotic supplements and most yogurts do contain Lactobacillus bacteria, but it’s generally not the same type of Lactobacillus found in your vagina. L. crispatus and L. iners are the most common species found in the vagina. Most probiotics and yogurt contain other species, such as L. rhamnosusor L. acidophilus, which are more common in the gut.

Benefit or harm?

There also isn’t enough information to determine if introducing new bacteria using probiotics might do more harm than good. One study published in September 2018 in the journal Cell found that when people were given a probiotic after antibiotic treatment, their natural gut bacteria actually took longer to recover than did the gut bacteria of people who didn’t take the probiotic.

What I tell people is that over all, vaginal probiotics are probably a waste of money,” says Dr. Mitchell. “But if you are going to pick one and you really want to try one, the probiotics that seem to show some benefit in studies are ones containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1.”

Keep in mind that supplements, unlike medications, are not FDA-regulated. “Studies have shown that when these products are cultured, they often don’t have as much of what is on the label as promised, or don’t even contain what is on the label,” says Dr. Mitchell. The FDA has also found that some supplements contain potentially dangerous contaminants.

The post Should you use probiotics for your vagina? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/should-you-use-probiotics-for-your-vagina-2019122718592
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The services were restored in view of complete normalcy returning to Kargil, with no untoward incident taking place over the past four months, the officials said. They said local religious leaders have appealed to people not to misuse the facility. Broadband services were already functional in Kargil.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mobile-internet-services-restored-in-kargil/articleshow/72991706.cms

Looking to consolidate its presence in the western Indian Ocean, where China continues to expand its presence, India this week appointed a defence attache for its mission in Madagascar, the island nation off the coast of East Africa. This followed MEA's decision earlier this month to bring the countries in the region under the Indian Ocean Region Division.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/eye-on-china-india-appoints-defence-attache-in-madagascar/articleshow/72987279.cms

Banned Pakistani spinner Danish Kaneria on Thursday sought help from Prime Minister Imran Khan and cricket administrators, saying that his life is not in "good shape".

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/life-not-in-good-shape-banned-pakistani-player-danish-kaneria-seeks-help-from-imran-khan/articleshow/72988837.cms

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in recent days to voice their concern over the amended citizenship act even as the government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has tried to allay fears about the new law. Stay with TOI for latest updates

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/citizenship-amendment-act-protests-live-updates/liveblog/72988153.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/even-delhi-bengal-have-detention-centres/articleshow/72987450.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/country-cant-be-run-without-involving-all-sections-rahul/articleshow/72991816.cms

Three months after probe into the Rs 6,500-crore Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank loan fraud case began, TOI has learnt that the whistleblower was an “insider”. Mumbai police have used the term “whistleblower” for the first time in their chargesheet. Mumbai police’s economic offences wing will file the 32,000-page chargesheet on Friday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/an-insider-blew-the-lid-off-pmc-scam/articleshow/72987358.cms

A new set of rules have given the green light to GST authorities to attach property and bank accounts of those who fail to file tax returns despite repeated reminders.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/gst-returns-not-filed-authorities-can-attach-property-bank-accounts/articleshow/72987785.cms

One yardstick of gauging true champions is their response in adversity. When the going is good, even mere mortals can come to the fore. It's when the chips are down, though, that the men are separated from the boys. In 2019, there were quite a few instances when athletes across sporting disciplines made grand comebacks and gave a timely reminder of why they should never be written off.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/yearender-2019/the-greatest-comeback-sports-stories-in-2019/articleshow/72988951.cms

A plane with 95 passengers and five crew members on board crashed near Almaty on Friday, the airport of Kazakhstan's biggest city said. The airport said there were survivors and emergency services were working at the site. The plane was headed for Nur-Sultan, the Central Asian nation's capital city.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/plane-with-100-on-board-crashes-in-kazakhstan/articleshow/72988624.cms

Met officials said the mean maximum temperature (MMT) — the average of each day’s maximum — so far this month is 19.5 degrees Celsius. The month is on course to end with an MMT of around 19 degrees C. If that happens, it would be the second lowest MMT recorded in December since 1901, after 17.3 degrees C recorded in 1997.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/this-december-is-set-to-be-delhis-2nd-coldest-in-over-100-years/articleshow/72987578.cms

Gluten free and with no added sugar, these 83-calorie brownies are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth without exceeding your calorie goals.

The post Sweet Potato Brownies appeared first on Under Armour.

from Under Armour https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/watch/sweet-potato-brownies/
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Kevin turned to food for comfort as he dealt with the death of his father. He chose a healthier path when his sister was diagnosed with cancer.

The post What It Took for This Obese Doctor to Take His Own Health Advice appeared first on Under Armour.

from Under Armour https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/watch/what-it-took-for-this-obese-doctor-to-take-his-own-health-advice/
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The name might sound fancy, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the easy prep and awesome flavor of this chicken and mushroom dish.

The post Cider-Braised Chicken & Mushrooms appeared first on Under Armour.

from Under Armour https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/watch/cider-braised-chicken-mushrooms/
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from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/united-nations-turned-battlefield-as-india-took-on-china-pakistan/articleshow/72987281.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/congress-bjp-trade-fire-over-npr-detention-centres/articleshow/72987245.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/railways-hint-at-passenger-fare-rationalisation-amid-financial-crunch/articleshow/72987064.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-chief-triggers-row-with-remark-on-arson-violence/articleshow/72987164.cms

An unusual and powerful spell of "Western Disturbances", originating in the Mediterranean sea, has made the Hindi heartland shiver for the past fortnight. Unfortunately, the spell, striking once in four to five decades, will continue to freeze people on New Year's Eve too.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/unusual-spell-of-cold-wave-grips-north-india-scientists-explain-why/articleshow/72985201.cms

Security was increased and patrolling intensified in Uttar Pradesh to ensure peace ahead of the Friday prayers, keeping in mind the widespread violence that hit the state last week during protests against the amended citizenship law. A preliminary probe in anti-CAA violence in Kanpur suggested role of Bangladeshis and Kashmiris, police said

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/caa-stir-security-increased-in-up-internet-suspended-at-several-places-as-precautionary-measure/articleshow/72984051.cms

Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar has alleged that his teammate Danish Kaneria faced discrimination at the hands of a few Pakistani cricketers, who were reluctant to even eat with him because he was a Hindu. Kaneria, only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan after his maternal uncle Anil Dalpat, took 261 wickets in 61 Tests at an average of 34.79. He also played 18 ODIs.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/some-of-my-pakistani-teammates-treated-danish-kaneria-unfairly-because-he-was-hindu-shoaib-akhtar/articleshow/72984242.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gen-rawats-leadership-remark-no-political-statement-says-army-hq-statement-wrong-feel-veterans/articleshow/72983302.cms

In the early 1990s, doctors began describing a new condition affecting the esophagus of patients who were predisposed to allergies including food allergy, asthma, and eczema, and who were having trouble swallowing. Today, we call this condition eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

What is EoE?

EoE is an allergic inflammation of the esophagus that causes a range of symptoms. Adolescents and adults most often experience it as difficulty swallowing, sometimes feeling like food moves too slowly through the esophagus and into the stomach. In some cases, food actually gets stuck (and may require urgent removal). Children and some adults primarily experience reflux symptoms and abdominal pain rather than difficulty swallowing.

In most cases, EoE develops as an allergic response to certain foods including wheat, milk, egg, soy, nuts, and seafood. If it is not properly diagnosed and treated, EoE may lead to permanent scarring or strictures (narrowing of the esophagus).

How is EoE diagnosed?

When EoE is suspected, generally the first test is an upper endoscopy, in which a flexible tube with a small camera and a light on one end is used examine the esophagus. The endoscopy usually reveals characteristic features of EoE, such as concentric rings and linear furrows or vertical lines, as well as small white spots or plaques.

The diagnosis is confirmed if biopsies from the esophagus reveal the hallmark increase in eosinophils. Eosinophils are a relatively rare type of immune cell that play a prominent role in allergic disorders including EoE and asthma.

How common is EoE?

EoE can affect both men and woman of any age, but it appears to be most common in men in their 30s and 40s. It is currently estimated that EoE may affect up to one in 2,000 adults in the US, and evidence suggests that the numbers have been growing. A recent review of nearly 30 studies in Europe and North America found that there has been a progressive increase in the number of new EoE cases, especially since the early 2000s.

The rise in EoE cases may be partly due to greater awareness of the condition and more widespread use of endoscopy. But a number of studies have confirmed a true rise in the incidence of the disease.

Why might EoE be on the rise?

The exact reasons for the rise of EoE are unknown, and it is especially puzzling that in many cases EoE results from an allergic sensitivity to a food that has been well tolerated up to that point.

There are several hypotheses about why EoE is increasing. Many of them relate back to the idea that EoE, and other allergic and autoimmune diseases, seem to correlate with decreased exposure to microbes and infections. Possible explanations that have been explored include:

• The hygiene hypothesis: do fewer childhood infections equal more allergic diseases?
• Microbial dysbiosis: has the modern/Western diet and lifestyle changed our microbiome?
• Environmental factors: might changes in food production, genetic modification of crops, chemical additives, food processing, and pollutants play a role?
• Declining frequency of H. pylori infection: might this common stomach bacteria (a common cause of peptic ulcers) be protective against some allergic diseases?
• Increasing frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): could acid reflux break the barrier of the esophagus and allow food allergens to stimulate the immune system?
• Increasing use of acid-suppressing medications: does the use of antacids, especially early in life, change the microbes in the esophagus or somehow otherwise alter the risk of later food allergy?

How is EoE treated?

There are currently no FDA-approved treatments for EoE. Most people are initially treated with a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) antacid, which resolves EoE in up to half of cases. If this does not work, either a mild topical steroid or identification and elimination of specific dietary triggers is attempted.

When steroids are used to treat EoE, these are generally in a liquid formulation that is swallowed, rather than inhaled as they would be for asthma. Swallowed steroids act locally on the esophagus and are minimally absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Although steroids for EoE are generally safe and effective, they do not lead to a long-term cure because the disease tends to come back as long as patients continue to eat foods that trigger the underlying allergic response.

Patients may also opt to identify their food trigger and eliminate it from the diet, and this represents a more definitive treatment approach. Unfortunately, currently available allergy testing does not accurately predict the foods that cause EoE. Trigger foods generally need to be identified using a process of food elimination and reintroduction. Wheat and dairy are the two most common triggers for EoE, and patients will often start by eliminating these two foods for about eight weeks. At that point, their symptoms are reassessed, and they also undergo a repeat endoscopy with biopsies to determine if the eosinophils have disappeared in response to the dietary changes.

Several medication therapies are on the horizon. These include better formulations of steroids and biologic medications that reduce the activity of eosinophils.

Summary

If you are having trouble swallowing or have experienced episodes of food getting stuck in the esophagus, particularly if you have other allergic conditions, discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Unrecognized or untreated EoE can lead to permanent damage to your esophagus.

For more information or to learn about strategies for living with EoE, visit the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders.

The post Eosinophilic esophagitis: A new food-related allergic condition on the rise? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/eosinophilic-esophagitis-a-new-food-related-allergic-condition-on-the-rise-2019122618563
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China's PLA said that its ties with the Indian military are "improving" with the strategic dialogue, practical cooperation and exchanges, "thanks" to the efforts of PM Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping. Beijing said the just-concluded joint counterterrorism drills in India "showed the determination" of the two sides to protect the regional stability.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-china-military-ties-improving-thanks-to-modi-xi-efforts-pla/articleshow/72982741.cms

Playing flamboyant shots is not a "crime" if they translate into results, reckons batting maestro Rohit Sharma, who says youngsters should have the freedom to express themselves freely. "If the guy is giving you results by playing the big shots, there is nothing wrong in that," the 32-year-old said. Rohit had a memorable 2019 when he scored 10 hundreds across formats, including five in the World Cup.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/playing-aerial-shots-is-not-a-crime-says-rohit-sharma/articleshow/72980623.cms

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is set to celebrate the birth centenary of 'Bongobondhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh, by hosting two T20 matches in March between the Asia XI and the World XI.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/no-pakistan-player-to-be-part-of-asia-xi-in-bangladesh-t20s-bcci/articleshow/72977206.cms

Fund-starved Air India has decided to stop issuing tickets for official travel to personnel of government agencies that owe it over Rs 10 lakh. “The dues of various government agencies to Air India for ticket purchases add up to Rs 268 crore. AI is the first choice for official travel for the govt and its agencies.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/for-1st-time-air-india-refuses-tickets-to-government-agencies-that-owe-it-over-rs-10-lakh/articleshow/72977115.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/polls/72977709.cms

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday accused the opposition of creating confusion over the Citizenship Amendment Act and spoiling the atmosphere in the national capital by misleading the people.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/opposition-led-by-cong-created-confusion-over-caa-misled-people-amit-shah/articleshow/72978381.cms

"Leaders are not those who lead people in an inappropriate direction. As we are witnessing in a large number of universities and colleges, students, the way they are leading masses and crowds to carry out arson and violence in cities and towns. This is not leadership," Army Chief said while addressing an event.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/anti-caa-stir-leading-crowds-to-arson-violence-is-not-leadership-army-chief-says/articleshow/72976991.cms

PNB Fraud: Scandal-hit lender Punjab National Bank alleged it has been cheated -- its third complaint since 2018 when it suffered through a Rs 14249.00 crore blow.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/fraud-hit-punjab-national-bank-alleges-it-has-been-swindled-again/articleshow/72974469.cms

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/hindus-form-human-chain-around-muslim-baraat-in-violence-hit-kanpur-escort-them-to-safety/articleshow/72976520.cms

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has invited National Cricket Academy (NCA) director Rahul Dravid to the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Thursday and the two former India cricketers, are all set to discuss the issues surrounding NCA at length. NCA has been in the limelight due to inefficient diagnosis of Bhuvneshwar Kumar's sports hernia and Jasprit Bumrah's fitness.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/injury-management-on-agenda-as-sourav-ganguly-rahul-dravid-set-to-meet-in-mumbai/articleshow/72973565.cms

The UPA had in 2010 limited implementation of the 2003 rules to prepare an NPR and never followed it up with an NRIC. The framing of NRC rules in 2005 were seen to signal the intent to prepare a register of citizens but the process was not carried out. In fact, the NPR was updated in 2015.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/to-delink-npr-nric-government-may-need-to-change-rules/articleshow/72972639.cms

Addressing a gathering that included UP CM Yogi Adityanath, the PM came out strongly in support of police. “People need to respect police, who are there to protect them,” he said . The PM stressed that rights were subject to reasonable restrictions and could not be pursued in isolation from duties.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-narendra-modi-sharpens-attack-on-protesters-for-anti-caa-riots/articleshow/72972292.cms

West Bengal minister Siddiqullah Choudhury had applied for visa on December 23. The minister is one of the most strident voices against the CAA within Trinamool. A senior Bangladesh deputy high commission official, however, refused to either confirm or deny the “visa cancellation” claim .

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bengal-politician-a-critic-of-caa-cancels-trip-as-bangladesh-denies-visa/articleshow/72972343.cms

The average daily toll collection through FASTags increased by nearly 66% in a month. As more vehicles install FASTags, highway ministry officials are hopeful the collection will go up further. Close to 1.04 crore tags have been sold till now with an average one lakh added daily.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/fastags-overtake-cash-in-nh-toll-collection/articleshow/72972368.cms

Reports said Hemant Soren is likely to hold discussions with senior Congress politicians on government formation. Besides ministerial berths, Congress may stake claim to the post of deputy CM. JMM issued a statement saying state governor Droupadi Murmu has invited Soren to form government.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hemant-soren-meets-sonia-gandhi-and-rahul-gandhi-invites-them-to-his-swearing-in/articleshow/72972376.cms

Notices were served to 28 people in Rampur, 26 in Sambhal, 43 in Bijnor and 33 in Gorakhpur for damaging property during Friday’s protests. According to the notices, properties worth Rs 14.8 lakh in Rampur, nearly Rs 15 lakh in Sambhal and Rs 19.7 lakh in Bijnor were damaged in the violence.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/130-up-rioters-asked-to-pay-up-50-lakh/articleshow/72972462.cms

It was freezing cold in most parts of the northern states on Christmas, with Srinagar recording its coldest night of the season at minus 4.3 degrees Celsius that froze water supply lines at several places. The IMD said severe cold accompanied by fog is expected in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and north Rajasthan on Thursday.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/intense-cold-in-northern-states-on-christmas-water-supply-lines-freeze-in-srinagar/articleshow/72970398.cms

Indian tennis ace Leander Paes announced on Wednesday that 2020 will be his last year as a professional tennis player. He announced on Twitter that he will be picking and choosing tournaments next year to meet his fans all around the world. Leander, who made his Olympic debut in 1992, will look for one final flourish at Tokyo Olympics next year.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/leander-paes-to-bid-adieu-to-tennis-after-2020/articleshow/72969746.cms

Days after Yogi Adityanath asserted that protesters who vandalised public property during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act will have to pay for the damage to property caused by them, several district administrations in UP have started the process for attachment of property. More than 300 people have been served notices in connection with damage to property.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/over-300-people-served-notices-for-violence-during-anti-caa-protests-in-up/articleshow/72969257.cms

"People who damaged public property and were involved in violence in the name of protest in Uttar Pradesh should introspect if what they did was right," Prime Minister said. Protests erupted in several parts of the country last week, including Uttar Pradesh, over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/people-who-damaged-public-property-in-the-name-of-protest-should-introspect-pm-modi/articleshow/72968788.cms

Former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif feels the four-nation-tournament proposal revealed by BCCI president Sourav Ganguly will be a "flop" like the "Big Three model". Latif saw it as an attempt by India, Australia and England to isolate other member nations. Last week, Ganguly had said plans are afoot to organise a four-nation meet from 2021, for which discussions had been held with ECB and CA.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/sourav-gangulys-four-nation-tournament-a-flop-idea-rashid-latif/articleshow/72965167.cms

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday took a dig at Fadnavis over his statement that the BJP was the single largest party in the Maharashtra assembly. "Sharad Pawar has taught us how to raise farm productivity & also how to form a government with less number of MLAs in the legislative assembly," Thackeray, who is also Shiv Sena president, quipped.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sharad-pawar-has-taught-us-how-to-form-government-with-less-mlas-uddhav-thackeray/articleshow/72967682.cms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed those who damaged public property during protests in Uttar Pradesh against the amended citizenship law, saying they should understand that rights and duties go hand in hand. "Whatever was torched, was it not of their child's use? What has happened to those common people and policemen who got injured?" Modi asked.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-slams-those-who-damaged-public-property-in-up-during-anti-caa-protests/articleshow/72967408.cms

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in recent days to voice their concern over the amended citizenship act even as the government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has tried to allay fears about the new law. Stay with TOI for latest updates

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/citizenship-amendment-act-protests/liveblog/72963349.cms

The Rampur administration has issued notices to 28 people "identified for violence" during last week's anti-citizenship law protests here, asking them to explain their position or pay for damage caused to public and private property. The notices were issued on Tuesday after damage of nearly Rs 25 lakh was assessed across the district by the police and the administration

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/anti-caa-stir-notice-to-28-people-for-recovery-of-rs-25-lakh-for-damage-to-property-in-ups-rampur/articleshow/72966854.cms

In a message to the Chinese govt on Christmas, exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, said, "China today has the biggest population of Buddhists. But they believe that their religion is very scientific. However, we have the power of truth. Chinese communists have the power of guns. In the long run, the power of truth is much stronger than...guns."

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/tibetans-retain-power-of-truth-china-exercises-power-of-guns-dalai-lam/articleshow/72964736.cms

From being the world's cheapest and fastest growing market, India's telecom sector is sputtering as it faces life-threatening liability running into billions of dollars, a crisis that may alter the character of an industry that has already seen a painful price war destroying profits and push several operators out of the market.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/worlds-cheapest-biggest-telecom-market-faces-life-threatening-crisis/articleshow/72965944.cms

Given the uncertainty surrounding fund-starved Air India's future, aircraft maintenance engineers— who keep planes airworthy — are quitting. AI Engineering Services Ltd (AIESL) recently asked those doing so just after completing their training to refund the cost of training, other expenses incurred on them as well as salary received during the training period.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/aircraft-engineers-leaving-ai-soon-after-training-asked-to-refund-expenses-incurred-on-them/articleshow/72965124.cms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched the Atal Bhujal Scheme for better management of groundwater, stressing on the need to use technology which helps prevent wastage of water in various spheres, including agriculture. He also named Rohtang passageway as Atal Tunnel to mark the 95th birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-launches-atal-bhujal-scheme-for-better-management-of-groundwater/articleshow/72964688.cms

Stay here for real-time updates on breaking news from India and across the world that you can't miss:

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/breaking-news-live-december-25/liveblog/72961841.cms

Coming back after almost a three-month break, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah had been asked to play an Elite Group 'A' game for Gujarat's Ranji Trophy match against Kerala. However, the bowler didn't want a hectic return and shared his concerns with Sourav Ganguly and BCCI secretary Jay Shah. The duo instructed him to concentrate on white ball cricket for now.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/sourav-ganguly-steps-in-no-ranji-trophy-game-for-jasprit-bumrah/articleshow/72962454.cms

The new structure of the leaner railway board, the apex decision-making body is intended to streamline operations and improve decision-making, while the move to merge the eight services is aimed at ending turf war among services. Under the new system, the chairman will be the final authority on all issues.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/government-decides-merger-of-8-railway-services-corporate-like-structure-of-railway-board/articleshow/72960884.cms

The new structure of the leaner railway board, the apex decision-making body is intended to streamline operations and improve decision-making, while the move to merge the eight services is aimed at ending turf war among services. Under the new system, the chairman will be the final authority on all issues.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-major-revamp-government-clears-merger-of-8-railway-services/articleshow/72960884.cms

Ganguly tweeted a screenshot of an Instagram post by the International Cricket Council (ICC) listing the top wicket takers of the decade. Ashwin sits on top with 564 scalps.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/goes-unnoticed-sometimes-sourav-ganguly-hails-r-ashwin/articleshow/72959811.cms

JMM working president Hemant Soren accompanied by leaders of his party, the Congress and the RJD -- which comprised the opposition alliance in the assembly polls -- called on Jharkhand governor at Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form government. He will take oath as the chief minister on December 29 at 1 pm, JMM general secretary Suprio Bhattacharya said

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hemant-soren-meets-jharkhand-governor-stakes-claim-to-form-government/articleshow/72959280.cms

Amit Shah on Tuesday said that there has been no discussion on nationwide NRC yet. His statement came after PM Modi on Sunday said that his government had never discussed nationwide NRC since coming to power in 2014. PM's statement evoked strong reactions from opposition as several ministers, including Shah, had stated that nationwide NRC would be implemented.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-discussion-on-nrc-yet-says-amit-shah/articleshow/72957679.cms

As much as we try to avoid having our babies go through pain, sometimes it is inevitable — and sometimes, as is the case with vaccinations and blood tests, pain is part of something that is ultimately important for the baby’s health and well-being.

Luckily, shots and blood tests are both quick. But there are things you can do to help your baby feel less pain, be less afraid, and get through the procedure more easily.

Helping your baby through the pain of shots and blood tests

Here are some suggestions that will help:

• Hold your baby. Having you be close by, and feeling your skin against theirs, can be very comforting.
• Swaddle your baby. When babies are wrapped up tightly, it helps them contain their bodies and their emotions. Obviously, shots and blood tests involve at least one leg or arm, so you can’t completely swaddle them, but you can swaddle whatever isn’t in use.
• Breastfeed, if possible. It’s not always possible for the nurse or the person drawing blood to do their job while the mother nurses because it can be hard to hold the child still, and sometimes people worry about the baby choking on milk when he or she cries. But if it is possible, it can be helpful.
• Use a pacifier. Sucking often soothes babies.
• Talk to your baby. Hearing your voice is both calming and distracting to babies.
• Talk to your doctor about using sugar water. Studies have shown that dipping a pacifier in sugar water or putting some into the baby’s mouth with a syringe can make a procedure less painful. It’s not fully clear how it works; it may activate the body’s natural systems for fighting pain.

As soon as the shot or blood test is done, pick your baby up and hold him or her close. That way the baby knows that it’s all over — and that you are there to take care of them.

Most of the time, babies are fine once the worst of it is over. But sometimes babies can have soreness where the needle went in, and it’s not uncommon for babies to feel uncomfortable or a bit sick for a day or so after vaccines. All the suggestions above can help with lingering discomfort. Usually medication isn’t needed, and after immunizations, using medications like acetaminophen can sometimes decrease the effectiveness of the vaccine itself.

Your doctor can help you decide what makes sense for your baby and your situation.

Follow me on Twitter @DrClaire

The post How to help your baby through shots and blood tests appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

from Harvard Health Blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-help-your-baby-through-shots-and-blood-tests-2019122418587
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Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday categorically stated that there is no link between the process of NPR and the NRC. "NPR is register of population, NRC is register of citizens. There is no link between the two and the two have different processes," Amit Shah said. The home minister also clarified that NPR data cannot be used for the purpose of NRC in any way.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-link-between-the-process-of-npr-and-nrc-says-amit-shah/articleshow/72957381.cms

Virat Kohli has maintained his top spot in the latest ICC Test Rankings for batsmen issued on Tuesday. Kohli, who had in the first week of December reclaimed the top spot from Steve Smith, is currently at 928 rating points. Pakistan's Babar Azam has made a jump of three spots to achieve his career-best ranking of 6, replacing Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/virat-kohli-stays-top-ajinkya-rahane-slips-in-test-rankings/articleshow/72952883.cms

West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday said he has convened a meeting of all the vice-chancellors and the state education secretary on January 13 to discuss the "serious situation" in the state universities.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/west-bengal-governor-convenes-a-meeting-of-all-vcs-and-education-secretary/articleshow/72955651.cms

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved funds to the tune of over Rs 3,941.35 crore for updating the National Population Register, officials have said. The NPR exercise is to commence from April next year. The NPR is a list of "usual residents" of the country. The data for NPR was collected in 2010 along with the house listing phase of Census of India 2011.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/union-cabinet-approves-fund-for-updating-national-population-register/articleshow/72952765.cms

India will get a chief of defence staff or a tri-Service chief, a four-star general like the Army, Navy and IAF chiefs but who will be "the first among equals", to act as a single-point military adviser to the government and inject some much-needed synergy among the armed forces. The Cabinet on Tuesday cleared the role and charter for the CDS.

from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-now-get-chief-of-defence-staff-will-be-a-4-star-general/articleshow/72954105.cms