Author: News Desk

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 17 (IANS) Malaysia’s total fertility rate (TFR) for 2022 declined to the lowest in five decades, raising concerns on shrinking population and ageing population in the country.The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said in a statement on Tuesday that the TFR in 2022 declined to 1.6 children for every woman aged from 15 to 49 years as compared to 1.7 children in 2021, reports Xinhua news agency.This fertility rate was the lowest in five decades with 4.9 children per woman in 1970.From 1970 up to 2012, the national TFR was still above the replacement level of 2.1…

Wellington, oct 17 (IANS) New Zealand’s consumer price index increased 5.6 per cent in the 12 months to the September 2023 quarter, the national statistics department said on Tuesday.The 5.6 per cent increase follows a 6 per cent increase in the 12 months to the June 2023 quarter, Xinhua news agency quoted Stats NZ said as saying.”Prices are still increasing, but are increasing at rates lower than we have seen in the previous few quarters,” Stats NZ consumers prices senior manager Nicola Growden said.Food was the largest contributor to the September 2023 quarter annual inflation rate, Growden said, adding this…

Jakarta, Oct 17 (IANS) The Ibu volcano in Indonesia’s North Maluku province erupted on Tuesday, prompting authorities to warn locals and tourists to stay away from the area.The volcano erupted at 1242 p.m.,spewing hot ash as far as 600 meters from the cratre, according to the Ibu Volcano Monitoring Post.Ahmad Basuki, an officer of the monitoring post, said in a statement that the volcano’s eruption spewed a column of thick, gray ash towards the east with a maximum amplitude of 28 mm and a duration of 57 seconds, reports Xinhua news agency.”People who have outdoor activities are advised to wear…

Here’s what it means:The four judgments were written by CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice SK Kaul, Justice Ravindra Bhat, and Justice PS Narasimha respectively.Out of the five judges on the Constitution Bench, the majority verdicts delivered by three judges, Justice Ravindra Bhat, Justice Hima Kohli, and Justice PS Narasimha held that civil unions between same-sex couples are not recognised under law and they cannot claim the right to adopt children either.In two separate minority judgments, CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice Kaul ruled that same-sex couples are entitled to recognise their relationships as civil unions and can claim consequential benefits.Both the judges…

The woman has been identified as Balamani. The police had on October 15 busted the racket and had arrested A. Anuradha, a doctor at the Government hospital in Thiruchengodu. An associate of the doctor, T. Logambal was also arrested.Police said that Logambal was forcing couples to sell their children to childless couples. And, so far seven infants had been sold.The Thiruchenogdu police have registered a case under Sections 120(b) 370(4) of the Indian Penal Code and under Sections 81 and 87 of the Juvenile Justice(Care and Protection of Children) Act.The police officials told media persons that Logambal acted as a…

Barca initially signed the young forward during the summer, planning for him to join the first-team squad for the 2024-2025 season. However, in an interview with El Mundo Deportivo newspaper, Deco disclosed that the move might occur sooner if Barcelona can comply with La Liga’s financial fair play requirements, Xinhua reports.”We don’t know yet if we can bring him or not, but if we can bring him in January, he would be to join the team,” he stated.Despite his age, Roque has already netted 27 goals in 77 appearances for Athletico Paranaense in Brazil, although he is currently sidelined due…

Shankar has over two decades of professional experience in promoting revenue growth and improving client satisfaction. He will focus on accelerating GlobalLogic’s go-to-market engine, spanning sales, marketing, and industry business units.“As GlobalLogic continues its purposeful growth journey, bolstering our presence and enriching our services portfolio, we sought a strong leader with proven industry expertise and go-to-market experience for the next chapter of our growth” Nitesh Banga, CEO of GlobalLogic, said in a statement.Moreover, the company said that this appointment underscores GlobalLogic’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team, and its focus on customer success.“While we continue to play a critical role…

The ONDC Network has transformed the lives of more than 300 social sector sellers across 18 states and in over 60 cities.“Our driving force is to ensure that the benefits of the network reach those who have been missing from the digital commerce revolution. In an era where technology has the potential to reshape industries and empower marginalized communities, we stand as a beacon of change,” said T Koshy, MD and CEO at ONDC.Since the beginning of this year, ONDC has processed over 5,000 orders in the social sector domain.Currently, the Network showcases approximately 7,000 unique products and has successfully…

The 59-point manifesto, in which the Congress has tried to woo every section of society, was released in the presence of state unit head Kamal Nath, former Chief Minister Digvijya Singh, former Union Minister Kantilal Bhuria and Rajya Saha MP Vivek Tankha.Promises to farmers have got the first place in the 106-page election manifesto, which includes loan waivers and compensation for damaged crops on the basis of recommendation of the Swaminathan Committee.The Congress has promised to give farmers a MSP of Rs 2,600 per quintal for wheat, and rice at Rs. 2,500 per quintal.The Congress has also promised a health…

Kandasamy Senapathi, former chief priest of Sri Mariamman Temple in South Bridge Road, was sentenced to six years’ jail by a district judge in May this year, The Straits Times reported. An Indian national, Kandasamy had pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and two charges of removing the benefits of his criminal activities from jurisdiction. Six similar charges were taken into consideration during the Indian national’s sentencing. Kandasamy was employed by the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) in December 2013 and was promoted to chief priest at the temple in July 2018. In 2014, he was…