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Wednesday, July 23, 2025
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The FinePrint

Ethanol blending crucial to cut oil imports but doubling it will hurt India’s food security

Via blending, the Modi govt wants to reduce GHG emissions and India’s dependence on imported fuel. But the potent question is about food security.

Rise and fall of Indian Buddhism was a stranger, more exciting process than we know

Andhra was once as foreign to Buddhism as China was. Its conversion to the religion took many innovations, including worship of the dead.

In Chhattisgarh, a ‘portacabin’ school helps tribal kids dream — ‘want to be doctor, help my people’

Portacabin schools were started by state government in 2012 to cater to tribals. To a section affected by left-wing extremism and little to no connectivity, they offer relief. 

‘Whose history?’: In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the archives are fighting

The bone of contention is the brief overlap between when the state of Hyderabad acceded to India and when the state of Andhra Pradesh was created.

Pakistan again cultivating Lashkar, Jaish as loyal proxies. And why China’s got its back

LeT's Makki was designated as global terrorist after months of Chinese objection. There's a message: Islamabad can count on its Iron Brother for protection against jihadists.

There’s a scam in bank passbook of Gr Noida pvt school teachers. But nobody dares complain

On paper, the private school teachers earn decent salaries but they are forced to return a significant sum to the school in cash.

Xi Jinping’s politics is driving China’s wealthy out of the country–with cash

Chinese citizens are looking for ways to relocate abroad rather than just move their assets. But Xi Jinping’s tactic to exert ‘ethnonationalist power’ won't be easy to escape.

4 times Pakistan came close to making peace with India. Civil, military rifts didn’t let it

In a recent interview, PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan has learnt its lesson and wants peace with India. But consensus will remain elusive unless the process is put in place.

Bank harassment, hidden charges undoing gains of Modi’s PMJDY and financial inclusion

The government has merged several public sector banks to improve profitability. But users have not been informed of the complications these mergers have caused.

Vidita Vaidya, the neuroscientist helping us understand how brain functions under stress

Vidita Vaidya, winner of the $100,000 Infosys Prize in Life Sciences for 2022, could well be enabling the discovery of useful drugs for various mental health conditions.

On Camera

Bihar mimics 19th-century American South. Citizenship is now weaponised to exclude voters

Disenfranchisement by institutional fiat is profoundly undemocratic. The effect of the ECI's new documentary process in Bihar will tilt the scales in favour of the BJP.

India-US set to ink mini trade deal soon, reach understanding on agricultural & dairy products

Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.

Not just AK-203, India & Russia to jointly manufacture AK-19 and PPK-20 for domestic use and export 

India-Russia JV is also racing to deliver 7,000 more AK-203 assault rifles by 15 Aug. These are currently being made with 50% indigenisation and this will surge to 100% by 31 December.

Strategic partner one day, tactical nightmare the next: India’s learning Trumplomacy the hard way

Public, loud, upfront, filled with impropriety and high praise sometimes laced with insults. This is what we call Trumplomacy. But the larger objective is the same: American supremacy.