Environment, Health and Education

• The Hindu Wants to Print Tobacco Ads 
  In a surprise move, nationally available English newspaper, The Hindu, has petitioned the Supreme Court (SC) to overrule a Madras High Court (MHC) ruling that disallowed the publication of tobacco advertisements (ads) in newspapers.<More>

• Absenteeism of Teachers Affects Development 
  A World Bank survey studying absenteeism in many countries found that 25% of teachers in India miss work on an average every day, but this rate is not prevalent in all states.<More>

• No Drop in Bird Flu Cases over summer 
  With the onset of summer, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the bird flu virus is not going to die with the hot weather as once the virus is in an animal, it will continue to survive regardless of ambient weather conditions.<More> 
  US Finds New H5N1 Subtype  
  Contingency plans to check Bird Flu  
  Culling of 70,000 birds begins 
  Bird Flu is back 

Neighbors

• Renewed Bugti-Pakistan Baloachistan clash 
  Pakistan’s Bugti clan clashed with Pakistani 23,000 strong armed force in Baloachistan at least four times over the weekend destroying all road transport and gas supply from the Sui Valley.<More> 

• Caution on Escalating Violence in Lanka 
  The Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission (SLMM) cautioned both the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) against gradually worsening confrontations.<More>

World

• Pro-Russian Party to Win in Ukraine
  A pro-Russian Opposition Party of Regions led by former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich was leading in initial counting and is expected to trounce a pro-Western party that failed to improve living standards or the economy.<More>