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>

Neighbors

• Iranian Vice-PM Visits India 
  Visiting Iranian Vice-President Rashim Mashaee insisted that his country is not hiding any nuclear bomb program and encouraged India not to believe Western propaganda.<More> 

• 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> 

World

• US, Japan, & Aussie Strategic Grouping  
  The United States, Japan, and Australia have created a new forum to discuss global security and stability and met for the first time last week to discuss Iran, North Korea, China, and India.<More>