Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India moves up in world’s most-innovative countries’ list

INDIA made the biggest strides among major economies to become a major innovative country in the globe, a global indicator showed Wednesday (24).

The annual Global Innovation Index- compiled by World Intellectual Property Organisation, Cornell University and INSEAD ranks 129 world economies on 80 parameters including research, technology and creativity.


Switzerland is the world's most innovative country for a second consecutive year, according to the latest list. It was closely followed by Sweden and the US, with Israel rounding out the top 10.

India, where the announcement was made, was ranked 52nd but has leapt up the rankings in recent years, WIPO assistant director-general Naresh Prasad said.

The report came as the International Monetary Fund downgraded global growth and warned of a "precarious" 2020 amid trade tensions, continued uncertainty and rising prospects for a no-deal Brexit.

The report's authors said spending on innovation was still growing and appeared resilient despite the slowdown.

But they also warned of signs of waning public support for research and development in high-income economies usually responsible for pushing the innovation envelope and increased protectionism.

"In particular, protectionism that impacts technology-intensive sectors and knowledge flows pose risks to global innovation networks and innovation diffusion," the report said.

"If left uncontained, these new obstacles to international trade, investment, and workforce mobility will lead to a slowdown of growth in innovation productivity and diffusion across the globe."

(AFP)

More For You

Marge’s death in Simpsons season 36 finale

Season 36 hints at darker, more daring future

Rotten Tomatoes

Marge’s death in the 'Simpsons' season 36 finale marks dramatic shift for the show

Summary

  • Marge Simpson dies in The Simpsons season 36 finale, “Estranger Things”
  • The episode is a flash-forward set decades in the future, showing Bart and Lisa as estranged adults
  • Her death marks a shift towards more character-driven, high-stakes storytelling
  • Follows Bart’s death in season 35 and Larry the Barfly’s in season 34
  • Reflects a recent trend of The Simpsons embracing both temporary and permanent character deaths
  • Critical reception for later seasons has improved due to bolder creative decisions

Season 36 finale surprises fans with Marge’s death

The Simpsons Marge death storyline in the season 36 finale, “Estranger Things”, marks a striking departure from the show's earlier approach to character safety. The episode, which takes place more than three decades into the future, reveals that Marge has died, making her one of the most prominent characters in the series to be written out, even if temporarily.

The storyline focused on the estranged adult lives of Bart and Lisa and used Marge’s passing as a turning point in their relationship. The emotional impact of the episode caught many long-time viewers off guard, given the show’s previous reluctance to risk major character changes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Air India Reuters

Air India said it has complied with the directive.

Reuters

India’s aviation watchdog begins annual audit of Air India

A TEAM of ten officials from India's aviation safety watchdog is visiting Air India headquarters for an annual audit, according to a government memo.

The visit comes as the airline faces scrutiny following a plane crash on June 12 that killed 271 people.

Keep ReadingShow less
New GCP R3 Rules Land. Whitehall Drops Training Program to Match

New GCP R3 Rules Land. Whitehall Drops Training Program to Match

The ink’s barely dry on the ICH E6(R3) guideline. Still, Whitehall Training is already rolling out a fully aligned Good Clinical Practice course — and they’re doing it before most sponsors have even updated their SOPs.

The revamped training package, released last month, is a direct response to the seismic shift in how clinical trials are expected to run under the new GCP R3 rules.

Keep ReadingShow less
Paul Sinha

Paul Sinha will return to Edinburgh Fringe with a show reflecting on his life and health challenges

Getty Images

Paul Sinha on Edinburgh Fringe show: "Parkinson’s has been a comedy goldmine”

Key points

  • Comedian and The Chase star Paul Sinha says Parkinson’s disease has inspired his comedy
  • He will perform his new show 2 Sinha Lifetime at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
  • Sinha previously suffered two heart attacks during the 2022 festival
  • The comedian uses personal health challenges as material for his stand-up
  • Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition with no known cure

Sinha returns to Edinburgh with health-themed show

Comedian and television personality Paul Sinha has described his Parkinson’s diagnosis as a “comedy goldmine” as he prepares to take a new stand-up show to this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, the 55-year-old The Chase quizzer said he would be tackling the realities of living with Parkinson’s disease head-on in his set at The Stand Comedy Club.

Keep ReadingShow less
Foster-Elizabeth-memorial

The memorial will be located in St James's Park, next to Buckingham Palace. (Photo credit: Foster and partners)

foster and partners

Norman Foster to design Queen Elizabeth memorial

BRITISH architect Norman Foster has been selected to design the national memorial for Queen Elizabeth.

Foster, 90, known for work that blends technology with nature in modern urban settings, described the opportunity as an "honour and a privilege".

Keep ReadingShow less