Work conditions for foreign reporters deteriorated in China: Survey

Over 55 per cent of the foreign journalists working in China believe that the reporting conditions in the country has deteriorated over the last one year, with several of them expressed concern about being followed and facing visa delays, according to a survey published on Tuesday.

from China News Headlines, Latest China News and Live Updates - Times of India http://bit.ly/2Tgos0u

China falls in corruption rankings despite Xi's anti-graft campaign: report

President Xi Jinping's high profile anti-graft campaign has not made much of a dent as China's ranking on perceived corruption has fallen to 87, below India's 78, according to the annual index by global watchdog Transparency International.

from China News Headlines, Latest China News and Live Updates - Times of India http://bit.ly/2TkUFnB

Regulate social media to protect children, MPs urge

A cross-party committee says social media companies should have a legal "duty of care" to children.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2BaE9iK

Facebook users continue to grow despite privacy scandals

The number of people who logged into the site at least once a month rose 9% last year.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2Uu7wUu

Scruff gay dating app bans underwear photos

The app bans images of men in underwear and swimwear after "repeated suspensions by app store distributors".

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2SgJDCi

Kwik Fit garages hit by computer virus

The car repair chain's IT system went offline on Saturday and has been experiencing problems since.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2Bbhenr

PledgeMusic: The day the music died?

Crowdfunding site PledgeMusic seems to have run out of money, leaving musicians wondering what to do.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2sShPG9

DJI pledges painful action to tackle corruption

The world's bestselling drone-maker says it must tackle cases of employee theft.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2BbV4Sh

Fifa to stop selling in-game currency in Belgium

The move comes after the Belgian Gambling Commission threatened legal action over in-game loot boxes.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2MFq3uk

Children 'afterthought' for social media companies

England's children's commissioner writes to social media companies, urging them to tackle disturbing content.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2TlA6Hr

Facebook: Dissident republicans Saoradh take legal action

Saoradh claims the social media giant removed a number of its pages from its platform.

from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2FYq7oy

Venezuela opposition 'has met military', says Juan Guaidó

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó says his team has held talks with the army about regime change.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SeYuxi

Polar vortex brings deadly cold snap to US states

At least eight people have died in the deep freeze, which has paralysed transport services.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2FYNLkW

'American Dying' cooled Earth's climate

European settlement of the Americas killed so many people, it disturbed Earth's climate.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2RsVJ75

Facebook users continue to grow despite privacy scandals

The number of people who logged into the site at least once a month rose 9% last year.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Uu7wUu

Tom Brady 'cheater' slur costs TV producer his job

The New England Patriots quarterback was labelled a "known cheater" during a Pittsburgh broadcast.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2GbzBvV

Sarah Sanders says 'God wanted Trump to be president'

In an interview, the White House press secretary says Donald Trump had divine support.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Bm9a3B

Saudi Arabia ends major anti-corruption campaign

Hundreds of princes and billionaires were held and more than $100bn recouped by the state since 2017.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2S0hQGQ

Bastia attack: Gunman found dead in police raid

France's interior minister says "the fanatic committed suicide" after killing one and injuring five.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2B96bLC

Senator Rand Paul wins damages after neighbour attack

Senator Rand Paul was awarded more than $580,000 (£441,000) in damages after his neighbour attacked.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2UopeIW

Mystery illness sees Canada halve its Cuba embassy staff

A 14th employee at Canada's embassy in Havana falls ill, and the country cuts staff there by half.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2sWTxuQ

China's factory activity shrinks as slowdown worries rise

The data comes as several global firms warn China's slowing economy will hit their bottom line.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2UvE5l2

Emiliano Sala: Missing Cardiff striker's former club Nantes pay tribute

Nantes pay tribute to missing former striker Emiliano Sala during their 1-1 draw with Saint Etienne.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SbuBxT

The story of a US raid on al-Qaeda in Yemen

The BBC has gained rare access to Athlan village, the site of a major US attack on al-Qaeda in Yemen.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2UqHYHO

Polar vortex: What is it and how does it happen?

The deep freeze gripping much of the US has been blamed on a polar vortex. Here's what that means.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Sex5LW

Actor 'tasted brutality of hatred'

Stars support Empire actor Jussie Smollet, the victim of a suspected hate crime in Chicago.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2CRvIJi

The Afghan Invictus athletes claiming asylum in Australia

The fears of six athletes who claimed asylum in Australia after the 2018 Invictus Games.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2S8Sgz1

Zimbabwe women raped as government crackdown continues

Six women tell the BBC they were raped by security forces as part of a government crackdown.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2CRqD3G

MP defends unmasking shot reporter

Kennedy Agyapong tells the BBC he regrets journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale’s death, but has a clear conscious.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2sVKNEY

'Why I fled Saudi Arabia and sought asylum in the UK'

Two Saudis who sought asylum in the UK explain why they risked everything.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SdhEnb

Richard E Grant in tears over Barbra Streisand's reply to 1970s fan letter

The actor and superfan was "overcome with emotion" when Streisand replied to his childhood letter.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2MGAb66

The Lord of the Ringos? Peter Jackson to direct a Beatles film

The Lord of the Rings director will use unseen footage of the tense sessions for their final album.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2SdIgEx

Bulgarians decry ‘eco vandalism’ on coast

Social media outcry puts controversial construction on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast under scrutiny.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Uxh9C1

Why some Japanese pensioners want to go to jail

Japan is in the grip of an elderly crime wave. Poverty and loneliness are two of the possible causes.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2sUSv2f

How do you compost a human body - and why would you?

A US state could become one of the first places in the world to allow corpses to become fertile soil.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2S04WbU

The Indians sharing their villages with crocodiles

In most places, a crocodile would send people scurrying in fear. But not in this part of India.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2Sbqv8X

Maduro and Guaidó: Who is supporting whom in Venezuela?

The international community is split over who it recognises as the country's current president.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2BbqOqp

Nastya Rybka: Model who got caught up in the Trump-Russia row

The story of Nastya Rybka, who was questioned in a Thai jail by the FBI about the Trump-Russia inquiry.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2HHJ9kz

Why Dutch fear Brexit no deal will leave onions to rot

Imagine onions - tonnes of them, rotting in a customs queue. It's a Dutch farmer's Brexit nightmare.

from BBC News - World https://bbc.in/2DLoiZL

How much money ex-CEO Chanda Kochhar will have to return to ICICI?

The move follows a report by former Supreme Court judge, B N Srikrishna, which found Kochhar guilty of violating the bank’s code of conduct in disbursing loans to Videocon group. Kochhar had gone on “leave” on June 18 last year pending completion of the enquiry.

from Times of India http://bit.ly/2CSJQSC

Live: Cong wins Ramgarh, BJP leads in Jind

Congress candidate Shafia Khan wins Rajasthan's Ramgarh bypoll by a margin over 12, 228 votes, while BJP candidate Krishan Middha is leading in Haryana's Jind. Stay with TOI for all the live updates:

from Times of India http://bit.ly/2Bb2sNG

Three taxes on income no one should have to pay

from Times of India http://bit.ly/2SejLqO

New Zealand demolish India for consolation win

India seemed shorn of their aura in the absence of talismanic skipper Virat Kohli as New Zealand pulled off a stunning eight-wicket win in the fourth cricket one-dayer to halt the visiting side's domination on Thursday.

from Times of India http://bit.ly/2S0Ob0s

600 Indian students held in US for illegal stay

The Department of Homeland Security said it set up a fake university as part of an undercover operation to identify recruiters and entities engaged in immigration fraud. Eight student recruiters were charged with participating in a conspiracy to help at least 600 foreign citizens stay in the US illegally, according to the indictments.

from Times of India http://bit.ly/2WsmMTP

Today's picks: From Wipro to Adani Port, hot stocks to buy on Thursday

For Wipro, keep a stop at 360 and go long

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2DMphsD

5 years on, Chinese smartphones blow Indian rivals out of the water

First time in a decade, the share of Indian brands has fallen below 10%

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2BbkteG

From policy to premium: All your queries on general insurance answered

Check if your policy offers the 'daycare hospitalisation' feature

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2CUbwqb

Realty check: Current rates and unit sizes in Rs 2-2.5 crore price range

If you are looking at buying real estate, an idea about prevailing rates would come in handy

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2HGDBqE

Tipping Point: Stick to active funds in the mid-cap category

A third mid-cap ETF has just been launched by Reliance

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2HEaLr2

Unemployment rate at four-decade high of 6.1% in 2017-18: NSSO survey

The survey, withheld by the govt, shows a big surge in joblessness among youth

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2SeSPao

Claim can't be denied for an old machine

During the tenure of the policy, an abnormal noise suddenly started emanating from the spindle in the tool box

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2HJdoHY

Zee stock crash shows why you should avoid firms with high pledged shares

A decline in stock price, due to rumours of impending default, can trigger a big selloff

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2Sf6M8b

Should freelancers start One Person Company? Here are the pros and cons

The owner of a one-person company has limited liability, but has to go through more paperwork

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2Tn87au

India asks Russia for 18 more Sukhoi-30MKI fighters to alleviate shortfall

Rs 5,850-crore contract will boost IAF's Sukhoi-30 fleet to 290 fighters

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2sTzFsl

ICICI Bank board under fire for giving clean chit to Chanda Kochhar

On March 28 last year, the board, led by M K Sharma, had said there was no favouritism or conflict of interest in granting loans to Videocon Industries or to any other company by the bank

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2MFBKkz

IOC Q3 net profit dips 91% to Rs 716.82 crore on higher inventory loss

The non-payment of 93% of subsidy by govt led to a burden of Rs 11.8k cr

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2Bcis21

Introduction of weekly settlement for Nifty contracts a boost for punters

With the introduction of Nifty weekly options, the share of index options in the overall market is expected to increase further, according to experts

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2sWAYqE

Branded by origin: Goa airport gets first GI store, more to follow soon

With an exclusive store for GI tagged products at the Goa airport, the government looks to build a premium label for indigenous ware

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2TulPrS

Jubilant FoodWorks regains its flavour, net profit surges 46% to Rs 96 cr

Use of technology to improve delivery efficiency, focused hiring efforts, and better retention helped control talent costs in Q3

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2MG96jo

Higher promotion costs may keep Bajaj Auto margins under pressure

The company has highlighted some tailwinds to support the margins

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2sVXdgf

Gold prices rise to Rs 33,000; demand takes a hit as traders move to silver

Price hike due to safe-haven buying; trend likely to continue

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2RrSfS8

Brace for Interim Budget day volatility: What to expect on February 1

In the past 20 Budget sessions, the market has ended with gains only on eight occasions

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2WvnrUs

The perfect textbook

The tale is instructive because to practically all North Indians the people who live in the five states that comprise peninsular India - the South - are kalay Madrassi

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2UsB19m

NMDC may not gain from higher global iron ore prices, say analysts

Investors need to be cautious as analysts see limited benefits for NMDC on account of the weak domestic prices and increased supplies by other local producers

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2RrezLN

Where has all the jobs data gone?

Given the rapid changes in the Indian labour market, there is an urgent need to have current, accurate and publicly available data through regular, dynamic and comprehensive surveys

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2Wvrb8o

China A-shares look set to eat into India's FPI flows this year

China is the world's second-largest market, after the US, in terms of market capitalisation

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2Wvky64

Risks to the global economy in 2019

The biggest economic risks will emerge in those areas where investors think recent patterns are unlikely to change

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2Rreurw

India's data blues

Statistical Commission resignations point to a deeper problem

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2WuMtmB

Margins under pressure

Q3 corporate results indicate expenses outpacing revenue

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2RoRvND

How unbranded hotels are hitching a ride on branded ones for growth

Known as conversion, this trend is catching up in India's hospitality market as asset owners are looking at optimal utilisation levels and a brand recall

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2WvckL5

Axis Bank needs to be conservative on corporate loans: CEO Amitabh Chaudhry

The current market environment and the strength of our balance sheet provide us with an opportunity to grow the wholesale loan book, says Chaudhry

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2WDopOy

Coca-Cola bowls out PepsiCo on ICC pitch, becomes global sponsor

The global deal will bring Coke back into the reckoning as far as cricket sponsorships go

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2Wv9yWj

Cobrapost allegations compound DHFL's woes in the wake of NBFC crisis

First victim of the NBFC crisis, the company's m-cap already down by 60% since September

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2Rshy6O

Investcorp marks first direct investment in India with IDFC acquisition

The acquisition is expected to close on Thursday.

from Today's Paper http://bit.ly/2Wv6OIn

Cost-conscious Chinese tourists staying closer to home for Lunar New Year

Trade tensions with the United States and a slowing economy are keeping Chinese tourists to budget-friendly destinations closer to home for the Lunar New Year holiday, with more likely opting for Bangkok than Sydney or San Francisco.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2WydHIP

China's military-run space station in Argentina is a 'black box'

LAS LAJAS, Argentina - When China built a military-run space station in Argentina's Patagonian region it promised to include a visitors' center to explain the purpose of its powerful 16-story antenna.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2FZcWn8

Russia, U.S. last-ditch talks to break nuclear pact deadlock fail: agencies

Russia and the United States failed to bridge their differences over a landmark Cold War-era arms treaty at last-ditch talks in Beijing, Russia's deputy foreign minister was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies on Thursday.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2HICNBH

Watchdog shows Afghan defense forces declining as peace talks edge forward

The strength of the embattled Afghan defense forces has declined to its lowest level in four years, a U.S. watchdog said on Thursday, as talks between Washington and the Taliban continue over the possible withdrawal of foreign troops.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2Tn7PjV

African churches boom in London's backstreets

On a cold, grey Sunday morning, in a street lined with shuttered builders' yards and storage units, songs of prayer in the West African language of Yoruba ring out from a former warehouse that is now a church.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2Ghioky

Soft power: Australia uses hard game to tackle China in Pacific

Australia will direct more foreign aid to develop the sport of rugby league in the Pacific, officials say, bolstering a soft power offensive against China's growing influence in the region.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2CZMGp4

Myanmar court rejects appeal by jailed Reuters reporters

A Myanmar court on Friday rejected the appeal of two Reuters reporters sentenced to seven years in jail on charges of breaking the Official Secrets Act, saying the defense had not provided sufficient evidence to show they were innocent.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2H6IGIw

Don't deal in Venezuelan gold, White House says, in anti-Maduro push

The White House warned traders on Wednesday not to deal in Venezuelan gold or oil following its imposition of stiff sanctions aimed at forcing socialist President Nicolas Maduro from power.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2Sfmksz

Saudi Arabia winds down 15-month anti-corruption campaign

Saudi Arabia has ended a sweeping crackdown on corruption ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that it said had recovered more than $106 billion through settlements with scores of senior princes, ministers and top businessmen.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2HGUaCX

Tug-of-war: U.S. refiner Citgo caught in Venezuela political upheaval

Citgo Petroleum Corp, the eighth largest U.S. refiner and Venezuela's top foreign asset, is in the middle of a tug-of-war as the Trump administration tries to use the company as leverage to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2MGllfJ

Citgo expatriate workers in U.S. ordered to return to Venezuela: sources

Venezuela has told dozens of expatriate staff working for Citgo Petroleum Corp in the United States that they must return to Caracas by the end of February, people familiar with the matter said, following U.S. sanctions aimed at forcing socialist President Nicolas Maduro from power.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2GifBrJ

BHP, Rio call for permanent indigenous voice in Australia's parliament

Australia's two biggest mining firms on Thursday backed calls for an indigenous advisory body in parliament, saying Prime Minister Scott Morrison's opposition to the proposal did not "stand up to scrutiny."

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2FVWJz6

Need for speed: Carts on rails help Manila's commuters dodge gridlock

Thousands of commuters flock to Manila's railway tracks every day, but rather than boarding the trains, they climb on to wooden carts pushed along the tracks, to avoid the Philippine capital's infamous traffic gridlock.

from Reuters: World News https://reut.rs/2HQsETg