The Hindu

National

• Now, opposition from Japan blocks India-US deal – The major opposition from Japan is on the issue of ‘tracking’ nuclear activity.

• Centre yet to name two Anglo-Indians for Lok Sabha – The Anglo-Indian community has gone unrepresented for four sessions of the Lok Sabha.

• Japan firm on data sharing, weapons test conditions  – Japan’s key demand is that India sign a test ban treaty: the NPT or the CTBT.

• Opposition forces deferment of Mines, Coal Bills in Rajya Sabha – The opposition foiled the passage of the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, 2015 and the Coal Mines Bill, 2015 in the Rajya Sabha. They claimed that the Select Committee violated the principles of democracy and of federalism as it had not consulted the the States.

• When the big dams came up – The building of big dams and their ecological and social impact is a very controversial topic. Jawaharlal Nehru’s endorsement of them as the “temples of modern India” is famous.

International

• European countries express readiness to join  China-led bank – Germany, France and Italy have expressed their readiness to join the AIIB. Objections from the United States have gone in vane.

• ‘Two-state solution impossible under Netanyahu’ – A two-state solution to the Middle East conflict will be impossible with an Israel under Benjamin Netanyahu; Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has said.

Business

• New tourism policy will have the taste of food – The new tourism policy 2015, will have several measures to develop the market for culinary tourism to India.

• Tata to head Railways’ Kaya Kalp council – Govt has constituted the Kaya Kalp council and appointed Ratan Tata as its head. The council will recommend innovative methods and processes for the improvement, betterment and transformation of the Railways.

• NSE launches Quality 30 index – The National Stock Exchange has launched ‘Quality 30’ index to capture the  performance of  top 30 quality companies’ stocks listed on the NSE.

Opinion-Editorial

• Status quo in Israel  – The victory of the right wing in 2015 Israeli elections implies that majority Israelites have become strongly opposed to any move for substantive peace with Palestinians.

• Perils abroad – The brutal murder of an Indian national in Sydney raises doubts about the safety of Indians abroad.

• Hitting all the wrong notes in J&K – If the Govt wants to check the profligacy of the J&K CM on matters of security,  it should rather act than talk.

Indian Express

Editorials & Columns

• Law Must be Enforced against Sexual Harassers  – The Supreme Court guidelines on mechanisms to deal with cases of sexual harassment of women have remained unimplemented.

• ‘Pakistan’s Use of Terrorism as State Policy Hits Peace Talks’  –  Terrorism is a state policy for Pakistan. This prevents peaceful talks between India and Pakistan says Ministry.

Livemint

• India remains bit player, China marches ahead in patent filings – India registered an increase of 5.6% in patent filings. China registered a higher rise  of 18.7%.

• Govt sets aside funds for BRICS bank, none for AIIB – India has set aside Rs.930 crore for the BRICS bank; but nothing was allocated for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.