The World Bank Friday approved a $488 million loan for improving the existing road network in India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh. The upgrading was "expected to have a positive impact on economic growth and poverty reduction", the bank said in a statement.

When American legal expert Rhonda Copelon heard how Hindu rightwing leaders in Gujarat had demonised Muslims ahead of polls there, she was reminded of Nazi Germany. "Hindu leaders created fear in the minds of Hindus by telling them a day would come when their sons would not return home as they would be kidnapped and killed by their Muslim neighbours," Copelon told IANS. "Such fear mongering got them what they wanted -- victory," she said, referring to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) sweeping election victory in Gujarat this month.

Tampa, Florida: Lalit Mansingh has been India’s ambassador to the United States for nearly two years. During a two-day visit to Florida on December 17-18, he took time off from his busy schedule to talk about the common ground between India and the US, the common dangers faced by both nations and the possibilities of cooperation.