India is the largest consumer of antibiotics in the world

India has emerged as the world's largest consumer of antibiotics followed by China and the US, according to a new study which quantifies the growing alarm surrounding antibiotic-resistance.

Global use of antibiotics is surging, according to Princeton University researchers who have conducted a broad assessment of antibiotic consumption around the world.

The study, "Global Trends in Antibiotic Consumption, 2000-2010," found that worldwide antibiotic use has risen a staggering 36 per cent over those 10 years, with five countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) - responsible for more than three-quarters of that surge.

Among the 16 groups of antibiotics studied, cephalosporins, broad-spectrum penicillins and fluoroquinolones accounted for more than half of that increase, with consumption rising 55 per cent from 2000 to 2010.

Ukraine's PM resigns

Ukraine's prime minister has resigned after his governing coalition collapsed, plunging the former Soviet state into political limbo as it struggles to quell a deadly rebellion in the east.

The shock announcement made yesterday added to an already chaotic situation in the rebel-controlled east, where international experts are carrying out a complex investigation into last week's downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 that left 298 dead.

Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat wins by-poll

Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat wins by-poll from Dharchula assembly seat by a margin of over 19000 votes on Friday.

Rawat defeated BJP's BD Joshi in a direct fight between the Congress and BJP. Rawat polled over 30,000 votes.

Sukhen Dey and K Sanjita Chanu won gold medals in the 20th Commonwealth Games

Sukhen Dey and K Sanjita Chanu stole the limelight by clinching a gold each in weightlifting, as India launched their campaign in the 20th Commonwealth Games with a flourish, winning seven medals in all on the opening day of the competitions in Glasgow.

Judokas Navjot Chana and Shushila Likmabam had to be contend with a silver medal each after they failed to clear the final hurdle in the men's 60kg and women's 48kg events, respectively.

There was a bronze for for another judoka, Kalpana Thoudam.

In weightlifting, there was a silver medal for S Mirabai Chanu, while Ganaesh Mali bagged a bronze.

UPSC to go ahead with prelims exam

NEW DELHI: Even as the government is yet to decide on the grievances of civil services aspirants against the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), which they claim is loaded against students opting for Hindi medium, the UPSC has started issuing admit cards for the preliminary examination scheduled for August 24.

A link on the UPSC website, available from Thursday, directs students to download e-admit cards for the prelims exam.

According to sources in the government, though a committee headed by former secretary (personnel) Arvind Verma is looking into the grievances against CSAT pattern and was recently asked to submit its report at the earliest possible, there is a slim chance of any postponement of the prelims exam. This is because the prelims this year are already behind the normal schedule. In 2013, prelims exam were held on May 26.

Malasiyan Flight shot down

Malaysia Airlines Flight 17  en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, is shot down in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.

Next BRICS Summit to be held in Russia

The next year's BRICS Summit will be held in the Russian city of Ufa after the grouping's successful meeting in Brazil that saw an agreement being reached on establishing a development bank and a contingency reserve arrangement.