Five must-read stories—January 25

A birthday wish to measure Mount Everest

India's oldest government science agency, the Survey of India, is set to celebrate its 250th anniversary this year through an expedition to measure the height of Mount Everest amid speculation that the 2015 Nepal earthquake may have moved the peak, reports The Telegraph.

Why Trump calls Delhi first, ahead of Moscow, Beijing and Tokyo

The fact that US President Donald Trump chose to call New Delhi ahead of Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo points to non-controversial yet weighty nature of US ties with India, reports The Times of India.

No fiscal resources for Universal Basic Income, says Niti Aayog chief

NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya says the country simply does not have the necessary fiscal resources for a Universal Basic Income scheme, a proposal being advocated by Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian, reports The Indian Express.

Cash withdrawals above ₹50,000 should be taxed, says CMs’ panel

Cash withdrawals above ₹50,000 could be taxed and the maximum amount in cash that can be used in any large transaction could be limited, according to a report presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday by a panel of state chief ministers, reports Mint.

TN traders not to sell soft drinks made by MNCs

Starting March 1, traders in Tamil Nadu will not sell popular soft drinks and mineral water brands of multinational companies. They will instead encourage Indian brands, reports The Hindu.