Yearly Archives: 2019

Takeaways from the Kulbhushan Jadhav case ruling

India’s more successful legal journey to the ICJ must now reshape New Delhi’s approach to potentially difficult situations Kulbhushan Jadhav, the former Indian Navy officer, who was allegedly abducted by Pakistani intelligence from Iran and sentenced to death on charges of espionage and terrorism by a farcical military court in …

Read More »

Turkey’s tilt towards Russia

Why Ankara is ready to risk NATO’s ire over a defence deal with Moscow In November 2015, a Turkish F-16 shot down a Russian fighter jet over the Syrian border, ratcheting up tensions between Moscow and Ankara. There were speculations that Russian President Vladimir Putin would retaliate. But Mr. Putin …

Read More »

At the UNSC, a three-point agenda

India should once again become a consensus-builder, instead of the outlier it has progressively become India’s singular objective as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2021-22 should be to help build a stable and secure external environment. In doing so, India will promote its own …

Read More »

EU launches probe into Amazon over data use

Says it gets undue edge over rivals The European Union’s powerful antitrust authority launched an in-depth investigation into Amazon on Wednesday, amid suspicions the U.S.-based internet behemoth misuses merchant data hosted on its website. The formal investigation opens a new chapter in the European Union’s campaign to address the dominance …

Read More »

Breakthrough technique to eradicate mosquitoes

Uses 2 population control methods — radiation and bacteria A breakthrough technique harnessing two methods to target disease-carrying mosquitoes was able to effectively eradicate buzzing biters in two test sites in China, according to research published on Thursday. The mosquitoes targeted are a type that is particularly difficult to control …

Read More »

15th Finance panel term extended till Nov. 30

To ensure funding needs of Defence The Union Cabinet has approved expanding the terms of reference of the Fifteenth Finance Commission to address the funding requirements for defence and internal security as also extending its term to November 30, 2019. “The Union Cabinet has approved the proposed amendment to enable …

Read More »

Cabinet okays amendments to bankruptcy code

Stress on time-bound resolution, financial creditors’ voting The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, placing a greater emphasis on more time-bound resolution and laying down voting rules of the financial creditors. “The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal to carry out seven amendments to …

Read More »

RBI reserves: panel for transfer in tranches

Jalan committee report expected within the next fortnight; consensus on decision unlikely The Bimal Jalan Committee on treatment of Reserve Bank of India’s reserves is likely to recommend a transfer of a specified quantum of RBI reserves to the government over two or three tranches over the next few years, …

Read More »

No phones, inter-caste marriages for Thakor girls

Stipulates stringent fines if parents do not follow the directives, says education is more important In a regressive step, Gujarat’s Thakor community unanimously passed a fiat directing parents to discourage their daughters from having mobile phones and inter-caste marriages. If found with phones, the parents can be fined up to …

Read More »

AIIMS, JIPMER will also come under NEET

Cabinet nod for National Medical Commission Bill The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, proposed to be introduced in the current session of Parliament, proposes to replace the Medical Council of India with the National Medical Commission to over see medical education in the country. Under the Bill, the National Medical …

Read More »

‘Samjhauta blast case lacked proof’

Shah defends not filing appeal Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday defended the decision not to file an appeal against the acquittals in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast case, stating that the chargesheets filed under the UPA regime did not have any substantial proof. Replying to a debate in …

Read More »