GS-II

Ugly path of unilaterialism has affected economic stability, says envoy to India Ahead of the next informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, China has flagged its interest in partnering India for building a united front of emerging economies and developing countries to counter trade …

PTI asks scribes to practise journalism, not ‘agenda’ On July 16, the official Twitter handle of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sparked off a fresh debate on censorship under the present regime when it sent out a dozen tweets on media ethics, using the hashtag #JournalismNotAgenda. The content of the …

A civilian was injured in fresh ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in the Pir Panjal valley’s Poonch district on Saturday, the Army said. An Army spokesman said Pakistani troops initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation around 9 a.m. by firing small arms and shelling with mortars along the Line of Control in …

Explaining the comment, Mr. Lindner said that as a German, he was conscious of the organisation’s history during the 1930-40s, including the inspiration some of its leaders had drawn from Germany’s Nazi movement and had discussed that with Mr. Bhagwat. “I asked many questions on radicalism, and there are no …

New Delhi reaches out to Tehran over 18 seamen on board detained oil tanker India has reached out to the Iranian government to help release 18 Indian crew members on board the British oil tanker seized by Iranian forces in the Straits of Hormuz, the government said here on Saturday. …

No power on world can stop it, says Defence Minister on the 20th anniversary of the Kargil War Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the Kashmir problem was “bound to be solved”. The Minister is in Jammu and Kashmir on the 20th anniversary of the Kargil War. “ Kashmir …

M.A. Khader alleges bid to centralise education sector The proposal in the draft National Education Policy (NEP) 2019 of the Narendra Modi government to develop “national textbooks” may take away the freedom and autonomy of States, M.A. Khader, former head, Curriculum group, National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT), …

Says as a German, he was consciousof its history during the 1930s-40s Terming the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh a “mass movement” in India, German Ambassador Walter Lindner said his visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur was part of his attempt to understand the “Indian mosaic”. Speaking to The Hindu about …

Anandiben Patel moved from Madhya Pradesh to Uttar Pradesh In a major reshuffle, President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday transferred two Governors and made four new appointments across six States. New Governors will take charge of the Raj Bhavans in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Nagaland and Tripura. …

Iran said on Friday it has captured a British-flagged oil tanker, Stena Impero, in the Gulf. The website of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said the tanker was seized for “non-compliance with international maritime laws and regulations” and was taken to an Iranian port. The report did not say which port. Source …

Says Trump’s tweets against Congresswomen “go against what makes America great” German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday condemned President Donald Trump’s xenophobic tweets against four minority Democratic Congresswomen, saying the U.S. leader’s attacks “go against what makes America great”. “I firmly distance myself from (the attacks) and I feel solidarity …

Trump reiterates U.S. warship shot it down for coming too close Iran on Friday denied President Donald Trump’s claim that a U.S. warship destroyed an Iranian drone near the Persian Gulf. The Iranian military said all its drones had returned safely to their bases and denied there was any confrontation …

Ruckus prevents debate in Lok Sabha A new Bill that seeks to empower the transgender community and another legislation to crack down on Ponzi schemes were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday amid protests from Opposition members over the Karnataka political turmoil. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, …

“Mr. Hajela’s report says while disposing of claims, 80 lakh names have been reverified. That means at least 27% of names have been reverified, and you are asking for 20%… So, is there need for a sample reverification? If we are satisfied that verification has been done properly, then there …

Vetting of papers nears completion in Assam Minority organisations in Assam apprehend a large-scale exclusion from the final National Register of Citizens (NRC) to be published on July 31. They have attributed it to the alleged pressure on officers handling the vetting process to be strict in accepting certain documents …

It plans to introduce 13 Bills and take up talaq ordinance The last five working days of the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha is going to be jam-packed with pending legislation as government plans to introduce 13 Bills and take up the triple talaq ordinance amid speculation about …

Idea first mooted in 2016; they have been using gear designed for men In a first, women personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) who have to face riotous mobs will soon get a body gear that fits them. Since Independence, the women personnel had to compromise with bulky, …

A Bench led by Justice Rohinton Nariman extended the tenure of the Special Judge conducting the trial The trial in the Babri Masjid demolition case, in which prominent BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders such as L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti are accused of criminal conspiracy, should be …

To ensure tranparency in infra projects The State Cabinet on Friday approved the Judicial Commission Draft Bill, which will review tenders floated in the last five years. Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy made an announcement on setting up Judicial Commission when he took oath as Chief Minister on …

Dedicated teams to conduct inspection Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil on Friday directed the Mangaluru City Corporation to impose a hefty fine on owners of under-construction buildings, commercial complexes, and other public places found lacking in vector control. Mr. Senthil said teams dedicated to vector control will be visiting under-construction buildings, …