GS-II

Chasing peace in the middle of war

The U.S.’s plans to withdraw about 7,000 troops, nearly half of its current strength, from Afghanistan, has invited strong, shocked reactions from Afghans as well as international stakeholders. The decision followed a three-day long meeting of the U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad with Taliban members in Abu Dhabi earlier last …

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Where milk comes inside paper board

The packaging of milk has largely been a tale dominated by plastic.While pasteurised milk sealed in polyethylene pouches is still the mainstay of the doorstep delivery of milk at most homes across the country, consumers, especially in urban areas, have increasingly warmed to milk in Tetra Pak cartons, which help …

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Parties agree to debate talaq Bill

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, commonly called the triple talaq Bill, will be taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha on December 27, as the government on Thursday agreed with the suggestion of Congress leader in the House Mallikarjun Kharge to do so. This …

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Plea against Mumbai corpn. Rejected

The philosophy or ideals of an individual cannot be allowed to supersede the power of elected bodies to formulate policy. Courts cannot be a forum to transform the perspective of an individual into a mandatory policy of the government, the Supreme Court has said in a recent judgment. “Perspective of …

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Rajya Sabha rocked for 7th day

Rajya Sabha rocked for 7th day

For the seventh consecutive day, the proceedings in the Rajya Sabha were washed out over a war of words between the government and the Opposition on the Rafale aircraft deal and protests by Tamil Nadu parties over the Cauvery issue. Minutes after the Upper House convened for the day, Congress …

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President’s Rule in J&K from today

Rule in J&K

President’s Rule will come into force in Jammu and Kashmir from Thursday, after expiry of six months of Governor’s Rule, an official order said on Wednesday. President Ram Nath Kovind signed the proclamation paving the way for imposition of Central rule in the State which was placed under Governor’s Rule …

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Rajapaksa named leader of Opposition

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was on Tuesday named the Leader of Opposition in the Sri Lankan Parliament, but rival lawmakers contested his eligibility to hold the position. The Speaker has said that he would consider the objections and give a ruling on Friday. Number of MPs Days after he stepped …

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Working to bring 99% items in sub-18% GST slab: Modi

Indicating that further simplification of the Goods and Services Tax is on the anvil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government wants to ensure that 99% items attract sub-18% GST slab. Before implementation of the GST, registered enterprises numbered 65 lakh, which has now risen by 55 lakh, Mr. Modi …

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Benefit of the doubt must go to accused: SC

The benefit of the doubt in cases based on a flawed police investigation must favour the accused irrespective of the gravity of the crime, the Supreme Court held in a recent judgment in a 17-year-old case of murder and rioting in Uttar Pradesh. “The accused cannot be expected to relinquish …

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Centre may consider PPP mode for Calicut airport

With Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) bidding to operate, manage, and develop the Thiruvananthapuram airport, the Ministry of Civil Aviation may, according to sources, take a positive stance on the State government’s proposal to have a similar management for the Calicut airport. Sources said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has already …

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PM Ranil questions dissolution of Parliament

PM Ranil questions dissolution of Parliament

Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was reinstated as Prime Minister on Sunday, pointed to the constitutional provision prohibiting the dissolution of Parliament prior to the completion of four and half years of its term. ‘In national interest’ Defending his earlier actions sacking Parliament and calling for snap polls — which the Supreme …

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