Parliament’s vote on British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal will go ahead on December 11, her office said on Thursday, despite a newspaper report that Ministers had sought a delay to prevent a defeat. The British Parliament is mid-way through a five-day debate on the Brexit deal, ahead of …
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Nasheed to lead Maldives delegation at climate summit
Former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed, widely regarded as a climate champion, will lead Male’s official delegation at the UN climate change conference in Poland. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih nominated Mr. Nasheed to head the Maldivian team, according to a statement. Mr. Nasheed’s participation signals a potential shift in …
Read More »U.K. suspends fast-track visa scheme for wealthy investors
Anti-corruption campaigners have welcomed a decision by the British Home Office to temporarily suspend a fast-track visa scheme for wealthy investors — that has been used by many Indians — but have called for urgent action against those found to have invested suspicious wealth in the U.K. The British government …
Read More »Pakistan politicising Kartarpur, says India
India on Thursday hit out at Pakistan alleging that Islamabad has tried to politicise the Kartarpur corridor. The Ministry of External Affairs also alleged that Pakistani authorities created difficulties for the two Indian Ministers who visited Kartarpur on November 28. “It was unfortunate that Pakistan has attempted to politicise a …
Read More »Deaths in accidents due to potholes are unacceptable: SC
The Supreme Court on Thursday described as “unacceptable” the death of nearly 15,000 people in road accidents caused by potholes in the last five years and said the number was probably more than those killed on the border or by terrorists. This indicates that the authorities concerned are not maintaining …
Read More »Raising crops in arsenic contaminated soil
An Indian scientist in the U.K. is working on a way to grow crops in arsenic-contaminated soil, a study which is likely to have wide ranging impact for farmers in northeastern India. Dr. Mohan T.C., from Dr. Alex Jones Laboratory at the School of Life Sciences at the University of …
Read More »Indian-origin woman appointed head of SAfrica’s prosecuting authority
Indian-origin lawyer Shamila Batohi has been appointed to head South Africa’s prosecuting authority, the first woman to head the agency. She will start her new role as the National Director of Public Prosecutions in February 2019. Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/indian-origin-woman-appointed-head-of-safricas-prosecuting-authority/article25675657.ece
Read More »‘We will also develop banned N-weapons’
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday dismissed U.S. claims that Russia is violating a major Cold War treaty limiting mid-range nuclear arms. The tense rhetoric comes a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington would withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty (INF) within 60 days if Russia does …
Read More »French govt. could consider bringing back wealth tax
The French government signalled on Wednesday that it was prepared to make further concessions to “yellow vest” protesters, even raising a possible rollback on a controversial move to cut taxes for high earners last year. President Emmanuel Macron faces a crucial few days as he seeks an end to more …
Read More »U.K. won’t revoke Article 50, says May
PM insists that the only way to avoid a crash out of the EU is her withdrawal deal Britain won’t revoke Article 50 the triggering of which started the two-year Brexit process, Prime Minister Theresa May insisted on Wednesday, as Opposition parties rounded on the government over the full and …
Read More »India gets first witness protection scheme
The Supreme Court on Wednesday brought in place a witness protection regime in the country noting that one of the main reasons for witnesses turning hostile is that they are not given security by the State. A Bench of Justices A.K. Sikri and S. Abdul Nazeer said Witness Protection Scheme, …
Read More »No step taken to fill posts in information panels: SC
Bench asks Centre and West Bengal, A.P., Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala and Karnataka to submit a status report The Supreme Court has said that posts in the Central Information Commission (CIC) and in State Information Commissions (SICs) are lying vacant and no effective steps have been taken to fill …
Read More »Michel spent over Rs. 12 crore on flight tickets: ED
They were allegedly bought between April 2007 and March 2013; ED records statement of travel agency owner A frequent flyer to India, British national Christian Michel had allegedly spent more than Rs. 12 crore on international and domestic air travel tickets bought in his name and that of his various …
Read More »Citizens may soon be able to leave Aadhaar
The government is in the last stages of finalising a proposal to amend the Aadhaar Act to give all citizens an option to withdraw their Aadhaar number, including biometrics and the data. This follows the Supreme Court judgment in September that upheld the validity of Aadhaar, however, with certain riders. …
Read More »Manifesto of tribal rights issued
Charter of demands presented to all parties in Rajasthan for action by next govt. Tribal groups in Rajasthan have demanded that the next elected government in the State reveal the status of each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with reference to tribal communities and declare their status targets. …
Read More »Russia partially unblocks Azov Sea route
Russia has begun allowing some ships to enter Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov, Kiev said on Tuesday, in what could signal an easing of tensions in the flashpoint area. Ukraine has accused Moscow of blocking merchant vessels from entering and leaving the ports. In late November, the situation …
Read More »France postpones increase in fuel tax following protests
No levy merits putting the nation’s unity in danger, says PM The French government on Tuesday backed down on planned fuel tax hikes in a bid to draw the heat out of fierce protests that have escalated into the deepest crisis of Emmanuel Macron’s presidency. The concessions, coming after an …
Read More »Britain can unilaterally stop Brexit: EU adviser
‘U.K. doesn’t need support of other members to end process’ In a boost for those campaigning for Britain to remain in the European Union (EU) or hold a second referendum, a top EU legal adviser confirmed that Britain could withdraw its notice to leave the EU unilaterally, without getting the …
Read More »SC for more courts to try MPs, MLAs
To ensure effective trial of pending criminal cases involving former and sitting lawmakers in Bihar and Kerala, the Supreme Court Tuesday directed setting up of special designated courts in each district of these two States to try such cases. Senior advocate Vijay Hansaria, appointed as amicus curiae to assist the …
Read More »Barak Valley groups want NRC deadline extended
Very few have filed their claims in view of panchayat polls More than 40 organisations from the Barak Valley in southern Assam have demanded an extension of the ongoing phase for submission of claims to be included in the updated National Register of Citizens (NRC) in view of the panchayat …
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