GS-II

Jayasuriya moots floor test on Nov. 14

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has mooted holding a floor test when Parliament reconvenes on November 14 to give the two rival political camps a chance to display majority. Issuing a statement after meeting representatives of all parties on Wednesday evening, Mr. Jayasuriya said that the government wanted the House adjourned soon …

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EC issues order on poll expenses

The costs incurred on publicising information about the criminal cases against a candidate, as recently directed by the Supreme Court, will be counted as part of poll expenditure, according to the Election Commission. The expenses will be borne by the candidate and the political parties. “This being an expenditure [made] …

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‘Trial judges should make case calendar’

The Supreme Court has framed a series of guidelines for the conduct of criminal trials, primarily dealing with the preparation of a “case calendar” by judges to put themselves on a deadline to complete the trial. The judgment by a Bench of Justices A.M. Sapre and Indu Malhotra on October …

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Srinagar shivers, records season’s coldest night

Minimum temperatures drop below the freezing point throughout Kashmir Srinagar recorded the season’s coldest night at minus 2.2 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperatures throughout Kashmir Valley dropped below the freezing point on Wednesday, the weather office said. “The minimum temperatures remained below the freezing point in the Valley as …

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Greater Nagaland idea worries Manipur

Officials say Centre has indicated to the State the need for the formation of such an entity Manipur has been indicated that a “Greater Nagaland” may be on the anvil as part of the final Naga agreement that is under negotiation, a State government official said. On February 23, Naga …

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‘Law for temple an option’

Ministers hint that the court cannot have the last word on the issue The government, while showing no firm signs that there is any move on its part to bring in an ordinance or a new law for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, has also maintained that …

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Unanimous decision: SC Collegium

Recommendation on judges’ elevation a result of extensive deliberations, it says The Supreme Court Collegium led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said it took “extensive deliberations and discussions” among themselves and their colleagues to unanimously resolve to recommend four names for elevation as judges to the apex court. …

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Homing in on that empty slot

Indian student’s algorithm uses big data analytics to identify parking space An Indian student in the U.S. has created a space-detecting algorithm that can help tackle the problem of finding a parking spot by using big data analytics and save a person’s time and money. Sai Nikhil Reddy Mettupally, a …

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Crisis continues in Sri Lanka

Speaker requests President Sirisena to convene Parliament Sri Lanka’s political deadlock entered its sixth day on Wednesday, with the sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, appointed in his place, vying for legitimacy. Mr. Rajapaksa, holding additional charge as Finance Minister in the new Cabinet, said: “We …

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Pak. acquits Asia Bibi of blasphemy

Christian woman was facing death for ‘insulting Islam’; SC says prosecution failed to prove charges The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday acquitted Asia Bibi, a Christian woman on death row for blasphemy. This was her final legal appeal before execution. Ms. Bibi was accused of committing blasphemy in 2009. …

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Madras HC bans online sale of drugs

A writ petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association had sought a ban on websites that facilitate online sale of drugs. The petition wanted the ban to be in place till the Centre brings into force a legal framework for permitting such sales. Senior counsel AR.L. Sundaresan …

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Perusing files, will call officers if needed: CVC

Have not questioned anyone so far, says K.V. Chowdary Chief Vigilance Commissioner K.V. Chowdary on Wednesday said that the commission had not examined any Central Bureau of Investigation officer till now. He added that the commission was still examining the files sought for and sent by the CBI with reference …

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These were custodial deaths: HC

‘The Hashimpura massacre victims were not in an enclosed place but were unlawfully detained’ The Delhi High Court on Wednesday held that the killing of 38 Muslims in Hashimpura in 1987 by the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel was a case of custodial death. “In the present case, …

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