GS-II

China’s big ‘Belt and Road’ push in Africa

In another era, White colonisers had landed on Africa’s coast in search of resources and slaves. The traumatic epoch of slave trade and European colonisation, with its horrific human consequences, formally ended in the 1960s and 1970s. But arguably, the basic equation of Africa’s resource-rich periphery serving the metropolitan industrial …

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No-poaching pacts under scrutiny

The State of Washington announced last month that seven fast food chains would end the practice of ‘no-poaching’ clauses in contracts with their franchisees across the U.S. ‘No-poaching’ agreements are typically between two companies that agree not to hire each other’s employees; in this case, they stipulate that franchises of …

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No country for Rohingya people

Sorat Alam, a Rohingya leader, yearns for home, but the trauma of being brutalised in Myanmar deters him from going back to the Rakhine State. Mr. Alam and his parents fled to safety in Bangladesh after Myanmar’s Army launched widespread assaults on the Rohingya, a Muslim minority group, in August …

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China slams Trump’s remarks on N. Korea

China on Saturday called U.S. President Donald Trump “irresponsible” after the U.S. President cancelled his top diplomat’s trip to North Korea and suggested that Beijing was stalling efforts to disarm Pyongyang. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was due to make his fourth visit to the reclusive state next week …

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Rohingya seek justice, one year on

Around 40,000 refugees protest in refugee camps to mark the first anniversary of crackdown Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees staged angry protests for “justice” on Saturday on the first anniversary of a Myanmar military crackdown that sparked a mass exodus to camps in Bangladesh. Many wept as they recalled …

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Solanki takes oath as Tripura Governor

Kaptan Singh Solanki on Saturday took oath as the Governor of Tripura. He replaced Tathagata Roy, who had been shifted to Meghalaya. Chief Justice of High Court of Tripura Ajay Rastogi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Solanki. He became the 17th Governor of Tripura. Chief Minister …

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Does Kerala need more funds?

As Kerala struggles to come to grips with the worst floods in its history, the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and restoration of livelihoods pose a daunting challenge for the State government. Initial estimates put the loss at Rs. 20,000 crore but officials feel the extent of the damage could be …

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Mullaperiyar: genesis of a dispute

The colonial-era Mullaperiyar dam has again become a source of friction between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Though the original dispute was over the appropriateness of the dam’s water level, Kerala, already reeling under severe adverse impact of floods, sprang a surprise by accusing Tamil Nadu of having carried out “sudden …

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Muslims in Kolkata find a place to call home

After being turned away by several landlords for months, Aftab Alam and his three friends, all of them doctors, finally found a place to rent in south Kolkata. Their elation, however, was short-lived. Soon after moving in, a neighbour told their landlord that they ought to be evicted, arguing, “Four …

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Morrison sworn in as Australia’s new PM

Scott Morrison was on Friday sworn in as Australia’s seventh Prime Minister in 11 years, after a stunning party revolt against Malcolm Turnbull, which the new leader admitted had left the government “bruised and battered”. Former Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, an ex-police officer and right-winger, was the driving force …

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U.S., Pak. disagree on phone call

In a new war of nerves between them, the U.S and Pakistan have contradicted each other on whether terrorism was discussed during a congratulatory phone call to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday. Pakistan refuted the State Department statement that terrorism was discussed …

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SC refuses to order repoll in West Bengal

Earlier, they appealed to the Calcutta High Court. The High Court, on May 8, directed the West Bengal State Election Commission to accept nominations submitted in the electronic form in order to ensure free and fair elections. The Commission, in turn, moved the Supreme Court, arguing that there was no …

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Live-streaming for ‘open courtroom’

Technology has a flip-side but live-streaming of Supreme Court proceedings is a true representation of the “open courtroom” system where courts are accessible to one and all, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said on Friday. The remark countered arguments that live-streaming of court proceedings would be misused, and verbal comments made by …

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Poll panel to brainstorm on key issues

In the times of social media and phased elections, how can campaign silence be maintained during the last 48 hours before the elections? The Election Commission will be debating this and seven other issues, including limiting of expenditure and increasing participation of women, at a multi-party meeting on Monday. All …

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