GS 2
Modi, Xi upbeat on relations post-Wuhan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that there had been a “perceptible improvement” in bilateral ties after their Wuhan summit and both sides are optimistic that 2019 would be an even better year for India-China relations.
Weight of school bags for students fixed
The weight of a school bag in Delhi is officially fixed, states a Delhi government circular on Saturday. It says school bags for students in Class I and II should not be above 1.5 kg; for Classes III to V (2-3 kg), Classes VI-VII (4 kg), Classes VIII—IX (4.5 kg), and Class X (5 kg).
Central guidelines for crèches at workplaces
The Centre has prepared guidelines for setting up of crèches at workplaces, which prescribe trained personnel to man the facility as well as infrastructure requirements and safety norms.
Opioid painkiller ban sees spurt in heroin seizures in Mizoram
The quantity of heroin seized in Mizoram has increased steadilly since 2014 when the State government replaced total prohibition with controlled prohibition.
India, U.S. to review defence deals
India and the U.S. will review the progress of their expanding defence cooperation as well as discuss the issue of sanctions waiver for the arms purchases from Russia during Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s six-day visit starting Sunday.
Ramaphosa to be Republic Day guest
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the G20 summit here and invited him to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations next year.
G20 urged to act on fugitive offenders
The agenda presented by PM Modi calls for joint efforts by G-20 countries to form a mechanism that denies entry and safe havens to fugitive economic offenders.
India-Pakistan ties beyond Kartarpur
The anniversary is the most obvious reason for fast-tracking the project. But other questions are legitimately being raised about Pakistan’s decision, which was first conveyed by its military leadership, not the political one, to accept the request from India for the corridor.
Brexit road ahead is going to be hard
On November 25, leaders of the EU-27 group of nations signed off on the 585-word treaty setting out the terms of Britain’s withdrawal from the union as well as a non-binding political declaration of aspirations for the future relationship.
In Andamans, tribals and no-go areas
The reported death of John Allen Chau, an American visitor, on North Sentinel Island in an attack by the indigenous people has turned the international spotlight on this tiny 60 sq km piece of land in the Andamans.
GS 3
At a time when tiger deaths dominate national news, a new study offers hope for wild tiger populations across countries by showing that under optimal conditions, tiger numbers can triple in 18 sites across the world, including eight in India.
In natural disasters such as Cyclone Gaja, a resilient health system can make all the difference
Reported cases of measles worldwide surged by nearly a third last year, partly because parents did not vaccinate their children, health organisations have said.
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