Must Read News Articles – March 13, 2018

Archives

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Art and culture:

Artefacts of ‘pre-Iron Age’ excavated in Odisha(The Hindu)

Archaeological Survey of India, which has been excavating a mound at Jalalpur village of Odisha’s Cuttack district, has now come across stone and bone tools believed to be of early Iron Age.

Society related issues:

SC seeks data on child sex abusers(The Hindu)

As an eight-month-old rape survivor from Delhi battles for her life at the AIIMS, the Supreme Court on Monday ordered a nationwide inquiry into how many child sex abusers had actually been punished.

The cost of education(The Hindu Opinion)

Regulating school fees is one of the most significant legal and political challenges policymakers in India face. The issue of fee regulation finds itself at the intersection of constitutionally protected freedoms enjoyed by private schools and the need for making quality education affordable and accessible. Over the years, the issue of skyrocketing tuition fees has confronted parents.

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International relations:

Indo-French harmony: on President Macron’s visit to India(The Hindu Opinion)

PM Modi and President Macron deepen ties to work around global uncertainties

Always a rule-maker(The Hindu Opinion)

The inaugural International Solar Alliance (ISA) summit underlines India’s place in the new world order. Global equitable sustainable development, which is the basis of the ISA, suggests a ‘third’ way to the inequality and environmental damage characterising the current U.S. and China-led models.

U.K. fumes at French offer to Indian students(The Hindu)

French President Emmanuel Macron’s overtures to India during his four-day visit have hit a raw nerve in Britain, particularly as he sought to reach out to Indian students, encouraging them to study in France.

S-400 deal may be finalised by March 31(The Hindu)

India and Russia could be just weeks away from signing one of the biggest defence deals between the two sides in recent history, said two senior defence sources this week.

Noted positive remarks by India, says China(The Hindu)

China on Monday stepped up the ongoing messaging between Beijing and New Delhi, highlighting a steady improvement in their post-Doklam ties.

Indian Constitution and Polity:

Ineffective and arbitrary(The Hindu Opinion)

The amendments to the Indian Penal Code passed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh introducing the death penalty as a possible punishment for the rape of a girl below the age of 12 years is a perfect example of lawmaking that is as thick on rhetoric as it is thin on empirical evidence.

SC admits plea on lawmaker-lawyers(The Hindu)

The Supreme Court on Monday admitted a PIL petition to ban MPs and MLAs from doubling up as lawyers.

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Economy:

Not by fear alone(The Hindu Opinion)

The GST (goods and services tax) Council chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has decided to stick to the prescriptions of the group of ministers on the rollout of the e-way bills system.

Banks need better governance: IMF(The Hindu)

The recent instance of fraud in the banking sector has brought to the fore the issue related to governance in banks, especially public sector entities that need to put in place tighter controls and improve their balance sheets, according to a top official of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

IIP quickens to 7.5%, inflation softens(The Hindu)

Industrial activity accelerated in January to 7.5% on the back of strong manufacturing growth and a rebound in the consumer durables sector, according to official data released on Monday.

Internal security:

India’s arms imports from U.S. up by 550%: report(The Hindu)

The U.S. recorded a blazing growth in its arms exports to India, recording over 550% growth in 2013-17 compared with the previous five years. As a result, the U.S. has become India’s second largest supplier.

Yesterday’s current affairs material by Forum IAS

7 PM Editorial : The Supreme Court ends unjustified restrictions on Hadiya’s personal freedom

9 PM Current affairs brief:

10 PM Current affairs MCQs