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Society and women related issues:
‘Child marriages decline in India’(The Hindu)
India saw a sharp decline in child marriages over the last ten years with 27% of girls getting married before their 18th birthday as against 47% a decade ago, the UNICEF said on Tuesday.
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International relations:
Sri Lanka declares state of emergency for 10 days after anti-Muslim attacks in Kandy(The Hindu)
Sri Lanka on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for 10 days, to curb heightening violence targeting the island’s Muslim minority.
Make the neighbourhood first again(The Hindu Opinion)
Almost four years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his term with a “Neighbourhood First” moment, by inviting leaders of all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries to his swearing-in ceremony, India’s neighbourhood policy is clearly adrift. New Delhi’s connect with its South Asian neighbours is weaker than it has been for a very long time.
Populist wave: on the Italian elections(The Hindu Opinion)
As the dust settles on the Italian parliamentary elections, it is unclear who the next Prime Minister will be. But two things are clear. First, the election was a strong rejection of the incumbent, centre-left Democratic Party (PD), which has managed just 19% of the vote.
‘Emergency will improve security’(The Hindu)
The emergency imposed on Tuesday marks the first time in seven years Sri Lanka has resorted to such a measure. The island nation was under a state of emergency for nearly three decades during the civil war. The war-time emergency ended in August 2011.
‘Fix or nix’ Iran deal, Netanyahu tells Trump(The Hindu)
The singular focus of his five-day tour of the United States this week isIran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said. He met U.S. President Donald Trump for two and a half hours on Monday, and talks on peace with Palestinians took not more than 15 minutes of it. “Iran, Iran and Iran,” Mr. Netanyahu told a group of reporters, on what they both discussed. “The president is very knowledgeable about Iran,” Mr. Netanyahu said.
Indian Constitution and Polity:
It is time to have a debate on proportional representation, says ex-CEC S.Y. Quraishi(The Hindu Opinion)
The former Chief Election Commissioner on the problem with electoral bonds, the unnecessary controversy over EVMs, and electoral reforms needed
‘CJI-led Bench to resolve conflict over judgments(The Hindu)
Amid a conflict over “judicial discipline” within the Supreme Court in connection with certain land acquisition cases, a five-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra on Tuesday decided to resolve the conflict which once again threatened to lay bare the simmering tensions within the highest judiciary.
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Economy:
Banks face $3 bn write-off from PNB scam(The Hindu)
The ₹12,700 crore Letters of Undertaking (LoU) fraud at the Punjab National Bank (PNB) could punch a bigger hole in India’s banking system as the closure of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi’s jewellery businesses by investigative agencies, is likely to result in another ₹8,000 crore of loans extended to them by banks turning into non-performing assets (NPAs).
Delhi govt. clears plan for ration at doorstep(The Hindu)
The Delhi government on Tuesday approved a proposal to start home or doorstep delivery of ration under the Targeted Public Distribution System to all beneficiaries, announced Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. The decision was taken following a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Turf wars with ISRO stall connectivity: DoT official(The Hindu)
India builds the cheapest satellites but has the most expensive bandwidth, a government official said on Tuesday, blaming turf wars between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Telecom (DoT) for delays in taking connectivity to far-flung areas.
‘Aadhaar link deadline may be extended: govt.(The Hindu)
The deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to avail various services and welfare schemes run by the government may be further extended beyond March 31, the Union government indicated in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Rs. 1,000 cr. for research and innovation(The Hindu)
Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Tuesday that in a major boost for research and innovation, the Centre had sanctioned Rs. 1,000 crore for the Phase II of the Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) India programme.
‘ONGC Videsh, Iran’s IDRO Oil sign accord’(The Hindu)
ONGC Videsh, the overseas arm of government-owned ONGC, has signed a cooperation agreement with Iran’s IDRO Oil to jointly bid for a $900 million development plan of Susangerd oilfield in southwest Iran, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Tuesday.
India to join multilateral lender EBRD(The Hindu)
India has got the go-ahead to join the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), after shareholders of the London-based multilateral lender agreed to the country becoming its 69th member, enabling Indian companies to undertake joint investments in regions in which the EBRD operates.
First U.S. LNG shipment to reach India from Louisiana facility this month(The Hindu)
India will receive its first LNG import from the U.S. later this month. The cargo from Cheniere Energy’s Sabine Pass LNG export facility in Louisiana was loaded on to GAIL’s chartered LNG ship ‘Meridian Spirit’ on March 5.
Environment:
Innovations to combat ‘microfiber’ pollution(The Hindu)
The fight to keep tiny pollutants from reaching the dinner plate might start in the laundry room. Innovators are coming up with tools to keep tiny pieces of thread that are discharged with washing machine effluent from reaching marine life. Such “microfibres” are too small to be caught in conventional filters, so they eventually pass through sewage plants, wash out to waterways, and can be eaten or absorbed by marine animals, some of which are later served as seafood.
Yesterday’s current affairs material by Forum IAS
7 PM Editorial: Declining sex ratio in India