All India Radio News Summary: 27 MARCH 2018
- India and United States committed to strengthening information sharing on world’s most dangerous terrorist groups and individuals.
This commitment was made during the 15th meeting of the India-US Counter terrorism Joint Working Group in New Delhi.
- Both sides also exchanged views on efforts to counter the financing and operations of regional and global terrorist organizations.
- The Working Group reviewed threats posed by terrorist groups worldwide and in their respective regions including cross border terrorism in the South Asian region.
- Both the countries discussed international efforts to counter threats posed by foreign terrorists.
- The working group also discussed international and bilateral cooperation on justice, law enforcement and capacity building efforts to counter terrorism and UN Security Council Resolution 2396.
- UN Security Council Resolution 2396 was a resolution addressing the threat of foreign terrorist fighters
The United States will host the next meeting of the Joint Working Group in 2019.
- Russia threatens retaliation against United States over mass expulsions of its diplomats from 25 countries following use of nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain.
- Russian Foreign Minister said the expulsions are the result of colossal pressure and colossal blackmail, which is Washington’s chief instrument in the international scene.
- Kremlin spokesman said the government deeply regretted the US decision to expel diplomats, and would analyze the situation before submitting a proposal for retaliatory action to President Vladimir Putin.
- Meanwhile, United States said it wants to improve its relationship with Russia but for that to happen, Moscow must first change its behaviour and said Kremlin needs to understand that there are serious consequences for its alleged “destabilising” actions.
- China has acknowledged the visit of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
- China said, Kim has pledged to denuclearise the Korean peninsula.
- Kim said issue of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved; if South Korea and the United States respond to North Korea’s efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability.
- Chinese President promised China would uphold its friendship with its isolated neighbour.
- Supreme Court says, its guidelines to prevent interference by Khap Panchayats in case of adult marriages to remain in force till suitable legislation enacted.
In a relief to inter-faith or inter-caste couples, Supreme Court banned any interference by illegal assemblies like ‘khap panchayats’ into their marriages terming the intrusions as absolutely illegal.
- SC bench also laid down guidelines to prevent such interferences.
- The apex court said, the norms laid down by it will remain in force till a suitable legislation is enacted by Parliament.
- While reserving its verdict in March this year, the court had observed that when two consenting adults get married irrespective of their background, no relative or a third person can interfere or threaten or unleash violence against them.
- The apex court had earlier said incidents of attacks against those going for inter-caste or inter-faith marriages were “absolutely illegal” and no ‘khap panchayat, individual or the society could question any adult woman or man marrying a person of his or her choice.
- Uttar Pradesh assembly passes stringent anti-crime bill, UP-COCA to check organized crime in the state.
The Uttar Pradesh Assembly has passed a stringent bill to curb organised crime and deal strictly with those trying to foment terror.
- The UPCOC Bill, 2017, seeks to act sternly against those using explosives or firearms or any other violent means or damaging life and property or involved in anti-national or destructive activities.
- The bill provides for punishments from minimum three years’ imprisonment to capital punishment.
- Karnataka Assembly polls announced; Model Code of Conduct comes into force.
The Karnataka Assembly polls will be held on 12th May and the votes will be counted on 15th May.
- Model code of conduct comes into effect immediately from now onwards.
- All the provisions will apply to the whole of state of Karnataka and will be applicable to all the candidates, political parties, and state government.
- The model code of conduct shall also be applicable to the union government in so far as announcement policy decisions pertaining to the state of Karnataka are concerned.
