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• The US House of Representatives is set to take a momentous and deeply polarizing vote on Wednesday when it is likely to impeach President Donald Trump on charges of abusing his office and obstructing a congressional probe.


• The vote in the Democratic-controlled House is expected to fall almost entirely along party lines, underscoring the deep divide in Congress over Trump's conduct - and the larger political schism within the nation itself.

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• South Korea and the United States failed to reach an agreement over Seoul's contribution towards hosting some 28,500 US troops, ending two days of talks that were the last before their existing deal expires on December 31.


• US President Donald Trump has accused South Korea of being a rich nation that is profiting from the US military forces, which are stationed in the country as a legacy of the 1950-1953 Korean War and continued threats from North Korea.

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• A Chinese news website has praised the internet ban ordered in multiple Indian states to quell protests against the citizenship law.


• In an article published the People's Daily Online writes: "India recently ordered a shutdown of the internet in the states... to control protests over the controversial new Citizenship Amendment Bill.


• It means shutting down internet in a state of emergency should be standard practice for sovereign countries". The article also points to the United States - the "birthplace of the internet" - and said the surveillance, monitoring and deletion of social media accounts were "routine operations".

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• Police officials across Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh announced precautionary measures by imposing Section 144 ahead of call given for protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.


• A slew of restrictions have also been announced for parts of Delhi anticipating protest marches. Delhi Police imposed prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 near the Red Fort.


• Police has already denied the permission for the protest near the Red Fort citing law and order issues, but the protestors said they will go ahead with the march.

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• The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed second supplementary chargesheet in its probe related to arms and ammunition theft from Second Manipur Rifles Battalion.


• The NIA spokesperson said that the charge-sheet has been filed against two persons - H Talung Phungpinemei and Lunsei Kipgen, cadres of Kuki National Front (P) - under terror charges and Arms Act.

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• The protests against the citizenship act, which came into existence last week, have refused to die down.


• Many political parties and groups have given a call for nationwide protest against the law. There will be dharnas (sit-in), marches and reading of the Preamble of the Constitution during these protests.


• Some states - like West Bengal and in Northeast - are already witnessing massive protests against its implementation. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is leading protest marches daily in different parts of Kolkata.

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• Pitching strongly for H-1B visa holders, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated the significant contribution made by movement of persons in a fair and non-discriminatory manner to the deepening of bilateral ties between India and the United States.


• People-to-people ties have been one of the defining elements of our friendship, Mr. Jaishankar told reporters at a joint news conference in Washington with the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo along with the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

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• After candidates raised queries regarding filling up of choice under "State of Eligibility (for 15% All India Quota)" column in the NEET application form, the National Testing Agency or NTA has released a clarification to allay the fears.


• The NTA clarified that all the candidates are eligible for this quota independent of their choice under 'State of Eligibility', therefore, the candidates can fill in any state or union territory (UT) against this choice.

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• In an all-time high record for the number of students being placed during phase 1 of placements at IIT Bombay, the Institute secured 1,172 selections (including Pre-Placement Offers or PPOs) from 265 companies.


• Considering all the recruiting organizations at IIT Bombay, the average package this year has been Rs. 20.34 lakh per annum.


• The highest domestic package has been Rs. 62.28 lakh per annum and the highest international offer was has been Rs. 1.16 crore ($ 1.64 lakh) per annum.

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• The growth in states’ goods and services tax (GST) revenue could be reduced to 10 or 12 percent from the promised 14 percent starting FY20-21, Business Standard has reported.


• A senior government official told the newspaper that an immediate change is “off the table”, but the proposal would be considered in the long term.

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• Amid rising inward shipments of gold, the government on Wednesday imposed restrictions on import of precious metals.


• According to a notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), import of gold in any form has been placed in "restricted" category from the "free" category.

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• Holders Manchester City will face Manchester United in the semi-finals of the League Cup after both sides saw off lower league opposition to make the last four.


• Raheem Sterling's second half double ensured City warded off a shock to win 3-1 at League One Oxford, while United ended fourth-tier Colchester United's fairytale run with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford.


• Leicester set up a semi-final meeting with Aston Villa after the Foxes survived a second half fightback from Everton to secure their place in the last four 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

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• Barcelona and Real Madrid could not be separated in a Clasico that was overshadowed by violent clashes between Catalan independence protestors and police outside Camp Nou.


• After being postponed in October, there were renewed fears of unrest around Spain's most famous fixture and while the match was only briefly interrupted by yellow beach balls thrown onto the pitch, outside the stadium, chaos ensued.

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• Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul starred with the bat, scoring centuries, while Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Shami led with the ball which helped India beat the West Indies by 107 runs in the second ODI in Vizag.


• Kuldeep Yadav's second ODI hat-trick and Mohammed Shami's two wickets in two balls helped India level the three-match series 1-1.


• The West Indies openers Evin Lewis and Shai Hope gave their side solid start as they scored 56 runs in first 10 overs.

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• CBI officer BP Raju has won the India Cyber Cop of the Year 2019 award by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM)-Data Security Council of India (DSCI).


• The award was presented by Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ajay Prakash Sawhney at an Information Security Summit held at Gurgaon, Haryana.

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• World Championships silver medallist Deepak Punia added yet another feather to his cap after being named the ‘Junior Freestyle Wrestler of the Year by United World Wrestling (UWW).


• Punias transition from the junior to the senior circuit has been phenomenal as he not only ended an 18-year drought to become the first Indian wrestler to win a junior world title but he also backed it up with a silver medal on his debut at the 2019 Senior World Wrestling Championships.

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• Nagaland governor and Centre’s interlocutor for Naga talks, RN Ravi, has been assigned the additional responsibility as the Governor of Meghalaya.


• A press communication from President House stated - “The President of India is pleased to appoint R.N. Ravi, Governor of Nagaland to discharge the functions of the Governor of Meghalaya, in addition to his own duties, during the absence on leave of Tathagata Roy, Governor of Meghalaya”.

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• BMW India has appointed Kathrin Frauscher as the new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BMW Financial Services India.


• Before her new appointment, Frauscher was serving as the CEO of BMW Financial Services in Denmark and has been associated with the BMW Group since 2007.