The Competition Master

RAPID GK SERIES 24

RAPID GK SERIES 24

1. The Black Revolution is associated with this 2. The abbreviation of ASEAN is 3. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (...

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Malnutrition is a matter of concern

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Terming the problem of malnutrition in the country as national shame, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the government cannot rely solely on the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) to tackle it.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>What is ICDS? </li>
<li>Launched on 2nd oct 1975, ICDS is the foremost symbol of India’s commitment to her children – India’s response to the challenge of providing pre-school education on one hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and mortality, on the other.</li>
</ul> <div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Objectives: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme was launched in 1975 with the following objectives:</li>
<li>to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years;</li>
<li>to lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child;</li>
<li>to reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout;</li>
<li>to achieve effective co-ordination of policy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote child development; and</li>
<li>to enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Services: The above objectives are sought to be achieved through a package of services comprising:</li>
</ul><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li>supplementary nutrition,</li>
<li>immunization,</li>
<li>health check-up,</li>
<li>referral services,</li>
<li>pre-school non-formal education and</li>
<li>nutrition & health education.</li>
</ol><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Why is it not producing the expected results?</li>
<li> The concerned persons who are recruited to do the work may not work efficiently as everybody may not be service oriented.</li>
<li>Why is malnutrition a matter of concern now?</li>
<li>The report conducted by Naandi Foundation, has been made at the insistence of the Citizens’ Alliance against Malnutrition.The report shows that 42 per cent of our children are still underweight. This is an unacceptably high occurrence.</li>
<li>What is the government planning to do?</li>
<li>The Prime Minister said his government was working to launch a strengthened and restructured ICDS; to start a multi-sectoral programme for 200 high burden districts and to initiate a nationwide communication campaign against malnutrition.</li>
</ul></div></div>

Malnutrition is a matter of concern

Terming the problem of malnutrition in the country as national shame, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the government cannot ...

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Lokpal bill passed only in LS, but adjourned in RS.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li>Amid much pressure from activist Anna Hazare the government tabled the lokpal bill in parliament this winter session. However the bill was passed only in the lok sabha where the government has a majority.The rajya sabha was adjourned without a vote on the bill. </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>What are the demands of the opposition parties?</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>BJP wants amendments like inclusion of CBI and against reservetion for minorities. CPI(M) wants the inclusion of corporate crime in the jurisdiction of Lokpal particularly those which cause a loss to the exchequer.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>What are the demands of anna team?</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Anna team demands four changes.The demands are</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;">1.Lokpal and Lokayuktas should have power to suo motu initiate their own investigations</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2.The obmudsman should be able to carry out independent probe</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3.Selection of Lokpal should be through consensus of selection panel and</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4.Bringing lower bureaucracy under direct control of Lokpal.</div></div>

Lokpal bill passed only in LS, but adjourned in RS.

Amid much pressure from activist Anna Hazare the government tabled the lokpal bill in parliament this winter session. However the bill was...

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Aung San Suu Kyi to contest by-election in Yangon

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZP08W2CQtOGbRaX4SYe3WY8GHhgGf7nRHMnAPaijXoR81XpRp2VZ-uRvRq7IlIJagqnljzyOSs8d5C7YSrYE7TeR6-o1QwWCFbcZIn2r7xZNKLaYtpuBGezKljl3Vognw591BOALvEdc/s1600/aung-san-suu-kyi_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZP08W2CQtOGbRaX4SYe3WY8GHhgGf7nRHMnAPaijXoR81XpRp2VZ-uRvRq7IlIJagqnljzyOSs8d5C7YSrYE7TeR6-o1QwWCFbcZIn2r7xZNKLaYtpuBGezKljl3Vognw591BOALvEdc/s200/aung-san-suu-kyi_0.jpg" width="141" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi will contest the upcoming by-election in a Yangon neighbourhood that was hard-hit by the 2008 Cyclone Nargis. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>What had happened in yangon?</li>
<li>The area was among those worst hit by Cyclone Nargis in May, 2008 that claimed 138,000 lives in the Yangon Region and Irrawaddy Delta.</li>
<li>By-election when and why? </li>
<li>Myanmar will hold a by-election on April 1, to fill 48 parliamentary seats left vacant when cabinet members assumed their ministerial posts in March, 2011. She wil be representing National League for Democracy.</li>
<li>What happens if she wins?</li>
<li>If she wins in the Kawhmu seat, which is deemed likely, Ms. Suu Kyi is expected to become the opposition leader in Parliament, making her eligible for appointment to various government committees.</li>
</ul></div>

Aung San Suu Kyi to contest by-election in Yangon

Democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi will contest the upcoming by-election in a Yangon neighbourhood that was hard-hit by the 2008 Cyclon...

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Moody’s upgrades India’s rating to investment grade

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpus5zWO-Qri_p_nNszDtw8yz0xDNqSOEXsUXw8u0TK-Osotg4oa6iJ3JL5mxam2muqF9hyVf0kxCEwpHVTXsxnJbp1vZtOoZsRKSJEKNZsFU_VMPGFj80nyXkj467fQjItXElIf9364/s1600/moodys-reuters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpus5zWO-Qri_p_nNszDtw8yz0xDNqSOEXsUXw8u0TK-Osotg4oa6iJ3JL5mxam2muqF9hyVf0kxCEwpHVTXsxnJbp1vZtOoZsRKSJEKNZsFU_VMPGFj80nyXkj467fQjItXElIf9364/s200/moodys-reuters.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Global agency Moody’s on Tuesday upgraded India’s short-term foreign currency rating from speculative to investment grade, a development which will help domestic companies to raise funds from overseas markets at better rates.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The latest upgrade comes less than a month after Moody’s had upgraded the credit rating of Indian government’s bonds from speculative to investment grade, a move that was expected to encourage FIIs to increase their exposure in gilts and help companies raise funds from abroad at competitive rates.</li>
<li>Moody’s had upgraded short term government bonds denominated in domestic currency from NP not prime to P-3.</li>
<li>Moody’s had upgraded rating on long-term government bond denominated in domestic currency from Ba1 to Baa3 or from speculative to investment grade.</li>
<li>Besides, the long-term country ceiling on the foreign currency bank deposit was also upgraded from Ba1 to Baa3.</li>
</ul></div>

Moody’s upgrades India’s rating to investment grade

Global agency Moody’s on Tuesday upgraded India’s short-term foreign currency rating from speculative to investment grade, a development w...

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Team for Iran to work out oil payment methods

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>A multi-disciplinary ministerial team will leave for Iran on January 16 to work out the modalities for a ‘payment plan' to ensure smooth supplies of crude oil from Tehran, the second biggest exporter of oil to India, in view of impeding U.S. sanctions against Iran. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>India is  one among the biggest importers of crude oil from Iran. Japan is the biggest importer followed by South Korea. All are close U.S. allies and there is a feeling that any sanctions to block supplies will badly hit their people and the economy. Therefore, a channel needs to be opened with the U.S. to either ensure payment for the oil through some source or to ensure that crude oil imports are exempted from sanctions </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Under the proposal being prepared, National Iranian Oil Company will open a rupee account with Indian banks and can use the money to purchase non-strategic items like railway imports and buying commodities. It cannot, however, use the money to invest in India or buy shares or companies. A list of what Iran can do with the money and what it cannot is being prepared.</li>
</ul></div>

Team for Iran to work out oil payment methods

A multi-disciplinary ministerial team will leave for Iran on January 16 to work out the modalities for a ‘payment plan' to ensure smoo...

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Remove cap on professional tax: GST panel

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwqM-SNNkQsFnX1QYrOf8Nxx7eDe_kTpfZAjzS1edS1aNTXCIJQn6sXRKRLWCrx4UVNTPbe7s4ORcnH1tY_ZNqwpneHDi6PkDqTkrAuac_SWt1LSreezP1iUBZPeju9E-fHNd2FJYcqE/s1600/gst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwqM-SNNkQsFnX1QYrOf8Nxx7eDe_kTpfZAjzS1edS1aNTXCIJQn6sXRKRLWCrx4UVNTPbe7s4ORcnH1tY_ZNqwpneHDi6PkDqTkrAuac_SWt1LSreezP1iUBZPeju9E-fHNd2FJYcqE/s1600/gst.jpg" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The Empowered Committee (EC) of finance ministers of States demanded on Monday here that the upper limit on Professional tax, currently capped at Rs.2,500, be removed by amending the constitution.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Article 276 of the constitution empowers the States to levy tax on professions. The article originally envisaged a cap of Rs.250 per annum.</li>
<li>Contending that incomes of professionals had increased manifold after 1998, Bihar Deputy chief minister Sushil kumar Modi said removal of the upper limit on the Professional Tax would bring in more revenue to the States.</li>
<li>The EC also urged the centre to empower the States to impose the Value Added Tax on imports.</li>
</ul></div>

Remove cap on professional tax: GST panel

The Empowered Committee (EC) of finance ministers of States demanded on Monday here that the upper limit on Professional tax, currently ca...

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Infosys prize conferred on six researchers from 5 science streams

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYnTX5T6h0NpNJ8NGu3Hmc5f1FC-cfyPZmC5WdIxXDWH5hXfmSA_vE9hGXkOX84raqzF5DHxdOJhKyq1bEvXTAKdkpfxJg5KYIWndFFw7TmK0d777lkOLcuXAtNSCl_jZDpItfJjIjOo/s1600/infosys-prize-2011_271x181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYnTX5T6h0NpNJ8NGu3Hmc5f1FC-cfyPZmC5WdIxXDWH5hXfmSA_vE9hGXkOX84raqzF5DHxdOJhKyq1bEvXTAKdkpfxJg5KYIWndFFw7TmK0d777lkOLcuXAtNSCl_jZDpItfJjIjOo/s200/infosys-prize-2011_271x181.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Six researchers from five science streams were honoured with the Infosys Prize-2011 by the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, here on Monday. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The prize, into its third year, carries a cash component of Rs. 50 lakh, a gold medallion and a citation.</li>
<li>The prize winners are:</li>
<li>Kalyanmoy Deb, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (engineering and computer science);</li>
<li> Imran Siddiqi, scientist, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad (life sciences);</li>
<li> Kannan Soundarajan, director, Mathematics Research Centre, Stanford University, U.S. (mathematical sciences); </li>
<li>Sriram Ramaswamy, Professor, Centre for Condensed Matter Theory, Indian Institute of Sciences–Bangalore (physical sciences);</li>
<li> Raghuram G. Rajan, Charles M. Harper Faculty Fellow at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business (social sciences-economics); </li>
<li>Pratap Bhanu Mehta, president and chief executive of the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi (social sciences-political science and international relations).</li>
</ul> </div>

Infosys prize conferred on six researchers from 5 science streams

Six researchers from five science streams were honoured with the Infosys Prize-2011 by the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, here on M...

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Kerala HC disposes of petitions on Mullaperiyar dam issue

Kerala HC disposes of petitions on Mullaperiyar dam issue

Kerala High Court on Tuesday disposed of a batch of petitions raising concern over safety of the Mullaperiyar dam after some petitioners e...

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Govt notifies 100 p.c. FDI in single brand retail

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVx-tjGFWjO6oB_WBroOtjNVHD9HMc5wGMZt_gy-H-e16zOT0WJum07n0VQ_gpcI_sSHMmsmzmfXop8_OH3qWVKHGTsAwHNRIO73BjffC_FO7cHNtf3_vh5rNTd98tmF9hsysbtIpuAQ/s1600/fdi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVx-tjGFWjO6oB_WBroOtjNVHD9HMc5wGMZt_gy-H-e16zOT0WJum07n0VQ_gpcI_sSHMmsmzmfXop8_OH3qWVKHGTsAwHNRIO73BjffC_FO7cHNtf3_vh5rNTd98tmF9hsysbtIpuAQ/s200/fdi.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The government on Tuesday notified 100 per cent FDI in single-brand retail, paving way for global chains like Adidas, Louis Vuitton and Gucci to have full ownership of their India operations. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The mandatory sourcing of at least 30 per cent would have to be done from the domestic small and cottage industries which have a maximum investment in plant and machinery of USD 1 million (about Rs. 5 crore). </li>
<li>However, the Government was forced to put on hold FDI in multi-brand retail by several political parties, including UPA ally Trinamool Congress.</li>
</ul></div>

Govt notifies 100 p.c. FDI in single brand retail

The government on Tuesday notified 100 per cent FDI in single-brand retail, paving way for global chains like Adidas, Louis Vuitton and Gu...

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Gujarat seeks 25 p.c. Central funding for Metro project

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08uEv9hUrPrs0hGapt_cXvIN8T0jfPQvifEUL4Gz15BDri-5n8Bi10bbfTmW_7sWbcvMhN9Kfsr9K64lzu378_Z3gIV09Msogpym8jXBu7j3oTc6aVtTMauDIeYFBFaz3Os5TlCn79Xg/s1600/metro1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08uEv9hUrPrs0hGapt_cXvIN8T0jfPQvifEUL4Gz15BDri-5n8Bi10bbfTmW_7sWbcvMhN9Kfsr9K64lzu378_Z3gIV09Msogpym8jXBu7j3oTc6aVtTMauDIeYFBFaz3Os5TlCn79Xg/s200/metro1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>The Gujarat government has approached the Urban Development Ministry seeking 25 per cent Central funding for the Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad Metro Development Project. </li>
</ul></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The cost of the entire project was pegged at Rs 4,304 crores as per the prices prevailing in 2004. The estimate is Rs 9,000 crores at current prices, the sources said. </li>
<li>The State government and the Central government could fund 25 per cent each while the rest 50 per cent cost could be raised through loans or other sources.</li>
</ul></div>

Gujarat seeks 25 p.c. Central funding for Metro project

The Gujarat government has approached the Urban Development Ministry seeking 25 per cent Central funding for the Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad...

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Israel supports India's bid for permanent membership of UNSC

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Israel has backed India's bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and President Shimon Peres met in Tel Aviv today. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Cooperation in defence, security, agriculture and science and technology are expected to figure prominently in the discussions amid India's keenness to widen the scope of partnership in the field of defence.</li>
</ul></div>

Israel supports India's bid for permanent membership of UNSC

Israel has backed India's bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. External Affairs Minister S M Krishn...

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Mali President arrives in New Delhi on 4-day visit

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3pLGZHEQltVBSHVP6snVQ_lph16idBQFVgtejcWxtKmj03LHXk8ee1VlcJi_YbtHrTZh1CmLBQCIivDAuAUMELZJBdpS1JqHXfY6wwlGioQ57-Pvx_JEPSX7V4hEcbNrFOvdg6rxdbE/s1600/attphotoofficielle-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3pLGZHEQltVBSHVP6snVQ_lph16idBQFVgtejcWxtKmj03LHXk8ee1VlcJi_YbtHrTZh1CmLBQCIivDAuAUMELZJBdpS1JqHXfY6wwlGioQ57-Pvx_JEPSX7V4hEcbNrFOvdg6rxdbE/s200/attphotoofficielle-4.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> The President of Mali, Mr. Amadou Toumani Toure has arrived in New Delhi on a four day visit on Tuesday evening. He is accompanied by a high level Ministerial and Business delegation. </li>
<li>During the visit, President Toure will meet President Pratibha DeviSingh Patil and hold talks with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday. According to an MEA statement, the discussions between the two leaders will cover various bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. </li>
<li>This will be the first-ever exchange at the top level between the two countries. The visit of President Toure is expected to provide an opportunity to further expand and consolidate the mutually beneficial relations between the two friendly countries</li>
</ul></div>

Mali President arrives in New Delhi on 4-day visit

The President of Mali , Mr. Amadou Toumani Toure has arrived in New Delhi on a four day visit on Tuesday evening. He is accompanied by a ...

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IAEA says Iran enriching uranium for quick use in nuke weapons

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XaHcRt9Laky7coH4MwqfhlV_LRkgKib5tmQGrx9qfVJ0cYGa-7V_p7MW_bhSIfK-WY8MlrS9C7kKayLvW6WZ5KNLtIdhZrGVJixDrUjyiprfgzI62xMpbw4jNy29z1sxyXUz7RaGoQo/s1600/india-approaches-the-iaea-for-safeguards-agreement-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XaHcRt9Laky7coH4MwqfhlV_LRkgKib5tmQGrx9qfVJ0cYGa-7V_p7MW_bhSIfK-WY8MlrS9C7kKayLvW6WZ5KNLtIdhZrGVJixDrUjyiprfgzI62xMpbw4jNy29z1sxyXUz7RaGoQo/s200/india-approaches-the-iaea-for-safeguards-agreement-1.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Tehran won’t change its policies despite new sanctions by the western nations.  </li>
<li>Meanwhile international Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Iran has begun enriching Uranium to 20 per cent which can be used more quickly in a nuclear weapon. </li>
<li>The International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran has begun enriching Uranium at the level of 20 percent at Fordo plant. Experts say the level is much higher than the 3.5 percent at Iran's main enrichment plant in Natanz and can be turned into fissile warhead material faster. The move has raised temperatures further in the region.</li>
</ul></div>

IAEA says Iran enriching uranium for quick use in nuke weapons

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Tehran won’t change its policies despite new sanctions by the western nations. Mea...

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