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After
the US, India is the second largest country in cyber-attacks through
social media
Science
and Technology > Cyber
Crime
India
is the second largest country in terms of cyber-crimes according to
Symantec's Internet Security Threat Report Volume 20, in 2014. Cyber
criminals are increasingly targeting internet users in India through
social media scam as social media profiles are becoming an
individual’s virtual identity. The most common modus operandi being
asking users to share and download media items like photos and
videos, which ultimately lead to divulging of personal data. India
has become a big target for hackers due to the country's increasing
number of internet users.
10
lakh petitions to 'keep internet free' received by TRAI
India
> Net
Neutrality
Telecom
regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has received
over 10 lakh petitions pleading free of charge internet just before
the deadline ends for submission of comments on a consultation paper
in this regard. The massive response has been rising at a rate that
was never before seen in any regulatory consultation in India’s
history as TRAI seeks public comments till April 24 before making its
recommendations on net neutrality and internet-based calling and
messaging applications. Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar also
submitted his official response to the consultation paper along with
a petition containing 2.88 lakh signatures collected through online
platform Change.org in support of ‘keeping internet access free of
any restriction’.
World's
first malaria vaccination to be available by October
Science
and Technology > Malaria
vaccination
The world's first malaria
vaccination could be available by October, 2015, shows the final
trial report of a research conducted. The vaccine RTS,S/AS01 is the
first of its kind to reach phase 3 of clinical testing and is
partially effective against the clinical version of the disease. The
results also conclude that the vaccine can prevent a substantial
number of cases in clinical malaria. There is currently no licensed
vaccine against malaria anywhere in the world. If licensed, the
RTS,S/AS01 would be the first licensed human vaccine against a
parasitic disease.
Nepal
hit by deadly earthquake killing more than 5000
World
> Nepal
Earthquake
Nepal fell victim to one of
history's worst earthquakes that killed more than 5000 and injured
6,500 people. The death toll is expected to rise as more and more
bodies are being recovered from the rubble. Neighboring countries,
India and China were also affected by the quake which recorded a 7.8
magnitude. Mountainous areas were badly affected with huge number of
villages around the mountains being destroyed. The terrific quake was
followed by a 6.8 magnitude aftershock that worsened the situation of
Nepal. With help pouring in from across the world, people from every
corner of the world are stepping up to help in relief efforts. India
has scaled up its rescue and relief efforts in Nepal and has named it
'Operation Maitri'. As part of the operation, India has deployed two
dozen military aircraft and choppers and is undertaking evacuation
through roadways. Nearly 1,000 trained personnel of the National
Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were also pressed into service. The
rescue teams are also trying to evacuate nationals of other countries
with Indians being the obvious priority. Nepal has declared three
days of mourning for the lives lost in the earthquake.
Others
Public
Safety Act slapped against Masarat Alam, shifted to Jammu jail
India>
Masarat Alam
Separatist
leader, Masarat Alam Bhat has been booked under Public Safety Act
(PSA) and moved to Jammu jail. Bhat, who had already spent four years
in jail under PSA after he hoisted the Pakistani flag and chanted
anti-national slogans during a rally, has again been slapped the PSA
by the Jammu and Kashmir authorities. The PSA allows detention of a
person for a minimum of six months without trial.
Government
removes Minimum Alternate Tax, brings relief to foreign investors
Politics
and Government> Minimum
Alternate Tax
Foreign
funds based in countries having double taxation avoidance agreements
(DTAA) with India will now be free of Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT), as
directed by the government. The government assurance comes as a
relief to the huge number of investors who claimed that they are not
liable to pay MAT as many of them do not have operations or offices
in India and do not prepare books of accounts as per Indian laws.
Companies
find various loop-holes to avoid paying income tax by using several
exemptions. MAT is ways of making companies pay a minimum amount of
tax.
Government
to move Constitution Amendment Bill soon for introducing nationwide
GST
Politics
and Government > Goods
and Services Tax
In
a hope to roll out Goods and Services Tax (GST) from April next year,
the government is gearing up to move the Constitution Amendment Bill
in Parliament for the implementation of GST within a couple of days.
According to the finance minister, GST will simplify and harmonize
the indirect tax structure, reduce cost of production and inflation
in the economy and ensure India becomes a common seamless market.
However, the minority of NDA (the ruling party) may make it difficult
for the bill to get passed in the upper house.
Sri
Lankan President moves constitution amendment bill
World
> Sri
Lanka
A
bill that seeks to dilute powers of the president was presented at
the Sri Lankan parliament by President Maithripala Sirisena. The bill
for a key amendment to the Constitution seeks to reinstate a two-term
limit for presidents–removed under former President Rajapaksa’s
rule, and enshrines right to information in the constitution.
India
to sign treaty with Afghanistan to share intelligence, co-operation
in dealing crimes
Politics
and Government >Indo-Afghanistan
treaty
The
Narendra Modi government will soon sign a Mutual Legal Assistance
Treaty (MLAT) with Afghanistan which will help the two countries
share intelligence and cooperate in dealing with crimes. The deal is
likely to upset Pakistan as it has been against such bilateral
agreements since 15 years. This step is likely to pose a threat to
fugitives and terrorists taking shelter in Afghanistan.
Government
will ask airlines to reserve 'emergency' quota for last minute flyers
Economy
> Aviation
The
government will soon tell all airlines to reserve a minimum of 2-3
seats per flight for emergency last minute travellers. The decision
will provide much needed respite to last minute flyers who have to
shell out more than five times the actual fare rate. The aviation
minister was quoted saying that the emergency seats can be put up for
sale a couple of hours before the flight schedule. The emergency
seats will also be beneficial to medical travellers.
Big
tax defaulters in newspapers, courtesy Income Tax department
India
> Income
Tax
In
a massive step to enhance public awareness against the entities that
are flouting laws, the Income Tax department has published names of
31 tax evaders who owe over Rs 1,500 crore in taxes to the
government. This move comes as a part of I-T department's strategy to
'naming and shaming' big tax defaulters. The names included in the
list were Hyderabad-based Totem Infrastructure, Pune-based Patheja
Bros Forging & Auto Parts Mfg. Co, Hyderabad-based Royal Fabrics,
and Mumbai-based Home Trade . These companies were "not
traceable" to the I-T or the taxman found "inadequate
assets" in the name of these defaulters to obtain the due taxes
from them.
TMC
wins big in West Bengal Municipal elections
Politics
and Government > West
Bengal Civic Polls
The
Trinamool Congress (TMC) emerged victorious in Kolkata Municipal
Corporation elections. TMC defeated the opposition by securing 114
of the 144 wards, and also won 69 of the 91 civic bodies in districts
across West Bengal. The BJP which hoped to replace CPI (M) as the
main opposition in the KMC failed and managed to increase its tally
from 3 to just 7 seats. The BJP and the CPI(M) accused the Congress
of using muscle and money power to increase its votes.
Indonesia
executes 8 convicted on drug charges
World>
Indonesia
executions
The
Indonesian government executed seven foreigners and one Indonesian
for drug offences. The convicts were shot by police firing squads
after midnight, outside the gates of the prison. The executions have
angered some of Indonesia’s largest aid donors, including Australia
and the European Union. In spite of receiving pleas from around the
world to cancel the execution, Indonesia went ahead with it. In
response to this, Australia declared withdrawal of its ambassador
from Jakarta.
Home
Ministry cancels the registrations of approximately 9000 foreign
aided NGOs
India
> Foreign-aided
NGOs
The
central government cancelled registrations of approximately 9000
NGOs, which were funded by foreign entities. The reason cited is the
non-filing of annual returns by the NGOs. The home ministry ordered
the cancellations as the NGOs had failed to file their returns since
2009 and also failed to give reasons for the delay. The Foreign
Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) requires every registered NGO to
submit its returns annually, the ministry sent notices to more than
10000 NGOs who had not filed their returns since 2009, in September,
2014.
USL
board makes a move to remove Vijay Mallya after company audit
Corporate
> USL
The
board of United Spirits Limited (USL), in which the majority stake is
held by Britain based Diageo Plc has decided to oust USL chairman
Vijay Mallya citing irregularities in spending and payments that have
surfaced after an audit. However, Mallya himself has decided to not
resign and has branded the audit as not up to the mark. A Diageo
statement revealed that Mallya will stay as the board director of USL
as long as his other company United Breweries Limited owns more than
1.3 million shares in USL.
Women's
World team Chess Championship: Harika and Humpy win silver and bronze
respectively
Sports
> Women's
Chess
India's
D Harika and Koneru Humpy won silver and bronze medals individually
at the World Women's team Chess Championship, which was conducted in
Chengdu, China. However, India as a country failed to win a medal and
managed a fourth place in the tournament, and failed to clinch the
bronze by just one point. China, Russia and Georgia won the bronze,
silver and gold medals respectively
Farmers
who commit suicide are cowards, criminals: Haryana Agriculture
Minister OP Dhankar
India>
Farmer
Suicides
Haryana
Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar said that government cannot provide
support to farmers who commit suicide as they are 'cowards'. His
statement comes following a tragic incident where a farmer ended his
life in an AAP rally. He also denied compensation to the families of
such farmers. Congress condemned the Minister's remarks and demanded
his ouster.
