Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Starred Articles

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.

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