Brunei has introduced a new sharia law that makes adultery and homsexuality punishable by stoning to death.It makes Brunei the first country in Southeast Asia to have a sharia penal code at the national level.The new law mostly applies to Muslims though some aspects will also apply to non-Muslims. The features of Brunei sharia laws… Continue reading Brunei’s LGBT community lives in fear
Author: ForumIAS
SC rejects Christian body’s plea to defer elections
The Supreme Court has refused to hear an urgent plea by a Christian body seeking rescheduling of the Lok Sabha polling date in Tamil Nadu. The petition had said that the scheduled date of polling for the Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry falls during the ‘Holy Triduum’, which begins with ‘Maundy Thursday’… Continue reading SC rejects Christian body’s plea to defer elections
UAE confers prestigious Zayed Medal on Narendra Modi
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has awarded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Zayed Medal, the highest civilian award granted by its government. PM Modi has received the award in appreciation of his efforts in maintaining strategic ties with UAE. UAE-India relations got momentum after Prime Minister Modi paid a visit to the nation… Continue reading UAE confers prestigious Zayed Medal on Narendra Modi
RBI cuts repo rate to 6%, lowers GDP forecast to 7.2%
The six-member Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of India has cut its benchmark policy rate,repo rate by 0.25% to 6%.Repo stands for ‘Repurchasing Option’.It refers to the rate at which commercial banks borrow money from the RBI.The rate cut comes in the backdrop of a slowdown in consumption. demand,weakening investment activity and overall… Continue reading RBI cuts repo rate to 6%, lowers GDP forecast to 7.2%
EC inquiry against Meghalaya Minister
The Election Commission has initiated an inquiry into alleged violation of model code of conduct by a Meghalaya Minister. He had used an official vehicle for election campaigning. According to the Model Code of Conduct, no government transport including official air-crafts, vehicles etc. should be used for electioneering work. Model code of Conduct (MCC) are… Continue reading EC inquiry against Meghalaya Minister
SC agrees to hear plea challenging release of Modi biopic
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea seeking a stay on the release of the biopic “PM Narendra Modi”. The opposition parties have alleged that the release of the film ahead of elections would violate the Model Code of Conduct. The film has generated widespread debate with opposition political parties alleging that it… Continue reading SC agrees to hear plea challenging release of Modi biopic
Health Ministry forms a Solidarity Human Chain; reaffirms commitment towards Universal Health Care
Recently, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI along with the World Health Organization (WHO) had formed a Solidarity Human Chain as part of the World Health Day celebrations. The theme of World Health Day 2019 is Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere. Universal health coverage (UHC) is defined as ensuring that all people have access… Continue reading Health Ministry forms a Solidarity Human Chain; reaffirms commitment towards Universal Health Care
18 Advance Pricing Agreements signed in March: CBDT
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has entered into 18 Advance Pricing Agreement(APAs) in the month of March 2019 which includes 3 Bilateral APAs(BAPAs).With this,the total number of APAs entered into by the CBDT as of now stands at 271,which also includes 31 BAPAs. APA allows the taxpayer and the tax authority to avoid… Continue reading 18 Advance Pricing Agreements signed in March: CBDT
Time to push for a sustainable food system, say scientists
At a recent event organised in New Delhi, EAT- Lancet Commission has launched Eat-Lancet Report-India. The event was organised by FSSAI with the support of Tasting India and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). The Eat-Lancet Report was first launched in Oslo, Norway in January, 2019. Since then the report has been released in over… Continue reading Time to push for a sustainable food system, say scientists
Election Commission to SC: Taken steps to curb criminalisation of politics
The Election Commission (EC) has told the Supreme Court that it has taken measures to curb criminalization of politics. Criminalization of politics means the rising participation of criminals and people facing criminal charges in politics. EC’s response in Supreme Court comes in the backdrop of a contempt plea which was recently filed alleging that the… Continue reading Election Commission to SC: Taken steps to curb criminalisation of politics

