China is going to hold its 2nd Belt and Road Forum (BRF) to showcase its Belt and Road Initiative(BRI) but without India’s presence for the second consecutive time.Recently,India had decided to turn down an official invite from China to attend the second Belt and Road Forum meet. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an… Continue reading China to hold 2nd BRF meet on Thursday;India to give it a miss
Author: ForumIAS
Arab League pledges $100m to Palestinian Authority in summit
The Arab League has pledged to pay $100m a month to the Palestinian Authority(PA) to plug the gap left after Israel had blocked tax transfers to Palestine earlier this year. Israel collects taxes on behalf of the Palestinian Authorities but had stopped the transfers.Israel has accused the Palestinian Authority of transferring the payments to political… Continue reading Arab League pledges $100m to Palestinian Authority in summit
Indonesia releases special stamp on theme of Ramayana
Indonesia has released a special commemorative stamp on the theme of Ramayana during an event to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties with India. The stamp is designed by renowned Indonesian sculptor. It features a scene from Kakawin Ramayana in which Jatayu valiantly fought to save Sita. The event also showcased a special photo… Continue reading Indonesia releases special stamp on theme of Ramayana
Hong Kong leaders jailed over pro-democracy protests
Hong Kong court has jailed four leaders of 2014 pro-democracy protests amid heightened concerns over the decline of freedoms in the China-ruled Hong Kong. The protests started in reaction to a decision made by China that it would allow direct elections in 2017 but only from a list of candidates pre-approved by China. The protests… Continue reading Hong Kong leaders jailed over pro-democracy protests
Army to build tunnels to store ammunition
Indian Army has decided to construct underground tunnels for storage of ammunition along the border with China and Pakistan.These tunnels will be constructed with the help of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd (NHPC),a public sector undertaking. The tunnels will be built in high altitude areas in the Northern and Eastern borders.Initially,four pilot projects would be… Continue reading Army to build tunnels to store ammunition
RBI sells entire stake in NHB, Nabard to govt. for ₹ 1,470 cr. in total
The Reserve Bank has divested its stake in National Housing Bank (NHB) and National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (Nabard), by making them fully government-owned. This move is part of ending the cross-holding in regulatory institutions and follows the recommendation of the second Narasimham committee report of October 2001.The Narasimham panel had said RBI… Continue reading RBI sells entire stake in NHB, Nabard to govt. for ₹ 1,470 cr. in total
Constitution of J. Bobde panel violates the law
The Supreme Court has appointed a committee headed by senior-most judge of the Supreme Court to inquire into the sexual harassment allegations levelled against Chief Justice of India. However,the committee have been opposed by wide range of women from various disciplines.They have said that the constitution of the committee with no external member is in… Continue reading Constitution of J. Bobde panel violates the law
Interceptor vessel joins Coast Guard service
A new Coast Guard vessel named as C-441 has been commissioned at Vizhinjam harbour in Kerala under the aegis of Regional Commander Western Region. C-441 is an Indian Coast Guard interceptor Vessel.C-441 is the seventh interceptor vessel amongst the series designed and built indigenously by L&T Ltd,Surat. C-441 is a 27.8-metre-long vessel.It has a maximum… Continue reading Interceptor vessel joins Coast Guard service
Potato farmers cry foul as PepsiCo sues them
Farmers groups has asked for Central government intervention to protect farmers in Gujarat against whom PepsiCo India has filed lawsuits.PepsiCo had sued farmers for growing a variety of potato to which it had the exclusive rights.The potatoes are used by PepsiCo to produce potato chips. Earlier,on a suit filed by PepsiCo,the Ahmedabad civil court had… Continue reading Potato farmers cry foul as PepsiCo sues them
Japan apologises to those forcibly sterilized, vows redress
Japan’s government has issued an apology and awarded compensation under a redress legislation to thousands of people with disabilities who were forcibly sterilised under the now defunct Eugenics Protection Law. Eugenics Protection Law was enacted in 1948 and was in place until 1996. The law aimed to prevent the birth of poor-quality descendants. The law… Continue reading Japan apologises to those forcibly sterilized, vows redress
