Author: ForumIAS

U.S. has failed to walk the talk on Pakistan: Hamid Karzai  Context PM had hosted an official dinner in Mr Karzai’s honour at Hyderabad House Karzai’s views India has the right to ask the U.S. questions on [continuing support to Pakistan], and it must think and rethink its policy in view of changes and developments… Continue reading U.S. has failed to walk the talk on Pakistan: Hamid Karzai 

UN to vote on draft nullifyng Jerusalem  Context Draft resolution by UNSC What has happened? The UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution affirming that any change to the status of Jerusalem has no legal effect and must be reversed, in response to the U.S. decision to recognise the city as Israel’s capital Draft… Continue reading UN to vote on draft nullifyng Jerusalem 

Hambantota augury  Context Seven years after the China-built Hambantota Port was inaugurated with great fanfare by the then president of Sri Lanka, MahindaRajapaksa, as a symbol of his country’s rising geopolitical aspirations in Asia, the Sri Lanka government has taken the project to its logical and inevitable, if not the aspirational, conclusion Augury: a sign… Continue reading Hambantota augury 

India should secure infrastructure against cyberthreats: Context India needs to worry about terror groups attacking critical infrastructure such as power plants, telecom and banking systems. Kaspersky Like every other country, securing critical infrastructure is most important: power plants, power grids, water supplies and transportation. Kaspersky work regularly with the Indian government and signed an MoU with the CERT (Computer Emergency… Continue reading India should secure infrastructure against cyberthreats:

NGT once again bans plastic use in Haridwar, Rishikesh to save Ganga:   Context The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday imposed a ban on plastic items, including plastic bags and cutlery, in Haridwar and Rishikesh. Green panel imposes ₹5,000 fine on violators Further, the bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar banned the sale, manufacture and storage of all such plastic items, till Uttarkashi.… Continue reading NGT once again bans plastic use in Haridwar, Rishikesh to save Ganga:  

Slowdown bottoming out, says RBI’s Patel: Context Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel said with growth picking up in the second quarter of the current financial year, the economic slowdown may have bottomed out. ‘Financial markets have shown resilience, stability amid heightened volatility’ Official data released this month, showed gross domestic product (GDP) in the July-September quarter expanded… Continue reading Slowdown bottoming out, says RBI’s Patel:

EU leaders agree to move Brexit talks to next phase : Context EU said it would give the green light for Brexit talks to move to the crucial phase 2. Backdrop Two days after parliamentarians inflicted a major legislative defeat on the British government, Prime Minister Theresa May won a domestic political reprieve, as the EU said it would give the green light for… Continue reading EU leaders agree to move Brexit talks to next phase :

Govt. to return MDR to banks to boost digital: Context The Centre said it would reimburse the merchant discount rate (MDR) applicable on digital transactions up to ₹2,000 for the next two years to give a fillip to digital payments in the country. To cover transactions of up to ₹2,000 This will be applicable on transactions done using debit cards, UPI BHIM… Continue reading Govt. to return MDR to banks to boost digital:

Centre raises duty on electronic items Context The Centre has increased customs duty on several electronic items including televisions, mobile phones and microwaves, making the import of these goods more expensive and thus lending a fillip (something which acts as a stimulus or boost to an activity) to its ‘Make in India’ programme. Steps taken The custom duty on push… Continue reading Centre raises duty on electronic items

Changed priorities  Context The government’s move will shift attention away from recovery of bad loans to selling assets of defaulting corporates The Irony The 2017 Forbes India List says that the combined net worth of India’s 100 wealthiest stood at a whopping $479 billion, top corporate borrower groups in India are unable to repay loans and make… Continue reading Changed priorities