GS: 2
International Relations:
The dragon beckons again(The Hindu Opinion)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes to China on April 27, against the background of turbulence in global geopolitics and some domestic disquiet about “softening” of India’s China policy.
Iran may quit NPT if Trump scraps deal’(The Hindu)
A senior Iranian official said on Tuesday that Tehran might quit a treaty designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons if U.S. President Donald Trump scraps the nuclear accord Iran signed with world powers in 2015.
U.S. to end work permits for H-1B spouses(The Hindu)
Ending work permits for spouses of H-1B visa holders is one of the several measures being taken by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). L. Francis Cissna, Director of the USCIS, said in a recent letter to a lawmaker that the measures are meant to “ensure the integrity of the immigration system.”
H-1B comes under immigration scanner(The Hindu)
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is taking forward proposals to end work permits for spouses of H-1B visas holders. In December 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had announced that it was planning to make changes in the rules that allowed a certain category of H-4 visa holders — spouses of H-1B visa holders — to obtain Employment Authorisation Documents (EAD).
Indian Constitution and Polity:
Decision to reject motion timely, not hasty: Venkaiah(The Hindu)
The decision to dismiss the impeachment motion, moved by Opposition parties against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, was timely and not taken in haste, Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu told 10 senior Supreme Court lawyers who met him on Tuesday.
Death by hanging not barbaric: govt.(The Hindu)
Death by hanging is not as “barbaric, inhuman and cruel” as an execution by firing squad or lethal injection, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Tuesday, responding to a PIL challenging the constitutionality of hanging till death.
Master of the next steps(The Hindu Opinion)
In an unprecedented move, seven Opposition parties finally initiated the process to impeach the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Dipak Misra. Vice-President, and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Venkaiah Naidu has rejected the motion. Whether the Vice-President can himself examine the merits of the impeachment motion in itself is debatable as this is the job reserved for the inquiry committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act,1968..
Urdu and patriotism(The Hindu Opinion)
The language that gave the country the most popular slogan of the independence movement and produced unmatched patriotic verses during the freedom struggle suffered the most from Partition. Wrongly associated exclusively with Muslims and appropriated by Pakistan as its official language, Urdu has languished in India since Independence.
Back to the court(The Hindu Opinion)
With the Rajya Sabha Chairman rejecting the notice given by 64 Opposition members for the impeachment of the Chief Justice of India, the focus has shifted to the presiding officer’s power to admit or reject a motion.
GS: 3
Economy:
Centre seeks suggestions on long term capital gains clause(The Hindu)
The Centre on Tuesday opened for public discussion its proposed clause in the Income Tax Act that would give the government the power to specify the applicability of the long term capital gains tax and the security transaction tax.
Nabbing absconders(The Hindu Opinion)
A fugitive is defined as someone who has left India to avoid criminal prosecution or who is already overseas and refuses to return to face the law. In recent weeks, banks have been asked to mandatorily collect passport details of those borrowing above Rs. 50 crore, and the passports of some wilful defaulters are being impounded too.
Concern over decline in Indo-Pak. trade(The Hindu)
Expressing concern over the declining trade between India and Pakistan due to escalation in tensions along the borders in recent months, Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood on Tuesday stressed the need for concerted efforts on both sides to ease tensions through people-centric measures.
Regulation of e-commerce necessary to protect consumers, spur growth: Prabhu(The Hindu)
The government can regulate the e-commerce industry in a manner that safeguards the interests of the consumer and at the same time help the industry grow, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu said on Tuesday.
Security and Defence:
Army set to break a glass ceiling(The Hindu)
The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that it was considering granting permanent commission to women officers who are in service now as Short Service Commission (SSC) officers. Those under the SSC get to serve a maximum of 14 years with multiple extensions, and have to leave service without pension in their 30s.
Environment:
New system to measure air quality(The Hindu)
India is tying up with the United States and Finland to develop a pollution-forecast system that will help anticipate particulate matter (PM) levels at least two days in advance and at a greater resolution than what is possible now. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will be coordinating this exercise and the plan is to have a system in place by winter, according to Madhavan Rajeevan, secretary, MoES.
Science and Technology:
ISRO recalls mega GSAT-11 from Kourou for re-tests(The Hindu)
Just over a fortnight after flying GSAT-11 out to Kourou for launch, the Indian Space Research Organisation has recalled the heaviest communication satellite it has built. The reason is said to be for conducting additional technical checks in Bengaluru, where it was built.
Western Ghats reveal world’s smallest land fern(The Hindu)
Indian researchers have discovered the world’s smallest land fern hiding in the Ahwa forests of the Western Ghats in Gujarat’s Dang district. According to a recent study in Scientific Reports, an international journal that publishes multidisciplinary research, the fingernail-sized fern belongs to a group known as the adder’s-tongue ferns, named after their resemblance to a snake’s tongue.
Yesterday’s current affairs material by Forum IAS
7 PM Editorial : Armed Forces Special Powers Act: Revoked in Meghalaya
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