Friday 9 October 2015

CURRENT AffAIRS FOR SSC/BANK EXAMINATION

 1.   Literature Nobel goes to Svetlana Alexievich


I.            Svetlana Alexievich is a Belarussian journalist and prose writer, have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday “for her polyphonic writings, a monument to suffering and courage in our time.
II.            Ms. Alexievichis the 14th woman to win the literature prize. This 67 year old generalist is born to a Belarussian father and a Ukrainian mother. Ms. Alexievich is best known for giving voice to survivors of the Second World War, the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan that lasted from 1979 to 1989, and the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.
III.         Her first novel, “The Unwomanly Face of the War,” published in 1985 and based on the previously untold stories of women who had fought against the Nazi Germans, sold more than 2 million copies.
IV.         Her books have been published in 19 countries. She also has written three plays and the screenplays for 21 documentary films. The Swedish Academy cited Alexievich “for her polyphonic writings, a monument to suffering and courage in our time.”
V.           Last year's literature award went to French writer Patrick Modiano.


 2.   Hoesung Lee is new Chairman of IPCC:
                    I.        Hoesung Lee, a native of South Korea, has been designated as the new head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). IPCC is the UN body assigned for assessing climate science.

                  II.        Prof Lee, an expert on climate economics and sustainable development, was elected to chair the panel at its ongoing meeting in Dubrovnik, Croatia, fourth person to lead the IPCC in its 27-year history.He succeeds Rajendra Pachauri, who resigned amid a scandal in February.

 3.   UnionCabinet approved Protocol on Double Taxation Avoidance with Israel and Vietnam.
India & Vietnam
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Protocol amending the Agreement between India and Vietnam for the avoidance of double taxation and for prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. 

The Protocol provides for internationally accepted standards for effective exchange of information on tax matters including bank information and information without domestic tax interest. It is further provided that the information received from Vietnam in respect of a resident of India can be shared with other law enforcement agencies with authorisation of the Competent Authority of Vietnam and vice versa.
Background-
The existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between Indian and Vietnam was signed in 1994. Both the Indian and Vietnamese sides agreed to update Article 27 on the ‘Exchange of Information’ in India-Vietnam DTAA, to meet internationally accepted standards, and add a new Article on ‘Assistance in the Collection of taxes’, and enter into an Amending Protocol for the purpose. 

India & Israel:

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the protocol amending the Convention and the Protocol between India and Israel, for avoidance of double taxation and for prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital.

The Protocol provides for internationally accepted standards for effective exchange of information on tax matters including bank information and information without domestic tax interest. It is further provided that the information received from Israel in respect of a resident of India can be shared with other law enforcement agencies with authorisation of the Competent Authority of Israel and vice versa.

The Protocol further provides for 'Limitation of Benefits' Article as an anti-abuse provision aimed at preventing misuse of the Convention. The provisions of this Article enable use of the provisions of domestic law and measures concerning tax avoidance or evasion in the event of misuse of the Convention.

Background:
The existing Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) between Indian and Israel was signed in 1996. Both the Indian and Israeli sides agreed to update Article 27 on the ‘Exchange of Information’ in India-Israel DTAC to meet internationally accepted standards.

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