Government

The interest rate on bank fixed deposits as well as lending rates are on decline with the Reserve Bank of India lowering the key short-term lending (repo) rate. The repo rate is currently at historic low of 4 per cent. … [Read more...] about Government to withdraw 7.75% Savings (Taxable) Bonds scheme

By Americai V Narayanan & Kavya Narayanan Measures to mitigate the Covid-19-instigated lockdown and subsequent economic shutdown announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier this month have woefully fallen short of stimulating demand so far. Even the fiscally conservative President Donald Trump has announced nearly $300 billion in direct cash transfers to US citizens at the bottom of the pyramid. Prime Minister Narendra Modi would do well to have his government attack the problem from the demand side by putting money directly in the hands of the people. However, a valid concern is if there is enough fiscal room for GoI to implement such a direct cash transfer scheme. To stimulate demand without straining government resources in the long run, one can consider immediate cash transfers as an interest-free loan, with repayment in the form of labour through anational employment guarantee scheme (NEGS). NEGS should especially be targeted towards urban and semi-urban … [Read more...] about Government must balance fiscal prudence with people’s immediate necessities

The classified documents were prepared by the National Counterterrorism Center, the lead agency for tracking individuals with suspected links to international terrorism. Stamped “SECRET” and “NOFORN” (indicating they are not to be shared with foreign governments), they offer the most complete numerical picture of the watchlisting system to date. … [Read more...] about The U.S. Government Has a New Edward Snowden on Its Hands

The U.S. government frequently lectures the corporate sector on being more "cooperative" in the realm of cyber defense. But we are learning now that the U.S. government may not be easily able to practice what it preaches. When senior federal government officials come under cyber attack at home (a vulnerability that existed well before the coronavirus situation), the government does not act with speed or agility to secure the location, preserve the evidence and remediate the damage. … [Read more...] about The Cyber Vulnerabilities of a Work-At-Home Government | Opinion

Duque’s government has requested Cuba extradite Beltran and other negotiators on charges related to the police academy bombing in January 2019, but the ELN says if talks do not restart the team should be allowed to return to guerrilla areas in Colombia under the original terms of the negotiations. … [Read more...] about Colombia ELN rebels would back U.N. ceasefire, urge government to join