Current Affairs for IAS Exams – 08 September 2016

:: National ::

The Railways introduced the surge pricing system on the Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains with effect from September 9.
Under the new ‘flexi fare system’, usually followed by airlines, the base fare of tickets will increase with the rising demand.
The base fares will increase 10 per cent with every 10 per cent of berths sold, the Railway Ministry said.
Fares can go up to a maximum of 1.5 times the original base fare.
While the first 10 per cent of the seats will be sold at the normal fare, the base fare will increase by 10 per cent with every 10 per cent of berths sold.
Once half the tickets are sold, the rest will be sold at 1.5 times higher base fares for 2S, sleeper and 2AC coaches, and 1.4 times higher for 3AC coaches.

Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs and told that Islamabad should let Indian diplomats posted in Pakistan work “without hindrance.”
Meeting Mr. Basit, Sujata Mehta, Secretary (West) took up the issue of “discourtesy” to Indian envoy Gautam Bambawale in Karachi.
The incident of discourtesy involved the Karachi Chamber of Commerce where a speech on India-Pakistan trade ties by Mr. Bambawale was cancelled barely an hour before the event was to take place on Tuesday.
A senior diplomatic source based in the High Commission of Pakistan in Delhi, said that Mr. Bambawale’s visit to Karachi was a privilege granted to him which turned controversial after his comments during the event.

Canada was hopeful of reaching agreement to supply energy-hungry and fast-growing India with more uranium than the 3,000 metric tonnes that has already been agreed upon.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Canada, a pact was inked for Canada’s Cameco to supply India 3,000 metric tonnes of uranium over five years at an estimated cost of $254 million.
Asked about the possibility of more uranium supplies, Mr.Carr said it depended on the continuing conversations and bilateral negotiations between Canadian business leaders and Indian officials.
Canada and India are among the 21 Mission Innovation partners who have committed to doubling government investments in clean technology research and development and stimulating private sector investment in clean technology.
Citing the fall in oil prices, he said it was an opportunity for countries to prepare for a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.