Goldman Environmental Prize,2019 has been announced.Six people from around the world have been selected for the award. Among them,Alfred Brownell from Liberia has also been awarded.He was awarded for his successful campaign to protect more than 500,000 acres of tropical forest from palm oil development in Liberia after which he was forced to flee the… Continue reading Lawyer fighting palm oil industry wins ecology prize
Author: ForumIAS
China’s rocket start-ups go small in age of ‘shoebox’ satellites
Recently, engineers from a Chinese start-up called LinkSpace has tested a reusable rocket in a move towards launching shoebox satellites into space. Shoebox satellites is name for tiny,inexpensive satellites launched into orbit.They are called shoebox because of their size as they weigh less than 10 kg. These satellites are expected to see an explosion in… Continue reading China’s rocket start-ups go small in age of ‘shoebox’ satellites
EVM, VVPATs’ ‘deviant behaviour’: respond to plea,SC tells ECI
The Supreme Court has sought the Election Commission’s response on a plea which has asked the apex court to strike down Section 49MA under Conduct of Elections Rules,1961. The Election Commission(EC) in his response has defended strict punishment and penalty for questioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).It said that… Continue reading EVM, VVPATs’ ‘deviant behaviour’: respond to plea,SC tells ECI
SC restrains HC from appointing civil judges
The Supreme Court has directed the Punjab and Haryana High Court Registry not to appoint any civil judge in Haryana without its nod.The court has also summoned the Registrar General with all the selection records pertaining to the exams held to fill 107 posts in lower judiciary. This direction came on a plea filed by… Continue reading SC restrains HC from appointing civil judges
China spends 4 times more than India on defence:Sipri
According to a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute(SIPRI),India was the world’s fourth biggest military spender in 2018 behind the United States,China and Saudi Arabia. The report has said that the global military spending is 2.1% of the world Gross Domestic Product(GDP).However,in India,the defence budget has remained less than 2% of the… Continue reading China spends 4 times more than India on defence:Sipri
Ban on veils in Sri Lanka sparks concern
Sri Lankan President has issued an order for a ban on burqa,veil or covering of the face in a manner which prevents anyone from being identified. The President has used his emergency powers to ban any form of covering of the face in public.This move came days after local Muslim clerics urged Muslim women not… Continue reading Ban on veils in Sri Lanka sparks concern
GRSE to build anti-submarine craft for Navy
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited(GRSE) and India’s defence ministry has signed a contract for construction and supply of eight anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts (ASW SWCs) for Indian Navy. The anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft(ASW SWC) will have a displacement of 750 tonnes and a top speed of 25 knots.The vessels will have the… Continue reading GRSE to build anti-submarine craft for Navy
Socialist Party wins Spanish election
In the snap general election held in Spain,the Socialist Party (PSOE) of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has won the highest number of seats but has fallen short of an absolute majority. A snap election refers to a swift and often unforeseen decision by the party in power to initiate a general election sooner than the… Continue reading Socialist Party wins Spanish election
Drug resistant diseases could kill 10 million a year by 2050
A Report released by the UN Ad Hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, has said that drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050. The report has further added that by 2030, antimicrobial resistance could force up to 24 million people into extreme poverty. It has also noted that antimicrobial resistance… Continue reading Drug resistant diseases could kill 10 million a year by 2050
Rafale review pleas: govt seeks time to file response
Government has asked the Supreme Court to defer the hearing of the review petitions in the Rafale case.The Government has said that it needed more time to file a fresh affidavit. However,the apex court allowed the Central government to circulate the letter for adjournment among parties which include petitioners who have filed review pleas. Recently,the… Continue reading Rafale review pleas: govt seeks time to file response
