Author: ForumIAS

HC asks EC, BMC to list steps taken to curb political hoardings Context EC seeks more time to comply with February order What has happened? The Bombay High Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to inform it about the steps taken to remove all unauthorised hoardings, posters from across the city It also… Continue reading HC asks EC, BMC to list steps taken to curb political hoardings

Rights & wrongs Context Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill Author’s contention Author states that the news that Centre has brushed aside a parliamentary standing committee’s report and plans to introduce the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill without changes is a disappointment SC’s landmark order The process of recognising the rights of the community… Continue reading Rights & wrongs

Adultery law weighted in favour of men: SC Context Adultery law SC’s view The time has come when the society must realise that a woman is equal to a man in every respect The provision [Section 497] really creates a dent in the individual independent identity of a woman when the emphasis is laid on… Continue reading Adultery law weighted in favour of men: SC

India gets admission into Wassenaar Arrangement Context Wassenaar arrangement admits India as its member What has happened? The Plenary meeting of the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) held on 6 to 7 December 2017 in Vienna, Austria, has decided to admit India, which will become the Arrangement’s 42nd participating state. The necessary procedural arrangements for India’s admission… Continue reading India gets admission into Wassenaar Arrangement

Living in a world of emerging antimicrobial resistance Context Antimicrobial resistance Author’s question Author states that until now, India’s fight against antibiotic-resistance was focussed on getting people to cut down on unnecessary antibiotic consumption but, for the first time, the 2017 National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance talks about limiting antibiotics in effluent being dumped… Continue reading Living in a world of emerging antimicrobial resistance 

Incidence of anaemia high among tribal people in Coonoor Context Moving away from traditional diet might be a reason Admitted to a hospital It has been a week since M. Rani, a 40-year-old Kurumbar woman residing in Kil Sembakarai in Coonoor, received a blood transfusion at the Coonoor Government Hospital. Rani, who complained of dizziness… Continue reading Incidence of anaemia high among tribal people in Coonoor

NASA probes AI for space connect  Context NASA scientists are planning to use artificial intelligence (AI) to better manage the increasing communications between its spacecraft and the Earth. At Present NASA spacecraft typically rely on human-controlled radio systems to communicate with the Earth. Cognitive radio, the infusion of artificial intelligence into space communications networks, could… Continue reading NASA probes AI for space connect 

PT related news: ICAN receives Nobel Peace Prize (The Hindu) Context The leader of the group that won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize urged nuclear nations to adopt a United Nations treaty banning atomic weapons in order to prevent “the end of us” ICAN ICAN is a coalition of 468 grassroots non-governmental groups that campaigned for… Continue reading PT related news:

How marine organisms degrade plastic bags  Context: They add to spread of microplastics A single plastic grocery bag could be shredded by marine organisms into over one million microscopic fragments, a study has found Amphipod: Orchestiagammarellus Marine scientists at the University of Plymouth examined the rate at which bags were broken down by the amphipod… Continue reading How marine organisms degrade plastic bags 

WTO: diverse views fuel bleak prospect for outcomes  Context India, China, South Africa lead developing nations in seeking commitment to ‘multilateralism, development agenda’ Backdrop The World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Buenos Aires meeting commenced amid concerns on support for anti-globalisation, protectionism and bilateralism Expectations of the majority member nations Reaffirming commitment to multilateralism and rules-based trading… Continue reading WTO: diverse views fuel bleak prospect for outcomes