Author: ForumIAS

The self-blinding Russia prism The ‘Russia collusion’ narrative in the U.S. has rendered any diplomacy between the two countries impossible. Push for tougher retaliation against Russia           Russia as main adversary: With two documents in recent months, the National Security Strategy and the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), the U.S. has declared Russia as its main adversary,… Continue reading The self-blinding Russia prism

Poison kills 32 rare vultures in Assam Context Death of 32 vultures in Assam’s Sivasagar district. Of the 32 that died, 29 were Himalayan griffons Reason for death Consumption of a poisoned carcass of a goat Vulture population Research data cited by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) last year show that populations of white-backed… Continue reading Poison kills 32 rare vultures in Assam

In a plastics world Context Findings of a recent study led by US-based non-profit organisation Orb Media that pointed out presence of microplastic in package (bottled) drinking water The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced a review into the potential risks of plastic in drinking water after a new analysis of some of the world’s… Continue reading In a plastics world

Dangerous spiral Context New Delhi and Islamabad must address the tit-for-tat harassment of each other’s envoys Trigger The trigger for this round of ‘tit-for-tat’ actions appears to be an incident in February, when alleged ISI agents roughed up Pakistani construction workers headed for the Indian mission’s new building site in Islamabad Pakistan’s response: While Pakistan’s… Continue reading Dangerous spiral

Govt. to take spiritual route to spur tourism Context Promoting tourism in India Popularizing domestic tourism The government plans to promote religious tourism in the country, in order to increase domestic travel as close to 60% of domestic tourism in India is religious-based Stats Domestic tourism: The number of domestic tourist visits in 2017 =about 1.8 billion,… Continue reading Govt. to take spiritual route to spur tourism

‘RBI overruled House panel on power NPAs’ Context The Association of Power Producers has accused the RBI of overruling the Parliamentary standing panel on power and key ministries with its February 12 circular that ended all the existing loan restructuring mechanisms and voted for the insolvency code to resolve stressed assets What is the demand?… Continue reading ‘RBI overruled House panel on power NPAs’

WTO ministerial: 50 nations to take up global trade issues Context The government said that 50 nations will engage in free and frank discussions on global trade here this week to explore the options for resolving various issues and re-invigorating the WTO Occasion: Representatives from 50 countries will be gathering in New Delhi on 19-20… Continue reading WTO ministerial: 50 nations to take up global trade issues

No ‘power’ of choice for consumers Context Monopoly in power supply The issue In the auctions, where the companies who offer to sell electricity at the least prices are the winners, companies quotewell under Rs. 3 a unit of electricity in some auctions But consumer is paying more than Rs. 6 per unit and the… Continue reading No ‘power’ of choice for consumers

Cauvery Board deadline will be met: Tamilisai What has happened? BJP State president TamilisaiSoundararajan said the Central government will definitely constitute the Cauvery Management Board within the six-week time frame set by the Supreme Court. On ballot paper idea Regarding the Congress’ 84th plenary session discussing a return to ballot papers, she said the forfeiture… Continue reading Cauvery Board deadline will be met: Tamilisai

Lok Sabha passes Bill to exempt political parties from scrutiny on foreign funds, without debate What has happened? The Lok Sabha, passed without a debate a bill that will exempt political parties from scrutiny of funds they have received from abroad since 1976 Background: amendments done to the Finance Bill 2018 Amendment to the Foreign… Continue reading Lok Sabha passes Bill to exempt political parties from scrutiny on foreign funds, without debate