Author: ForumIAS

‘Fix or nix’ Iran deal, Netanyahu tells Trump Context: The singular focus of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s five-day tour of the United States has been Iran. More in news: U.S has a deadline till May to decide whether to impose nuclear sanctions on Iran again. If he chooses to impose sanctions, the deal will… Continue reading ‘Fix or nix’ Iran deal, Netanyahu tells Trump

‘Emergency will improve security’ Context: The emergency imposed in Sri Lanka is the first time in seven years that the country has resorted to such a measure. Background: 1915: The tension between the majority Sinhalese and minority Muslims, who currently account for nearly 9% of the country’s population, has a long history. The first major… Continue reading ‘Emergency will improve security’

Populist wave: on the Italian elections Context: As Italians reject the mainstream parties, EU integration could take a hit What has happened? In the recently held national elections, Italians have supported populist parties that were once considered fringe The most likely result of the national election seemed either a win by the centre-right coalition headed… Continue reading Populist wave: on the Italian elections

Make the neighbourhood first again Context: In the present time, India’s connect with its South Asian neighbours is weaker than it has been for a very long time. What are the reasons for which India’s present state of relation with its South Asian neighbors is weaker than it has been? SAARC not in ideal terms… Continue reading Make the neighbourhood first again

Sri Lanka declares state of emergency for 10 days after anti-Muslim attacks in Kandy Context: On 6th March, 2018, Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency for 10 days, to curb heightening violence targeting the island’s Muslim minority. What has happened? Riots were triggered by the death of a 41-year-old man from the majority Sinhalese… Continue reading Sri Lanka declares state of emergency for 10 days after anti-Muslim attacks in Kandy

‘Child marriages decline in India’ Context: According to UNICEF India has seen a sharp decline in child marriages over the last ten years with 27% of girls getting married before their 18th birthday as against 47%, a decade ago Details: The decline in child marriage in India has contributed significantly to a global decline in… Continue reading ‘Child marriages decline in India’

Our toasters are brave Context: Today, the “Internet of Things” (IoT), the term coined by Peter T. Lewis in 1985, is threatening to take control of the planet. Background: Interestingly, one of the first IoTs is perhaps what John Romkey created — a toaster that could be turned on and off over the Internet for… Continue reading Our toasters are brave

Be alert to Operation ‘Dhakka’: on the toppling of the Lenin statue Context: The toppling of the Lenin statue in Tripura What has happened? On March 5th 2018, saffron-sporting men felled the statue of Lenin- the Russian communist revolutionary A second Lenin statue was similarly toppled at another site in the State shortly thereafter Syama… Continue reading Be alert to Operation ‘Dhakka’: on the toppling of the Lenin statue

Rooftop energy Context: Surveys to map usable rooftops for solar power must be undertaken nationwide Why in news? Bengaluru’s aerial mission to produce a three dimensional map of rooftop solar power potential using Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data can give solar  source of power a big boost Highlights’ of the survey: A survey determines… Continue reading Rooftop energy

Assam govt. moves to check hit-and-runs at Kaziranga Context: The Assam government recently informed the National Green Tribunal that State government had allocated financial assistance of a sum of Rs 11 crore for the installation of sensor-operated automated traffic barriers to check unnatural death of animals around the Kaziranga National Park. Directions:  The directions came… Continue reading Assam govt. moves to check hit-and-runs at Kaziranga