What is the news? Recently, GST Tax Council held its first physical meeting during the pandemic. It approved various changes. Concessional tax rates on vital COVID-19 equipment such as oxygen concentrators will lapse on Sep 30, while the lower rates on medicines were extended till December. As there are no signs the virus and its variants… Continue reading A time to introspect: On GST Council meeting
Author: Luv Sharma
These animals and plants of India could have become ‘possibly extinct’ : IUCN
What is the news? In the latest edition of the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, a number of animals and plants have been listed as ‘possibly extinct’, including many species from India. What are the findings of report? First, among animals, there is the coconut crab, the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world. There are… Continue reading These animals and plants of India could have become ‘possibly extinct’ : IUCN
Ozone layer recovery may take several lifetimes. But Montreal Protocol saved the Earth
What is the news? Sep 16th is celebrated as World Ozone Day every year since 1994 to commemorate the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987. It has been the most successful global environmental treaty so far and the only United Nations environmental agreement to be ratified by every country in… Continue reading Ozone layer recovery may take several lifetimes. But Montreal Protocol saved the Earth
Risk to online freedom
What is the news? The annual “Freedom on the Net” study is disturbing as it claims free expression has declined for the 11th year in succession. The study done by Freedom House covers 70 countries with over 88 per cent of the world’s users. The report claims online freedom is under unprecedented strain. What are… Continue reading Risk to online freedom
Swooping down on algorithms
Synopsis: China’s draft rules on regulating recommendation algorithms address pressing issues. Lessons for India. Contents1 Introduction2 What are China’s management provisions?3 What are recommendation algorithms?4 How do recommendation algorithms work?5 What are some negative implications of such algorithms?6 What lessons can India take from this?7 What is the way forward? Introduction China has pursued aggressive… Continue reading Swooping down on algorithms
CRPF report flags leadership issues in Chhattisgarh operations. They need to be addressed for security of jawans and civilians
Contents1 What is the news? 2 What is the role played by CRPF? 3 What are the reasons behind the dip in quality of operations in Chhattisgarh? 4 What is the way forward? What is the news? Recently, a CRPF report revealed there is a lack of leadership in the Chhattisgarh resulting to operational and intelligence failure. The review… Continue reading CRPF report flags leadership issues in Chhattisgarh operations. They need to be addressed for security of jawans and civilians
Extreme weather events in India made women, children more vulnerable to modern slavery, flags report
Contents1 What is the news? 2 What are report’s observations wrt Sundarban Delta? 3 What is the scale of displacement? 4 What are the recommendations of the report? What is the news? As per the report published by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and Anti-Slavery International, Climate change-induced extreme weather events put women, children and minorities at… Continue reading Extreme weather events in India made women, children more vulnerable to modern slavery, flags report
Submarine strategy: Undersea naval prowess is shaping strategic battles, India mustn’t lag behind
Contents1 What is the news? 2 How submarines play a key role? 3 What is the present status of India’s underwater fleet? 4 What is the target that we need to achieve? What is the news? Recently, Australia, US and UK held trilateral security pact named as AUKUS. Under this pact, they are delivering nuclear-powered submarines to Canberra. The aim… Continue reading Submarine strategy: Undersea naval prowess is shaping strategic battles, India mustn’t lag behind
Dramatic changes needed in global food systems to address nutrition disparity, poverty: IFAD
What is the news? Recently, United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) published report “Transforming Food Systems for Rural Prosperity”. As per the report, our global food system need revolution. Transforming global food systems to become more inclusive, fair and sustainable is a challenging task. But, with concrete actions taken by the policymakers, this is possible. What are the… Continue reading Dramatic changes needed in global food systems to address nutrition disparity, poverty: IFAD
India plan for tighter e-commerce rules faces internal govt dissent: Report
What is the news? India’s plan to tighten rules on its fast-growing e-commerce market has run into internal government dissent, memos reviewed by Reuters show. The Ministry of Finance has described some proposals under the draft e-commerce rules as “excessive” and “without economic rationale”. It should be noted that there’s not yet a formal implementation… Continue reading India plan for tighter e-commerce rules faces internal govt dissent: Report
