Context: The Paris Agreement fall short to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius. What are the different conventions, declarations related to environment conservation? Stockholm Convention– Objective – It is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from Persistent Organic Pollutants. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Signed in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment… Continue reading Paris Agreement goals are not enough
Category: daily news
Biden’s nominations for key national security posts
Context: Biden’s nominations for key national security posts reflect on the reliance of Obama-era liberal internationalists. Background Biden wants to rescue the U.S. foreign policy after Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ conduct. He wants Washington to reassume the role of a steward on global governance issues, lead in the advocacy of democratic values and human rights, and… Continue reading Biden’s nominations for key national security posts
India’s digital strike
Context- The government of India has blocked 43 new Chinese app which are prejudicial to sovereignty and Integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order. Why Indian Government ban these apps? Defence and security concern– These apps are involved in activities against India’s sovereignty, integrity, defense, security and law and order. Data Privacy Issue – The Ministry of Electronics and… Continue reading India’s digital strike
Women in science
Context: The new Science, Technology and Innovation Policy is currently being drafted by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) More on news: Its aim will be to increase the participation of women in science. The DST will incorporate a system of grading institutes depending on the enrolment of women and the advancement of the careers of women… Continue reading Women in science
Supreme Court on Protecting Rights of People
News: The Supreme Court has pronounced its reasons for granting interim bail to Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami in connection with the abetment of suicide case against him. Facts: Key Takeaways from the Judgement: Protect Personal Liberty: The Supreme Court called on judges to protect personal liberty and the right of ordinary people to bail saying liberty… Continue reading Supreme Court on Protecting Rights of People
Social registry, for better targeting of welfare schemes
Context: A social registry linking Aadhaar to residence info can target aid to the vulnerable during a pandemic. What is the need for Social registry? Recent estimates from the World Bank suggest that 88 to 115 million people could slide into poverty in 2020, which presents a tough challenge for targeting welfare beneficiaries. It also emphasises the need for… Continue reading Social registry, for better targeting of welfare schemes
Post Truth politics
Context: Untroubled by factuality and diversity, privilege and power are shaping public opinion in troubled democracies. What is the relation between truth and politics? “Factual truth”: It is a reference to observations by living subjects of constantly changing reality. But factual truth was always prone to challenge as being no more than opinion. “Formal truths”: On the contrary, it is a part of… Continue reading Post Truth politics
India’s malnutrition challenge 2020
Context: There is need for an immediate universalisation of the PDS, distribution of quality food items and community kitchens. What does the recent survey of the Hindu say? In this report, a schoolteacher had highlighted how girl students, who took admission in Standard five were relatively shorter in height than the previous year’s batch of students. It was largely integrated… Continue reading India’s malnutrition challenge 2020
Vaccine nationalism
Context- Problems posed by vaccine nationalism and the possible solutions. What is vaccine nationalism the problems posed by vaccine nationalism? Vaccine nationalism occurs when a country manages to secure doses of vaccine for its own citizens or residents before they are made available in other countries. This is done through pre-purchase agreements between a government and a vaccine manufacturer. The… Continue reading Vaccine nationalism
Permitting industrial houses to own banks
Context: Permitting industrial houses to own banks could undermine economic growth and democracy. Background Recently, an internal working group of the RBI has made a far-reaching recommendation to permit industrial houses to own and control banks. According to the report, the reason for permitting industrial houses to own and control banks is that industry-owned banks would… Continue reading Permitting industrial houses to own banks
