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Distribution: weekly

Scuttling people’s Right to Information (RTI)

Why in the News? Governments are undermining the RTI Act by delaying the appointment of information commissioners, causing commissions to struggle with increasing backlogs, according to a 2023-24 report of Satark Nagrik Sangathan. About Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS): Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS) is not a government-based organization; rather, it is a citizens’ organization focused on… Continue reading Scuttling people’s Right to Information (RTI)

What is the UNIFIL?

Why in the News? India has expressed concerns about the safety of UN peacekeepers stationed in south Lebanon, after they came under fire from Israeli forces. Among the peacekeepers are 600 Indian soldiers, who are part of the UN peacekeeping mission and are stationed along the 120-km Blue Line on the Israel-Lebanon border. What is… Continue reading What is the UNIFIL?

In news: Wular Lake

Why in the News? The harvest of water chestnuts, locally known as goer has begun around “Wular Lake” in Kashmir. About Wular Lake: Details Location Bandipore district, Jammu and Kashmir Size Largest freshwater lake in India, second-largest in Asia Area Covers 200 sq. km, with a length of 24 km and breadth of 10 km… Continue reading In news: Wular Lake

China’s ‘Anaconda Strategy’

Why in the News? Taiwanese authorities recently stated that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is using an ‘anaconda strategy’ to put pressure on Taiwan. China’s Military Maneuvers around Taiwan China has been steadily increasing its military activities around Taiwan, both by air and sea: Air incursions into the Taiwan Strait have increased significantly, from 36… Continue reading China’s ‘Anaconda Strategy’

International NGOs and the Perils of Outsourcing Development

Why in the News? For many years, International NGOs (INGOs) have promoted donor-driven agendas that have frequently caused harm to local communities. Case Study: Africa and Bolivia Tanzania and Kenya (Africa): In these regions, INGO-led conservation efforts, often backed by Western donors, displaced indigenous Maasai communities from their ancestral lands. These interventions were justified as… Continue reading International NGOs and the Perils of Outsourcing Development

Workplace carcinogens are increasingly a global problem

Why in the News? Data indicates that Central Europe and the wealthiest nations in Asia are approaching the cancer rates from workplace exposure to carcinogens seen in Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Carcinogens are associated with Occupational Cancer: Asbestos: A major contributor to lung cancer and mesothelioma, responsible for the highest number of deaths… Continue reading Workplace carcinogens are increasingly a global problem

As the green patch spreads in Antarctica, here’s what is worrying scientists

Why in the News? A new study reveals that plant cover on the Antarctic Peninsula, a mountainous region extending towards South America, has increased more than tenfold in recent decades due to rising temperatures. What has the study found? Vegetation in the Antarctic Peninsula increased 14-fold between 1986 and 2021, expanding from less than 1… Continue reading As the green patch spreads in Antarctica, here’s what is worrying scientists

Literature Nobel, 2024

Why in the News? The 2024 Nobel Prize has been awarded to South Korean writer Han Kang for her “intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.” Who is Han Kang? Han Kang is a South Korean writer born in 1970 in Gwangju, South Korea. She is known for… Continue reading Literature Nobel, 2024

Baku and South Caucasus Region

Why in the News? The 29th COP to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will begin on November 11, 2024, in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. As global leaders gather near the Caspian Sea, the surrounding region of the South Caucasus faces significant climate challenges. Key Areas at Risk: (1) Regional/transboundary areas:… Continue reading Baku and South Caucasus Region

Hurricane Milton

Why in the News? Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, USA which caused heavy rain, flooding and strong winds resulting in significant damage and loss of lives. Hurricane Milton: Origin and Causes Hurricane Milton was a powerful storm that made landfall in Florida near Siesta Key, causing widespread damage. It was a Category… Continue reading Hurricane Milton

[11th October 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The U.K. and ‘leaving lessons’ from the Indian Ocean

PYQ Relevance: Q) What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this. (UPSC CSE 2013)Q) Explain the formation of thousands of islands in the Indonesian and Philippines archipelagos. (UPSC CSE 2014)Q) Project ‘Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative… Continue reading [11th October 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: The U.K. and ‘leaving lessons’ from the Indian Ocean

Can India escape middle-income trap?

Why in the News? The World Development Report 2024 highlights the “middle-income trap,” where economies stagnate as growth slows. Only 34 middle-income nations advanced to high-income status in 34 years. How does the World Bank define the threshold for middle-income economies? The World Bank defines middle-income economies as those with incomes between $1,136 and $13,845… Continue reading Can India escape middle-income trap?

[pib] India’s Statement at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit 

Why in the News? In alignment with the theme of this year’s ASEAN Summit—“Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”—PM Modi laid out the following ten key suggestions for strengthening cooperation. Back2Basics: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ASEAN, founded in 1967 with the Bangkok Declaration, aims for economic growth, regional peace, and an integrated ASEAN community. The… Continue reading [pib] India’s Statement at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit 

[10th October 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Mental health in India’s material world

PYQ Relevance: Q). Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse. (UPSC CSE 2021) Q) The public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives… Continue reading [10th October 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: Mental health in India’s material world

What is the Samsung worker’s strike in Chennai about?

Why in the News? Approximately two-thirds of workers at Samsung’s flagship factory in Chennai have been on strike for a month, demanding higher wages, an eight-hour workday, improved conditions, and union recognition. What are the main demands of the striking workers? Higher Wages: Workers are demanding increased salaries to improve their financial conditions. Eight-Hour Work… Continue reading What is the Samsung worker’s strike in Chennai about?

Fairwork India report highlights the absence of local living wage for gig workers, aggregators turning their back to collectivization

Why in the News? The ‘Fairwork India Ratings 2024’ highlights that platform aggregators in India fail to ensure local living wages and resist recognizing the collective rights of workers. Who are the Gig Workers? Gig workers are individuals who take up short-term, flexible work assignments, typically managed via digital platforms. In the Indian context, gig… Continue reading Fairwork India report highlights the absence of local living wage for gig workers, aggregators turning their back to collectivization

What is fortified rice? Why did the Centre extend the initiative for its distribution of schemes

Why in the News? On October 9, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved extending the free fortified rice supply under welfare programs until December 2028. Why Rice Fortification is needed? Widespread Micronutrient Deficiency: India faces a significant public health challenge with micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron, Vitamin B12, and folic acid. Anaemia, caused by iron deficiency, is… Continue reading What is fortified rice? Why did the Centre extend the initiative for its distribution of schemes

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