UN Security Council (UNSC) reform
Why in the News?
The recently ongoing General Assembly session of the UNSC saw voices for reform of the institution dominated by the political strategies of only five countries can called for reforms of the council.
Call for UNSC reform:
Agreement on diagnosis & not on prescription:
Stances by countries
Why bringing reforms in the UNSC is difficult?
The world body- UNSC has failed:
Role of structural inequalities in the incidence of hypertension
Why in the News?
September 29 was observed as the World Heart Day to raise awareness about prevention, detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and promote heart-healthy lifestyles.
Prevalence of Hypertension in India:
Reframing the structural inequalities:
India and the Palestinians
Why in the News?
India has expressed support to Israel stating that “people of India stand in solidarity with Israel in this difficult hour”, soon after the Hamas attack on Israel.
Why was India’s diplomatic policy leaned towards Palestine in the initial years?
Did establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel alter India’s support for the Palestinians?
Has India of late embraced Israel at the expense of the Palestinians. Why?
Should India worry about a backlash to its pro-Israel stance in the current escalation?
Concerns about govt.’s fact check unit
Why in the News?
Recently, the Bombay High Court has reserved its verdict relating to challenging of the constitutionality of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023 (IT Rules).
IT Rules, 2023:
Why has FCU provision been challenged:
What did the High Court say?
New royalty rates for strategic minerals
Why in the News?
The centre has recently approved royalty rates of 3% each for lithium and niobium and 1% for Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
What does the new royalty rates imply?
Push for Lithium:
REEs value chain & Niobium:
About:
What are critical minerals?
INDIA NEEDS TO GO NUCLEAR
India’s growing energy needs:
Addressing the dual challenge: development vs net-zero targets
Nuclear energy to combat climate change:
THE COST OF CHEAP DRUGS
Why in the News?
Lack of information about effects of unbranded generic medicines hampers patients’ freedom of choice.
Generic Medicines:
The spectre of big bad pharma:
Cost of drugs:
About:
What is the intend behind the guidelines issued?
Why are the doctors protesting?
Way forward:
The Orange Book provides information of approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations on a monthly basis.