GS-II: Impeachment of a US President.
News
The speaker of US House of Representatives announced that it would launch an impeachment inquiry against President Trump.
Trump is accused for his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, Trump’s potential rival in the 2020 elections.
Impeachment in US:
Grounds for impeachment:
The Process:
House Vote:
Senate Trial and Vote:
Source: THE HINDU
GS-II: Peekaboo, guess who
Context
The Supreme Court, responding to a plea by Facebook, has expressed serious concern about the electronic Wild West that internet technology has opened up. It directed the government to file an affidavit within three weeks outlining a strategy to get social media platforms to share information with law enforcement without compromising the privacy of citizens.
What the court said
It asked why citizens must suffer being trolled and maligned with the impunity conferred by anonymity, and without hope of easy legal remedy.
What are the problems in handling the issue
Way Forward:
The court, has, over the years has expanded the contours of free speech. It may finally rely on existing laws and processes. If applied prudently and morally, they should suffice the purpose.
Source: Indian Express
GS-I: IPCC report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.
News
With representatives from nearly 200 countries at the UN Climate Summit underway in the United States, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) made public a special report. It underlined the dire changes taking place in oceans, glaciers and ice-deposits on land and sea.
About the report
Unprecedented conditions ahead:
Sea level rise:
Globally sea levels are estimated to rise 1.1 metre by 2100, if countries are not able to restrict emissions “well below” 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
This is likely to have a direct impact on the lives of 680 million people living in low-lying coastal zones.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):
Source: THE HINDU
GS-III: Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy
News
Against the backdrop of resource depletion in India the MoEFCC has drafted a National Resource Efficiency Policy (NREP).
About the Policy
National Resource Efficiency Authority
The draft policy envisions setting up a National Resource Efficiency Authority which will help develop resource efficiency strategies for different sectors and adopt them into a three-year action plan.
To begin with, seven key sectors have been identified automobile, plastic packaging, building and construction sector, electrical and electronic equipment sector, solar photo-voltaic sector, and steel and aluminium sector.
Why need such Policy?
Linear production and consumption is leading to a lot of wastage in the entire value chain.
Opportunities exist at each and every stage of the product cycle which can be utilized, especially at a time, when the economy is going through a rough patch.
For various sectors
The Automobile Sector
Plastic wastes
Another concern is plastic waste, contributing 8% of the total solid waste.
The draft policy aims to achieve a 100% recycling and reuse rate polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic by 2025.
Construction materials
The draft policy also aims to gradually reducing dependence on virgin materials and enhance re-use of construction and demolition waste.
There will be emphasis on developing codes and standards for quality of secondary raw materials to ensure confidence in the product, so that by 2025, at least 30% of total public procurement of construction materials can be from recycled materials.
Source: Live Mint
GS-III: Quantum Supremacy.
News
A draft research paper claimed Google researchers have achieved a long-ought-after goal in physics called “quantum supremacy”.
Quantum Supremacy:
What is quantum computing?
How is Quantum computer different from a traditional computer?
Source: Indian Express
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