15 july 2015 news bite

[Soc issues > Superstition]
Odisha, Keonjhar--family killed suspecting witchcraft
--level of trust of Munda tribals on witch doctors is frightening

[Economy > Employment]
Skill India--World Youth Skills Day 15 July
--National Skill Development Mission(for convergence and coordination of skilling activities across India)
--National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015(for skilling on a large scale at speed with high standards and to ensure sustainable livelihoods for all)
--Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana(PMKVY)--flagship skill training program to cover 24 lakh youth
--Skill Loan Scheme

[Economy > Energy]
Strategic reserves of India
--developed by ISPRL Indian strategic petroleum reserves limited--spv
--Vizag (1.3 mn tonnes) + Mangalore 1.5 MMT + Padur 2.5 MMT = total 5.3 MMT
(big tunnels dug, walls soaked in water at high pressure to prevent crude seepage--'hydraulic confinement')
--adv of underground facility--secure, dont need land, less evaporation, easy to fill
--India needs 3.8 bn bbls per day, of which 80% is imported
why we need
--safety from vulnerability to physical supply disruptions, sharp price fluctuations
--commercial angle: can be used by ISPRL later in international oil markets to influence crude prices
International Energy Agency IEA recommends, 90 day reserve
US has 37 day reserve at Gulf of Mexico(uses 18.5 mn bbl/d)

[Mains]
World Bank governance indicators/dimensions(6)
Voice and Accountability VA
Political stability and Absence of violence and terrorism PV
Government effectiveness GE
Regulatory Quality RQ
Rule of Law RL
Control of Corruption CC
http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/index.aspx#faq

[Sports]
SC panel bans CSK and RR from IPL for 2 years, tells G Meiyappan and R Kundra to stay away from cricket
--takes leaf out of BCCI rule books
--the core issue is that BCCI had not respected the sanctity of its own rules and as a result let down the dignity of the game
--need prudent administration in sports
Similar sort of justice came about in football, where many FIFA officials were arrested(long overdue) and Mr Sepp Blatter resigned(finally)

[IR > Iran]
US-Iran nuclear deal
Iran
--will cut current stockpile of LEU by 98% to 300kg for 15 years
--reduce enrichment capacity by two-thirds
--will allow UN inspectors to enter Iranian sites, but with permit from Iran
US
--will remove sanctions against Iran, allowing it to start selling oil again, use global finances
--will gradually lift arms embargo(stay in place for 5 years)
Benefits to India
Energy: will bring large amounts of Iranian oil in market, will make Farzad gas field available for development by OVL
Business: will unlock frozen assets and make Iran available for investment and engagement by Indian companies
Connectivity: Iran as India's gateway to Central Asia, is viable as bypass to reluctant Pakistan
Security: Iran's rise as a regional actor will open new options for Delhi in Afghanistan, and also to counter terrorism in the region
Concerns for India
--situation in West Asia may become volatile
--backlash from Saudi could lead to nuclear cooperation with Pakistan
--support for deal could cause trouble in relations with Israel
--benefits of trade may go to Russia, China, US, Europe

[IR > US]
Issues usually discussed in Indo-US relations
--civil nuclear cooperation
--green technologies and energy solutions
--IPR protection, pharma and drug issues
--global strategic, political, economic interests(UN SC reforms, human rights and security)
--people to people ties

[Economy/Enviro]
Go through:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Rivers_Inter-link

Crowd management failure at Maha Pushkaram festival at Rajahmundry--27 die in stampede
Need better planning and regulation of flows, need to keep VIP moving and not block crowds, plan for contingency(extra crowd)