9 PM Current Affairs Brief – 11th December, 2017

Breaking the silence  Context The report, on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act, looked into the reasons why most cases end up in acquittal; the conviction rate is below 20 per cent, it noted Why most cases end up in acquittal under POCSO? Victims turned hostile succumbing to pressure from the accused… Continue reading Breaking the silence 

Arbitrary and irrational  Context Bill to criminalise triple talaq Backdrop On August 22, 2017, a five judge Bench of the Supreme Court, in a majority 3:2 judgment, set aside the practice of Talaq-e-Biddat (triple talaq) The minority view of Chief Justice J.S. Khehar, who led the Bench, and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer was that triple… Continue reading Arbitrary and irrational 

A great betrayal  Context State impunity continues for acts of torture. Lawmakers and court have not stepped up to their duty Backdrop On February 19, 2016 Ashwani Kumar, a senior advocate and former Union minister of law, filed a petition before the Supreme Court of India to ensure a standalone law compliant with the UN… Continue reading A great betrayal 

What does the FRDI Bill do for you?  Context Recently, a bill tabled in Parliament in August — the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill 2017 — has been making news due to its controversial ‘bail-in’ clauses However, important as that clause may be, the other provisions of the Bill are equally so: What… Continue reading What does the FRDI Bill do for you? 

Does privacy outlive death, asks SC Context The Supreme Court has thrown open the floor for debate on whether an individual’s fundamental right to privacy subsists after death. The question rose in a challenge raised against a Madras High Court order to produce the Aadhaar data records of the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for verification… Continue reading Does privacy outlive death, asks SC

Next Door Nepal: Virtues of soft power  Context Beijing finds a binding thread in Buddhism as India pursues hard diplomacy What is soft diplomacy? Typically, it’s a term that refers to attempts to engage directly with the public in round-about ways Author’s contention: A weakening soft diplomacy In first few paragraphs, author has tried to bring… Continue reading Next Door Nepal: Virtues of soft power 

A game of chicken in the Korean Peninsula  Context On North Korea, the world is way past tactical solutions. Only a comprehensive diplomatic solution will work Event N Korea has successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in a “breakthrough” that puts the U.S. mainland within the range of its nuclear weapons whose warheads… Continue reading A game of chicken in the Korean Peninsula 

NASA probes AI for space connect  Context NASA scientists are planning to use artificial intelligence (AI) to better manage the increasing communications between its spacecraft and the Earth. At Present NASA spacecraft typically rely on human-controlled radio systems to communicate with the Earth. Cognitive radio, the infusion of artificial intelligence into space communications networks, could… Continue reading NASA probes AI for space connect 

PT related news: ICAN receives Nobel Peace Prize (The Hindu) Context The leader of the group that won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize urged nuclear nations to adopt a United Nations treaty banning atomic weapons in order to prevent “the end of us” ICAN ICAN is a coalition of 468 grassroots non-governmental groups that campaigned for… Continue reading PT related news:

How marine organisms degrade plastic bags  Context: They add to spread of microplastics A single plastic grocery bag could be shredded by marine organisms into over one million microscopic fragments, a study has found Amphipod: Orchestiagammarellus Marine scientists at the University of Plymouth examined the rate at which bags were broken down by the amphipod… Continue reading How marine organisms degrade plastic bags 

WTO: diverse views fuel bleak prospect for outcomes  Context India, China, South Africa lead developing nations in seeking commitment to ‘multilateralism, development agenda’ Backdrop The World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Buenos Aires meeting commenced amid concerns on support for anti-globalisation, protectionism and bilateralism Expectations of the majority member nations Reaffirming commitment to multilateralism and rules-based trading… Continue reading WTO: diverse views fuel bleak prospect for outcomes 

Crunch time at WTO: On farm subsidies Context India faces a tough challenge on farm issues at the Buenos Aires ministerial meet Backdrop World Trade Organisation’s 11th biennial Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires Joint Proposal from India and China With the backing of more than 100 countries, a joint proposal from India and China to… Continue reading Crunch time at WTO: On farm subsidies