9 PM Current Affairs Brief – 14th December, 2017

Coastal literacy project to be rolled out in 3 more districts Context The Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA) is all set to kick-start the second phase of Akshara Sagaram Also in KSLMA programme in Ernakulam, Kozhikode, and Kollam Buoyed by its success in the first phase Akshara Sagaram The Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority… Continue reading Coastal literacy project to be rolled out in 3 more districts

Crime & punishment Context There can be no impunity for those who kill in the name of honour Backdrop The conviction of six persons for the murder of a young Dalit by a trial court in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, is significant. The trial was completed in less than two years and eight of the 11… Continue reading Crime & punishment

Health tips  Context Indian Express, editorial): Instead of cancelling hospital licences, bring in patient centric laws, institutional capacity to enforce them. Recent Incidents The grievous error in declaring a live baby dead by the capital’s Max hospital Fortis hospital charging exorbitant amounts for the treatment of a seven-year-old child diagnosed with dengue Government’s Response The… Continue reading Health tips 

Pakistan files counter in ICJ: Context Pakistan on Wednesday filed a counter-memorial before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against India’s plea to prevent execution of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a military court in April. Earlier India had won a stay from the ICJ on Jadhav’s execution… Continue reading Pakistan files counter in ICJ:

The outsider: Context On adultery law (Hindu, editorial): The real issue about our adultery law is whether it should be treated as a crime Real Issue The real issue about our adultery law is whether it should be treated as a crime Reconsideration of the law on adultery is long overdue There is no doubt… Continue reading The outsider:

Disqualification moves  Context Was the Vice-President’s action against two JD(U) MPs a case of speedy justice or a hasty decision? Anti-defection law 1985 The objective of the landmark anti-defection law of 1985 was to enhance the credibility of the country’s polity by addressing rampant party-hopping by elected representatives for personal and political considerations. While this… Continue reading Disqualification moves 

More time to link accounts to Aadhaar Context The government on Wednesday extended the December 31 deadline for linking bank accounts to Aadhaar numbers by three months to March 31, 2018. Deadline extended from Dec. 31 to March 31, 2018 The deadline for linking insurance policies and mutual fund holdings to Aadhaar would also be… Continue reading More time to link accounts to Aadhaar

Microsoft new Bing update aims to tackle fake news with artificial intelli Context Microsoft on Wednesday rolled out new features on its Bing search engine powered by artificial intelligence Bing will deliver two perspectives One that summarizes the two opposing sides of contentious questions Another that measures how many reputable sources are behind a given… Continue reading Microsoft new Bing update aims to tackle fake news with artificial intelli

Narendra Modi inducts Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari into Indian Navy: Context Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned India’s first modern conventional submarine, INS Kalvari, into Navy’s fleet in Mumbai on Thursday, a first in almost two decades. ‘Kalvari is an excellent example of ‘Make in India’ and every defence vehicle, from helicopters to submarines, will be made… Continue reading Narendra Modi inducts Scorpene-class submarine Kalvari into Indian Navy:

WTO: India resolute on food security:  Context In the final stages of the ongoing summit-level negotiations of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), India upped the ante to protect its food security right, even as the U.S. refused to agree to the demands of developing nations on the issue. Demands amendments in rules to prevent member… Continue reading WTO: India resolute on food security: 

Efforts will be made to complete Polavaram by 2018: Context All efforts will be made to complete the Polavaram project in 2018 itself, Union Minister for Water Resources Nitin Gadkari Earlier Completion A target had been originally set to complete the project by 2019, but efforts were being made to provide water by gravity by… Continue reading Efforts will be made to complete Polavaram by 2018:

Prepare plan for mapping air pollution sources: SC: Context The Supreme Court directed the Centre to notify a comprehensive action plan mapping the sources of air pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region within two weeks Two Weeks SC gave the Ministry of Environment two weeks to finalise the timeline for each action point… Continue reading Prepare plan for mapping air pollution sources: SC: