9 PM Current Affairs Brief – 30th November, 2017

Against gender rights  Context The decision to re-introduce the 2016 Bill on transgender rights makes a mockery of democratic norms What has happened? The transgender community and its allies have erupted in anger over the decision of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to re-introduce the original Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016… Continue reading Against gender rights 

India unlikely to cut malaria by half in 2020: WHO Context Article talks about World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report 2017 Malaria It is transmitted by the infective bite of Anopheles mosquito Incubation period: The disease has an incubation period of 10-15 days which means a person may develop symptoms after a fortnight of being bitten by… Continue reading India unlikely to cut malaria by half in 2020: WHO

Three laws, multiple prescriptions  Context What are the norms private medical practitioners follow in West Bengal, in Karnataka and in multiples states and Union Territories that have adopted the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 passed by Parliament? Backdrop Both West Bengal and Karnataka’s Acts prescribe different regulatory structures from that envisaged in the Clinical… Continue reading Three laws, multiple prescriptions 

Sorry no-show   Context Repressive mindsets rule in the CBFC and I&B ministry: That’s the message from IFFI’s refusal to screen ‘S Durga What has happened? I&B ministry during the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI)refused to allow two films, S Durga and Nude, to be screened in the Indian Panorama section Censored Though the… Continue reading Sorry no-show  

Hadiya’s Choices  Context Question to SC: Does an adult woman not have a right to privacy and autonomy? Author’s views In ordering that “the NIA investigation shall continue in accordance with law,” the SC is continuing to allow the NIA the power to delegitimise a woman’s conversion and marriage and to go on looking for… Continue reading Hadiya’s Choices 

To make instant triple talaq a crime, Govt looks to change Shah Bano law  Context Triple Talaq issue What has happened? Moving to make instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat a criminal offence, the government is considering, among changes in existing laws, amendments to The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 (Shah Bano Act)… Continue reading To make instant triple talaq a crime, Govt looks to change Shah Bano law 

Eliminate torture  Context Article talks about the need of an anti-torture law in India Need for an anti-torture law Failed extradition requests: India has made many requests for extradition of offenders from other countries, and the absence of an anti-torture law may prevent these countries from acceding to India’s requests. Earlier this month, extradition courts… Continue reading Eliminate torture 

Now, a debate on ‘royal welcome’ for Ivanka’s visit  Context India will benefit from the visit of Ivanka Trump, daughter of the U.S. President and Presidential Adviser, says the head of a key business chamber, dismissing criticism of the “royal welcome” Ms. Trump received Criticism Prime Minister of India met Ms. Trump for a one-on-one… Continue reading Now, a debate on ‘royal welcome’ for Ivanka’s visit 

Singapore offers India logistical base  Context India and Singapore 2nd Defence ministerial dialogue What has happened? India and Singapore agreed on greater cooperation and activity in the Strait of Malacca and the Andaman Sea even as the two countries concluded a wide ranging naval agreement for maritime cooperation including logistical support, during the 2nd defence… Continue reading Singapore offers India logistical base 

U.S. now within range of N. Korea’s nuclear weapons  Context North Korea said it successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Wednesday in a “breakthrough” that puts the U.S. mainland within the range of its nuclear weapons whose warheads could withstand re-entry to the Earth’s atmosphere Terms to know: ICBM It is a… Continue reading U.S. now within range of N. Korea’s nuclear weapons 

Why birds now flock to Israel  Context Climate change is turning country into a cool, befitting place for migratory avians News Climate change is turning Israel into a permanent wintering ground for some of the 500 million migrating birds that used to stop over briefly before flying on to the warm plains of Africa, Israeli… Continue reading Why birds now flock to Israel 

Indus civilisation flourished along a course abandoned by the Sutlej, says study  Context New findings on Indus Valley civilization What has happened? A team of Indian and British researchers has found that it was the Sutlej, not the “lost” Saraswati river, as some believed, that gave rise to the great Indus civilization that flourished around… Continue reading Indus civilisation flourished along a course abandoned by the Sutlej, says study 

Electric cars and us Context They are far less polluting, but pose a challenge to Indian driving practices Indian Driving practices As a rule, typically, two-wheelers and cars don’t consider lanes important. We don’t want to wait our turn but keep jumping lanes and wading around obstacles. We seem to be possessed by a primal… Continue reading Electric cars and us

Globalisation in retreat  Context Article tinkers with the popular question: The fate of globalization & where are we headed? Globalization in retreat Author cites the example of major countries where anti-globalization sentiment seems to be rising. He states that The retreat of globalization is not confined to the US alone. Germany, Britain, France and Italy… Continue reading Globalisation in retreat 

Why the humanoid robot could soon be your new best Mitra  Context A robot called Mitra greeted PM Modi and Ivanka Trump at Hyderabad’s Global Entrepreneurship Summit. We could see more Mitra-like robots soon Mitra: The Humanoid robot ‘Mitra’, the humanoid robot that greeted Prime Minister of India and Ivanka Trump at the inauguration of the 2017 Global… Continue reading Why the humanoid robot could soon be your new best Mitra 

Govt. may meld Make in India with Invest India, says Prabhu  Context Centre mulls new approach to attract more foreign investment in manufacturing What has happened? Centre is thinking over a new approach to attract more investment, including from overseas, in manufacturing sector by combining the strengths of its ‘Make in India (MII)’ & its… Continue reading Govt. may meld Make in India with Invest India, says Prabhu 

Road to an open internet  Context Author talks about as to how net neutrality has transcended from being a technical rhetoric to a subject with widespread public discussion and debate owing to the inherent sense of fairness being involved Net neutrality Net neutrality creates rules for a free and open Internet.It requires that barriers should not… Continue reading Road to an open internet