9 PM Current Affairs Brief – 6th December, 2017

Pak.textbooks glorifying war:UNESCO  Context Report also blames Indian texts from 2002 that have ‘bias’ against Muslims What The Global Education Monitoring Report 2017-18 of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) expresses concern over school textbooks in many countries glorifying war and military heroes rather than teaching peace, non-violence and reconciliation It says… Continue reading Pak.textbooks glorifying war:UNESCO 

India’s plural soul  Context 25th anniversary of Babri Masjid Demolition Events that shook India’s pluralism Author begins with the partition of India & Pakistan and the ensuing horror that unveiled itself and then goes on to list out events that shook India’s pluralism After that traumatic year of partition, three dates, three events, shook Indian… Continue reading India’s plural soul 

Of Crime and punishment  Context Low conviction rates and a lack of a lawful definition of crime mark criminal administration in India Author’s contention Author states that police reform in India has been concerned with political interference ever since the landmark Supreme Court judgement, in 2006, on the subject. The focus should really be on… Continue reading Of Crime and punishment 

SC calls for regulating hefty fees of lawyers  Context The astronomical fees charged by lawyers and the commercialisation of the legal profession is a violation of the fundamental right of the poor to get equal justice, the Supreme Court held in a latest judgment Backdrop The judgment came in the case of B. Sunitha, a woman… Continue reading SC calls for regulating hefty fees of lawyers 

Supreme Court refuses to defer Ayodhya case hearing Context The Supreme Court refused requests by appellant parties from the minority community to defer the hearing in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute till after July 15, 2019, that is, post the next general elections The petition The plea was to refer the 13 appeals, including one… Continue reading Supreme Court refuses to defer Ayodhya case hearing 

UAE to set to open more consular offices in India  Context Bilateral engagement b/w India & UAE receives a new fillip What has happened? Expansion of UAE’s consular access: Boosting bilateral engagement with India, the United Arab Emirates will open several new consular centers in India and invest $75 billion of its sovereign wealth fund… Continue reading UAE to set to open more consular offices in India 

New graphene battery charges 5 times faster  What has happened? Scientists have developed a new Graphene-based battery material with charging speed five times faster than today’s lithium-ion batteries Who has done it? Researchers at the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) in South Korea Significance Provides promise for the next generation mobile batteries and electric vehicles… Continue reading New graphene battery charges 5 times faster 

2 kiwi birds are rare bright spot in grim extinction report  Context The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s latest update What has happened? The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has, Upgraded the Okarito kiwi and the Northern Brown kiwi from endangered to vulnerable. These birds belong to New Zealand What… Continue reading 2 kiwi birds are rare bright spot in grim extinction report 

Fight for market economy status  Context The U.S. protested at the World Trade Organisation against China’s bid for recognition as a market economy. Its opposition is a counter to China’s 2016 legal challenge against the U.S. and the European Union, both of which refuse to accord China the coveted status it wants Market Economy A market… Continue reading Fight for market economy status 

GST opens up a lot of data for policymaking (TH) Context The Chief Statistician of India on the economy, the meaning of the new series of GDP data, and the need to wait for the impact of demonetization to unfold Article is an interview with Chief Statistician of India. Give it a go through once

New India formula?  Context The 15th Finance Commission’s job will be especially tricky in the time of GST What The Centre has moved swiftly to notify the presidential order setting up the Fifteenth Finance Commission, within five days of the Cabinet’s approval The constitutional body is tasked with recommending a fiscal road map and a… Continue reading New India formula? 

₹8,450 crore package to boost exports post GST  Context The FTP mid-term review was to be brought out before July 1, to be implemented along with the GST. It was postponed to incorporate feedback from exporters regarding GST What has happened? The government has announced incentives worth ₹8,450 crore to boost exports of goods and… Continue reading ₹8,450 crore package to boost exports post GST