9 PM Current Affairs Brief – December 11, 2018

Shape of a partnership News: India and European Union endorsed a strategy for long-term vision covering security, trade, investment, environment, research and people-to-people contacts. Important Facts: EU-India Strategic partnership first established in 2004. Since then both countries witnessed a remarkable transformation in cooperation from broader and deeper security, trade, sustainable development to research and innovation… Continue reading Shape of a partnership

Govt stops foreign funding to 156 NGOs for defying order News: The Home Ministry has suspended the foreign funding license of 156 NGOs issued under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act, 2010 Facts: All entities registered under FCRA were required to open their bank accounts, as mandated in Section 17 of the FCRA, in one or… Continue reading Govt stops foreign funding to 156 NGOs for defying order

It is important to make the Union government litigation efficient Article: The article discusses the issue with increasing government litigations Important Facts: Government litigation includes service matters, disputes with private parties, disputes between two government departments and disputes between two PSUs. Extent of the issue: A 2017 document by the Ministry of Law & Justice,… Continue reading It is important to make the Union government litigation efficient

World must protect victims of wartime sexual violence’ News: Nobel Peace Prize was presented to Congolese gynaecologist Denis Mukwege and Yazidi activist Nadia Murad Important Facts: Dr. Mukwege and Ms. Murad have been awarded the prize for their efforts to stop rape and sexual violence being used as weapons of war. Dr. Mukwege has been… Continue reading World must protect victims of wartime sexual violence’

‘Many combination drugs not approved by regulator’ News: According to the study published in Tropical Medicine & International Health, many Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) do not have approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). Important Facts: Highlights of the Report: Out of 110 anti-TB FDCs available in India, only 32, (<30%), had approval.… Continue reading ‘Many combination drugs not approved by regulator’

U.S. and India call for more joint air exercises News: Cope India 2018, a 12-day joint exercise is being held between the U.S. and Indian Air Force Important Facts: About Cope India 2018 Ex Cope India 2018 is the fourth edition in the series of Bilateral Joint exercise held between IAF and USAF, which is… Continue reading U.S. and India call for more joint air exercises

Opinion | Global lessons from natural calamities Article: In the backdrop of the 2018 Kerala Floods, the article discusses the protection gap in disaster management and risk transfer to insurance companies as a solution Important Facts: Disaster Management Financing in India: The present financial scheme includes Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) and National Calamity Contingency Fund… Continue reading Opinion | Global lessons from natural calamities

NPS withdrawal made 100% tax free News: Government make entire NPS withdrawal at the time of retirement tax free. Facts: At present, 40% of the total accumulated corpus utilized for purchase of annuity is tax exempt. Of the remaining 60% corpus withdrawn by the NPS subscriber at the time of retirement, 40% is tax exempt… Continue reading NPS withdrawal made 100% tax free

Progress on eradicating polio has stalled News: Infectious disease Progress on eradicating polio has stalled. Important Facts: Why there is a concern now: WHO has missed the target multiple times to eradicate Polio globally between 2000 and 2012 and now the world, it seems, is now caught between attempts to eradicate wild polio on one… Continue reading Progress on eradicating polio has stalled

Opinion | The shackled Indian farmer News: Shruti Rajagopalan is an assistant professor of economics has discussed how the government’s help is the main cause for agrarian distress prevailing in India. Key issues: The problem is that farmers are not allowed to use all their resources and engage with global markets and the political response,… Continue reading Opinion | The shackled Indian farmer

Kaiga to set world record for non-stop production on December 10 News The indigenously built Kaiga Atomic Power Station (KAPS) has created a world record for the longest uninterrupted operation for 941 days Important Facts: The earlier record of 940 days of continuous operation was held by a British reactor called Heysham-2, Unit-8 reactor About… Continue reading Kaiga to set world record for non-stop production on December 10

Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates likely to be inducted in next three years   News: An Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356) guided missile stealth frigates is likely to be inducted into the Indian Navy in next 3 years Important Facts: Background: India and Russia had signed a contract for transfer of technology for the construction of four Admiral Grigorovich-class… Continue reading Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates likely to be inducted in next three years