9 PM Current Affairs Brief – December 31, 2018

140 cases pending in lower courts for more than 60 years News: 140 cases pending in lower courts for more than 60 years. Important Facts: Official Data shows cases pending for more than 30 years are as high as 66,000 in district and subordinate courts. And those pending for more than five years add up… Continue reading 140 cases pending in lower courts for more than 60 years

Hard lesson: funds not enough to attract teachers to government schools News: Increased budget of state government for school education has failed to attract permanent qualified teaching staff. Important Facts: Report prepared by Child Rights and You (CRY) and Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability discusses the relevance and challenges of outcome-based budgeting for Centrally… Continue reading Hard lesson: funds not enough to attract teachers to government schools

Pradhan launches sanitary pad-making initiative PT Facts News: Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, launched ‘Ujjwala Sanitary Napkins’ initiative. Important Facts: The mission is an initiative of three oil marketing companies (IOCL, BPCL and HPCL) in Odisha, is aimed to educate women on female hygiene and health, improve accessibility to low cost eco-friendly sanitary pads and… Continue reading Pradhan launches sanitary pad-making initiative

Woman in Combat Role News: Army Chief argued society in-preparedness for induction of women in combat roles Important Facts: Indian Air Force already inducted three women fighter pilots; Indian Navy confirmed induction of women as sailor Indian Army inducted women in number of select areas like medical, engineering and granted permanent commission but kept off… Continue reading Woman in Combat Role

Plan before making a bid News India has expressed interest to host the 2032 Summer Olympic Game Important Facts: Steps to be taken by Indian Olympic Association India must perform well at the 2020 Olympic Games to convince the world that it gives due importance to sports India should host multisport events in the coming… Continue reading Plan before making a bid

More Species on IUCN News: India’s sixth national report (NR 6) submitted to Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD) says on track to meet national biodiversity targets but more animal species documented under Critically Endangered, Endangered and Threatened categories of IUCN Red List Important Facts: Objective of Report: to provide information on measures taken domestically to conserve… Continue reading More Species on IUCN

HIV reality check News: A pregnant women in Madurai, TN tested positive for HIV after receiving infected blood from government hospital blood bank Important Facts: A 23-year-old pregnant woman in Tamil Nadu tested positive for HIV after receiving a unit of blood at a government hospital blood bank, indicating glaring lapses in screening procedures. The… Continue reading HIV reality check