9 PM Current Affairs Brief – December 6, 2018

The role of the 5 Sikh takhts, and the debate over a proposal for a 6th News: A proposal for a sixth Sikh takht at Guru Nanak Dev’s birth place in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan has sparked a debate in the Sikh community. Facts: Takht is a Persian word that means imperial throne. At present… Continue reading The role of the 5 Sikh takhts, and the debate over a proposal for a 6th

Eight-day-long Vrischikolsavam begins News: Vrischikolsavam, the annual festival of Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple celebrated at Tripunithura in the city of Kochi in Kerala Facts: About Vrischikolsavam Festival The festival lasts for 8 days with features of traditional folk art forms such as Ottanthullal, Kathakali, Thayambaka, Chenda melam, Kacheri. Festival is the colorful procession of Lord Sree… Continue reading Eight-day-long Vrischikolsavam begins

India gets first witness protection scheme News The Supreme Court has approved Witness Protection Scheme and asked the states to enforce it Important Facts 1. Aim of the scheme:  to enable a witness to depose fearlessly and truthfully by providing appropriate protection from the state 2. The programme identifies “three categories of witnesses as per… Continue reading India gets first witness protection scheme

Ombudsman, limited liability cover to make e-wallets safer News: RBI to Introduce Limited Liability, for Prepaid Instruments such as digital wallets, smart cards, and online accounts. Facts: What does it mean? Limited liability guarantees users that they lose money through an unauthorized transaction such as a third-party hack, the extent of liability will be limited,… Continue reading Ombudsman, limited liability cover to make e-wallets safer

First baby born via uterus transplanted from dead donor News: World’s first baby born after uterus transplant from deceased donor in Brazil Facts: According to Lancet report, a mother who received a uterus transplant from a dead donor gave birth to a healthy baby via caesarean section Currently, uterus donation is only available for women… Continue reading First baby born via uterus transplanted from dead donor

Extreme weather report suggests neighbours worse hit than India News: Climate Risk Index (CRI) developed by Germanwatch analyses impacts of extreme weather events, in terms of fatalities and economic losses. Facts: According to report India is 14th most affected countries by extreme weather events in the last 20 years. India’s neighbor Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan and… Continue reading Extreme weather report suggests neighbours worse hit than India

India drives global rise in CO2 emissions: Report News According to Global Carbon Project Report global carbon emissions are set to hit an all-time high of 37.1 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2018 Facts: The 2018 global emission is expected to rise by more than 2 percent from last year, driven by a solid growth… Continue reading India drives global rise in CO2 emissions: Report

Opinion | Climate change: moving talks to action Issues with climate governance: The United Nations has been focusing on the “emissions gap” to address climate change; however, it does not fix the responsibility nor does it state how to do it The developed countries have been diluting commitments to address climate change by not providing… Continue reading Opinion | Climate change: moving talks to action

Potential of GIs is waiting to be tapped Article: What is a Geographical Indication(GI)? A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. It works as an intellectual property right in law, wherein a product belongs exclusively to… Continue reading Potential of GIs is waiting to be tapped

RBI points to 7 risks to inflation outlook News The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept the repo rate unchanged Important Facts: Repo rate, Reverse repo rate, marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the bank rate have been kept unchanged BASICS: Repo rate: It is the rate at which the central bank of a… Continue reading RBI points to 7 risks to inflation outlook