9 PM Current Affairs Brief – March 9th, 2018

Ringing in change, government style Context: All government employees in Samba district of Jammu & Kashmir have been directed to download the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” ringtone on their Jio mobile numbers. Details: The order came from the office of Deputy Commissioner on February 23, who demanded that a compliance report be filed within 24… Continue reading Ringing in change, government style

Female foeticide a shame: Modi Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8th March inaugurated the expanded “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” programme in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district. Details: Prime Minister also launched the National Nutrition Mission, aimed at improving nutrition levels of women and children and reducing low birth weight by 2% each year. Addressing the function… Continue reading Female foeticide a shame: Modi

Union govt. to set up Arbitration Council Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2018. Function of Arbitration Council: Arbitration Council will grade institutions that offer alternative dispute resolution mechanism for commercial disputes. Significance of the Arbitration Council: As India attracted foreign investments, it is essential to provide for a… Continue reading Union govt. to set up Arbitration Council

Protecting couples from mobs Context: The Prohibition of Unlawful Assembly (Interference with the Freedom of Matrimonial Alliances) Bill has been doing the rounds among States for the past seven years. Why in news? The Supreme Court is expected to frame guidelines in a judgment to protect adult couples from the fury of the mob. So… Continue reading Protecting couples from mobs

Karnataka govt. unveils State flag Context: The Karnataka government has unveiled the State flag ( nada dhwaja ) for Karnataka. Details: If approved by the Centre, Karnataka will be the second State to have a flag after Jammu and Kashmir. The proposal will be now sent to the Union Home Ministry for approval since a… Continue reading Karnataka govt. unveils State flag

SC restores Hadiya’s marriage Context: The Supreme Court has set aside a Kerala High Court order who cancelled the marriage of Hadiya to Shafin Jahan, whom she had married after converting to Islam. Explanation: The Supreme Court recognised and upheld Ms. Hadiya’s freedom “to pursue her future endeavours according to law”. This means Ms. Hadiya… Continue reading SC restores Hadiya’s marriage

Blue Star tribunal focusses on Indian sensitivities Context: A tribunal on whether further details of British involvement in the run-up to the 1984 Operation Blue Star should be made public was set to conclude. Explanation: It is important to come to a conclusion as the issue of Indian sensitivities around Sikh separatism both past and… Continue reading Blue Star tribunal focusses on Indian sensitivities

China says ties with India continue to grow Context: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that China was keen to forge closer India-China ties, cemented by a focus on greater dialogue-based on “mutual trust”. Rebuilding India and China ties: A spate of track-1 meetings is now in the pipeline, including the China-India strategic economic dialogue.… Continue reading China says ties with India continue to grow

A new NAM for the new norm Context: With three-cornered Cold War around the corner, India must seek nonaligned partnerships Three-cornered Cold War: The United States has identified both China and Russia as adversaries, whose leaders, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin are determined to stand up to a Donald Trump, who is clinging on to… Continue reading A new NAM for the new norm

Chance for peace: on US and North Korea’s relations Context: The U.S. should grab North Korea’s offer of talks, and enable an environment of trust What has happened? In a remarkable development that followed unprecedented meetings in Pyongyang, South Korea has said that North Korea has been willing to talk to US about giving up… Continue reading Chance for peace: on US and North Korea’s relations

WHO launches plan for cheaper TB drugs Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently invited pharmaceutical companies around the world to submit proposals to manufacture affordable version of newer medicines for treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis. Introduction: India has nearly 1.3 lakh DR-TB patients. However, the Health Ministry gets only 10,000 doses of Bedaquiline and… Continue reading WHO launches plan for cheaper TB drugs

India can bridge IT staff shortage in Japan’ Context: Japan is facing a shortage of information technology professionals due to an ageing population and falling birth rate. India can fill the gap with its huge talent pool, executive vice-president of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), said. IT professionals in Japan: There are about 920,000 IT… Continue reading India can bridge IT staff shortage in Japan’

‘Centre to invite initial bids for Air India in a couple of weeks’ Context: Civil Aviation Secretary R.N. Choubey recently said the Ministry was engaged in the “important task” of finding buyers for Air India and its subsidiaries as well as for Pawan Hans. Introduction: EoI would be the first such for Air India, while… Continue reading ‘Centre to invite initial bids for Air India in a couple of weeks’