9 PM Current Affairs Brief – November 10, 2018

Not in direct talks with Taliban: MEA  News: Amid reports of a significant shift in stance with India attending talks with the Taliban at the second 12-nation ‘Moscow format meeting of consultations on Afghanistan’ in Moscow, the Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that no direct conversation between the two sides was part of the… Continue reading Not in direct talks with Taliban: MEA 

India appreciates sanctions waiver News: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed appreciation for the United States’ waiver on India-Iran energy trade and the Chabahar Port project. Important Facts: Background: US has granted temporary waivers for Iran oil imports to eight countries including India owing to the significant reductions in their oil imports from… Continue reading India appreciates sanctions waiver

Don’t compare air pollution to smoking’ News: Anti-tobacco activists are expressing concern that comparing the ill-effects of air pollution to that of smoking will result in trivialising the catastrophic effects of smoking. Important Facts: Comparing air pollution to smoking is based on a formula proposed by a Berkeley Earth study that draws an equivalence between… Continue reading Don’t compare air pollution to smoking’

Most child deaths due to pneumonia in India News: The 2018 Pneumonia and Diarrhea Progress Report, by the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) released on the eve of 10th World Pneumonia Day (November 12) describes progress in fighting pneumonia and diarrhoea in 15 countries. Important Facts: The report analyses how effectively countries are delivering 10… Continue reading Most child deaths due to pneumonia in India

HAL trainer clears crucial spin test News: HTT-40, the indigenously-built basic trainer aircraft has cleared its first spin test . Important Facts: A few more tests are due to follow before the aircraft can get its operational certification, likely in mid-2019. The HTT-40, will join the 75 Swiss Pilatus PC-7 Mark II trainers that are… Continue reading HAL trainer clears crucial spin test

Army fire power gets booster shot News: The Army recently inducted M777 Ultra Light Howitzers, K9 Vajra-T self-propelled artillery gun, common gun tower giving a boost to the defence capabilities. Important Facts: About M777 Ultra Light Howitzers: This is the first artillery gun systems in three decades after the Bofors guns procured from Sweden in… Continue reading Army fire power gets booster shot