9 PM Current Affairs Brief – October 13th, 2018

Shanghai Cooperation Organization meet: No thaw in India-Pak freeze, Sushma Swaraj underlines terror threat News: India’s Foreign Minister during Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tajikistan, highlighted Terrorism remains the most overwhelming threat to development and prosperity of the nation. Important Facts: Indian Foreign Minister has refused to communicate with Pakistan during SCO summit in Tajikistan. Pakistan… Continue reading Shanghai Cooperation Organization meet: No thaw in India-Pak freeze, Sushma Swaraj underlines terror threat

By extension: NRC for Tripura News: Supreme Court to hear petition for National Register of Citizens for Tripura. Important News: Group of activist from Tripura has filed a petition on Supreme Court seeking a process to identify illegal migrants and deport them from the State. Why demand for NRC in Tripura: Due to heavy influx… Continue reading By extension: NRC for Tripura

1 in 5 Indian children ‘wasted’, says GHI News: India’s ranking in the Global Hunger Index dropped three places to 103 out of 119 countries recently released 2018 report titled “Forced Migration and Hunger”. Important Facts: About Global Hunger Index The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger globally and… Continue reading 1 in 5 Indian children ‘wasted’, says GHI

Mission to sequence genes of a ‘large group’ of Indians News: Recently India planned to roll out a major mission to sequence the genes of a “large” group of Indians. Important Facts: This key decisions was taken at the 1st meeting of Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (STIAC). The Council will act as a… Continue reading Mission to sequence genes of a ‘large group’ of Indians

IMD predicts a warmer winter than usual in India due to El Nino News: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune has predicted a warmer winter and “increased drought conditions” over India owing to El-Nino. Important Facts: IMD has predicted a warmer winter than usual in India in 2018, however the degree by which temperatures will… Continue reading IMD predicts a warmer winter than usual in India due to El Nino

Globally, C-section close to double since 2000: The Lancet News: Lancet conducted a study to analyze the trends in C-section use across 169 countries across the world. Important Facts: Global trends: India’s case:   Reasons for c-section: Women marrying late and delayed pregnancies. Poor birth preparedness and Uncertain timing of natural labor Women more career… Continue reading Globally, C-section close to double since 2000: The Lancet

Overhaul GDP norms: MPs News 1. Estimate committee of Parliament has said the current manner of measuring GDP needs an overhaul as it gives incomplete estimation of economic activity. Important facts 2. Need for change in GDP: It does not measure the depletion of natural resources. It did not incorporate the economic contributions of women… Continue reading Overhaul GDP norms: MPs

Head in sand: Rejecting HCI rankings won’t help India News: India ranked at 115 out of 157 countries on Human Capital Index (HCI) released by World Bank as part of World Development Report (WDR) 2019. Broader theme of the World Development Report (WDR) this year is “The Changing Nature of Work”. Components of Human Capital… Continue reading Head in sand: Rejecting HCI rankings won’t help India