Must Read News Articles – January 16, 2018

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Society related issues:

Was purandara Dasa born in a Malnad village? (The Hindu)

There is much speculation about where Purandara Dasa, regarded as the pitamaha of Carnatic music, was born. Now, an expert committee constituted by Kannada University, Hampi, has come to the conclusion that it was most likely a small village called Kshemapura (now called Keshavapura) at Araga hobli in Tirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district

Still a raw deal for many (The Hindu)

A recent global report on social security  could serve as a useful starting point to understand the appeal of populism across the world. The World Social Protection Report 2017-19 of the International Labour Organisation could also be viewed as a blueprint for action by political parties of the mainstream

Operation Digital Board in the offing (The Hindu)

The Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) on Monday passed a resolution to take steps towards Operation Digital Board on the lines of Operation Blackboard of 1987, which was started with the purpose of providing minimum basic facilities to all primary schools.

No clarity on probe into clinical trial violations (The Hindu)

Nearly seven years after the Indian drug regulator, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) began investigating nine Andhra-based clinical research organisations (CROs) over allegations of coercing people into joining clinical trials, it has refused to share its findings under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

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International relations:

Israel seeks ‘big data’ from India (The Hindu)

Boosting measures to counter cyberthreats and to “revolutionise” Indian farm production, Israel has proposed to access India’s “big data,” the Ministry of External Affairs said at the end of the bilateral discussions on Monday, when both sides concluded four agreements.

China slams Rawat’s statement (The Hindu)

 China on Monday slammed comments by the Chief of Army Staff Bipin Rawat as “unconstructive,” and said his remarks did not conform to the spirit of September talks in Xiamen between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chinese Navy submarine in disputed isles (The Hindu)

Japan said on Monday that a Chinese naval submarine spotted in waters off flashpoint islands in the East China Sea was one of its new type of nuclear-powered attack vessels.

India assures Israeli firms of easier environment to do business (The Hindu)

Even as Israel on Monday sought the relaunch of the negotiations on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India to boost ties, New Delhi promised Israeli companies that it would address their concerns and make it easier for them to do business here.

India says Israel has taken UN vote in its stride (The Hindu)

India’s recent vote at the United Nations General Assembly, opposing U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, did not dent ties as bilateral ties are “much larger” than one issue, the External Affairs Ministry said on Monday.

Indian Constitution and Polity:

Differences with Chief Justice not yet resolved (The Hindu)

Suggestions that the differences between the four Supreme Court judges and Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra had been resolved at the daily tea meeting before the hearings in the court began on Monday, were scotched by sources close to the four judges.

AIIMS doctors challenge Nadda to open debate

Continuing its opposition to the  National Medical Commisssion (NMC) Bill,the Resident Doctors Association of AIIMS on Monday invited Union Health Minister J. P.

Restoring order in the court (The Hindu Opinion)

All the judges of the Supreme Court should sort out their differences internally and amicably

Tackling government litigation (The Hindu Opinion)

It is trite to say that the government is the biggest litigant in India. No less than the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India have acknowledged this in the recent past, goading the other — the judiciary and the executive, respectively — to explore ways of addressing this issue. The solutions to the issue that have been proposed so far have failed to understand the underlying causes.

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Economy:

Face recognition for Aadhaar validation (The Hindu)

The Unique Identification Authority of India has decided to enable Face Authentication by July 1 this year for validating Aadhaar cards.

Wholesale inflation eases to 3-month low of 3.58% (The Hindu)

Wholesale price-based inflation (WPI) has cooled in December, 2017 to a three-month low of 3.58% thanks to the decline in prices of food items, according to data released on Monday by the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

Enabling a form of super surveillance (The Hindu)

The Aadhaar project falls short in limiting biometrics collection to voluntary choice and in guaranteeing data protection

Problem of plenty (The Hindu Editorial)

Agricultural policy should look to address the problem of severe price fluctuations

Environment:

A new weapon in the carbon fight (The Hindu Opinion)

It is not usual to think of soils in the context of climate change. Policy is usually focussed on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the electricity sector, transport and industry.

 Yesterday’s current affairs material by Forum IAS

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