Sri Lanka political crisis: Parliament Speaker asks public servants not to execute President’s orders News: Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena has dissolved Parliament and called for elections on Jan. 5 in a bid to stave off a deepening political crisis over his dismissal of the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe that opponents say is unconstitutional. Important… Continue reading Sri Lanka political crisis: Parliament Speaker asks public servants not to execute President’s orders
Category: Test 1
Don’t compare air pollution to smoking’
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
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
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
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
Not in direct talks with Taliban: MEA
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
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
Centre to sell its entire stake in Dredging Corporation
Centre to sell its entire stake in Dredging Corporation News: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved divestment of its entire 73.44 percent stake in Dredging Corporation of India to a consortium of four ports. Important Facts: 2. The consortium of four ports are namely Vishakhapatnam Port Trust, Paradeep Port Trust, Jawahar Lal… Continue reading Centre to sell its entire stake in Dredging Corporation
6 airports get Centre’s nod for privatisation; AAI to hold a minor stake
6 airports get Centre’s nod for privatisation; AAI to hold a minor stake News: The government has decided for operation,management and development of six airports through a public-private partnership (PPP) model of six airports. Important Facts: The chosen airports are of Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and Guwahati. This comes 12 years after Delhi and… Continue reading 6 airports get Centre’s nod for privatisation; AAI to hold a minor stake
Political economics: credit stimulus for MSMEs
Political economics: credit stimulus for MSMEs News: The Prime Minister has launched a support and outreach programme for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector to give a boost to the sector and help generate employment. Important Facts: Background: MSMEs, which account for 30% of India’s gross domestic product (GDP), were hit hard by… Continue reading Political economics: credit stimulus for MSMEs
