9 PM Current Affairs Brief – April 25th, 2018

Back to the court Context Rejection of impeachment motion by Chairman of Rajya Sabha The controversy: Can a presiding officer reject the motion? Section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, says the presiding officer may admit or refuse to admit the motion after holding consultations with such persons as he thinks fit, and considering… Continue reading Back to the court 

Master of the next steps Context Impeachment motion against CJI What has happened? The impeachment motion initiated against CJI has been rejected by chairman of the Upper House Removal of judge of SC A judge of the Supreme Court can be removed from his office by an order of the President. But the President can… Continue reading Master of the next steps 

Death by hanging not barbaric: govt. Context Petition challenging the constitutionality of death penalty Public Interest Litigation The PIL was filed by advocate Rishi Malhotra challenging the constitutionality of hanging to death as a mode of execution Section 354 (5) of the Code of Criminal Procedure mandates that a person sentenced to death shall “be… Continue reading Death by hanging not barbaric: govt.

U.S. to end work permits for H-1B spouses Context Change in H1B rules What has happened? U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is considering changes in the rules that allowed a certain category of H-4 visa holders — spouses of H-1B visa holders — to obtain Employment Authorisation Documents (EAD) Impact Close to 1 lakh… Continue reading U.S. to end work permits for H-1B spouses

Western Ghats reveal world’s smallest land fern Context Discovery of world’s smallest land fern What has happened? Indian researchers have discovered the world’s smallest land fern hiding in the Ahwa forests of the Western Ghats in Gujarat’s Dang district. The fingernail-sized fern belongs to a group known as the adder’s-tongue ferns, named after their resemblance… Continue reading Western Ghats reveal world’s smallest land fern 

ISRO recalls mega GSAT-11 from Kourou for re-tests Context Recall of GSAT 11 What has happened? Just over a fortnight after flying GSAT-11 out to Kourou for launch, the Indian Space Research Organisation has recalled the heaviest communication satellite it has built. The reason is said to be for conducting additional technical checks in Bengaluru,… Continue reading ISRO recalls mega GSAT-11 from Kourou for re-tests

New system to measure air quality Context India is tying up with the United States and Finland to develop a pollution-forecast system that will help anticipate particulate matter (PM) levels at least two days in advance and at a greater resolution than what is possible now. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will be coordinating… Continue reading New system to measure air quality

Army set to break a glass ceiling Context Granting permanent commission to women officers who are in service now as Short Service Commission (SSC) officers What has happened? The Army is holding consultations for preparing a plan to grant permanent commission to women in its ranks as it becomes the last military arm to give… Continue reading Army set to break a glass ceiling 

Regulation of e-commerce necessary to protect consumers, spur growth: Prabhu Context The government can regulate the e-commerce industry in a manner that safeguards the interests of the consumer and at the same time help the industry grow, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu said on Tuesday What are B2B & B2C businesses? B2B is shorthand for business… Continue reading Regulation of e-commerce necessary to protect consumers, spur growth: Prabhu

Nabbing absconders Context Approval of the promulgation of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Ordinance (FEOO), 2018 by the Union Cabinet Who is a fugitive under the FEOO? A fugitive is defined as someone who has left India to avoid criminal prosecution or who is already overseas and refuses to return to face the law The need… Continue reading Nabbing absconders

Centre seeks suggestions on long term capital gains clause Context Proposed clause in Income Tax act What has happened? The Centre has opened for public discussion its proposed clause in the Income Tax Act that would give the government the power to specify the applicability of the long term capital gains tax and the security… Continue reading Centre seeks suggestions on long term capital gains clause