9 PM Current Affairs Brief – April 3, 2019

Starting May, ISRO to launch a string of ‘defence’ satellite The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is expected to launch a number strategic earth observation (EO) satellites in 2019-2020. The satellites which are expected to be launched are: a) RISAT-2B, b) Cartosat-3, c) RISAT-2BR1, d) GISAT-1(ne series), e) RISAT-2BR2, f) GISAT-2, g) RISAT-1A, and h)… Continue reading Starting May, ISRO to launch a string of ‘defence’ satellite

Manufacturing PMI at 6-month low According to Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data, manufacturing activity has slowed to a six-month low of 52.6 in March due to lower levels of new orders and production. PMI or a Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an indicator of business activity — both in the manufacturing and… Continue reading Manufacturing PMI at 6-month low

Jaitley rules out rethink on special status Union Finance Minister has said that it is not possible to give Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh as 14th Finance Commission had removed the granting of SCS to any State. Further, he said that special financial package given to Andhra Pradesh was similar to the Special… Continue reading Jaitley rules out rethink on special status

Pakistan airspace closure hits Afghan, Kazakh, Russian airlines The closure of Pakistan’s airspace, since the Indian Air Force (IAF) strikes in Balakot has affected international flights to and from India. The worst affected are airlines from West and Central Asia as their proximity to India and Pakistan means that they have to now take a… Continue reading Pakistan airspace closure hits Afghan, Kazakh, Russian airlines

Pakistan could be blacklisted by FATF due to ‘lobbying by India’, says Qureshi Pakistan foreign minister has said that Pakistan could be blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) due to lobbying by India. He estimated that Pakistan could suffer $10 billion loss annually if it remains on the FATF grey list. In June… Continue reading Pakistan could be blacklisted by FATF due to ‘lobbying by India’, says Qureshi

AFSPA ‘disturbed area’ tag extended for 3 Arunachal districts, withdrawn from 3 others The Union Government has extended the “disturbed area” tag under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) for three districts of Arunachal Pradesh for another six months, while withdrawing it partly from three other districts bordering Assam. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act… Continue reading AFSPA ‘disturbed area’ tag extended for 3 Arunachal districts, withdrawn from 3 others

12 NCR districts, Agra switch to BS-VI fuel According to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), supply of ultra-clean BS-VI grade petrol and diesel has begun in cities adjoining Delhi. In April 2018, Delhi became the first city in the country to switch from BS-IV grade petrol and diesel to BS-VI fuels. Further, cities in the national… Continue reading 12 NCR districts, Agra switch to BS-VI fuel

Enzyme to arrest bacteria cell growth discovered Scientists at the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) have discovered a new enzyme which helps in breaking cell walls of bacteria. The study has been published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, USA. The discovery could help in providing new antibiotic drugs to combat anti-bacterial… Continue reading Enzyme to arrest bacteria cell growth discovered

Third Edition of Bilateral Maritime Exercise between Royal Australian and Indian Navies – AUSINDEX-19 set to begin The third edition of AUSINDEX (Australia India Exercise) has commenced off the coast of Vishakhapatnam. AUSINDEX is a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The focus of the 3rdAUSINDEX is on anti-submarine… Continue reading Third Edition of Bilateral Maritime Exercise between Royal Australian and Indian Navies – AUSINDEX-19 set to begin

EC pulls up Railways, AI over model code The Election Commission (EC) has expressed displeasure over the lackadaisical approach of Air India and the Railways in enforcing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Earlier in March, the EC had issued a show cause notice to the Railways and Civil Aviation ministries over the use of… Continue reading EC pulls up Railways, AI over model code

Poll panel steps in to allow launch of book on Rafale deal An election flying squad had stayed the release of a book on the Rafale aircraft deal titled Nattai Ulukkum Rafale Bera Oozhal (The Rafale scam that is rocking the country), and seized its copies. Officials said that the release of the book was… Continue reading Poll panel steps in to allow launch of book on Rafale deal

India space debris may have doubled after Mission Shakti The NASA has criticised India’s Mission Shakti, the anti-satellite missile test. The Mission was carried out by shooting down Microsat-R, an Indian imaging satellite. NASA stated that the anti-satellite missile test has endangered the International Space Station (ISS) and led to the creation of nearly 400… Continue reading India space debris may have doubled after Mission Shakti