9 PM Current Affairs Brief – August 22nd, 2018

Beyond words News: India needs to be cautious when dealing with Pakistan with courtesy. Important facts: 2. Indian Prime minister has congratulated newly appointed PM in Pakistan to pursue “Constructive Engagement” to foster the relation and shared the vision on peace and development. 3. Pakistan’s newly appointed PM Imran Khan has offered “two steps for… Continue reading Beyond words

SC plan to clean up politics News: Recently, the Supreme Court proposed to make political parties accountable for criminalising politics. Important facts: 2. The Bench was headed by the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. 3. The court was hearing a batch of petitions to ban persons charged with heinous criminal charges from contesting elections.… Continue reading SC plan to clean up politics

SC scraps NOTA option for RS polls News: Recently, the Supreme Court scrapped the use of NOTA for Rajya Sabha polls. Important facts: 2. The three judge Bench was led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. 3. The court was hearing a batch of petitions to ban persons charged with heinous criminal charges from… Continue reading SC scraps NOTA option for RS polls

Clearing the path News: Supreme Court has taken initiative to protect elephant corridor. Important facts: To restore ecology, Supreme Court has directed to close 27 resorts operating in elephant corridor in Nilgiri to allow hassle free movement to elephants. Elephant movement is essential for survival and it also helps to regenerate forest on which other… Continue reading Clearing the path

Defining the Holocene News: Holocene Epoch named after Meghalaya. Important facts: 2. International commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) has divided geological ages of Holocene Epoch into 3 designated name. Greenlandian – Began 11,700 years ago The Northgrippian – Began 82,00 years ago Meghalayan Ages – Began 42,000 years ago 3. Holocene Epoch: The Holocene (meaning ‘recent… Continue reading Defining the Holocene

High science with low development Article: Professor Pulapre Balakrishnan has observed that development in science ignores human development. Important Analysis: 2. Rapid development in science and technology in India has left the basic necessity unattended. 3. There are major concern India need to focus on while emphasizing on the space program. 4. Concerns: Flood issues… Continue reading High science with low development

IITs to cast net for foreign faculty News: The HRD Ministrywill facilitate the recruitment of permanent foreign faculty in the IITs. Important facts: 2. The Ministry will take up the matter with the Ministries of Home and External Affairs. 3. The move was applicable only to the IITs. 4. IITs are demanding that they be… Continue reading IITs to cast net for foreign faculty

Centre moots overseas UDAN News: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has prepared a draft scheme document for “UDAN International”. Important facts: 2. Benefits of the scheme: Scheme will enable States to choose routes, provide subsidy to airlines. State governments will be able to encourage tourism on preferred international air routes by offering subsidy to domestic… Continue reading Centre moots overseas UDAN

ILO report flags wage inequality in India News: According to the International LabourOrganisation, real average daily wages in India almost doubled in the first two decades after economic reforms, but low pay and wage inequality remains a major concern. Important facts: 2. Key highlights of the International LabourOrganisation: In 2009-10, a third of all of… Continue reading ILO report flags wage inequality in India

State seeks cess on SGST, increased borrowing limit News: The Kerala government is looking forward to imposition of a 10% cess on State GST and rise in its borrowing limit from the present 3% to 4.5% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Important facts: 2. The purpose is to raise sufficient resources for the… Continue reading State seeks cess on SGST, increased borrowing limit

Kerala flood lesson for Assam: experts News: ‘Flood-experienced’ Assam can learn a lesson from the Kerala deluge to avoid large-scale disaster, say water resources and ecology experts in the Northeast. Important facts: 2. Similarity between two floods: The most worrying similarity is a network of dams in the “control of other States” surrounding Kerala and… Continue reading Kerala flood lesson for Assam: experts

Centre rules out total ban on firecrackers News: Recently, the Centre ruled out a national ban on firecrackers Important facts: 2. The apex court was hearing applications seeking a complete nationwide ban on the use, manufacture, licensing, sale, resale, or distribution of firecrackers in bid to combat pollution. 3. The Centre suggests alternative steps to… Continue reading Centre rules out total ban on firecrackers