9 PM Current Affairs Brief – December 28, 2018

Amid protests, triple talaq Bill passed News: The Bill to the practice of triple talaq among Muslims a penal offence passed in Lok Sabha Important Facts: Need for the bill Despite the SC judgement in August 2017 which has made the practice of talaq-e-biddat illegal in India and striking down the practice of talaq-e-biddat (instant… Continue reading Amid protests, triple talaq Bill passed

River Dolphins go missing in Sunderbans as water salinity rises News: Population of Ganges River Dolphin on the decline due to Rise in salinity in the water system in Indian Sundarbans. Important Facts: Sighting records in the study reveal that distribution of GRD (Ganges River Dolphin) is influenced by the salinity level of the waterways.… Continue reading River Dolphins go missing in Sunderbans as water salinity rises

Lured by US assets, FIIs abandon India News: Equity markets saw a net outflow of $4.58 billion after foreign institutional investors abandon Indian market. Important Facts: FII have sold Indian equities worth $4.58 bn so far in 2018, the most since 2008 when they did withdraw $12.92 bn. FIIs were net sellers in all major… Continue reading Lured by US assets, FIIs abandon India

Ahead of polls, minor forest produce gets MSP hike News: Centre announces Minimum Support Prices for key Minor Forest Produce (MFP). Facts: Union government announced minimum support prices for 40 minor forest produce (MFPs), including wild honey and tamarind. While the floor price of 23 MFPs are revised, 17 forest produce items including Mahua flowers,… Continue reading Ahead of polls, minor forest produce gets MSP hike

Fishing areas off Mumbai have highest plastic waste concentration News: Study by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) found highest concentration of plastic waste in the country near fishing areas off the coast of Mumbai. Important Facts: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that the highest concentration of midsea plastic has been recorded… Continue reading Fishing areas off Mumbai have highest plastic waste concentration

High level of arsenic found in Punjab groundwater News: High Arsenic Levels in Punjab Wells Raising Major Public-Health Concern Important Facts: The Indus Basin region covering areas of Indian as well as Pakistan side of Punjab shows “serious” levels of arsenic in groundwater, along with traces of fluoride and nitrate Arsenic Pollution: The high Arsenic… Continue reading High level of arsenic found in Punjab groundwater

Draft e-commerce policy likely to install regulator News: The government plans to introduce a new policy to boost growth in the e-commerce industry by Important Facts: Need of Single Legislation for e-commerce: E-commerce activities are governed by a number of Regulations and Acts of the Government for instance Information Technology Act 2000, Consumer Protection Act,… Continue reading Draft e-commerce policy likely to install regulator