9 PM Current Affairs Brief – February 13th, 2018

Rethinking trafficking Context: Last India protested against the release of a report, ‘Global estimates of modern slavery: forced labour and forced marriage’, a collaborative effort of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Walk Free Foundation, and the International Organisation for Migration. Highlight of the report: The report estimated that there were 40.3 million “modern slaves”… Continue reading Rethinking trafficking

The jallikattu challenge Context: What must the Supreme Court do when a community’s right to cultural freedom comes into conflict with values of animal welfare? Tamil Nadu’s Amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA Act) The amendment discharges the practice of Jallikattu, which it defines with a sloppy lack of precision… Continue reading The jallikattu challenge

India, Oman agree to isolate sponsors of terror Context: Recently, the External Affairs Ministry stated that India and Oman have agreed to isolate the sponsors of international terrorism. Battling Terrorism: The declaration on battling terrorism came at the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Oman Both the countries acknowledged that there was an… Continue reading India, Oman agree to isolate sponsors of terror

Expanding horizons Context: India’s ‘Look West’ Policy is evolving rapidly India-UAE Relationship: Trade and economic ties are becoming central to the India-UAE relationship. A landmark pact awarding a consortium of Indian oil companies a 10% stake in offshore oil concession will be the first Indian investment in the UAE’s upstream oil sector, transforming a traditional… Continue reading Expanding horizons

Adapting better to climate change Context: Various instances of failures of adaptation project highlight the need to address equity issues while considering and framing such projects. What are adaptation projects? The adaptation projects are efforts to help people live in a world where average global temperatures are rising Failure of adaptation projects to address equity… Continue reading Adapting better to climate change

India records marginal increase in forest cover Context: According to the biennial India State of Forest Report (SFR) 2017, India has recorded a marginal increase in forest cover. Findings of the Survey: According to the Survey, India has about 7, 08,273 square kilometres of forest, which is 21.53% of the geographic area of the country… Continue reading India records marginal increase in forest cover

Unending pain: On SBI’s Q3 loss Context: For the first time in almost 19 years, the State Bank of India reported a quarterly loss of ₹2,416 crore for the three months ended December, compared with a net profit of ₹2,610 crore in the year-earlier period. Reasons: The loss was the result of both a massive… Continue reading Unending pain: On SBI’s Q3 loss