9 PM Current Affairs Brief – February 19th, 2018

42 Indian languages stare at extinction Context: More than 40 languages or dialects in India are believed to be heading towards extinction Details: More than 40 languages or dialects in India are considered to be endangered. There are 42 languages which are spoken by less than 10,000 people. These are considered endangered and may be… Continue reading 42 Indian languages stare at extinction

Myanmar dam on border worries Manipur village Context: A dam being constructed by Myanmar across a river close to the boundary becomes a reason of concern among border villagers in Kengjoi subdivison of Manipur’s Chandel district. What is the issue? The topography of the area is such that the immediate villages will be submerged if… Continue reading Myanmar dam on border worries Manipur village

Directing reforms Context: Recently, in a landmark judgement the Supreme Court has imposed an additional disclosure norm for candidates contesting elections. About the Supreme Court Verdict: The Court has asked the Centre to amend the rules as well as the disclosure form filed by candidates along with their nomination papers, to include the sources of… Continue reading Directing reforms

India still hopeful of nuclear deal with Westinghouse Context: India is confident of concluding the nuclear deal with reactor-maker Westinghouse Electric very soon as it expects the company to come out of bankruptcy. Background: Following the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal, India has been in discussion with Westinghouse since 2005 to build six AP1000 nuclear reactors. NPCIL… Continue reading India still hopeful of nuclear deal with Westinghouse

Guards get modern weapons to fight poaching Context: In a major initiative for wildlife protection, the forest guards in Assam were given modern weapons to check poaching of rhinos, tigers and other wild animals. What is in news? Altogether 74 rhinos have been killed by poachers since 2015 and 316 poachers arrested during 2015-17. Thus,… Continue reading Guards get modern weapons to fight poaching

Cryptoassets: regulation in the air? Context: Despite repeated cautions by the Reserve Bank of India and the Finance Ministry about the risks associated with investing in cryptocurrencies ,  and their illegality when used as actual currency, the crypto-industry is still pretty enthusiastic about India and maintains that even the government’s negative stance has been exaggerated.… Continue reading Cryptoassets: regulation in the air?

Slowly, but surely, AI use is rising across industries Context: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been subjected to debates including concerns around machines overtaking, or even replacing, the human workforce. Expanding boundaries through Artificial Intelligence(AI): According to the IDC Cognitive User Adoption Survey (2017), an overwhelming majority of Indian organisations (nearly 70%) — have either adopted… Continue reading Slowly, but surely, AI use is rising across industries

Virgin group, State govt. enter agreement to build hyperloop Context: High-speed transportation system will connect Mumbai and Pune Details: The Virgin Group has signed an ‘intent agreement’ with the Maharashtra government to build a hyperloop transportation system between Mumbai and Pune. The hyperloop is expected to reduce travel time between the cities to 20 minutes,… Continue reading Virgin group, State govt. enter agreement to build hyperloop

Banks to knock at RBI’s door on PNB impasse Context: Banks are planning to approach the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to break the impasse with the fraud-hit Punjab National Bank (PNB), which is declining to pay them the dues till investigations into the ₹11,500-crore LoU scam. Introduction: All the banks first tried to convince… Continue reading Banks to knock at RBI’s door on PNB impasse

Keeping the economy humming Context: There is a need to improve the private investment cycle and the banking system needs to be fixed Concerns Highlighted by Former RBI Governors and former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission:  The economy is performing below potential. The private investment rate has fallen from 33-34% of the GDP to… Continue reading Keeping the economy humming

We have pushed infra projects, says PM Context: Recently, Prime Minister Modi unveiled the foundation plaque at the ground breaking ceremony for the Navi Mumbai International Airport Details: Recently, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Magnetic Maharashtra investment summit He unveiled the foundation plaque at the ground breaking ceremony for the Navi Mumbai International Airport He… Continue reading We have pushed infra projects, says PM

Doctors for rural India Context: Nearly 600 million people in India, mostly in the rural areas, have little or no access to health care. State of rural health care today: A widespread disregard for norms Perpetual failure to reach targets and an air of utter helplessness are what mark the state of rural health care… Continue reading Doctors for rural India

Punjab plans to set up cooperative rural hubs Context: The Punjab government plans to transform primary agriculture cooperative societies (PACS) into ‘cooperative rural hubs’. Introduction: Additional Chief Secretary (Cooperation) D.P. Reddy has asked the department to set up rural hubs in selected PACSs in a phased manner across the State. Mr Reddy directed the officers… Continue reading Punjab plans to set up cooperative rural hubs

Farmers told not to use polluted Hindon water to grow vegetables Context: Farmers in western Uttar Pradesh have been asked not to use the water of the Hindon River for growing vegetables, which are also sold in the National Capital Region markets, as it has been found to be polluted and contaminated by various official… Continue reading Farmers told not to use polluted Hindon water to grow vegetables