9 PM Current Affairs Brief – February 24th, 2018

Pak. to face monitoring by international review group Context: Pakistan  has been put back on the “Grey List” for terror financing by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Plenary. What is more in news? The country will, under a “Compliance Document,” now be required to furnish a fresh report to the International Co-operation Review Group… Continue reading Pak. to face monitoring by international review group

Frame a law to oversee auditors, SC tells govt. Context: The Supreme Court has directed the government to frame a law to regulate the auditing profession, saying “failures of auditors have resulted in scandals in the past.” Details: The judgment came on a petition filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation seeking an investigation… Continue reading Frame a law to oversee auditors, SC tells govt.

No second thoughts on issues: Naidu Context: Recently, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu has said that the Union government’s “indifferent approach” and “failure in implementing the A.P. Reorganisation Act and assurances given in Parliament” would not deter Andhra Pradesh from achieving its target of becoming the world’s preferred destination by 2050. Details: According to Naidu,… Continue reading No second thoughts on issues: Naidu

Govt. schedules meeting on Lokpal for March 1 Context: The government will invite the leader of the single largest Opposition party to attend a meeting scheduled for March 1 to discuss the long-pending appointments to the anti-corruption ombudsman, Lokpal. Significant development: This is a significant development as the government has for years taken the position… Continue reading Govt. schedules meeting on Lokpal for March 1

Leaders break ground on Afghan section of TAPI Context: The long-awaited mega gas pipeline project of Turk­menistan, Afghanis­tan, Pakis­tan and India (TAPI) connecting the energy-rich Central Asian nation with the South Asian countries was inaugurated on Friday. Introduction: Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India ceremonially broke ground on the Afghan section of an ambitious, multi-billion dollar… Continue reading Leaders break ground on Afghan section of TAPI

Concerned about new Indian tariffs, says U.S. official Context: The Donald Trump administration has moved the U.S. closer to India than any previous administration on strategic issues, but disagreements on commercial issues remain challenging. What is more in news? The union budget and the new round of tariffs is seen ro make commercial issues more… Continue reading Concerned about new Indian tariffs, says U.S. official

Adopting a ‘wait and watch’ approach Context: Differing preoccupations in both countries, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit this month was a subdued affair compared to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tehran. Geographical dynamic: The future of the Iran- P5+1-European Union (EU) nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA), concluded in 2015 is… Continue reading Adopting a ‘wait and watch’ approach

U.S. tightens H-1B approval process, IT firms worried Context: The U.S. government has announced fresh measures to tighten the scrutiny of H-1B visa petitions Details: The new visa policy makes the procedure of issuing H-1B visas to those to be employed at one or more third-party worksites very tough The companies filing H-1B petitions for… Continue reading U.S. tightens H-1B approval process, IT firms worried

The champions of clean air Context: At a time when clean air is turning into a rare commodity in India, battle of five Indians for a cleaner air offers a ray of hope to fellow citizens Here are five inspiring stories:  A marathon battle: In November 2017, when pollution was at its peak in New… Continue reading The champions of clean air

‘Unplanned development plan threatening Netravathi basin’ Context: According to a study, an unplanned development path adopted by “unscrupulous decision-makers” is threatening the ecologically sensitive regions in the Netravathi river basin in Karnataka. About the Study Report: The report titled “Carrying capacity of Netravathi river basin based on the ecological sensitiveness” was released by Energy and… Continue reading ‘Unplanned development plan threatening Netravathi basin’

PM warns of action against financial fraud Context: PM  Modi warned of stringent action against those involved in financial irregularities . Introduction: PM Modi was speaking at the Global Business Summit organized by a financial daily. He asked the management of financial institutions and supervisory bodies to do their job diligently to check such frauds.… Continue reading PM warns of action against financial fraud

Canary in coal mine Context: The Central government has allowed the re-entry of commercial mining firms into the sector. Key reasons for taking coal out of the private sectors hand: India’s coal industry was predominantly driven by the private sector after Independence until the Indira Gandhi government decided to transfer all coal holdings to Coal… Continue reading Canary in coal mine

Grid stability is key Context: Instead of transmitting electricity to the farmers, the government, to start with, wants farmers to use solar energy to power their irrigation pumps. What is in news? According to the January 2018 report of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, there are about 142,000 solar pumps in India. The… Continue reading Grid stability is key