9 PM Current Affairs Brief – February 26th, 2018

New India needs women as equal partners, says Modi Context: In the 41st edition of his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast on 25th February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed the need to have women as equal partners in the development of the country. Details: Apart from women’s rights, Prime Minister Modi spoke at length… Continue reading New India needs women as equal partners, says Modi

States can relax highway liquor ban Context: The Supreme Court gave the State governments the discretion to decide, on facts, whether areas covered by local self-governing bodies or areas proximate to municipal pockets should be exempted from the court’s nationwide prohibition on sale of liquor within 500 metres along the highways. Background: On July 11,… Continue reading States can relax highway liquor ban

Statute Bench to solve conflict in Supreme Court Context: Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra formed a five-judge Constitution Bench, to resolve the conflict between two three-judge Benches of the Supreme Court, which has again brought to the fore the simmering tensions within the court. Tinkering with judicial discipline: Trouble started when Justice Kurian Joseph,… Continue reading Statute Bench to solve conflict in Supreme Court

Judicial appointments in a flux Context: The retirement of Chief Justices of various High Courts just within a few days of their appointments as Chief Justices, reveal that judicial appointments in the High Courts remain in a constant state of flux. Details: Chief Justices of various High Courts and several SC judges will retire this… Continue reading Judicial appointments in a flux

Centre may enact law against fugitives Context: The Union government may consider enacting the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill to confiscate assets of those who flee the country and refuse to return after committing frauds in excess of Rs. 100 crore. Significance: Such a law assumes significance as major bank frauds have come to light. Examples:… Continue reading Centre may enact law against fugitives

Regulating the future Context: Alan Turing speculated in 1950 that around the turn of the century, it would be possible to make computers that matched the capacity of human brains, packing in about a billion neurons. Why is in news? Alan Turning predicted that if these machines were pitted against a human interrogator in what… Continue reading Regulating the future

Justin Trudeau’s discovery of India Context: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tried hard to expand his understanding of India and foster closer India-Canada relations. Khalistan controversy: The Canadian delegation should have avoided the controversy concerning the Khalistan movement, but it was self-inflicted. It stemmed from the ruling Liberal Party’s soft approach on extremist and separatist… Continue reading Justin Trudeau’s discovery of India

U.K. industry body to shut India office Context: A U.K. industry body which facilitates defence and aerospace partnerships has decided to shut its office in India. What is more in news? While a few large U.K. companies such as BAE Systems have their own offices in India, the Small and Medium Enterprises which cannot afford… Continue reading U.K. industry body to shut India office

Rustom-2 UAV takes to the skies Context: Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out a test-flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle Rustom-2. Introduction: The flight was conducted at its Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga of Karnataka. Significance: This flight assumes significance because this is the first flight in user configuration with a… Continue reading Rustom-2 UAV takes to the skies

OVL drops plan to build Iran LNG facility Context: ONGC Videsh Ltd. has dropped plans to build a $5 billion LNG export facility in Iran Details: ONGC Videsh Ltd. has opted to only invest in developing a giant gas field in the Persian Gulf for which the revised cost is being worked out In 2017,… Continue reading OVL drops plan to build Iran LNG facility

Lithium ion batteries charge up rural houses Context: The shift towards lithium ion batteries from the older technology of lead acid batteries has allowed firms like KAHO India Private Limited to help the Centre achieve its rural electrification target even in areas beyond the reach of the grid About KAHO India: KAHO India is a… Continue reading Lithium ion batteries charge up rural houses

Why has coal mining been opened up? Context: The Centre opened up commercial coal mining for the private sector recently. Key facts: About 70% of power generated in India uses coal. Domestic coal has been able to meet only 75% of our annual coal demand. What is the significance of the move? With this decision,… Continue reading Why has coal mining been opened up?

PNB: freeze on lending feared Context: The Indian industry had called for better control systems to check financial frauds and also suggested gradual reduction in government holding in public sector banks (PSBs). Why in news? Recently, PNB found that the SWIFT system had been misused by junior-level branch officials, who had fraudulently issued letters of… Continue reading PNB: freeze on lending feared

Is the endgame for NPAs in sight? Context: The bank frauds involving Punjab National Bank (PNB) and the associated companies comes at the time when  the Indian banking system is already reeling under the pressure of growing NPAs, or non-performing assets which will touch nearly Rs. 10 lakh crore by March this year. Reasons of… Continue reading Is the endgame for NPAs in sight?

Can banking recover? Context: The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) attempt to purge the banking system of bad loans has begun to resemble the spring-cleaning of a long-neglected kitchen cupboard. NPA: Indian banks recognise a loan as an NPA if its interest or principal repayments are overdue for more than 90 days. Statistics of Gross… Continue reading Can banking recover?