9 PM Current Affairs Brief – January 23, 2018

Getting back on the democratic path Context: India and countries worldwide find existing governmental systems unable to cope with contemporary challenges or people’s expectations, some even with basic needs. Particularly alarming is the condition in democracies, where the ideals and concepts, the very essence of their being, are threatened. What are the roots of democracy?… Continue reading Getting back on the democratic path

The perilsous march of Hindistan Context: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor recently questioned in Lok Sabha the purpose of making Hindi an official language at the United Nations. The three-language policy: Parliament passed the Official Language Resolution in 1968, stipulating that a modern Indian language (MIL), preferably one of the southern languages, be studied in Hindi-speaking… Continue reading The perilsous march of Hindistan

Chelameswar calls for free judiciary Context: Justice J. Chelameswar, called for an independent judiciary, saying it was necessary for a liberal democracy. What is the measures to taken for a liberal demoracy? Firstly, for the survival of a liberal democracy, an impartial and independent judiciary is essential. Secondly, for the welfare of the country, a… Continue reading Chelameswar calls for free judiciary

EC pulled up for backing simultaneous polls Context: Questions have been raised by lawmakers about Election Commission’s recent statements endorsing simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assemblies. Background: There had been simultaneous elections until 1967, but the pattern changed after the dissolution of some Assemblies through the imposition of President’s rule under Article… Continue reading EC pulled up for backing simultaneous polls

Take interim steps to tribunal postings:SC Context: The Supreme Court directed attorney General K.K. Venugopal and amicus curiae Arvind Datar to discuss an agreement for the committee appointing judicial members to key tribunals. What is in news? Questions have been raised whether the Central Tribunal, Appellate and other Authorities (Qualifications, Experience and other conditions of… Continue reading Take interim steps to tribunal postings:SC

Former Maldives President accuses China of land grab Context: Exiled Maldives opposition leader Mohammed Nashid has accused China of seizing land in Maldives and also undermining its sovereignty What are the accusations? The leader has voiced his concerns over the increasing Chinese presence in Maldives He has accused that Chinese interests had leased around 16… Continue reading Former Maldives President accuses China of land grab

Less nationalism more connectivity Context: Ahead of the ASEAN-India Summit 2018, Thailand’s Ambassador to India and a key official convening the ASEAN-India summit, highlighted the importance of a conducive political atmosphere and reduction in “national rhetoric” to ensure growth of the connectivity projects in the region. What is the importance of connectivity? Strengthening connectivity, including… Continue reading Less nationalism more connectivity

Towards an endgame Context: Turkish President has announced that Turkish forces alongside the Free Syrian Army had begun armed operations in the Syrian town of Afrin What is in the news? With the conflict with the Islamic State (IS) almost coming to an end, Turkey has taken a major step against the Kurdish fighters on… Continue reading Towards an endgame

Fourth tiger estimation begins in AP  Context: The fourth All-India Tiger estimation began in the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) on 22nd January 2018 What is the method used in the survey? An app, named, Monitoring System for Tigers-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-StrIPES) is being used for the tiger estimation The new app is used… Continue reading Fourth tiger estimation begins in AP 

Detecting the change early on Context: A study by the researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, published in the Journal of Cell Science demonstrates how normal cells change into cancerous ones. What is the method used in the study? For the study, breast epithelial cells grown in 3D cultures… Continue reading Detecting the change early on

IMF raises global growth forecast, sees US tax boost  Context: The International Monetary Fund revised up its forecast for world economic growth in 2018 and 2019. What are the findings of the report? United States and China: Pointing to growth in the United States and China, the IMF forecast global growth to accelerate to 3.9%… Continue reading IMF raises global growth forecast, sees US tax boost 

Prabhu urges better India ASEAN connect Context: The government called for greater trade and investment engagement between India and the ten-member ASEAN bloc, especially in agriculture as well as minerals and ocean resources. What are the steps to be taken by India for a stronger Indo-ASEAN relation? There needs to be an easier movement of… Continue reading Prabhu urges better India ASEAN connect

Indians feel CEOs should be paid less Context: Oxfam’s report titled ‘Reward Work, Not Wealth’ found that the richest 1% in the world owns more wealth than the whole of the rest of humanity. 82% of all growth in global wealth in the last year went to the top 1%, while the bottom half of… Continue reading Indians feel CEOs should be paid less