9 PM Current Affairs Brief – January 8, 2019

The centre moves east: Context: The article discusses the advancement of Bangladesh economically and its implications for the sub-continent. Facts: Sheikh Hasina has been elected consecutively for the third time as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, providing the much needed continuity in Bangladesh’s political and economic realm. The stability and continuity provided by Hasina has… Continue reading The centre moves east

The feminization of Indian politics News: Study shows women legislators in India raise economic performance in their constituencies by about 1.8 percentage points per year more than male legislators. Important Facts: The project studies close elections between men and women for election to India’s state legislative assemblies. It finds significantly higher growth in economic activity… Continue reading The feminization of Indian politics

Citizenship Bill News: Union Cabinet cleared the redrafted Citizenship Amendment Bill. Important Facts: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has recommended that Assam government should help settle migrants “especially in places which are not densely populated, thus, causing lesser impact on the demographic changes and providing assistance to the indigenous Assamese people.” The committee rejected the… Continue reading Citizenship Bill

SC notice to EC on VVPAT verification News The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Election Commission (EC) on increasing the tallying count and cross-verify the VVPAT in at least 30% randomly chosen polling stations within each Assembly segment/constituency. Important Facts According to the petition filed, the fraction of polling stations chosen for… Continue reading SC notice to EC on VVPAT verification

Leprosy is no longer a ground for divorce News Lok Sabha has passed The Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018. Important Facts The bill seeks to remove leprosy as a ground for divorce in five personal laws – Hindu Marriage Act, Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, Divorce Act (for Christians), Special Marriage Act and the Hindu… Continue reading Leprosy is no longer a ground for divorce

Seaplanes to connect Andaman islands soon News: Islands in Andaman will soon be connected through seaplanes Important Facts: Under the regional connectivity scheme Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN), Civil Aviation ministry has invited bidders to participate in regional connectivity program to provide transport services through seaplanes. The amphibious seaplanes have the ability to take… Continue reading Seaplanes to connect Andaman islands soon

IIT Madras team produces gas hydrates under ‘space’ conditions News: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras produces gas hydrates under space conditions. Important Facts: Experiment has shown that methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) can exist as gas hydrates at temperatures and pressures seen in interstellar atmosphere. In terrestrial conditions, gas hydrates are formed naturally under… Continue reading IIT Madras team produces gas hydrates under ‘space’ conditions

Jaitapur: A risky and expensive project Article: Article discuss about concerns over economics and safety of the European Pressurised Reactors (EPRs). Important Analysis: India has initiated the process of importing six nuclear European Pressurised Reactors (EPRs) more than a decade ago, but the project had made little progress due to concerns about the economics and… Continue reading Jaitapur: A risky and expensive project

Wild animals begin migration to Wayanad sanctuary News: Seasonal migration of wild animals from Nilgiri Biosphere to Wayanad Wild Life Sanctuary. Important Facts: The annual migration begins from the end of February and it continues till the advent of monsoon in search of fodder and water. Animals also migrate to wildlife sanctuary from Muthumalai Tiger… Continue reading Wild animals begin migration to Wayanad sanctuary