9 PM Current Affairs Brief – July 31st, 2018

SC slams custom of genital mutilation News: Female genital mutilation has numerous health hazards associated with it and amounts to violation of right to life and dignity of a woman, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said recently. Important facts: The apex court’s observation came while hearing a PIL petition filed to ban female genital… Continue reading SC slams custom of genital mutilation

Centre for removal of ‘NOTA’ from RS poll News: 1. Recently, the Supreme court reserved a PIL petition for judgment , seeking to scrap the ‘NOTA’ option in Upper House polls Important facts: The Bench was led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra. According to the CJI, NOTA is meant only for universal adult suffrage and… Continue reading Centre for removal of ‘NOTA’ from RS poll

LS passes Bill on rape punishment News: It provides for death sentence for those convicted of raping those aged under 12.  News: Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Criminal Law(Amendment) Bill, 2018. Important facts: Key features of the Bill It provides for death sentence for those convicted of raping those aged under 12. Enhances the… Continue reading LS passes Bill on rape punishment

The case for increasing the retirement age of judges Article: Santosh Paul, an advocate in the Supreme Court discusses the reasons for increasing the retirement age of judges in India and he also compared it with western countries.  Important Analysis: The increasing the age of retirement for judges was featured in the Venkatachaliah Report (Report… Continue reading The case for increasing the retirement age of judges

A balancing Act News: R.K Raghavan, former CBI Director, expressed his views on the amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act . Important Analysis: To tackle rising incidences of corruption in India, the Parliament has passed the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill recently. The amendment Bill will contain the following provisions. It will mandate prior… Continue reading A balancing Act

‘Bubble risk’ brews as unsecured loans rise News: 1.Banks’ unsecured loans are at a record high, contributing 32% to the retail loan basket, which at 25% of the total loan book, is almost at its peak, according to a report by Jefferies.   Important facts: 2. According to the RBI data the overall credit growth… Continue reading ‘Bubble risk’ brews as unsecured loans rise

Suicide reports in media can affect vulnerable people: study News: 1.The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found significant associations between reporting details and suicide deaths. Important facts: Findings of the report: Reading details about suicide cases can push vulnerable people towards taking the extreme step. The scientists stressed the need for understanding the impact of media… Continue reading Suicide reports in media can affect vulnerable people: study

Stem cells will now fight Parkinson’s News: Recently, Japanese scientists announced the first human trial to treat Parkinson’s disease by injecting stem cells into brain, building on an earlier trial on primates. Important facts: The research team at Kyoto University plans to inject five million induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells, which have the potential to… Continue reading Stem cells will now fight Parkinson’s

Ban on oxytocin: doctors feel pinch News: The government has recently banned oxytocin and its formulations for the domestic market. Important facts: The move came into effect from July 1, was intended to curb the hormone injections’s misuse in cattle but the impact is being felt by pregnant women, who require the medication the most.… Continue reading Ban on oxytocin: doctors feel pinch

Leg-up for private sector participation in defence equipment manufacturing News: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approves implementation of Strategic Partnership guidelines Important facts: Purpose: It will revitalize defence industrial ecosystem and progressively build indigenous capabilities in the private sector to design, develop and manufacture complex weapon system for future needs of armed forces. It will… Continue reading Leg-up for private sector participation in defence equipment manufacturing