9 PM Current Affairs Brief – March 6th, 2018

Threat of new malware looms over cyberspace Context: Cyber security agencies have detected a new malware called Saposhi What has happened? Saposhi was detected around 15 days ago, and is currently being watched and studied. Saposhi is similar in its intensity to another malware called Reaper which had taken over millions of devices at the… Continue reading Threat of new malware looms over cyberspace

Cooperative Election Authority soon in Haryana Context: The Haryana government has announced that a Cooperative Election Authority would be set up in the State for supervising the election process in cooperative bodies. Function of the Cooperative Election Authority: Cooperative Election Authority will be entrusted with the responsibilities of superintendence, direction and control of the election… Continue reading Cooperative Election Authority soon in Haryana

A gathering storm Context: Rule of Law Index 2017-18 along with others such as the Amnesty International Annual Report 2017-18, indicates the serious erosion of international human rights law in recent times. About Rule of Law Index: The Report has been released by the World Justice Project It measures the extent to which 113 countries… Continue reading A gathering storm

It’s time to reimagine South Asia Context: India-China-Pakistan cooperation can transform the situation in South Asia Examples showing how India and Pakistan, which were part of a single socio-economic and cultural entity before 1947, have now completely drifted apart: There are no direct flights between New Delhi and Islamabad. The frequency of Delhi-Lahore and Mumbai-Karachi… Continue reading It’s time to reimagine South Asia

China hikes military budget by 8.1% Context: China has hiked its military budget by 8.1% China’s Defense Budget: China has hiked its defence budget by a hefty 8.1% over the previous year This has highlighted the country’s intent to build world-class armed forces. The total amount of spending would be $175 billion China has been… Continue reading China hikes military budget by 8.1%

India, China step up engagement Context: India and China are seeking to step up the pace in improving ties What are the upcoming engagements? The government will host Guo Yezhou, Vice- Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The dates have not been yet confirmed. Meeting to improve Trade imbalances:… Continue reading India, China step up engagement

Wells, rail tracks turn death traps for Gir lions Context: 32 lions died due to “unnatural causes” in two years in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat. Unnatural cases: In 2016, 12 lions died, while in 2017, 20 lions, including cubs, died due to unnatural cases.  Total of 184 lions died in the State in two… Continue reading Wells, rail tracks turn death traps for Gir lions

High noon Context: The India Meteorological Department’s forecast of above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures across the country during the pre-monsoon March-May period is a timely alert for State authorities to review their preparedness. Summer temperature in India: A spike in summer temperatures in India is not new, but some scientists contend that a half-degree rise… Continue reading High noon

Go digital ‘hype’ pushing firms to become efficient, responsive Context: Companies are facing an “ever-increasing” pressure to be more open, responsive and efficient with more ‘hype’ and emphasis being placed on becoming digital, according to a report on digitalisation by India’s second largest software exporter, Infosys. Highlights from the report: The report was titled ‘How… Continue reading Go digital ‘hype’ pushing firms to become efficient, responsive

RBI to inject extra liquidity of ₹1 lakh cr. Context: The Reserve Bank said it would inject additional liquidity of ₹1 lakh crore in banks through longer tenor instruments to enable flexibility towards meeting their fund needs. Introduction: This will be in addition to normal Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) operations. The RBI will conduct four… Continue reading RBI to inject extra liquidity of ₹1 lakh cr.

Rolling back free trade? Context: At the World Economic Forum in Davos, announcement of steep metal tariffs leaves no one in doubt about the meaning of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America first” agenda. Announcements: A 25% duty on steel and 10% on aluminum imports for an unspecified period. These blanket tariffs are the most comprehensive… Continue reading Rolling back free trade?

Opacity in the banking sector Context: The Nirav Modi case, of bank fraud, has once again brought into focus the deficiencies in procedures and supervisory and regulatory controls in the banking sector. Under the RTI In 2011-12, the Central Information Commission (CIC) considered appeals from applicants concerning bank regulatory functions after they had been denied… Continue reading Opacity in the banking sector