9 PM Current Affairs Brief – March 8th, 2018

Balkrishna Doshi wins architecture’s top Pritzker Prize, first Indian to do so Context: Nonagenarian architect and reputed urban planner Balkrishna Doshi has been named this year’s winner of architecture’s highest honour — the Pritzker Prize. Why is it in news? Balkrishna Doshi is the first Indian to receive the award. Balkrishna Doshi’s contribution to architecture:… Continue reading Balkrishna Doshi wins architecture’s top Pritzker Prize, first Indian to do so

The power of numbers Context: Collecting data about sexual violence is a crucial step towards breaking the culture of silence Statistics Difference in perceptions about the prevalence of sexual harassment: When the India Human Development Survey (IHDS) asked men and women in over 40,000 households about how often young women in their neighbourhoods were harassed,… Continue reading The power of numbers

‘Provide safety to couples facing threat’ Context: The Centre suggested that couples facing a threat to their lives from relatives or community Panchayats like khap should have a provision to inform the officer who is registering their marriage. Why is it in news? The Centre acknowledged that ‘honour killing’ is neither separately defined nor classified… Continue reading ‘Provide safety to couples facing threat’

Centre’s reply sought on Rohingya Context: The Supreme Court has asked the government to reply to a plea by Rohingya refugees to treat them on a par with the Sri Lankan refugees in India as far as health care and education are concerned. Details: The court was informed by Prashant Bhushan, counsel for the Rohingya… Continue reading Centre’s reply sought on Rohingya

Sri Lanka must act firmly on anti-Muslim violence Context: It is time that the Sri Lanka’s government had decisively and impartially put down anti-Muslim violence. Background: In recent years, Muslims have been targeted by extreme right-wing groups, which are presumably looking for new enemies after the fall of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).… Continue reading Sri Lanka must act firmly on anti-Muslim violence

Our toasters are brave Context: Today, the “Internet of Things” (IoT), the term coined by Peter T. Lewis in 1985, is threatening to take control of the planet. Background: Interestingly, one of the first IoTs is perhaps what John Romkey created — a toaster that could be turned on and off over the Internet for… Continue reading Our toasters are brave

Be alert to Operation ‘Dhakka’: on the toppling of the Lenin statue Context: The toppling of the Lenin statue in Tripura What has happened? On March 5th 2018, saffron-sporting men felled the statue of Lenin- the Russian communist revolutionary A second Lenin statue was similarly toppled at another site in the State shortly thereafter Syama… Continue reading Be alert to Operation ‘Dhakka’: on the toppling of the Lenin statue

Rooftop energy Context: Surveys to map usable rooftops for solar power must be undertaken nationwide Why in news? Bengaluru’s aerial mission to produce a three dimensional map of rooftop solar power potential using Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data can give solar  source of power a big boost Highlights’ of the survey: A survey determines… Continue reading Rooftop energy

Assam govt. moves to check hit-and-runs at Kaziranga Context: The Assam government recently informed the National Green Tribunal that State government had allocated financial assistance of a sum of Rs 11 crore for the installation of sensor-operated automated traffic barriers to check unnatural death of animals around the Kaziranga National Park. Directions:  The directions came… Continue reading Assam govt. moves to check hit-and-runs at Kaziranga

‘A fight for a cleaner future’ Context: International Solar Alliance’s founding conference to be held in New Delhi. Introduction: International Solar Alliance conference will be jointly held by India an France. Venezuela’s President Maduro is making his first visit to India for two days for the International Solar Alliance How significant is this visit expected… Continue reading ‘A fight for a cleaner future’

The ecologically subsidised city Context:  Kolkata’s wetland conservation and ecological importance Rural ecological reference:  A renowned environmentalist discovered that kolkatas waste water is detained in shallow water bodies which serve as oxidation ponds because of the presence of algae. Under the open tropical sun Ghosh discovered that water undergoes change, getting comprehensively treated and cleaned… Continue reading The ecologically subsidised city

‘U.S. move to raise import duty may hit domestic steel market’ Context: According to Indian Steel Association (ISA), the proposal by the Trump administration to levy a steep tariff on steel imports would encourage steel-surplus nations to divert their exports India Details: The association has said that U.S. move to club India, a steel non-mature… Continue reading ‘U.S. move to raise import duty may hit domestic steel market’

Banks face Rs. 20,000 cr. bond losses: report Context: Indian bank are starting at Rs 20,000 crore losses in the bond portfolio in the January-March quarter, which is three times more than the losses incurred in the Oct-Dec quarter. Highlight from the report: As per the Credit Suisse(Swiss multinational financial services holding company, headquartered in… Continue reading Banks face Rs. 20,000 cr. bond losses: report

India-China trade hits a record $84.4 billion Context: The India-China bilateral trade has reached $84.44 billion last year. Rise in bilateral trade: The bilateral trade in 2017 rose by 18.63% year-on-year to reach $84.44 billion. The volume of bilateral trade for the first time touched $80 billion above the $71.18 billion registered last year. Prevailing… Continue reading India-China trade hits a record $84.4 billion

Cabinet approves easing spectrum cap Context: The Union Cabinet has approved relaxing the cap on spectrum holding by telcos Details: The Cabinet has also given telcos the option to extend the time period for payment of spectrum bought in auction to 16 years from the present 10 years. This is likely to help with the… Continue reading Cabinet approves easing spectrum cap

Aadhaar uncertainty can’t go on, says judge Context: Justice D.Y. Chandrachud highlighted the prevailing uncertainty and dangers, especially in the banking and financial sectors, of waiting till the “last minute” to extend the March 31 deadline for Aadhaar linkage. What is in news? Supreme Court: The Supreme Court expressed displeasure over banks, mobile phone companies… Continue reading Aadhaar uncertainty can’t go on, says judge