9 PM Current Affairs Brief – May 11th, 2018

Fungus that attacks frogs originated in East Asia: study News: According to a new research published in the journal Science, the chytrid fungus responsible for the decline of amphibian populations around the world may have originated in East Asia. Important Facts: The fungus causes a disease called chytridiomycosis, which attacks the animal’s skin In this… Continue reading Fungus that attacks frogs originated in East Asia: study

Tiny fossil shells give clues to climate on ancient Earth Environment; earths climate; Cambrian explosion News A new study has analyzed tiny fossil shells to reveal clues about Earth’s climate over 500 million years ago. Important Facts: The discovery as a research paper has been published in the journal Science Advances Findings suggest that animal life… Continue reading Tiny fossil shells give clues to climate on ancient Earth

Need rules to balance out digital media: Smriti Digital media; security News: Recently, Information and Broadcasting Minister highlighted the need for regulations in the digital media industry Important Facts IB Minister of India inaugurated the 15th Asia Media Summit (AMS) 2018 This is the first time the summit has been organised in India The summit… Continue reading Need rules to balance out digital media: Smriti

Getting down to business Commercial disputes; Ease of doing Bussiness Article: India ranked lowest in the enforcing contracts” parameter of the In the ease of doing business rankings of the World Bank, so it is important to have speedy justice in commercial disputes. Important Facts: With rapid economic development and large inflows of Foreign Direct… Continue reading Getting down to business

Online retail flip Effects of Liberalisation; Indian Retail FDI, e-commerce News: Walmart is planning to buy a controlling stake of 77% in Flipkart, a home grown e-commerce company for a sum of $16 billion. Important Facts: Rivals of Walmart and their footprint in India: Amazon: Just behind Flipkart in the share of Indian e-commerce. China’s… Continue reading Online retail flip

SC reserves verdict in Aadhaar case Aadhar Act News: The Supreme Court has reserved it verdict on petitions challenging Constitutional validity of AadhaarAct Important Facts: The petitions challenge: The constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act on the ground that it violates citizen’s right to privacy Aadhaar Project from 2009 to 2016 Parts of the project which… Continue reading SC reserves verdict in Aadhaar case

Trump-Kim summit on June 12 North Korea- US News: US President Donald Trump announced that US-North Korea Summit will be held on 12th June Important facts The summit will be held in Singapore Donald Trump will be the first sitting US President to meet with a North Korean leader

It’s not about the nuclear deal Iran nuclear deal; global politics News: Mr Chinmaya R. Gharekhan, a former Indian Ambassador to the United Nations opines that US pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal has little to do with the nuclear deal and more with the regime change in Tehran. Important Facts: Iran could stand… Continue reading It’s not about the nuclear deal

NFR submits studies on link to Bhutan India Bhutan News: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has submitted studies to the Ministry of External Affairs to extend rail connectivity to Bhutan Important Facts: Currently, there is no rail link between India and Bhutan Feasibility studies were carried out at five locations The feasible rail links are:… Continue reading NFR submits studies on link to Bhutan

Mahathir’s surprise: on the Malaysian elections Malaysia News: Mahathir Mohamad, a 92 year old political veteran elected as the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Important Analysis: This election can spur democratic movement in Southeast Asia, in which one party rule and military’s influence is dominant. The clear majority for the opposition Pakatan Harapan in the new… Continue reading Mahathir’s surprise: on the Malaysian elections