9 PM Current Affairs Brief – May 14th, 2018

A tightrope walk over China for PM India china News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore on India’s defence and security outlook is expected to picture India’s ‘tightrope-balancing’ situation between the U.S. and its allies, and China. Important facts:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore and Jakarta is expected to focus… Continue reading A tightrope walk over China for PM

Hezbollah’s grip West Asia Article:  Iran-backed Hezabollah winning Lebanon parliamentary elections may deepen political crisis in the country Analysis: Lebanon has been facing major administrative and regional crisis. Recent major challenges include: Breakdown of waste management system Power shortage Syrian refugee problem which has further put a pressure on public infrastructure Poor economy Hezabollah is… Continue reading Hezbollah’s grip

Collective assertion Collegium system; SC News: Recently, the five-member collegium has unanimously  agreed “in principle” that it would reiterate its previous recommendation on appointing the chief justice of the Uttarakhand high court, K.M.Joseph, as a judge of the apex court. Important facts: With the reiteration, the Center will be bound to act on the resolution of… Continue reading Collective assertion

Domestic Violence Act for divorced women too Women issue; domestic violence News: The Supreme Court has upheld that the divorced women is entitled to get protection under the Domestic Violence Act Important Facts The Supreme Court upheld that the domestic Violence Act extends to all man-woman relationships The SC confirmed a Rajasthan High Court ruling… Continue reading Domestic Violence Act for divorced women too

An inch forward, but miles to go Hyrdrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy; oil sector News: Recently, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) has announced the completion of first round of bidding under Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Important Facts: OALP is a part of Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) which replaced the New Exploration… Continue reading An inch forward, but miles to go

Track and trace: last date will be Nov. 15 The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil); pharma sector News: The Commerce Ministry has extended the date for implementation of track and trace system for exports of drug formulations to 15th November 2018 Important Facts The track and trace system is the bar-coding system for… Continue reading Track and trace: last date will be Nov. 15

Customer rights still a grey area in Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Insolvency and bankruptcy code; consumer right News: Even after a key amendment in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016, the grey areas are still not been fixed. Important facts: The key issue which still revolves around the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016… Continue reading Customer rights still a grey area in Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

Govt., regulators mull ‘shell firm’ definition Shell firm; economic offender News The government is looking to provide a proper definition of shell companies Important Facts: There is no clear definition of shell companies.  It is term generally used for companies that are set up for financial transactions only or are kept dormant for some future… Continue reading Govt., regulators mull ‘shell firm’ definition

China’s first indigenous aircraft carrier begins sea trial China News: China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier began trial from a port in North-eastern China Important Facts: This carrier will be China’s second aircraft carrier and first to be built and designed entirely in China The carrier is based on the former Soviet Union’s Kuznetsov class design.… Continue reading China’s first indigenous aircraft carrier begins sea trial

ISRO making green propellant ISRO; Science and technology News: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) seeks to replace hydrazine fuel with an environmental-friendly propellant to power satellites and spacecrafts Important Facts: ISRO is working to replace hydrazine with hydroxylammonium nitrate based (HAN) monopropellant Monopropellant is a chemical propulsion fuel which does not require separate oxidizer. It is… Continue reading ISRO making green propellant

Kerala’s development paradox Inclusive development; development model Article: P. Radhakrishnan, Professor of Sociology, Madras Institute of Development observes the inconsistencies of Kerala’s development experience Analysis: The communist regime in Kerala started in 1957 with CPI being elected. Gains from communist regime and social movements: Weakening of caste and religious system in interpersonal relations Social inclusiveness… Continue reading Kerala’s development paradox

Don’t get into tusk trouble, says SC Wildlife protection act News: In a recent judgement, the Supreme Court has held that tusks are property of the government Important Facts: The judgement dealt with alleged unauthorised collection and storage of tusks by an individual in Wayanad, Kerala The Kerala Forest Act of 1961, does not mention… Continue reading Don’t get into tusk trouble, says SC