9 PM Current Affairs Brief – May 23rd, 2018

We are very interested in joining Exercise Malabar: Julie Bishop News: Ms Julie Bishop, Australian foreign affair minister, talk about the deepening economic and strategic relation between India and Australia. Important facts: Australia Foreign Affair minister insisted to achieve an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region in which the rights of all states are respected.… Continue reading We are very interested in joining Exercise Malabar: Julie Bishop

Keeping each other on edge Article: N.L Rajah, a Senior Advocate of Madras High Court discusses the conflict between executive and judiciary Important analysis: The tussles between the executive and judiciary has long history Historical examples: The case of Moro Raghunath-Conflict between Government of Bombay and Supreme Court, 1829: In this case Governor of Bombay… Continue reading Keeping each other on edge

Small farmers get raw deal News: According to an RBI report, small farmers get only 30-40% of agricultural credit meant for the farm sector. Important facts: The priority sector lending mandate does not mention about the target of lending According to RBI rules, 18% of banks’ Adjusted Net Bank Credit should be provided to the… Continue reading Small farmers get raw deal

Nipah Virus Outbreak News: The recent outbreak of Nipah Virus infection in Kerala Important Facts: Nipah Virus is a contagious and deadly virus which was first identified in Malaysia in 1999 The virus figures in the WHO’s list of 10 priority pathogens needing urgent research The virus is an RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus and mutates… Continue reading Nipah Virus Outbreak

A sweet break on Asian Highway 1 News: Rahul Karmakar has expressed his view about the National Highway 37 and the achievement of Sitajakhala Dugdha Utpadak Samabai Samiti Ltd. cooperative society. Important Fact: The National Highway 37 that ran from Goalpara in western Assam to Roing in Arunachal Pradesh is now part of National Highway… Continue reading A sweet break on Asian Highway 1

Draft Air Passenger Charter News: Recently, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has released the Draft Air Passenger Charter Important Facts The Draft Air Passenger Charter aims to improve passenger experience in India Key Provisions: Passengers will be compensated if an airline is at fault for any delay. Passengers are eligible for a full refund if… Continue reading Draft Air Passenger Charter

Premature Deaths due to Air Pollution: Study News: According to a recent study, air pollution is the principal reason for high number of premature deaths in 11 North Indian cities Important Facts: The study titled ‘Know what you breathe’ has been conducted jointly by IIT-Delhi and Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) The study… Continue reading Premature Deaths due to Air Pollution: Study

Trade in Tokay geckos continues in Bengal News: Border Security Force have reported the smuggling of three Tokay geckos from West Bengal’s Malda and Murshidabad districts. Important facts: About Tokay geckos Tokay gecko is a lizard species with orange-spotted blue-grey skin. It is protected under the Schedule III of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act. Tokay… Continue reading Trade in Tokay geckos continues in Bengal

Model Law for Contract Farming News: Recently, the government has released a model law for contract farming: Model Agriculture Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services (Promotion & Facilitation) Act, 2018 Important Facts: Aim: Reduce farmer’s risk by providing an assured market for the produce Encourage investment from agribusiness and food processing industries Key features:… Continue reading Model Law for Contract Farming

Humans form only a minuscule part of life on earth: Study News: According to a recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, though humans form a tiny fraction of all life forms on Earth, they have a massive impact on the environment Important facts: The recent study is the most comprehensive global… Continue reading Humans form only a minuscule part of life on earth: Study