9 PM Current Affairs Brief – September 24th, 2018

Explained: Why September is drier than usual News The 2018 September has been the driest September since 2001 Important Facts: 2. According to IMD, September 2018 would end with more than 30% rainfall deficiency 3. South India has experienced a rainfall deficiency of over 46%. Causes: 4. Lack of development of strong Low Pressure Systems–… Continue reading Explained: Why September is drier than usual

The primary anchor of a health-care road map Article: Meenakshi Datta Ghosh has talked about strengthening the Governance to support the objectives of Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Important Analysis: Indian Prime Minister has launched the world’s largest health insurance scheme to provide universal health coverage. The objectives of the Scheme will be implemented with the launch… Continue reading The primary anchor of a health-care road map

Governor’s discretion Article Manuraj Shanmugasundaram talks about the controversy regarding power of governor to release convicts held in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case under article 161  Important analysis Supreme Court, disposed the mercy petition of convicts held in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, observing Governor of Tamil Nadu is the final authority to take final decision Following… Continue reading Governor’s discretion

Will impose sanctions on any nation giving fuel to N Korea, warns US News America threatened to impose sanctions to nations carrying illicit trade on oil with North Korea Important facts The 15-member UN Security Council has unanimously put sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in a bid to choke funding for Pyongyang’s nuclear and… Continue reading Will impose sanctions on any nation giving fuel to N Korea, warns US

PT FACTS Assam researchers develop low-cost filter to remove arsenic from drinking water Source of Arsenic Naturally in rocks and soil, water, air, plants, and animals, volcanic activity, the erosion of rocks and minerals, and forest fires Anthropogenic occurrence by Agrochemicals, wood preservatives, industrial sources, mineral processing, acid mine drainage, burning of fossil fuels etc… Continue reading PT FACTS

Saving Cauvery’s cradle Article: Professor Bopaiah Biddanda discusses the ecological implications of the proposed development of multiple railway tracks in the critical Cauvery river basin in Kodagu district, Karnataka Important analysis: Cauvery River: The Cauvery River originates in Karnataka’s Kodagu district, flows into Tamil Nadu, and reaches the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar. The total… Continue reading Saving Cauvery’s cradle

India looks to buy Israeli missiles News A deal to procure the Spike anti-tank guided missiles from Israel has been brought before the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) for approval. Important Facts Spike anti-tank guided missile: It is a third generation fire and forget anti-tank guided missile. It is developed and designed by an Israeli Company.… Continue reading India looks to buy Israeli missiles

Decoding Total Expense Ratio (TER) of mutual funds News SEBI has recently asked mutual funds to reduce their TER or Total Expense Ratio. What is Mutual Fund? A mutual fund is a professionally managed investment fund that pools money from many investors to purchase securities. What is Total Expense Ratio (TER)? The asset management companies… Continue reading Decoding Total Expense Ratio (TER) of mutual funds

Citizen science initiative helps save hornbills News A citizen science initiative named The Hornbill Watch has been documenting and providing valuable inputs for the conservation of Hornbills in India Important facts: Hornbills in India: India has nine hornbill species-Indian Grey Hornbill (endemic to India), the Malabar Grey Hornbill (endemic to the Western Ghats), Malabar Pied… Continue reading Citizen science initiative helps save hornbills

What caused the floods in Kerala? News: A study published in Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussion has identified a combination factors which led to the 2018 Kerala Flood Disaster Important Facts: Factors contributing to Kerala Flood Disaster  Above normal summer (May-August) rainfall: In 2018, summer rainfall in Kerala has been 2,290 mm (53% above… Continue reading What caused the floods in Kerala?

Delhi braces for toxic air as stubble burning begins in neighbouring states News: Two cases of stubble burning have been reported from Haryana and Punjab Important Facts: Stubble Burning: Stubble burning is a post-monsoon phenomenon in which farmers set fire to their paddy fields in order to get them ready for wheat sowing in November.… Continue reading Delhi braces for toxic air as stubble burning begins in neighbouring states