9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – August 18, 2017

Monumental legislation:  Context: The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2017, which is pending in the Lok Sabha, attempts to address the issues confronting construction for public works due to proposed plans running through ‘prohibited’ area (100m around a protected monument or area). The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act… Continue reading Monumental legislation: 

Redrawing the arc of influence:  Indian diplomacy needs to display higher levels of sophistication for New Delhi to play a global role. Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign visits has been extremely impressive, and he has managed to inject a degree of dynamism into a system accustomed to a more leisurely pace. Recent Visits: U.S.… Continue reading Redrawing the arc of influence: 

Rights groups urge India to honour duty to Rohingyas: Days after the United Nations expressed concern over the government’s plans to deport about 40,000 Rohingya immigrants from Myanmar, international human rights agencies Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch called upon India to “abide by international legal obligations” and not force them to return, which they… Continue reading Rights groups urge India to honour duty to Rohingyas:

‘Pangong scuffle a routine affair’:  Context A local flag meeting between military commanders of India and China in Eastern Ladakh on Wednesday has agreed to maintain peace in the area. Brief meeting The meeting came in the wake of incidents of scuffle and stone-throwing between the two sides at Pangong lake on Tuesday. Both sides… Continue reading ‘Pangong scuffle a routine affair’: 

Ancient species of giant sloth discovered: Mexican scientists have discovered the fossilised remains of a previously unknown species of giant sloth that lived 10,000 years ago and died at the bottom of a sinkhole. Context: Mexican scientists have discovered the fossilised remains of a previously unknown species of giant sloth that lived 10,000 years ago… Continue reading Ancient species of giant sloth discovered:

Army to get six Apache helicopters: Context: The Indian Army on 17th August, 2017 got a step closer to having its own dedicated fleet of attack helicopters, with the Defence Ministry approving the purchase of six AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the U.S. Key facts about the purchase: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared total… Continue reading Army to get six Apache helicopters:

E-toll lane on all national highways from Sept. 1: All toll plazas on national highways will have electronic toll collection facility with at least one lane dedicated to vehicles with electronic tag device, known as FASTags. Context: All toll plazas on national highways of India will have electronic toll collection facility with at least one… Continue reading E-toll lane on all national highways from Sept. 1:

Don’t be cautious, RBI:  Context The Reserve Bank of India’s decision to lower the repo rate was a move in the right direction. Importance of repo rate? The repo rate is the interest rate at which banks can borrow money from RBI for short durations. It stands to reason that, if this is lowered, banks… Continue reading Don’t be cautious, RBI: 

That sinking feeling:  Context Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, spoke triumphantly about how demonetization drove Rs. 3 lakh crore of unaccounted money into the banking system. Result of the survey The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is still counting old notes, and unaccounted money cases are ongoing. Thus, this number is… Continue reading That sinking feeling: 

Use coal while economical, says CEA:  Context: Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subharmanian said on Thursday, India should leverage its coal assets while it is still economical to do so before ramping up its renewable energy capacity. Introduction:   The country should still have coal as a major fuel and avoid getting distracted by the global debate… Continue reading Use coal while economical, says CEA: