9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – July 15, 2017

Malabar drills aim at giving regional security, says Japan (Japan aims at regional security through Malabar drill) Context Japanese ambassador to India, Kenji Hiramatasu considers the trilateral Naval exercise at Malabar 2017, involving India, the U.S. and Japan, as strategically very important and destined to maintain the rule of law and maritime security in the… Continue reading Malabar drills aim at giving regional security, says Japan 

How Brexit has begun to unravel   Context With just 20 months to go till Britain is meant to leave the EU, the government of Britain is eventually lousy with its stance on Brexit, with some even suggesting that it might not happen at all. Issues around Brexit The practical issues around Brexit and the interpretation… Continue reading How Brexit has begun to unravel 

SIT to probe attack on Amarnath pilgrims (Special Investigation Team set up for inspecting the Amarnath attack) Context The Jammu and Kashmir police have set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the attack on Amarnath pilgrims. Reports of Investigation The preliminary investigations suggest militants “wanted to inflict heavy casualty as five magazines were emptied… Continue reading SIT to probe attack on Amarnath pilgrims

Probe ‘extra-judicial’ killings in Manipur, SC tells CBI  (SC orders CBI probe against AFSPA activities during Manipur insurgency) Context The Supreme Court ordered a time-bound CBI probe into the deaths of over 80 civilians in disturbed areas under the grip of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, in the north-eastern State of Manipur during… Continue reading Probe ‘extra-judicial’ killings in Manipur, SC tells CBI 

Trade deficit widens to $13 bn (Imports climb 19% in June, exports see slower growth) Context Trade deficit widened to $ 12.95 billion, according to the data released by the Commerce Ministry on Friday. Introduction With goods imports outpacing exports in June, trade deficit for the month widened to $12.95 billion. In June 2016, the… Continue reading Trade deficit widens to $13 bn 

EU, India set up fund for investments (The Hindu) Context The European Union (EU) and India announced the establishment of an Investment Facilitation Mechanism (IFM) for EU investments in India. Introduction The Investment Facilitation Mechanism (IFM) will allow for a close coordination between the European Union and the Government of India. As part of the… Continue reading EU, India set up fund for investments

New tax to hurt exporters (GST to impact liquidity, thereby affecting competitiveness) Context: The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the apex body for the country’s exporters, pointed out that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime would impact the liquidity of the exporters and in turn hurt export competitiveness. Introduction: Exporters used to get… Continue reading New tax to hurt exporters

Adrift at sea  Context The calving of a trillion-ton iceberg from the Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica raises the question about the impact of warming atmosphere. The concern In the context of rising emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, a cautionary note was sounded, on warming the seas which hastens the melting of… Continue reading Adrift at sea