9 PM Current Affairs Brief – March 7th, 2018

‘Child marriages decline in India’ Context: According to UNICEF India has seen a sharp decline in child marriages over the last ten years with 27% of girls getting married before their 18th birthday as against 47%, a decade ago Details: The decline in child marriage in India has contributed significantly to a global decline in… Continue reading ‘Child marriages decline in India’

‘CJI-led Bench to resolve conflict over judgments Context: Amid a conflict over “judicial discipline” within the Supreme Court in connection with certain land acquisition cases, a five-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra sets to resolve the conflict. Background: 2014: In 2014, three judges of the Supreme Court had ruled that the… Continue reading ‘CJI-led Bench to resolve conflict over judgments

It is time to have a debate on proportional representation, says ex-CEC S.Y. Quraishi Context: Various electoral reforms are currently being debated, from improving transparency in party funding to holding simultaneous elections. Electoral bonds:   Electoral bonds, as announced by the Union Finance Minister, hold the promise of making political funding transparent, which has been a… Continue reading It is time to have a debate on proportional representation, says ex-CEC S.Y. Quraishi

‘Fix or nix’ Iran deal, Netanyahu tells Trump Context: The singular focus of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s five-day tour of the United States has been Iran. More in news: U.S has a deadline till May to decide whether to impose nuclear sanctions on Iran again. If he chooses to impose sanctions, the deal will… Continue reading ‘Fix or nix’ Iran deal, Netanyahu tells Trump

‘Emergency will improve security’ Context: The emergency imposed in Sri Lanka is the first time in seven years that the country has resorted to such a measure. Background: 1915: The tension between the majority Sinhalese and minority Muslims, who currently account for nearly 9% of the country’s population, has a long history. The first major… Continue reading ‘Emergency will improve security’

Populist wave: on the Italian elections Context: As Italians reject the mainstream parties, EU integration could take a hit What has happened? In the recently held national elections, Italians have supported populist parties that were once considered fringe The most likely result of the national election seemed either a win by the centre-right coalition headed… Continue reading Populist wave: on the Italian elections

Make the neighbourhood first again Context: In the present time, India’s connect with its South Asian neighbours is weaker than it has been for a very long time. What are the reasons for which India’s present state of relation with its South Asian neighbors is weaker than it has been? SAARC not in ideal terms… Continue reading Make the neighbourhood first again

Sri Lanka declares state of emergency for 10 days after anti-Muslim attacks in Kandy Context: On 6th March, 2018, Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency for 10 days, to curb heightening violence targeting the island’s Muslim minority. What has happened? Riots were triggered by the death of a 41-year-old man from the majority Sinhalese… Continue reading Sri Lanka declares state of emergency for 10 days after anti-Muslim attacks in Kandy

Innovations to combat ‘microfiber’ pollution Context: Innovators are coming up with solutions to combat microfiber pollution What is microfiber pollution? Once clothes reach a washing machine, the synthetic fabrics release tiny strands: so-called microfibers. Hundreds of thousands of microfibers are flushed down the drain. Many reach beaches and oceans where they can remain for hundreds… Continue reading Innovations to combat ‘microfiber’ pollution

First U.S. LNG shipment to reach India from Louisiana facility this month Context: India will receive its first LNG import from the U.S. later in March Details: The sale purchase agreement was signed in December 2011 Under the terms of the agreement, GAIL would purchase approximately 3.5 million tonnes of LNG per year from Cheniere’s… Continue reading First U.S. LNG shipment to reach India from Louisiana facility this month

India to join multilateral lender EBRD Context: India to join multilateral lender EBRD Introduction: European Bank of Reconstruction and Development shareholders approve its entry as 69th member. EBRD’s board of governors, which represents all the existing shareholders of the UK-based bank, voted in favour of India’s membership application last week Significance of this decision: This… Continue reading India to join multilateral lender EBRD

‘ONGC Videsh, Iran’s IDRO Oil sign accord’ Context: ONGC Videsh has signed a MoU to collaborate with IDRO Oil in developing Susangerd field What has happened? ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp. (ONGC), has signed a pact with Iran’s IDRO Oil to jointly bid for a $1 billion… Continue reading ‘ONGC Videsh, Iran’s IDRO Oil sign accord’

Rs. 1,000 cr. for research and innovation Context: The Centre had sanctioned Rs. 1,000 crore for the Phase II of the Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) India programme. Explanation: Under the IMPRINT-II, a fund is being created by the Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of Human Resource Development together, in which participation… Continue reading Rs. 1,000 cr. for research and innovation

‘Aadhaar link deadline may be extended: govt. Context: The Union government has indicated in the Supreme Court that the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to avail various services and welfare schemes run by the government might be further extended beyond March 31 Reason cited: The Centre said that since some more time would be… Continue reading ‘Aadhaar link deadline may be extended: govt.

Turf wars with ISRO stall connectivity: DoT official Context: India builds the cheapest satellites but has the most expensive bandwidth, a government official said on Tuesday, blaming turf wars between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Telecom (DoT) for delays in taking connectivity to far-flung areas. Introduction: It will cost around… Continue reading Turf wars with ISRO stall connectivity: DoT official

Delhi govt. clears plan for ration at doorstep Context: The Delhi government has approved a proposal to start home or doorstep delivery of ration under the Targeted Public Distribution System. Introduction: The decision was taken following a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. According to the government official, there are around… Continue reading Delhi govt. clears plan for ration at doorstep

Banks face $3 bn write-off from PNB scam Context: The ₹12,700 crore Letters of Undertaking (LoU) fraud at the Punjab National Bank (PNB) could punch a bigger hole in India’s banking system. Introduction: The closure of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi’s jewellery businesses by investigative agencies, is likely to result in another ₹8,000 crore of… Continue reading Banks face $3 bn write-off from PNB scam