9 PM Current Affairs Brief – October 30th, 2018

Modi, Abe back ‘free Indo-Pacific’ News: India and Japan outlined a vision document for strengthening bilateral relations at the 13th annual summit held in Japan recently. Important Facts: 2. Highlights of the vision document: Both sides called for a “free and open Indo-Pacific” which is usually seen as a response to China’s growing dominance in… Continue reading Modi, Abe back ‘free Indo-Pacific’

The great game in West Asia News: The article discusses about the Jamal Khashoggi disappearance which Turkey has used to sharpen the battle lines with Saudi Arabia. Important Facts: About Jamal Khashoggi: He was a journalist who was once a Saudi government insider, but had gone into self-imposed exile in the U.S. in 2017. He’d… Continue reading The great game in West Asia

Missionaries of Charity gives nod for adoption News: Missionaries of Charity (MoC) has decided to  give children in its homes up for adoption,by  joining hands with the country’s nodal agency for adoption. Important Facts: 2. Background: In 2015, an ideological row erupted between the ministry and the Mother Teresa-founded organisation over issues such as the… Continue reading Missionaries of Charity gives nod for adoption

Moths are key to pollination in Himalayan ecosystem News: A study was conducted recently by the  Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) to reveal the moths as pollinators in the ecosystem. Important Facts: 2. Under the project titled “Assessment of Moths (Lepidoptera) As Significant Pollinators in the Himalayan Ecosystem of North Eastern India”, scientists collected moth… Continue reading Moths are key to pollination in Himalayan ecosystem

ICF rolls out Train 18, the NextGen Shatabdi News: India’s first engine-less semi-high speed train named “Train 18” was rolled out recently by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) here and will eventually replace the Shatabdi Express for inter-city travel. Important News: 2. Features: This is the first long-distance train without separate locomotive (engine) and thus… Continue reading ICF rolls out Train 18, the NextGen Shatabdi

Time to talk: on Centre-RBI differences News: The simmering tensions between the Reserve Bank of India and the Centre found spectacular release recently through a public speech by Deputy Governor  Viral Acharya. Important Facts:  2. A certain amount of creative tension is systemically in-built between Reserve Bank of India and Centre given their different perspectives.… Continue reading Time to talk: on Centre-RBI differences

Children under 15 at serious risk from polluted air: WHO News:   WHO released a new report that puts into numbers the devastating impact that air pollution is having on the global population’s health. Important Facts: 2. The report named  “Air pollution and child health” is being launched on the eve of WHO’s first ever… Continue reading Children under 15 at serious risk from polluted air: WHO