CURRENT AFFAIRS
20 August 2020
NATIONAL NEWS:
A) CBI shall probe Sushant Singh Rajput case, rules SC
The Supreme Court has approved the ongoing CBI investigation, recommended by the Bihar government, into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. The court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to order that any future FIRs registered in connection with the case, including those by the Mumbai Police, will be investigated by the central agency. Asserting that an impartial probe is the need of the hour, the court also asked the Mumbai Police to hand over to the CBI all the evidence it has collected so far. The court upheld the validity of the FIR registered by the Bihar Police on the complaint filed by Sushant’s father. At the same time, Justice Roy also said the Mumbai Police had jurisdiction in the case owing to the fact that certain incidents, including the death of the actor, had occurred in that city.
B) Prashant Bhushan asks SC to defer sentencing
Advocate Prashant Bhushan today asked the Supreme Court to defer the sentencing hearing in a Suo Motu criminal contempt case in which he was convicted on August 14. The sentencing hearing is scheduled before a 3 Judge Bench which will be led by Justice Arun Mishra on August 20. He was represented by advocate Kamini Jaiswal. He said that they will file a review petition against the Judgment dated August 14 within the period of 30 days as provided under Order 47 of the Supreme Court Rules of 2013. He said that his review petition should be treated as a first appeal against conviction when it will be filed.
C) Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments
The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 28,31,341 with the death toll at 53,979. India on Tuesday reported 64,531 new cases. Andhra Pradesh is fast becoming India’s latest problem state, recording 9,742 new coronavirus cases and 86 deaths today. With this, the state’s tally rose to 3,16,003 and the toll stood at 2,906. Meanwhile, former President Pranab Mukherjee’s health deteriorated as he developed a lung infection, the Army’s Research and Referral hospital in Delhi said. He was admitted to the hospital on August 10 for an operation to remove a clot in his brain. Also, the World Bank on 19 August indicated that it may further lower its growth projections for India and said critical reforms in areas such as health, labor, land, skills, and finance are needed if the country is to come out stronger from the Covid-19 crisis.
D) Union Cabinet gives nod for National Recruitment Agency.
At a Cabinet meeting on 19 August, the Central government approved the setting up of a National Recruitment Agency (NRA), first proposed in the Union Budget 2020. The NRA will conduct a Common Eligibility Test (CET) for selection to non-gazetted posts in the central government and public sector banks. There will be a single entrance examination or CET for all non-gazetted posts — Group B and C posts. Candidates who qualify through this Common Entrance Test (CET) can apply to any of the recruitment agencies for a higher level of examination. The score will be valid for three years, during which the candidate can apply for jobs in different sectors depending upon his/her aptitude and preferences. Explaining the role of the NRA, DoPT Secretary C. Chandramouli said that Railways, Banks, and SSC examinations will be brought under the newly formed agency.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
A) Millions of women lost access to contraception, safe abortion due to Covid-19: Marie Stopes study
A multi-country study by the NGO Marie Stopes International (MSI) has found that millions of women have lost access to contraceptives and safe abortions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In its study, MSI says that during January-June 2020, due to the restrictions and disruptions triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, 1.9 million fewer women were served by its programs, which could potentially lead to 1.5 million additional unsafe abortions, 900,000 additional unintended pregnancies, and 3,100 additional maternal deaths. The report further says that in India alone, lockdown restrictions have led to 1.3 million fewer women having access to MSI’s services.
B) Harley-Davidson may exit India.
Roughly after 10 years of its entry, Harley-Davidson Inc. is looking to wind down its assembly operations in the country as a result of weak sales and a lack of visibility for future demand. The makers of the iconic motorcycle of the United States has sent out tentacles to a few automakers through consultants. This was done for a possible outsourcing arrangement by using its leased assembly facility at Bawal in Haryana. Last month, Harley- Davidson in a statement that was accompanying their second-quarter results has said that the company is evaluating some plans in order to exit those international markets where the sales and profits do not support the continued investment in the future.
C) UAE connects first Arab nuclear plant to the power grid
On 19 July, United Arab Emirates announced that it has connected its Barakah nuclear power plant to the national grid which is a new first for the Arab world.This milestone is following the successful start-up of the 1st reactor of the plant at the end of last month. This willhelp in meeting 25% of the electricity needs ofUAE from nuclear power.Tge CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation has said that the safe and successful connection of Unit 1 to the grid was the key moment when they begin to deliver on their mission to power the growth of nation by supplying clean electricity. There has been substantial oil and gas reserves in United Arab Emirates, but itis having a population of 10 million, someet their demands, UnitedArab Emirates has made huge investments in thedevelopment of clean alternatives, including solar energy.
D) Pakistan rejects any possibility of diplomatic ties with Israel.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has rejected any kindof possibility of establishing diplomatic relations with Israel. He said that they have a very clear policy on Israel. As per Jinnah, Pakistan cannot accept Israel unless the Palestine people will get all their rights and independence. Both the countries do not have any diplomatic relations and moreover their aircrafts are also not allowed to use of each other’s airspace. His comments came out because of the recent peace overtures between Israel and United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, he also rejected any kind of relationship of Pakistan with Saudi Arabia which were under stress because of the Kashmir issue.
