CURRENT AFFAIRS
25 August 2020
NATIONAL NEWS:
A) DNA Bill can be misused for caste-based profiling, says parliamentary panel’s draft report.
The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Act, 2019 proposes DNA sampling and profiling of citizens accused of the crime. It also proposes storing their unique genetic information for administrative purposes. But a draft report of the parliamentary standing committee on science and technology has said that the Bill has some alarming provisions that could be misused for caste or community-based profiling. The committee which was headed by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh met on 24 August, but for want of quorum, the draft report, which has been circulated among the committee members, was not finalized. The committee, in its draft report, pointed out that DNA profiles can reveal extremely sensitive information about an individual, including descent, skin colour, behaviour, illnesses, health status, and susceptibility to diseases.
B) C to consider ‘effect’ of Bhushan’s supplementary statement tomorrow.
Noted human rights lawyer, Mr Prashant Bhushan told the Supreme Court on 24 August that tendering an insincere apology for his tweets, which were an expression of his bona fide beliefs, would amount to contempt of his conscience and of an institution that he holds in the highest esteem. A 3 Judge Bench, which was led by Justice Arun Mishra had given the lawyer time till 24 August to tender an unconditional apology. Now the SC will consider the effect of the supplementary statement of Prashant Bhushan on 25 August. In an earlier statement which was given by the lawyer during the contempt hearings on 20 August, he refused to apologize for this tweet on Judiciary.
C) Unlock 4.0: Metros could reopen.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is likely to allow the restarting of Metro rail services in the issuing of Unlock 4.0 guidelines. Since there had been a huge demand from many States to reopen Metro rail services, the government thinks that Metro services can also be resumed. Moreover, domestic flights having a span over 3 hours are also operating, but a passenger will not spend more than 1 hour inside the train. Public transport buses and air-conditioned buses were already operating by following the strict social distancing norms. Educational institutions, bars, and cinema halls would remain shut. The Ministry of Home Affairs is likely to issue fresh guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 by the end of August.
D) Consider holding online NEET from next year, SC tells MCI.
The Supreme Court on 24 August has asked the Medical Council of India to consider providing an online option for taking the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance (NEET) from the next year. They raise the query that if Joint Entrance Exam can be conducted online then why not NEET. Since both the examinations are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), so they should think of conducting NEET online too. However, the court has refused to order the authorities to set up examination centres abroad or to conduct the NEET online this year in order to facilitate the candidates abroad. The NEET is fixed for September 13, 2020.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
A) India and China prepare for fresh talks.
The stand-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh has entered in the 17th week and India and China are preparing for another round of military talks so as to resolve the ongoing tensions between both the countries. Both the countries have agreed to conduct the next round of military talks. Discussions are on the way on the issue but dates have not been fixed till now. This follows the diplomatic-level talks at the Joint Secretary level last week of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs. Following those talks, the Defence Minister of India, Mr Rajnath Singh has reviewed the situation with National Security Adviser along with the Chief of the Defence Staff and the three service chiefs as well.
B) China launches warship for Pakistan Navy.
China has launched first of the 4 advanced naval warships. China is building for Pakistan because of the deepening defence ties between both the countries. The launching ceremony for the first warship was held at the Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai on 23 August. The first that was launched is Type 054 class frigate. It is equipped with the latest technologies and sensors. It will be one of the most technologically advanced surface platforms of the Pakistan Navy. Pakistan has signed a contract with China Shipbuilding Trading Company Ltd. for the delivery of these 2 frigates back in 2017.
C) White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway to resign.
Kellyanne Conway who is a Senior White House counsellor has announced that she is stepping down from her position at the end of the month in order to focus on her family. She made this announcement because of a weekend tweet from her daughter Claudia Conway in which she said that said her mother’s job had ruined her life. Mrs Conway said that she will be transitioning from the White House at the end of this month. Her 4 children are teens and every parent worldwide knows that their kids require more attention because of their school from home. Her husband who is a lawyer and one of the biggest critic of Donald Trump has said that he will also support her wife and will also devote more time to his family.
