Daily News

Image

Centre not to file counter-affidavit on Article 35A

The Centre has decided not to file any “counter-affidavit” on Article 35A, which has been challenged in the Supreme Court through a PIL petition.

Article 35A allows the J&K legislature to decide the “permanent residents” of the State, prohibits a non-State resident from buying property in the State and ensures reservation in employment for residents.

It grants a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Did you Know


Article 35A was incorporated into the Constitution by an order of the then President Rajendra Prasad on the advice of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cabinet in 1954.
The controversial Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order of 1954 followed the 1952 Delhi Agreement entered into between Nehru and the then Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdullah, which extended Indian citizenship to the ‘State subjects’ of Jammu and Kashmir. The Presidential Order was issued under Article 370 (1) (d) of the Constitution.
This provision allows the President to make certain “exceptions and modifications” to the Constitution for the benefit of ‘State subjects’ of Jammu and Kashmir.

Image

It will be a war on single-use plastic

As the global host nation for the 2018 World Environment Day (June 5), India led the charge against plastic, with programmes in different parts of the country.

India generates over 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day.

The Delegation of EU and embassies of the member states adopted a ‘Green Pledge’, under which the 28 EU member-states made a commitment to green their embassies.

Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), has decided to switch from imposing fines on those who litter.

Tamil Nadu Government would ban the manufacturing, storage, and use of plastic products (except packing material for milk, curd, oil and medical products) from January 1, 2019.

Did you Know

A Platform for Action World Environment Day (began in 1974) is the UN's most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment.
The theme for 2018 is beating plastic pollution.
This year's host is India.

Image

7th century sculpture of Siva, Parvati found

A rare sculpture of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati dating back to the 7th century was discovered at a Chalukyan temple in Satyavolu village of Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh.

The red sandstone sculpture portrays Lord Siva as the therapeutic physician (Rudra Bhaishajana) as described in Rigveda.

Did you Know

The Badami Chalukya architecture was a temple building idiom that evolved in the 5th – 8th centuries in the Malaprabha river basin, in present-day Bagalkot district of Karnataka state, under the Chalukya dynasty.
This style is sometimes called the Vesara style and Chalukya style.

Image

Rly Station renamed after Deen Dayal Upadhyay

The over century-old Mughalsarai railway station has been renamed after RSS ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, with Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik giving his assent.

The station was built during colonial rule and was a major stop on the Delhi-Howrah route.

Did you Know

The state government had last year decided to rename Mughalsarai Junction in Chandauli district after Upadhyaya, who was found dead near the station in mysterious circumstances in 1968.
Mughalsarai is also the birth place of former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Image

Eco-day bouquet: 539 species discovered in India in 2017

As many as 539 new species of plants and animals were discovered by scientists and taxonomists in the country in 2017, from two major survey organisations: the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the Botanical Survey of India (BSI).

On World Environment Day, Animal Discoveries, 2017 from the ZSI lists 300 new species of fauna.

Plant Discoveries, 2017 lists 239 new flora species.

Western Ghats contributed 19% of the discoveries of species and sub-species of plants and 37% of animal discoveries.

Did you Know

Kerala recorded the highest number of discoveries — 66 species, sub-species and varieties of plants and 52 species of animals.
Tamil Nadu recorded 31 new species of animals and 24 species, sub-species and varieties of plants.
West Bengal recorded 27 discoveries in categories of plants and 45 discoveries of animal species.

Image

Green, hygienic and cheaper sanitary pads

The Union government launched biodegradable sanitary napkins to mark World Environment Day.

The ecofriendly sanitary napkin, priced at ₹10 for a pack of four, has an additive that makes it biodegradable when it comes in contact with oxygen after being discarded.

These pads will be available in 103 generic medicine stores across the country on a pilot basis.

Did you Know

Union Chemicals and Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs Minister: Ananth Kumar

Image

Nitrogen emissions going up: Study

PM2.5 class of pollutants closely linked to cardiovascular and respiratory illness.

It is the first-ever quantitative assessment of nitrogen pollution in India.

The burning of crop residue is said to be a key contributor to winter smog in many parts of North India.

The non-agricultural emissions of nitrogen oxides and nitrous oxide are growing rapidly, with sewage and fossil-fuel burning - for power, transport and industry - leading the trend.

Did you Know

The Indian Nitrogen Assessment assesses the sources, impacts, trends and future scenarios of reactive nitrogen in the Indian environment.
Indian NOx emissions grew at 52% from 1991 to 2001 and 69% from 2001 to 2011.

Image

MP govt to plant 1.65 crore Banyan saplings

The Madhya Pradesh government would plant 1.65 crore saplings of environmentally crucial Bargad (Banyan) and other tress till 2020 to expand green cover.

While 50 lakh saplings will be planted in 2019, one crore saplings will be planted across the entire state in 2020.

Did you Know

M. P. Capital: Bhopal
Chief minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Governor: Anandiben Patel

Image

Sentosa to host Trump-Kim meet

The summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un will take place on Singapore’s resort island of Sentosa.

The venue for the Singapore summit between @POTUS and Leader Kim Jong-un will be the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island.

Singapore will strike commemorative medallions to mark the historic meeting.

The medallions will depict an “affirmative handshake” between the two leaders, the scheduled date of the summit, and the flags of both countries.

The medals will be available in three versions: gold, silver, and nickel-plated.

Did you Know

Sentosa is home to palm-fringed beaches, casinos, tourist sites and some of the best golf courses in Asia.
It also houses the luxurious Capella Hotel, which at a distance from centres of population can be more easily secured.

Image

Indian-origin lawyer to be Malaysia’s new Attorney General

Tommy Thomas, an Indian-origin lawyer and a constitutional law expert, was appointed Malaysia’s new Attorney-General by Sultan Muhammad V.

Mr. Thomas will become the first person from the community to hold the post in 55 years.

Did you Know

Malaysia Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Currency: Malaysian ringgit
Prime Minister: Mahathir Mohamad

Image

Cross-holding norms issued for rating firms

SEBI has imposed a 10% cap on cross-shareholding in credit rating agencies, raised their net worth requirement to Rs. 25 crore from Rs. 5 crore.

SEBI has issued new rules under which a credit rating agency (CRA) will not, directly or indirectly, have more than 10% of shareholding or voting rights in another CRA and would not have representation on the board of the other CRA.

A shareholder with 10% stake or voting rights in a CRA will not hold similar holding or voting rights in any other CRA.

SEBI has given three years to existing CRAs to comply with the net worth requirement.

Did you Know

The Securities and Exchange Board of India was established in the year 1988 and given statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992.
Headquarters: Mumbai
Chairman: Ajay Tyagi

Image

Vrieswijk is GoAir CEO

GoAir has announced the appointment of Cornelis Vrieswijk as its new chief executive officer.

Mr. Vrieswijk, a seasoned global executive and a consultant with more than 25 years experience in the aviation and travel industry, has replaced former CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer.

Did you Know

Founder: Jehangir Wadia
Headquarters: Mumbai
Company slogan: Fly Smart