SUSPEND LABOUR LAWS FOR 2-3 YEARS: EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS
Why in news? The Representatives of 12 employers’ associations and industry bodies on 9th May asked the government to suspend labour laws for the next two to three years to help industry come out of the present crisis. The Labour and Employment Ministry will handle by being sympathetic to the requirements of the industry and would […]
TRUMP: COVID CRISIS ‘WORSE THAN PEARL HARBOR’ OR 9/11
Why in news? Donald Trump has said the COVID-19 pandemic is a worse “attack” on the U.S. than either Pearl Harbor or 9/11. The Japanese assault on the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii drew the United States into Second World War. The September 11, 2001 jihadist attacks on that killed about 3,000 people and […]
U.S. RECOGNISES INDIA’S ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN
Why in news? The U.S. recognises India’s “constructive contribution” to Afghanistan, said U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan reconciliation. Details The U.S. side recognised India’s constructive contribution in economic development, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. They laid importance to India’s crucial and continuing role in sustainable peace, security and stability in Afghanistan. Expressing deep concern […]
VANDE BHARAT MISSION
Why in news? The Vande Bharat Mission to bring stranded Non-Resident Keralites back home in the wake of a global lockdown following the COVID-19 pandemic got off to a firm start with two flights from the Gulf carrying 363 passengers touching down at the Cochin and Karipur airports on 7th May 2020. Vande Bharat Mission India […]
3 INDIAN PHOTOGRAPHERS WIN PULITZER PRIZE
Why in news? The 2020 Pulitzer Prize winners were announced virtually on 4th May owing to the COVID-19 outbreak. Indians who won: The Associated Press was awarded the feature photography prize for images showing life in Kashmir as India revoked its semi-autonomous status. Three photographers — Mukhtar Khan, Yasin Dar and Channi Anand —were named for the […]
IRAN APPROVES NEW CURRENCY- TOMAN
Why in news? The Iran’s parliament has passed a bill allowing the government to slash four zeros from the Iranian ‘rial’. Iran’s national currency will be changed from the Iranian rial to the ‘Toman’, which is equal to 10,000 rials, under the bill. Why did they need a new currency? There was a sharp fall in the […]
SC REJECTS TO QUASH CASES AGAINST LOCKDOWN VIOLATORS
Why in news? The Supreme Court on 6th May dismissed a petition filed by a former Director-General of Police of Uttar Pradesh to quash FIRs registered against ordinary citizens for violating the COVID-19 lockdown. Arguments for the quashing of Section 188 IPC: According to the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC) data: 848 FIRs were […]
PLEA CHALLENGING APPOINTMENT OF ADDITIONAL JUDGE
Why in news? The Supreme Court on 4th May, rejected a petition filed by a district judge challenging the appointment of a ‘junior’ judicial officer as an additional judge of the Karnataka High Court on the ground that it breaches the seniority rule. Details SC Said that it generally does not interfere with the President’s order […]
DEBT RECOVERY TRIBUNAL
Why in news? Amid the COVID-19 lockdown, the Debt Recovery Tribunal I (DRT 1), Incharge of DRT II (DRT 2), Chennai, has decided on a 23-year-old case and tendered the judgment by holding a virtual court via video conferencing, which is one-of-its-kind in the entire South India for a DRT. What are Debt Recovery Tribunals […]
INDIA ON PAKISTAN’S ELECTIONS IN GILGIT BALTISTAN
Why in news? The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a “strong protest” on 4th May over an order by the Pakistan Supreme Court allowing the Imran Khan government to hold elections in the region of Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Details The government said it had issued a demarche to protest what it called Pakistan’s […]