Today's Affairs 4/09/2024
- M.R Mishra
- Sep 4, 2024
- 6 min read
Capital punishment for rapists: The West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024 by voice vote, with MLAs from the Trinamool Congress and the BJP supporting it.
The Bill has provisions for increased punishment for rape, gang rape, rape that results in death of the victim or leaves her in a vegetative state, rape by a police officer or public servant or manager of a home, and rape by repeat offenders. Consequentially, it seeks to amend the relevant Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
It also requires that probe into rape cases be concluded within 21 days of the initial report. The Bill comes nearly 25 days after the rape and murder of a doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, which triggered outrage across the country.
2.Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas: a comprehensive national mock drill, "Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas" (Virus War Exercise), was conducted in Ajmer district of Rajasthan state, from August 27 to August 31, 2024 to assess pandemic preparedness.
This exercise aimed to evaluate the readiness and response of the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) composed of experts from human health, animal husbandry and wildlife sectors.
A mock zoonotic disease outbreak scenario was created to simulate a real-world outbreak.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Shri J P Nadda appreciated this first-of-its kind exercise,
highlighting the role of One Health Mission by fostering collaborations to address health of humans, animals and plants and environment holistically and in a sustainable manner.
The drill was structured around two key components:
a) Investigation and identification of the virus responsible for the mock outbreak; and
b) Actions initiated to control the spread of illness across human and animal populations. Independent observers monitored the response.
The response of the district and state teams, directed by NJORT was found to be mostly prompt and appropriate. The exercise also identified some areas requiring further improvement.
The Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas was a successful exercise that provided valuable insights to inform future strategies to enhance India's preparedness and response to zoonotic disease outbreaks, fostering a coordinated and efficient approach across all relevant sectors.
3.President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Teachers Award 2024 to 50 teachers in New Delhi tomorrow
4.India ranks 40th in world for alcoholic beverage exports: The government has planned to promote both Indian alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages globally, with a target of one billion dollars in export revenue over the next few years. The Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority has been working to increase exports of Indian spirits to major foreign destinations. India currently ranks 40th in the world for alcoholic beverage exports.
5.President delegates authority to LG for constituting and appointing members to boards in Delhi :
President Droupadi Murmu has delegated powers to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, allowing him to constitute and appoint members to any authority, board, commission or statutory body under laws enacted by Parliament that apply to the national capital, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Tuesday.
Earlier, the President approved the constitution of the 23rd Law Commission of India, which will serve from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027.
The commission will include a full-time Chairperson, four members, and additional ex-officio and part-time members. The commission’s mandate is to review and recommend legal reforms aimed at improving the Indian legal system, as per the notification by MHA.
The notification alsa said that the President’s sanction is accorded to the constitution of the 23rd Law Commission of India for a term of three years, from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027.
The commission will consist of (i) a full-time Chairperson; (ii) four full-time members (including Member-Secretary); (iii) the Secretary of the Department of Legal Affairs as an ex-officio member; (iv) the Secretary of the Legislative Department as an ex-officio member; and (v) up to five part-time members.
6.The World Bank on Tuesday revised its FY25 growth forecast for India to 7%, up from its previous estimate of 6.6%. The upgrade reflects the Indian's government's continued capital expenditure on infrastructure, a rise in household investments in real estate, better-than-expected monsoon and agricultural output, and an increase in private consumption
7. Air Pollution: The fifth edition of the report, released by the Health Effects Institute (HEI), revealed that air pollution caused 8.1 million deaths worldwide in 2021 and many millions are dealing with debilitating chronic diseases, leaving healthcare systems, economies, and societies.
Further, it found that children under five are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, leaving over 700,000 in this age group dead in 2021.
The SoGA report found that pollutants like outdoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) - which comes from burning fossil fuels and biomass in sectors like transportation, residential homes, wildfires, and more - caused more than 90 per cent of global air pollution deaths and were found to be the “most consistent and accurate predictor of poor health outcomes around the world.”
Other pollutants like household air pollution, ozone (O3), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - which can be found in traffic exhaust - also contribute to the global deterioration of human health.
Places in News:
Singapore: Singapore is a small, but highly developed island city-state located in Southeast Asia.
Known for its advanced economy, efficient infrastructure, and multicultural society, Singapore has a global reputation as a major financial hub and a key player in international trade.
Some key points about Singapore:
Geography and Demographics:
Location: Situated at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is just north of the equator.
Population: Approximately 5.7 million people, with a diverse mix of ethnic groups including Chinese, Malay, Indian, and others.
Language: Singapore has four official languages—English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. English is the primary language of business and administration.
Economy:
Financial Hub: Singapore is one of the world's leading financial centers, with a strong presence in banking, insurance, and asset management.
Trade and Industry: The country is heavily reliant on trade, with its port being one of the busiest in the world. Key industries include electronics, chemicals, biomedical sciences, and logistics.
Currency: The Singapore Dollar (SGD) is the official currency.
Governance:
Political System: Singapore is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature. The People's Action Party (PAP) has been the dominant political force since the country's independence in 1965.
Leadership: The President is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government.
Society and Culture:
Multicultural Society: Singapore is known for its multiculturalism, with a harmonious blend of traditions and practices from various ethnic groups.
Education: The education system in Singapore is highly regarded, with a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Tourism: Key attractions include Marina Bay Sands, Sentosa Island, Gardens by the Bay, and the historic Chinatown.
International Relations:
ASEAN Member: Singapore is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and plays a significant role in regional diplomacy and cooperation.
Bilateral Relations: The country maintains strong ties with major powers such as the United States, China, India, and the European Union.
Environment:
Urban Planning: Despite its small size, Singapore is known for its effective urban planning, with a focus on sustainability and green spaces.
Climate: The country has a tropical rainforest climate, with high humidity and temperatures averaging around 26-30°C (79-86°F) year-round.
Brunei: officially known as the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace (Negara Brunei Darussalam), is a small, wealthy country located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is known for its rich natural resources, particularly oil and gas, which have made it one of the wealthiest nations in the world.
Geography and Demographics:
Location: Brunei is located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, bordered by the South China Sea to the north and Malaysia to the south and east.
Population: Approximately 440,000 people, making it one of the least populous countries in Southeast Asia.
Language: Malay is the official language, while English is widely spoken and used in business and education.
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and largest city.
Brunei is an absolute monarchy, with the Sultan serving as both the head of state and the head of government.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has ruled since 1967, is one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the world and is also one of the wealthiest individuals globally
Legal System: Brunei practices a dual legal system, combining British common law with Sharia law.
Brunei is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and participates actively in regional diplomacy.
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Source: pib, AIR . DD , Indian express , The Hindu.
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