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Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 12 August 2020

::NATIONAL::

SC orders equal inheritance of property rights to daughters

In a landmark judgment, Supreme Court has ruled that daughters will have inheritance rights equal to those of sons from properties of fathers and grandfathers right from the codification of the law in 1956.
A bench of Justices Arun Mishra, S Abdul Nazeer and MR Shah cleared the confusion arising from the apex court’s conflicting interpretations of the amended Section 6 of Hindu Succession Act, which came into force from September 9, 2005. The bench said whether the father is alive or not, daughters born before September 9, 2005, too can claim equal right in inheritance.
The apex court said, daughters cannot be deprived of their right to equality conferred by Section 6 of the Act. The apex court was answering a reference based on conflicting decisions given by past verdicts of the top court.
Although the amendment was applicable to Hindu daughters as coparceners who died after coming of the act, there was no clarity on whether it will have retrospective effect.

New Swachh Bharat Mission academy launched for campaign of GandagiMukt Bharat

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat today launched Swachh Bharat Mission, SBM Academy in New Delhi, as part of the ongoing week-long behaviour change campaign GandagiMukt Bharat.
He launched SBM Academy by dialling the designated IVR toll-free number. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Shekhawat said, the IVR based free mobile online learning course on ODF Plus will be crucial in achieving goals underlined in Phase - 2 of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
He said, the mission has transformed rural India by manifesting into a Jan Andolan for sanitation. This led to the historic achievement of Open Defecation Free declaration by all villages, districts and states on 2nd October, last year.

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::ECONOMY::

India defers ROC for rice export to European Union

India on Tuesday deferred the requirement of a certificate of inspection by export inspection agencies for exporting rice to European countries to January 1, 2021.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) amended the export policy and said that the export of Rice (Basmati and Non-Basmati) to EU member states and other European Countries namely Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland only will require Certificate of Inspection from Export Inspection Council (EIC) or Export Inspection Agency (EIA).
EIC is the official export certification body of India which ensures quality and safety of products exported from India.
It had, in January, said that a certificate of inspection by export inspection agencies will be mandatory for exports to remaining European countries with effect from July 1, 2020.India’s rice export to Europe were $278.68 million in FY20, 13.7% lower than the $323.09 million in FY19.

MSME ministry calls for doubling of apparel exports

Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME Minister NitinGadkari has called upon Apparel Export Promotion Council for taking measures to target doubling exports of apparels.
He also emphasized on technology upgradation and research to improve quality and remain cost competitive in the global market.
Inaugurating the virtual workshop- A Joint initiatives of Apparel Expert Promotion Council and MSME Ministry through Video Conference, Mr Gadkari said, government is providing support through package announced recently for liquidity, stress management in the MSME sector.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

AtmaNirbhar Bharat' to open huge opportunities for India- Bangladesh cooperation claims high commissioner

The ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ scheme rolled out by India will provide a great opportunity for business people from India and Bangladesh to collaborate in various sectors.
Speaking at the Webinar on the topic of India-Bangladesh partnership-economic revival in a post COVID19 world on Tuesday High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das said that Atma-Nirbhar Bharat or self reliance will allow India to identify and promote industries and sectors where it has the potential and capability to scale up and become globally competitive.
She said it will help India to become part of the global value chain in collaboration with partner countries.
Speaking about the recent connectivity initiatives in railways and inland waterways between India and Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das said that it will help reduce the cost of trade.
She added that with the resilient economies and robust business environment in both the countries will not only help them to deal with present challenges but also allow them to make use of new opportunities.
High Commissioner Riva Ganguly Das also called upon the business leaders to explore opportunities for collaboration and joint ventures between the two countries.

Russia launches world’s first COVID vaccine

Russia has developed the first vaccine against the coronavirus

The announcement was made by President Vladimir Putin during a televised video conference call with government ministers today.He said one of his daughters has already been inoculated.
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise at an alarming rate across the globe, scientists and medical experts are making accelerated efforts to develop a vaccine fit for human use.
Currently, there are more than 160 vaccine candidates in different stages of production and 27 of these have reached the human trials.
While the vaccine created by Oxford University and drugmaker AstraZeneca is considered one of the frontrunners in the race to develop a coronavirus vaccine, Russia today became the first country in the world to launch its very own coronavirus vaccine.

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::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::

Indian airforce decides to revive Project Cheetah

The Indian Armed Forces have decided to revive “Project Cheetah” amidst tensions with China. The project was pending for a long time and the tri-services have now decided to revive the project under Rs 3,500 crores.
The proposal of reviving “Project Cheetah” has been sent to a newly formed high-level defence ministry committee under Ajay Kumar. Ajay Kumar is the defence secretary. He is in charge of all capital procurements of Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Under the project, around 90 Heron drones of the services are to be upgraded with laser-guided bombs, air launched anti-tank guided missiles and air to ground anti-tank guided missiles. The project was pending over a long period of time.
The Indian fleet of drones mainly includes Israeli equipment including Herons. They were deployed in both Indian Air Force and Army. They are currently deployed in Ladakh and China borders. The project is being launched to upgrade the drones that are carrying out offensive operations against the enemies especially in the borders. They will also be used to counter terrorism in the future.

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::SPORTS::

Fourth edition of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) unlikely to take place this year

The fourth edition of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), proposed to be held from August 14 to 31, is unlikely to take place this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With sporting events yet to start in the country and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) not certain about the resumption of professional tour, it was not possible for the organiser 11sports to go ahead with the proposed plan.
“You need permissions from the State and central government, check players’ availability and discuss with the ITTF. I see none of that happening in near the future,” said former player and 11sports director Kamlesh Mehta.

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