Hindu Notes from General Studies-02

India clarifies on UAV crash as China protests ‘violation of airspace’

News

• An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the Indian Army that crashed into the Chinese side of the border was on a regular training mission and lost contact with ground control due to technical problem.

Beyond News

• In a statement, it also claimed that ,as per standard protocol, the Indian border security personnel immediately alerted their Chinese counterparts to locate the UAV.
• The Indian clarification came in the wake of China’s defence ministry accusing India of violating its airspace.
• Indian side said hat, an Indian UAV which was on a regular training mission inside the Indian territory lost contact with the ground control due to some technical problem and crossed over the LAC [Line of Actual Control] in the Sikkim Sector.

A woman does not mortgage herself to a man with marriage: CJI

News

• Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra orally observed that,a woman does not mortgage herself to a man by marrying him and she retains her identity, including her religious identity, even after she exercises her right to marry outside her community under the Special Marriage Act.

Beyond News

• The Special Marriage Act of 1954 is seen as a statutory alternative for couples who choose to retain their identity in an inter-religious marriage.
• The Chief Justice of India observed nobody can presume that a woman has changed her faith or religion just because she chose to change her name after marrying outside her community.

India’s position on Palestine is independent, says MEA

News

• Hours after U.S. President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalemas the capital of Israel, India took a cautious stance, saying it follows an independent policy on Palestine that is not influenced by any “third country.

Beyond News

• Trump’s announcement was welcomed by the Israelis but drew swift condemnation across the Arab-Islamic world even as Indian experts cautioned that the U.S. recognition will place new challenges before the Arab world.
• The United Nations Security Council has convened a meeting on Friday in the wake of the US President Donald Trump announcing his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
• At least eight of the 15 members of the Security Council, including Britain and France — the two permanent members which closely align themselves on most of the global issues joined by other non-permanent members  Bolivia, Egypt, Italy, Senegal, Sweden, Britain and Uruguay  asked for a special meeting of the top decision-making wing of the New York-headquartered world body.

India has traditionally supported an independent Palestine as part of a two-state solution. The statement, however, did not specifically address the issue of Jerusalem as the U.S.-recognised capital of Israel.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-03

What is DNA fingerprinting and how is it done?

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‘8% drop in environmental crimes’

News

• The data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) recently have shown a decline of over 8% in environmental crimes across the country.

Beyond News

• A total of 4,732 environmental crimes were recorded in 2016, marking a decline from 5,156 offences in the same category in 2015.
• Environmental crimes include offences related to Indian Forest Act, 1927, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Dead pelican triggers a scare

News

• The death of a few spot-billed pelicansat Kukkarahalli Lake in Mysuru over the last one week has raised concern over the apparent rise in pollution in the lake, besides adding to fears of avian flu.

Beyond News

• In the past week, at least eight pelicans have reportedly died, but the deaths have gone unreported.
• Though officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry claimed that they had not come across any bird deaths and stated that only a couple of sick birds were treated, bird enthusiasts said pelicans had indeed died over the last few days.

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