TODAY GK ON AUGUST 30, 2022
GK News on Headlines 

PM Modi extends condolences to Pakistan flood victims

Extending “heartfelt condolences” to victims of the floods in Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 29, 2022 said he was saddened by the situation, in a rare outreach to the neighbouring country on a day Pakistan’s Finance Minister said he could consider reopening trade routes with India.

Former SC judges who chose a quiet retired life in their villages concerned about new rules

The Centre’s amended rules allowing lifetime staff for retired Chief Justices of India and Supreme Court judges have become a cause of concern for those among them who chose a quiet retired life in their own villages.

On August 26, the Ministry of Law and Justice amended the Supreme Court Judges Rules to provide chauffeurs and domestic help for former Chief Justices and top court judges for their entire lifetime. Retired CJIs were given the added benefit of secretarial assistants.

Arumughaswamy recommends ‘enquiry’ against Sasikala, Vijayabaskar, others

The Tamil Nadu Cabinet on Monday decided to seek legal opinion on the report submited by the Justice A. Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry, which has recommended an “enquiry” against V.K. Sasikala, aide of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Sivakumar, former Minister C. Vijayabaskar, former Chief Secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao, among others.

Reliance Jio to roll out 5G services from October

Reliance Industries’ Jio telecom unit will introduce its 5G wireless services by Diwali [October second half] starting with the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani said on Monday.

Centre seeks more time from SC on minority status for communities

The government has sought more time from the Supreme Court to hold consultations on the issue of granting minority status to religious communities, including Hindus, said to be numerically low in as many as 10 States.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs, in an affidavit, said comments and views of States like Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have not been received as on date.

Allahabad HC asks Mathura court to decide plea seeking ASI survey of Idgah mosque in four months

The Allahabad High Court on Monday directed a Mathura court to decide on an application seeking a survey of Shahi Idgah mosque, adjacent to Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, by the Archaeological Survey of India within four months.

Pakistan floods leave wrecked lives, half million in camps

Nearly a half million people crowded into camps after losing their homes in widespread flooding and the climate minister warned Monday that Pakistan is on the “front line” of the world’s climate crisis after unprecedented monsoon rains wracked the country since mid-June, killing more than 1,136 people.

Palestinian toll mounts as Israel steps up West Bank raids

At least 85 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank this year as Israeli forces have carried out nightly raids in cities, towns and villages, making it the deadliest in the occupied territory since 2016.

The military says the vast majority were militants or stone-throwers who endangered the soldiers. The tally, from the Palestinian Health Ministry, includes Palestinians who carried out deadly attacks inside Israel.

Europe energy crisis | It’s eat or heat for shocked Europeans

No more ironing, limited oven use and showering at work – Europeans are trying to keep their energy use down but the bills keep climbing. As wholesale gas and electricity prices surge, millions of people in Europe are now spending a record amount of their income on energy, data show.

NDTV promoter entity, Adani write to SEBI, seek clarity on stake sale

NDTV promoter entity RRPR Holding Private Ltd. and Adani Enterprises’ indirect subsidiary Vishvapradhan Commercial Private Ltd. (VCPL) have written to markets regulator SEBI seeking clarification on whether any regulatory restrictions prohibit the news network’s founders from selling a majority stake to Adani Enterprises.

Paul Pogba says he is victim of extortion attempts, threats from organised gang

France midfielder Paul Pogba has said he is the victim of extortion attempts and threats from an organised gang and that authorities in Italy and France are investigating the matter.

Pogba, who rejoined Italian Serie A club Juventus in July following his departure from Premier League Manchester United, released a statement on Sunday after his brother Mathias Pogba posted a video online.

Reliance Jio to invest ₹2 lakh crore in 5G; rollout in metros by Diwali

After buying spectrum worth ₹88,078 crore in the auctions, Reliance Jio said earlier this month it is gearing up to roll out an advanced 5G network to make India a global leader in digital connectivity and solutions. While speaking at Reliance Industries’ 45th annual general meeting, Reliance Industries Ltd. chairman Mukesh Ambani said Jio will roll out 5G services across India by December 2023. The company has partnered with Qualcomm to develop 5G solutions, Mr. Ambani said. He said the firm is partnering with Google to develop ultra-affordable 5G smartphones and Google Cloud. It has now forged a collaboration with Qualcomm to develop a 5G solution for India, which can be taken to the rest of the world, he said.

Rafale deal | Supreme Court allows withdrawal of plea to order probe, cancel purchase

The Supreme Court on Monday allowed advocate M.L. Sharma to withdraw his plea to summon documents from French investigation agency, Agence Francaise Anticorruption (AFA), allegedly showing that aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation paid €1 million to an Indian company in connection with the 2016 Indo-French Rafale deal. “Having gone through the facts and circumstances, no case is made out to exercise jurisdiction,” a Bench of Chief Justice U.U. Lalit and S. Ravindra Bhat concluded in its order.

Chinese troops stop Indian graziers in Ladakh’s Demchok

According to a senior government official, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) objected to the presence of graziers within India’s perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) near Saddle Pass at CNN junction in Demchok. The incident was followed by a couple of meetings between the commanders of the Indian Army and the Chinese PLA to resolve the issue.

Teesta played a ‘major role’ in a ‘larger conspiracy’ at the behest of a senior political leader: Gujarat to Supreme Court

Activist Teesta Setalvad is accused of fabricating evidence to frame high functionaries of the Gujarat government in a case related to the 2002 riots. The State’s response, in a 13-page affidavit, was filed in response to her plea for bail. “It is submitted that ocular and documentary evidence collected by the present SIT (constituted to investigate the present FIR) during this investigation provide ample grounds to support the allegation of larger conspiracy by the present applicant and others. The same clearly established a prima facie case against the petitioner for an offence which serious enough and entails a maximum punishment for life,” the Gujarat government said.

Hijab row | Supreme Court issues notice to Karnataka Government over plea challenging HC’s order

The Supreme Court fixed the hearing of arguments on September 5 in a batch of petitions challenging a Karnataka High Court decision upholding a State Government order banning the wearing of hijab to classrooms while criticising the petitioner-students of “forum-shopping” for seeking an adjournment. A Bench led by Justice Hemant Gupta issued notice on a plea to stay the High Court Order. Karnataka, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, accepted the notice and said no counter is required to be filed. The State said it is ready to argue the case on law on Monday.

New mechanism for listing of matters in Supreme Court soon: CJI U.U. Lalit

Chief Justice of India U.U. Lalit asked lawyers to mention cases for urgent hearings before the registrar rather than requesting the first court to entertain such pleas. “We will have a new mechanism by Thursday. Till then, we will look at it in chamber and if urgent we will list it… For mentioning, we will go back to the original practice of mentioning before the registrar,” the CJI said.

In 2016, Saxena pressured employees to exchange demonetised notes worth ₹1400 crore, claims AAP

“When he was KVIC chairman, demonetisation happened and a cashier working there has given in writing that he was forced to carry out exchange of notes. It is unfortunate that he was suspended. But we want a probe in this. There is a news report also and there are statements by the affected employees,” AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak said.

Identification of minorities | Centre seeks more time from SC to hold meetings with states

In a status report submitted to the court in response to a plea filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, the Ministry of Minority Affairs said comments/views of the state governments including those of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir have not been received as on date.

Transport Ministry standardises process for issuing international driving permit

Currently, the format, size, pattern, colour etc. of IDP being issued differ across states in India. Due to this, many citizens face difficulties with their respective IDPs in foreign countries. The ministry in a notification on Monday said the provision for QR code to link international driving permit (IDP) with the driving licence has also been made.

Fuel leaks force NASA to scrub launch of new moon rocket

Fuel leaks have forced NASA to scrub the launch of its new moon rocket on a no-crew test flight. The next launch attempt will not take place until Friday at the earliest. The 322-foot Space Launch System rocket was set to lift off Monday morning with three test dummies aboard on its first flight, a mission to propel a capsule into orbit around the moon.

Pakistan court suspends PEMRA’s ban on live telecast of Imran Khan’s speeches

The Pakis­tan Electronic Media Regu­latory Authority banned satellite television channels from broadcasting live speeches of ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan after he threatened state institutions and made provocative statements while addressing a rally in Islamabad on August 20. Hearing an application filed by 69-year-old Khan, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that the watchdog had “exceeded its authority” and directed PEMRA to appoint an officer who could justify the ban in court,  Dawn newspaper reported. The hearing has been adjourned till September 5.

Iraqi Shia cleric Sadr says he’ll retire, sparks fear of unrest

Hundreds of followers of an influential Shia cleric scaled the cement barriers leading to Iraq’s government palace after he announced his resignation from politics on August 29, spurring fears of more volatility amid an unprecedented political crisis. Shortly after Muqtada al-Sadr announced his “final” retirement from politics, hundreds of his followers rushed to the government palace, the seat of the caretaker government. It was the first time his followers have attempted to breach the palace since thousands of them stormed Iraq’s parliament to prevent al-Sadr’s rivals from forming a government.

‘Only yes means yes’: Spain tightens rape law

Known as the “Only yes means yes” law, the bill was given the green light by parliament with 205 votes in favour and 141 against after passing its first reading by lawmakers in May. It involves a reform of Spain’s criminal code that now defines rape as sex without clear consent.

Vinesh headlines women’s squad for wrestling World championships

Worlds bronze medallist and three-time Commonwealth Games champion Vinesh Phogat — who faced a tough challenge from Antim Panghal in the Commonwealth Games trials in May — beat the youngster 7-0 to take the 53kg slot in Lucknow. Vinesh was the only one of the six-member Commonwealth Games women’s wrestling side to make it to the World championships squad. The rest, including Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik, skipped the trials for various reasons.

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