3 July 2024, The Indian EXPRESS
HC says can’t quash sexual violence cases after monetary settlements
Page no- 4
GS2-Structure, Organization and Functioning of the Judiciary
- The Delhi High Court on Monday observed that cases of sexual violence cannot be quashed based on monetary payments as it would imply that justice is for sale.
- The high court made the observation while dismissing a plea moved by a man accused of rape seeking quashing of an FIR registered by a woman on the ground that the matter was amicably settled between the parties and she “agreed to settle her claims for Rs 1.5 lakh”.
Criminal immunity for Trump: what the US SC ruled
Page no- 9
GS2-Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme with that of Other Countries
- The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) on Monday ruled that Presidents enjoy “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution with regards to conduct concerning their “core constitutional powers”.
- The SCOTUS also protected Presidents’ “official acts” from becoming the subject of criminal prosecution.
- This comes as a huge relief for former President Donald Trump, who faces a criminal case for allegedly attempting to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election, while he was in power.
- Trump’s indictment, drafted by US Special Counsel Jack Smith, accuses him of knowingly making false claims that the election was “stolen”, which directly led to the January 6, 2021 Capitol Hill attack.
Who was Abdul Hamid, hero of Asal Uttar battle?
Page no- 9
GS4-Human Values - Lessons from the Lives and Teachings of Great Leaders
- Born on July 1, 1933, Company Quarter Master Havildar (CQMH) Abdul Hamid laid his life down while fighting Pakistan Army’s Patton tanks in the Battle of Asal Uttar — one of the largest tank battles fought during the 1965 India-Pakistan War.
- Hamid was awarded Param Vir Chakra — India’s highest gallantry award — posthumously.
- On Monday, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat visited the native village of Hamid, Dhamupur, where he released a book on Hamid titled ‘Mere Papa Paramvir’ and another book titled ‘Bharat ka Musalman’.
Iran’s presidential election
Page no- 9
GS2-Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme with that of Other Countries
- On June 28, Iran held the first round of voting to elect a new President, necessitated by the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May.
- Since neither of the top two candidates — 69-year-old cardiac surgeon Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist, and 58-year-old hardliner Saeed Jalili — won more than 50% of votes, they will face off in a run-off election on July 5.
- What role does the President play in Iran’s hybrid theocratic-democratic system, and where do these two candidates stand on various issues?
Abhaya mudra, Buddhist & Hindu cultural symbol conveying freedom from fear
Page no- 9
GS1-Indian Culture - Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times
- In his first speech as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Monday invoked the abhaya mudra, the gesture of the raised open palm that is commonly understood as conveying reassurance and a freedom from fear.
- He portrayed the government as a regime based on fear, and stressed that the culture of fear is alien to the Hindu religion and Indian civilisation.
The problem with Modinomics
Page no- 11
GS3-Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment
- Why has private investment been so weak? The answer: Modinomics understands return, but is cavalier about risk.
- On the face of it, Modinomics is a strategy specifically designed to encourage investment, indeed to convince the whole world to “Make in India”.
- Yet, global investors have been reluctant to beat a path to India’s doorstep and even domestic firms have been investment-shy, especially in manufacturing.
- So, at the start of a fresh term, the question to ask is: What has gone wrong? Why is foreign direct investment (FDI) declining and overall investment stagnant?
Critical mineral recycling: Govt plans PLI scheme to boost circular economy
Page no- 13
GS1-Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent)
- The Ministry of Mines is in the initial stages of designing a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to boost the recycling of critical minerals in India, The Indian Express has learnt.
- This move aims to foster a circular economy and bolster domestic supply chains, following a lacklustre response to recent auctions of critical mineral blocks.
- The proposed PLI scheme aligns with policy recommendations from NITI Aayog, the government’s apex think tank, and complements the Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR), 2022, which mandate phased recycling of used electric vehicle (EV) lithium-ion batteries from 2026 onwards.
Moderating inflation aiding goods trade recovery in India, China
Page no- 13
GS3-Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development
- India and China exhibited “very strong” quarter-over-quarter export performance as the decline in goods trade among major economies reversed during the first quarter of 2024, UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in its report released on Tuesday.
- In the first quarter of 2024, global trade continued its modest and gradual increase that began in the second half of 2023, fuelled by positive trade dynamics for the US amid moderating inflation and improving economic growth forecast.
RBI proposes rationalising norms on foreign trade transactions
Page no- 13
GS3-Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development
- The RBI on July 2 proposed rationalising regulations that cover export and import transactions with an aim to promote ease of doing business and empower banks to provide more efficient service to their foreign exchange customers.
- The central bank has issued 'Regulation of Foreign Trade under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 – Draft Regulations and Directions' in this regard.
