13th November, 2024 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
Supreme Court Overturns 1967 Ruling on AMU’s Minority Status

• In a historic 4-3 decision on November 8, 2024, the Supreme Court overturned its 1967 ruling in the Azeez Basha case, which had denied Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) minority institution status. This landmark judgment paves the way for AMU’s minority status to be reassessed based on its historical, administrative, and founding context, under the protective framework of Article 30 of the Indian Constitution. While AMU’s status remains undecided, the verdict has crucial implications for how educational institutions are recognized under constitutional provisions.
• In 1967, the Supreme Court’s Azeez Basha judgment ruled that AMU was not established or administered by a Muslim minority community, thereby disqualifying it from claiming minority status under Article 30(1). Despite subsequent legislative amendments, including the 1981 recognition of AMU’s Muslim origins, the issue remained contentious, culminating in this fresh review by a seven-judge bench.
• This decision has not only revisited AMU’s status but also set a new precedent in minority rights jurisprudence in India. The judgment reinforces the need for a nuanced understanding of constitutional protections for minority institutions, balancing autonomy with non-discrimination.

INTERNATIONAL
Alix Didier Fils-Aime Sworn in as Haiti’s New Prime Minister

• Alix Didier Fils-Aime has been sworn in as Haiti’s new prime minister, vowing to address the country’s critical security issues and restore stability. His predecessor, Garry Conille, was ousted just five months into office following a power struggle with Haiti’s transitional council over ministerial appointments.
• Fils-Aime stressed the importance of restoring security, which he considers essential for the success of the nation.
• Vowed to bring his “energy, skills, and patriotism” to tackling Haiti’s challenges.
• Haiti’s interim government, backed by the US and other regional powers, is tasked with stabilizing the country and paving the way for elections next year.
• No sitting parliament and no president since the assassination of Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged Haitian leaders to prioritize the country’s interests and work towards a peaceful transition.
• Fils-Aime’s government faces the dual challenge of security and political instability as it prepares for elections next year.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump establishes ‘Department of Government Efficiency’

• U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announces the establishment of a new “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), to be led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
• The department is tasked with reducing government bureaucracy, cutting excess regulations, and eliminating wasteful spending. Trump states that DOGE will provide “advice and guidance from outside of government” to improve efficiency across federal agencies.
• Trump has named former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan as “Border Czar,” responsible for overseeing immigration enforcement with a focus on deporting individuals who pose security threats. For Secretary of Defense, Trump has selected combat veteran Pete Hegseth, who served in Cuba, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

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ECONOMY
16th India Game Developer Conference Begins in Hyderabad

• All is set for the 16th edition of India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) began in Hyderabad. The three-day conference is expected to attract about 20 thousand attendees. Organized by the Game Developer Association of India (GDAI), the 16th edition of IGDC is expected to highlight the rapid growth of India’s gaming and interactive entertainment sector. Secretary in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Sanjay Jaju and senior officials will be attending the Conference on the inaugural day.
• The IGDC ranked among the top three video gaming conferences worldwide and this year’s conference will underscore the country’s rising influence in the global gaming industry. The India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) has become a vital platform, not just for highlighting gaming talent, but also for shaping policies and infrastructure to advance India’s video game industry. This year’s event will address the need for establishing dedicated gaming hubs and expanding the nation’s incubator ecosystem, inspired by the success of Telangana’s IMAGE Tower.

ENVIRONMENT
2024 on track to be warmest year on record, reports world meteorological organization at COP-29

• The year 2024 is on track to be the warmest year on record after an extended streak of exceptionally high monthly global mean temperatures. A report released by the World Meteorological Organization, during the ongoing session of the Conference of the Parties, COP-29 said this, adding that the ambitions of the Paris Agreement are “in great peril.
• The Paris Agreement aims to keep the long-term global average surface temperature increase to well below two degrees above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the warming to 1.5 degrees.
• According to analysis of six international datasets used by WMO, the January to September global mean surface air temperature was 1.54 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average, boosted by a warming El Nino event. The report also noted that 2015-2024 will be the warmest decade on record, with the accelerating loss of ice from glaciers, sea-level rise and ocean heating. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said, it is essential to recognize that every fraction of a degree of warming matters, every additional increment of global warming increases climate extremes, impacts and risks.

Published date : 14 Nov 2024 10:03AM