MLC Daily Current Affairs – 12 July 2024

Today in History (July 12^th, 1823)

Diana, the first steamship built in India, was unveiled in Calcutta (now Kolkata) Launched on 12 July 1823, the first Diana was constructed at Messrs Kyds & Co. Dockyard in Kidderpore, near Calcutta, India.

Let’s revise

A) What is amicus curiae?

1. Defendant
2. Plaintiff
3. Friend of court
4. A party in a criminal case

Ans. (3)

B) Iddat/iddah is associated with which one of the following?

1. A festival in Islamic world
2. A time duration for women for remarriage after the death of husband
3. A time duration after the birth of male child in muslim family
4. A time duration before marriage of a minor girl

Ans. (2)

C) What is the meaning of gig worker?

1. A regular employee
2. A regular employee but for fixed duration
3. A regular employee but without weekday off
4. Persons who work for certain tasks but not employees at all

Ans. (4)

D) Which state has the lowest child sex ratio in India?

1. Kerala
2. Karnataka
3. Haryana
4. Assam

Ans. (3)

Summary of Today’s News

NATO summit in Washington

In a summit marked by NATO’s condemnation of China as a critical supporter of Russia’s war in Ukraine, tensions escalated with Beijing dismissing accusations and urging NATO to avoid stirring conflict in Asia. The alliance, focused on bolstering Ukraine against Moscow’s aggression, also sought to strengthen ties with Asian partners amid escalating global security concerns.

Offence of cruelty by husband does not apply to live-in partner: Kerala High Court

1. Legal Definition of Husband: The Kerala High Court clarified that under Section 498(A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the term “husband” specifically refers to a legally married man.

2. Live-in Relationships: The court ruled that a man who is in a live-in relationship with a woman, without a legal marriage, does not fall under the definition of “husband” for the purposes of Section 498(A).

3. Case Specifics: The case involved allegations of mental and physical harassment against a man by a woman who was in a live-in relationship with him. The court quashed the case as Section 498(A) does not apply to live-in partners.

4. Marriage Status: The judgment emphasized that marriage, as recognized by law, is necessary to confer the status of “husband” under Section 498(A) of IPC.

This decision reinforces the legal distinction between marriage and live-in relationships, particularly concerning the application of laws relating to cruelty against spouses.

BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ retreat in New Delhi

• The recent BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ retreat in New Delhi, hosted by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, highlighted the need for the seven-member group to address regional challenges internally, particularly in light of the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.
• The situation in Myanmar, where the military junta is losing ground to ethnic armed organizations, underscores the urgency of regional cooperation on capacity-building, economic collaboration, and connectivity projects.
• The retreat, marking the first such event since the BIMSTEC Charter came into effect, emphasized the importance of higher aspirations and mutual solutions among member countries. Discussions also focused on maintaining border stability and the possibility of extending humanitarian assistance to affected populations in Myanmar, reflecting India’s cautious approach to the evolving crisis.