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Today in History (December 23rd,1995)
On 23rd December, 1995, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, a former member of Poland’s ruling communist party, was sworn in as the country’s president. He won the election by narrowly defeating Lech Wałęsa, Poland’s first post-communist president.
Summary of Today’s News
India, Kuwait lift ties to ‘strategic partnership
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Kuwait, India and Kuwait signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation, covering personnel exchange, joint exercises, and military equipment supply. The relationship was upgraded to a “strategic partnership.” Modi and Kuwait’s leadership discussed areas like pharmaceuticals, IT, and security. Modi was awarded Kuwait’s highest honour, the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Order, in recognition of strong ties. The visit also fostered agreements on cultural exchange, sports cooperation, and enhanced economic relations.
August 1 cut-off date for UPSC age limit is unfair: aspirants to CJI
A group of civil services aspirants protested the rule setting August 1 as the cut-off date for age eligibility, claiming it is discriminatory. They argued that candidates born just before or after August 1 are treated unfairly, as those born after are eligible while those born before are not. They urged the Chief Justice to change the cut-off to January 1 for fairness. The aspirants also claimed the rule violates Articles 21 and 16 of the Constitution. A similar petition was dismissed in October 2024.
India cannot be intimidated to conform, says Jaishankar.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India will make decisions based on its national and global interests without external interference. In a video for the SIES Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati National Eminence Award ceremony, he emphasized the importance of balancing modernity with tradition. He highlighted India’s heritage as a valuable resource for addressing global challenges and stressed that progress should retain “Bharatiyata.” Jaishankar described India as a civilization state, committed to global welfare and confident in its development.
What are the new interception rules and safeguards?
The Telecommunications (Procedures and Safeguards for Lawful Interception of Messages) Rules, 2024, replace Rule 419A of the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951, allowing interception of phone messages under specific conditions. The Union Home Secretary and State Home Department Secretary are the competent authorities. In unavoidable circumstances, a Joint Secretary may issue orders. Interceptions are permitted under Section 20(2) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. Orders must be confirmed within seven days, or interception ceases. Records must be destroyed every six months. Key differences include allowances for remote areas and stricter confirmation requirements for intercepted messages.
