Today in History (October 12th, 1492)
On 12th October 1492, Christopher Columbus and his crew aboard the Pinta ship sighted land in the Caribbean, most likely San Salvador. This historic event marked the “discovery” of the New World, a significant moment in world history. Columbus’s voyage paved the way for European exploration and colonization of the Americas.
Summary of Today’s News
‘Operation Ajay’ set to evacuate Indian nationals from Israel.
The Indian government has initiated “Operation Ajay” to evacuate its citizens from conflict-ridden Israel who wish to return to India. This operation involves special chartered flights and safety arrangements. It is the second evacuation this year, following “Operation Kaveri,” which brought Indian citizens back from Sudan in April-May.
UN Security Council reform is a song in a loop
The debate over fundamental reforms at the United Nations (UN) has resurfaced during the ongoing General Assembly session, with leaders and the UN Secretary-General expressing concerns about the outdated structure of the Security Council. The Council’s composition, dominated by the five permanent members and their veto powers established in 1945, is seen as unjust and obsolete in today’s world. Despite decades of debate and growing calls for reform, the issue remains gridlocked, making the Security Council ineffective in addressing contemporary global challenges.
Women’s quota — rhetoric and reality
The recent passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Indian Parliament, which includes the requirement of a census and constituency delimitation, has sparked concerns. Although women’s representation in India’s legislative bodies is low, the conditions attached to this legislation have raised questions. Delimitation, a contentious issue in the country, may delay the implementation of the women’s quota law and potentially create political imbalances between northern and southern states.
Concerns about govt.’s fact check unit.
The Bombay High Court has reserved its judgment on the constitutionality of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023 (IT Rules). These rules allow the Indian government to establish a Fact Check Unit (FCU) to identify and request the removal of “fake or false or misleading” online content related to the Central Government’s business. The court has expressed concerns regarding the lack of necessary safeguards, ambiguity in the rules, and the subjective nature of terms like “fake” and “misleading.”
