Today in History (October 17th, 1938)
On this day, the U.S. government initiated a case against three Germans who were accused of being involved in an espionage plot to obtain defense plans related to the Atlantic coast and the Panama Canal. This incident occurred on the eve of World War II, and various countries were closely monitoring and engaging in espionage activities.
Summary of Today’s News
SC refers electoral bonds case to 5-judge Constitution Bench.
Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has swiftly referred the challenge to the validity of India’s electoral bonds scheme, enabling anonymous political donations, to a Constitution Bench of five judges. Citing the “importance of the issue,” the Chief Justice made the decision following a plea to refer the case. The hearing, originally scheduled for October 10, will now be listed before the five-judge Constitution Bench on October 31.
Why exclude single women from opting for surrogacy: HC
The Delhi High Court has raised concerns over the exclusion of single, unmarried women from the benefits of surrogacy under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, questioning the government’s rationale for this discriminatory provision. The court also questioned the limitation that restricts surrogacy to widows or divorcees aged between 35 and 45. These inquiries arose during a hearing of a petition by a 44-year-old unmarried woman challenging the Act’s Section 2(1)(s), which effectively bars women like her from accessing surrogacy services.
The Indian Himalayan Region needs its own EIA
The significant environmental challenges faced in the Himalayan region, as exemplified by recent events like the Teesta dam breach and severe floods and landslides. It stresses the importance of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool, endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme, to evaluate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of development projects before they commence.
Confronting the long term risks of Artificial Intelligence
The evolving nature of risk, particularly in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI), emphasizing the impact of technological advancements and shifting societal values on our perception of risk. It employs the film “Ex Machina” as an example of how our understanding of AI risk has evolved with increasing technological capabilities. AI risks, focusing on the latter, which include concerns about AI’s fusion with biotechnology and its potential to fundamentally alter human existence.
