Today in History ( January 7th,1610)
On January 7, 1610, Italian astronomer Galileo made groundbreaking discoveries that reshaped our understanding of the universe. He observed four moons orbiting Jupiter and revealed that the telescope unveils countless stars beyond what the naked eye can see.
Summary of Today’s News
T.N. Governor walks out of Assembly, alleges ‘insult’ to National Anthem.
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi walked out of the Legislative Assembly on Monday without delivering his customary address, citing disrespect towards the “Constitution of Bharat” and the National Anthem. Only the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu (State anthem) was sung, while his request for the National Anthem to be played was refused. The Governor’s office called it a “brazen disrespect” and expressed anguish. Since 1991, the Tamil Nadu Assembly has followed a practice of playing the State anthem first and the National Anthem last.
HMPV infection not new, no cause for alarm: Centre.
The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is circulating globally, including in India, with recent cases confirmed in two infants in Karnataka and one in Gujarat. The Health Ministry clarified that HMPV is not new in India, and all infected individuals are recovering well. HMPV, first identified in 2001, spreads through the air and can affect all age groups. Health systems are monitoring the situation, with no unusual increase in respiratory illnesses. Former WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan reassured that HMPV mostly causes mild infections, urging standard precautions like wearing masks and handwashing.
Union Carbide waste disposal: HC gives M.P. govt. six weeks.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court gave the State government six weeks to address the disposal of toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory. Protests erupted in Pithampur over plans to incinerate 358 tonnes of waste, with misinformation fuelling unrest. The court emphasized safety measures and ordered the government to build public confidence. The waste, transported to Pithampur on January 1, will be incinerated using scientific methods. Security measures have been strengthened, and two individuals were arrested for spreading false claims. The next hearing is on February 18.
The Collegium and changes — it may still be early days
The Supreme Court Collegium has introduced interviews for High Court judge nominees and measures to reduce nepotism by excluding candidates related to serving judges. These reforms aim to improve transparency and diversity but face challenges due to the absence of formal rules. The Collegium system, based on the Second Judges Case (1993), lacks clear guidelines, leading to inconsistencies and delays. Strengthening the system requires binding rules, better cooperation between the judiciary and executive, and stricter enforcement of Collegium decisions.
