Today in History (July 19th, 1848)
On this day in 1848, the women’s suffrage movement in the United States began with the opening of the Seneca Falls Convention, which aimed to secure certain rights and privileges for women, particularly the right to vote.
Summary of Today’s News
GM herbicide-tolerant (HT) mustard
The debate over Genetically Modified (GM) crops in India, particularly GM herbicide-tolerant (HT) mustard, has been a contentious issue involving various stakeholders. GM crops are created by inserting select genes into a plant’s DNA to express specific traits. For instance, GM mustard has been modified to resist the herbicide glufosinate, allowing farmers to kill unwanted plants and selectively sparing the mustard crop. Concerns about GM crops’ safety, efficacy, and necessity in India have been raised. Bt cotton, the only approved GM crop, has faced criticism for providing marginal benefits to farmers while increasing the cost of cultivation and risks.
Anti-Terrorism Squad
The ATS (Anti-Terrorism Squad) is a specialized police service operating in several Indian states, established in 1989 by Shri Aftab Ahmed Khan, who drew inspiration from SWAT squads in Los Angeles. The ATS is responsible for combating terrorism and organized crime, gathering intelligence, coordinating with other intelligence agencies, and also detecting and combating fake currency and narcotics scams. It played a significant role in thwarting terror acts, and in 2008, it was involved in the hostage rescue operations during the Mumbai attacks.
Silver Line project
The proposed Silver Line project is a ₹1 lakh crore semi-high-speed train project in Kerala that will span 529.45 km and connect Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, passing through 11 districts and 11 stations. The project is being carried out by the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), a joint venture between the Kerala Government and the Union Ministry of Railways, with a deadline set for 2025. K-Rail aims to execute significant railway projects in the region.
Illegal Migration Bill
The U.K. Government has introduced the Illegal Migration Bill for tighter immigration regulations for undocumented workers and asylum seekers to protect U.K. jobs and prioritize skilled workers through legal routes. The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to “stop the boats” to regulate immigration by asylum seekers.
