Headlines at a Glance – 15th September 2020
India elected as member of Commission on Status of Women
India has been elected as a member of the United Nations Commission on Status of Women, a body of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), said TS Tirumurti, permanent representative of India to the United Nations, on MondayIndia, Afghanistan and China had contested the elections to the Commission on Status of Women. Even as India and Afghanistan won the ballot among the 54 members, China could not cross the half-way mark. This year is the 25th anniversary of the famous Beijing World Conference on Women (1995). India will be a member of the United Nations Commission on Status of Women for four years, 2021 to ‘25. Earlier on June 18, India was elected as one of the non-permanent members to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) after securing 184 votes out of the total 192.India beat China in the hotly-contested election to the prestigious UN body in the year when the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, that was held in Beijing in 1995, is being commemorated around the world.
SOURCE: Hindustan Times
Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020 introduced in LS
The Centre moved to standardise protocols of the growing fertility industry and introduced the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020, in Lok Sabha on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament. The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill or ART Bill makes it mandatory for all fertility clinics and banks in India to register themselves with a national registering authority and periodically report all procedures undertaken. It has also laid down a strict age bar for men and women who can avail themselves of assisted reproductive technology services. The Bill states that assisted reproductive technologies can be availed of by any woman above marriageable age but less than 50 years and any man above marriageable age but less than 55 years. Health ministry sources said this step was taken after reports of a number of cases of aged women undertaking these procedures, which is not advisable at an advanced age. Only married women with a child of three years can be an egg donor and can do it only once in her lifetime.
SORCE: The Hindu
Centre Bans Export Of Onions With Immediate Effect
The government on Monday banned the export of all varieties of onions with immediate effect, a move aimed at increasing availability and checking the price of the commodity in the domestic market. “The export of all varieties of onions… is prohibited with immediate effect,” the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. The DGFT, an arm of the commerce ministry, deals with exports and imports-related issues. The provisions under transitional arrangement shall not be applicable under this notification. In the national capital, onion prices were ruling at around 40 per kilogram. Wholesale price inflation for onion stood at (-) 34.48 per cent in August. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat are major onion producing states. It may be noted that 40 percent of the country’s total onion crop is produced in the kharif season and the rest during the rabi season. The kharif crop, however, cannot be stored.
SOURCE: Economic Times
Shweta Kapila cows recognized as Goan breed
A cow breed found in Valpoi, Saakeri and some other areas of Goa has been recognised as a Goan breed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR). The cows are known to give more nutritious milk than other breeds. In a tweet, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said. “I am glad that Shweta Kapila cow has received recognition as Goan breed of cattle by ICAR- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR). The Shweta Kapila cows are known for the nutritional value of their A2 rich milk.@icarindia.” He praised the ICAR team in Goa for their efforts.
SOURCE: Business Standard
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