Current Affairs - Miscellaneous

The Supreme Court has directed the formation of Special Benches to monitor and expedite the criminal trials of MPs and MLAs, expressing concern about the delay in disposal eroding public confidence in the justice system.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine for chikungunya on November 10, 2023. The vaccine, called VLA1553, was developed by Valneva Austria, a subsidiary of the French company Valneva. The vaccine is intended for adults 18 years of age and older who are at increased risk of exposure to chikungunya. This includes people who live in or travel to areas where the virus is common, as well as people who work with chikungunya-infected animals.

The Supreme Court's recent clarification indicates that the ban on barium and prohibited chemicals in firecrackers, initially issued in 2021, applies not only to the National Capital Region but to the entire country.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to provide maternity, childcare, and child adoption leave to both women soldiers, sailors, and air warriors, as well as women officers. This decision aligns with the principle of "inclusive participation" of all women in the armed forces, regardless of their ranks.

The Enemy Property Act, of 1968, specifically excludes the heirs of individuals who migrated to China and Pakistan during partition from claiming their ancestral properties left behind in India.