CURRENT AFFAIRS 19 October, 2024
- 2024 GLOBAL MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX (MPI) –
- The 2024 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report highlights the alarming interconnections between violent conflict and multidimensional poverty across various nations. According to the report, approximately 1.1 billion people live in acute multidimensional poverty, with 455 million residing in conflict-affected regions.
- The analysis emphasizes that these areas see higher poverty rates and slower progress in poverty reduction.
- The report was jointly published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and includes updated data from 112 countries and over 1,359 subnational regions.
- UAE INTRODUCES NEW VISA-ON-ARRIVAL POLICY FOR INDIANS –
- Indian nationals with ordinary passports, as well as those holding permanent resident or green cards, or valid visas from the US, UK, or EU, are eligible.
Visa Options-
- 14-day visa on arrival, extendable for another 14 days.
- 60-day visa on arrival, non-extendable.
- In February, Dubai introduced a five-year multiple-entry visa for Indians to enhance business and tourism ties.
- JAMMU & KASHMIR CABINET PASSES RESOLUTION FOR STATEHOOD RESTORATION-
- In its first cabinet meeting, CM Omar Abdullah’s government passed a resolution urging the Central government to restore statehood to Jammu & Kashmir.
- The resolution, drafted by the National Conference after winning 42 seats in the recent assembly elections, will be presented to PM Narendra Modi by Abdullah.
- CM: Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister: Surinder Choudhary
- PM MODI TO ATTEND BRICS SUMMIT –
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia from October 22-23 to attend the BRICS summit.
- The Summit to be held at Kazan is themed “strengthening multilateralism for just global development and security”
- The BRICS which came into existence in 2006 saw the addition of five new members in 2024 – Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
- SECTION 6A OF CITIZENSHIP ACT –
- A special provision added via the Citizenship Amendment Act, 1985, following the Assam Accord.
- Citizenship Grant: Conferred citizenship to migrants from East Pakistan to Assam (1966–1971).
- SC Verdict: Upheld as constitutional under Article 246 and Entry 17.
- Impact: The SC found no violation of the right to equality (Article 14) & no evidence of harm to Assamese cultural rights (Article 29).