NEWS 11-12-2019. NEWS FOR 13-DEC (FRIDAY) 1. 45 new fast track courts will be set up in Odisha, to expedite the trail of cases relating to women and children. 21 courts would be dedicated for cases of rape and sexual harassment of women. The remaining 24 fast track courts will specifically deal with protection of children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases. 2. The Lok Sabha passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill that seeks to give citizenship to refugees from the Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, and Zoroastrian communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. 3. The International Court started the hearing on the case of Rohingya atrocities by Myanmar. The case has been brought to ICJ by Gambia alleging that Myanmar has violated the 1948 Genocide Convention. Gambia is backed by 57 countries of organisation of Islamic countries. 4. The third India-Australia Secretary-level 2+2 Dialogue was held in new Delhi on Dec 9. During the dialogue, issues related to bilateral Defence engagements, as well as the prevailing regional security concerns were discussed. 5. The ministry of tourism has launched the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities in the country. The project is developed to promote India’s tourist destinations to increase tourist footfalls. 6. The World Anti-Doping Agency banned Russia from global sporting events, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Olympics, after accusing Moscow of falsifying data from an anti-doping laboratory. The Russian athletes will be allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympics as neutrals. 7. The govt will allow girls’ education in all Sainik School in a phased manner. Currently, entry of girls in 5 Sainik School has been allowed. < < Back