Must Read News Articles – June 24th, 2019

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GS-2

MEA rejects U.S. report on state of religious freedom in India

Rejecting US report on state of religious freedom in India, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that foreign governments do not have the right to criticise India’s vibrant democracy and dedication to rule of law.

CJI writes to PM for removal of Allahabad High Court Judge

Months after an in-house panel found an Allahabad High Court judge, Justice S.N. Shukla, guilty of misconduct, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate a motion for his removal.

India rejects Pak charge of politicizing the FATF

India rejected Pakistan’s allegation that it had sought to “politicise” deliberations at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Saudi launches residency scheme to boost revenue

Saudi Arabia launched a new special residency scheme aimed at luring wealthy expats as the petro-state seeks to boost non-oil revenue.

Reimagining the NITI Aayog

Authors advocate that NITI Aayog can play an important role in refreshing India’s fiscal federalism

Walking a diplomatic tightrope

For India and the U.S., managing bilateral ties is linked to balancing nationalist, cultural and economic agendas

GS-3

Southwest monsoon’s current rainfall deficit is 38%, says IMD

According to IMD, with the Southwest monsoon running late, the country faces a 38% current rainfall deficit.

Vulnerable Ranganathittu bird sanctuary to get a solid makeover

Ranganathittu bird sanctuary, on the banks of the Cauvery, near Srirangapatna, is being revamped.

Scientists decode genome of miracle plant

Scientists from the University of Kerala have decoded the genetic make-up of Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus), a highly potent medicinal plant endemic to the Agasthya hills.

Plants may be spreading superbugs to humans

A study has found that plant-based foods can transmit antibiotic resistance to the microbes living in our gut.

Device to trap ocean plastic relaunches

A floating device designed to catch plastic waste has been redeployed in a second attempt to clean up an island of trash swirling in the Pacific Ocean between California and Hawaii

Lacklustre meet

The author opines that the Goods and Services Tax Council’s first meeting under the new government did not deliver any big surprises. The meeting was largely a lacklustre event.