📚 Daily Current Affairs
20 May 2026

The Delhi Police urged the Supreme Court to refer the issue of bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to a larger Bench, arguing that recent judgments on prolonged incarceration and bail under anti-terror laws contain conflicting interpretations.

• Police argue that Section 43D(5) gives primacy to national security concerns over normal presumption of innocence.
• Controversy emerged after a recent SC judgment reiterated “bail is the rule” even in long-term detention cases.
• Matter linked to Umar Khalid's plea under UAPA related to Delhi riots conspiracy case.

The Supreme Court refused to modify its earlier order allowing the removal and euthanasia of rabid or dangerously aggressive stray dogs in specific situations, while also directing States to strengthen Animal Birth Control (ABC) infrastructure.

• Public safety cannot be ignored where there are repeated incidents of dog bites and rabies threats.
• Vaccinated dogs cannot automatically be released into sensitive public spaces facing severe menace.
• States directed to establish one functional ABC Centre in every district.

WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, emphasizing the need for rapid preventive action instead of delayed response. It involves the Sudan strain.

• Outbreak linked to Sudan strain which shows high fatality rates and limited treatment options.
• Risks increased cross-border transmission due to conflict and weak healthcare systems.
• Emphasised early surveillance, safe burials, and vaccination campaigns.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that shared commitments to democracy, rule of law, and sustainability make Nordic countries natural strategic partners during the India-Nordic Summit in Oslo.

• Agreed to strengthen cooperation in green tech, clean energy, digital innovation, and climate action.
• Discussions focused on Arctic research, renewable energy, critical technologies, and resilient supply chains.

A sixth tiger reportedly died in Madhya Pradesh’s Kanha Tiger Reserve due to suspected Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), raising concerns about disease transmission among big cats.

• Post-mortem indicated severe lung infection consistent with CDV symptoms.
• Infectious diseases from domestic/stray animals pose major threats to endangered wildlife.

The article analyzed China's evolving worldview and its efforts to reshape global governance institutions through initiatives promoting alternative models of international cooperation.

• China positioning itself as a power challenging Western-dominated order.
• Global Development Initiative (GDI) and Global Security Initiative (GSI) seen as alternatives.

PM Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni outlined an expanded roadmap for the India-Italy Strategic Partnership, focusing on trade, defense, clean energy, and Indo-Mediterranean collaboration.

• Stronger cooperation expected in defence manufacturing, AI, transport connectivity.
• Expansion of bilateral trade and EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
• Support for stronger economic and strategic connectivity between Europe and Indo-Pacific.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted global fertilizer supply disruptions and urged farmers to gradually adopt organic farming to reduce dependence on imported fertilizers.

• Supply constraints linked to West Asia crisis affected availability.
• Coordination with nearly 28 countries for imports underway.
• Farmers advised to reduce indiscriminate chemical fertilizer use to protect soil fertility.

More than 400 labourers, including women and children, were rescued from alleged bonded labour conditions in brick kilns in Telangana's Nizamabad district following police raids.

• Migrant workers subjected to exploitative conditions, wage denial, intimidation.
• Many paid via grocery vouchers trapping them in debt.
• Authorities shifted rescued laborers to rehabilitation facilities.

A report warned that India's oil trade deficit could rise sharply due to increasing global crude oil prices amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

• Widening trade deficit increases inflationary pressures.
• India imports nearly 85% of crude oil requirement.
• Rising oil prices impact current account deficit and currency stability.