Author: Shivali Varshney, Vidhyarthi Darpan

CURRENT AFFAIRS
31 JULY 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

 

A) Herd immunity, not a strategic option, says Health Ministry. 

On 30 July, the Health Ministry said that it cannot be a strategic option. Herd immunity is a kind of indirect protection from an infectious disease similar to Covid-19. Herd immunity happens only when a population becomes immune. This statement comes amid a scenario where, even as some areas are approaching the infection levels required for herd immunity, the rate of spread of the disease continues to be uneven. The Health Ministry has also said that the fatality rate has decreased from 3.33% to 2.21% between 18 June to 30 July and over one million patients have recovered now. 

B) Jaya Jaitly sentenced to 4 years in jail, gets stay from High Court

On 30 July, Former chief of Samata Party, Jaya Jaitly, and two others were sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment by a special court in connection with a corruption case related to a purported defense deal. They all were held guilty of criminal conspiracy and corruption earlier. Soon after the sentencing, the Delhi High Court on July 30 stayed the 4-year jail term and sought the CBI’s response on Jaitly’s appeal challenging her conviction and sentence. Jaitly had earlier challenged the July 21 order of the trial court that had convicted her in the case. 

C) Rajasthan saga: Court issues notice to Speaker, six MLAs

The Speaker of Rajasthan and 6 former BSP MLAs who merged with the Congress have been issued notice by the High Court on petitions filed by the BSP and the BJP. The High Court has asked them for a reply till August 11. A decision on the six MLAs may be key to the survival of the Ashok Gehlot government. Meanwhile, the Congress MLAs of the Ashok Gehlot government will stay in a hotel located on the outskirts of Jaipur till the Assembly session is convened on August 14. CM Gehlot said the MLAs will go directly from the hotel to the Assembly.

D) Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments

The number of coronavirus cases reported from India stood at 16,35,438 with the death toll at 35,792. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has extended the lockdown till August 31 with fresh relaxations, both for areas under Chennai City and in other parts of the State. He said that a complete lockdown would be imposed across the State with strict restrictions on all Sundays in the next month.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

A) U.S. economy shrinks 33%.

The U.S. economy has shrunk by an annual rate of 33% in the April-June quarter, which is the worst ever quarterly decrement. The pandemic has thrown millions of people out of their work and sent unemployment surging to 14.7 %. The estimate of the Commerce Department is that the second-quarter decline in the GDP marked the sharpest drop on such records dating to 1947. The previous worst quarterly contraction occurred in 1958 with a drop of 10 % during the Eisenhower administration.

B) Trump raises the possibility of delaying 2020 Presidential polls. 

On 30 July, U.S. President Donald Trump has raised the possibility of delaying the November Presidential elections, despite the date being enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Without any credible evidence, Trump has repeated his claims that mail-in voting, which many more people are set to do this time owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, could lead to election fraud. 

C) Australia urges India, China to show restraint. 

On 30 July, Australia urged both India and China to maintain a restraint along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Australia also expressed support to the ongoing de-escalation efforts made by both the countries. Australia said that they opposed the attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo, which will only increase the tension and the risk of instability. The Embassy of China reacted and said that Australia should not way forward to harm the relationship between the two countries and their attempt to put pressure on China will go in vain. 

SPORTS NEWS 

A) Roller-coaster start for Shubhankar Sharma. 

Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma has begun with a flourish 1 over 73 in the Hero Open which was held on 30 July. He won twice on the European Tour.  He also had a birdie and an eagle on the second and third holes, but double bogeys on the 10th and 13th on the backstretch saw him drop a bunch of shots. Overall, he had an eagle, three birdies, two bogeys, and two double bogeys.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
30 JULY 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

 

A) COVID Watch: Numbers and Developments.

The number of coronavirus cases reported from India stood at 15,79,601 with the death toll at 34,961. As per the Central government, the case fatality rate of India stood at 2.23% on 29 July, which is the lowest since 1 April. The Centre also added that coordinated implementation of the Test Track Treat strategy has ensured that the case fatality rate remained low when compared to other countries. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Delhi, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal has announced the de-linking of hotels from hospitals in view of the improving Covid-19 situation in the national capital. All beds in such hotels, which were recently attached to hospitals, have reportedly been lying vacant for many days. Also, a sero-surveillance study done in Mumbai in collaboration with the Niti Aayog has revealed that 57% of the slum population and 16% of non-slum residents in three civic wards had developed antibodies, indicating that many more people would have been affected by Covid-19 than the official report and numbers suggests.

B) Rajasthan Governor returns State Cabinet’s request for the third time. 

On 29 July, the Governor of Rajasthan Mr. Kalraj Mishra has returned Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s note in which he requested an assembly session, for the third time. The Governor said that there is no convincing reason to call a session on 31 July, without a 21-day notice, in the middle of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

C) Maruti Suzuki posts quarterly losses for the first time in 15 years. 

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. has posted a quarterly loss for the 1st time in the past 15 years. They are the largest automaker’s production of the country and the sales were declined due to coronavirus lockdown and supply chain disruptions. The headquartered company  which is located in New Delhi suffered a net loss of ₹2.49 billion rupees in the 3 months till 30 June. At the same time a year ago, the company earned a huge profit of ₹14.36 billion. Unit sales at the carmaker dropped from 81% to 76,599 vehicles for the quarter ended June 30 as compared to the same quarter last year, but Maruti has said that the figures cannot be compared as it had to suspend operations from March 22 when the country went into lockdown.

D) Rafale jets finally arrive.

After Forty-six months of signing the contract of €7.87 billion, 5 Rafale fighter jets landed at Ambala airbase on 29 July in the presence of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Air Chief Marshal (ACM), Mr. R.K.S. Bhadauria. This is the first imported fighter that has been added to the IAF since the Sukhoi-30s from Russia in the late 90s. The Defence Minister of India, Mr. Rajnath Singh has said that the touch-down of Rafale combat aircraft in India marks the beginning of a new era in the military history of India. These multi-role aircraft will revolutionize the capabilities of the IAF.  Noting that the Rafale jets were purchased when they fully met the operational requirements of the IAF, Singh said, “I would like to add, if it is anyone who should be worried about or critical about this new capability of the IAF, it should be those who want to threaten our territorial integrity.”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

A) Vaccines can be ready by the end of this year. 

There are 2 vaccine companies that are expected to be ready for some form of distribution by the end of the year. Moderna Inc. is planning to sell its coronavirus vaccine at $50 to $60 per course, which is approximately $11 more than the other vaccine one which is developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech.  Moderna has proposed a price for a 2 dose course sold to governments is in contrast to the $39 contract for 2 doses deal that Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech struck with the U.S. government.

B) 212 environmental campaigners killed worldwide. 

According to watchdog group Global Witness, a record number of 212 environmental campaigners worldwide were killed last year. According to research conducted by the NGO, more than 4 defenders were killed every week in 2019. The study conducted by the NGO revealed that Agribusiness and oil, gas, and mining have consistently been the biggest drivers of attacks against land and environmental defenders. Colombia and the Philippines accounted for half of the 212 people killed last year, followed by Brazil, Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala.

C) Turkey approves new social media law. 

Turkey has adopted a new social media law on 29 July which critics say that it will create a chilling effect on dissenting voices who have resorted to Twitter and other online applications as the government tightened its command on the mainstream media. The law was backed by the AK Party of President Tayyip Erdogan and its nationalist allies so as to make foreign social media sites more authentic and accountable. It is required for them to appoint a local representative in order to address the concerns raised by the authorities. The law will allow Turkish authorities to remove content from platforms rather than blocking access as they have done in the past.

EDUCATIONAL NEWS 

A) 4-year UG courses in, M.Phil. out in the new education policy. 

The new National Education Policy which is approved by the Union Cabinet on 29 July will introduce a 4-year undergraduate degree with multiple entries and exit options, by abolishing the M.Phil. degree, and by establishing a common higher education regulator with fee fixation for both private and public institutions. It also ensures universalization of early childhood education from ages 3 to 6 by 2030, a new school curriculum with coding and vocational studies from Class 6, and a child’s mother tongue being used as the medium of instruction till Class 5. This is the first new education policy in the last 34 years and was a poll promise of the BJP in 2014. A panel that was headed by former ISRO chief K. Kasturirangan submitted a draft in December 2018, which was made public and opened for feedback after the Lok Sabha election in May 2019.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
29 JULY 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

 

A) COVID Watch: Numbers and Developments.

The number of coronavirus cases reported from India stood at 15,25,125 with the death toll at 34,179.  Mumbai recorded its lowest number of positive cases in a day on 28 July, with 700 new cases. This number is from the 8,776 tests conducted on 27 July and is the lowest in the past 100 days. The doubling rate of a novel coronavirus in Mumbai is now 68 days, and its recovery rate is 73%. Meanwhile, West Bengal announced an extension of lockdown in containment zones till 31 August.

B) Centre to ‘verify’ LG’s remarks on restoring 4G in Kashmir. 

On 28 July, the Centre told the Supreme Court that it would verify reports in the media quoting Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor G.C. Murmu has said that 4G internet should be restored in the Valley. Murmu’s reported recommendation caused a stir as the Centre has all along been telling the Supreme Court that the situation in the Valley was not ripe for the restoration of high-speed internet due to terrorism-related threats. The situation will be reviewed after 2 months. The court has scheduled the next hearing on the matter for August 7.

C) NIA arrests DU professor in Bhima Koregaon case. 

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Delhi University Associate Professor Hany Babu M. Tarayil in connection with the Bhima Koregaon Elgar Parishad case. He was being questioned since 23 July at the Mumbai office of NIA. It has been reported that the NIA, which had seized his laptop last year, had apparently found a ‘hidden folder’ in his computer containing letters that he had exchanged with Maoists. Babu will be produced before an NIA Special Court on Wednesday and the police will seek his custody for custodial interrogation.

D) The investigation of ED begins against Reddy. 

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted the investigation in Mumbai and Hyderabad related to a case against G.V.K. Reddy, who is a promoter of the GVK Group and a whole-time director of the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) as well. The ED searches have been carried out on the premises linked to persons who have been accused of causing a loss of over ₹705 crores to the exchequer.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

A) Former Malaysian PM convicted on graft charges. 

A Malaysia Court has held that that Najib Razak (former Prime Minister) is guilty in a corruption case over the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB investment fund. The outcome is widely seen as a test of rule of law just after five months of setting up of new government. Razak’s Malay party returned to office as a key player in the new ruling alliance, less than two years after its shocking ouster in the 2018 elections following public anger over the 1MDB scandal. The judge said Razak had failed to raise reasonable doubt, and that prosecutors had established that Razak misappropriated the money for his own use. 

B) Shelling on the border with Pakistan.

The Pakistani Army has resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling in forwarding areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir by prompting Indian troops to retaliate. The ceasefire was violated by Pakistan for the eighth consecutive day on 28 July. There have been more than 20 incidents of ceasefire violation by Pakistan troops in the last week or so. On 28 July also, the Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars along LoC in Degwar and Qasba sectors of district Poonch. 

C) Punjab CM condemns attempts to convert Lahore gurdwara into a mosque. 

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has condemned the attempts to convert a famous gurdwara in Pakistan’s Lahore city into a mosque. Gurdwara Shahidi Asthan is a historical shrine where Bhai Taru Singh became a martyr of his faith in 1745. On 27 July, India has lodged a strong protest with the Pakistan High Commission and attempts were being made to convert the gurdwara at Naulakha Bazaar into a mosque.

D) Late-stage Vaccine trials in American biotech begins. 

American biotech company Moderna and pharma giant Pfizer launched late-stage trials of the coronavirus vaccine on 27 July. The trials will be conducted on 30,000 individuals each, and the companies hope to launch the first vaccines by the end of the year. Both vaccine candidates rely on a new technology that allows for faster development and manufacturing compared to older vaccines. The U.S. government is funding the vaccine development for both companies. Moderna has received nearly $1 billion (₹7,483 crores) from the federal government. Pfizer’s lead vaccine candidate has been developed in association with German biotech company BioNTech.

SPORTS NEWS 

A) England takes the series. 

The fast bowler of England, Stuart Broad took his 500th Test wicket on 28 July. He took it when he trapped the batsman of West Indies Kraigg Brathwaite, leg before wicket on the last day of the third and final Test at Old Trafford. Broad becomes the seventh bowler, and the second Englishman after teammate James Anderson, to attain the milestone, reaching it in his 140th Test.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
28 JULY 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

 

A) Step up infra investments to revive economy: RBI governor 

On 27 July, the RBI Governor has made a strong case for stepping up investments in the infrastructure sector to help revive an economy reeling under the impact of the ongoing pandemic of the novel coronavirus. In his address to India Inc. at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event, he said that the private and public sectors have an important role in developing infrastructure that requires huge investments. Observing that the recent agriculture reforms have opened new opportunities, the RBI Governor has said that the farm sector is emerging as a bright spot. India needs policies for a sustained increase in farm incomes. 

B) COVID Watch: Numbers and Developments. 

The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 1,479,430 with the death toll at 33,433. Another milestone has been reached, with the country now reporting in excess of 50,000 new cases per day. Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi has virtually launched the high-throughput Covid-19 testing facilities in three cities namely, Noida, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The new testing facilities will give West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh more strength to fight from novel coronavirus. 

C) UGC has given 48 hours to respond to the pleas. 

The Apex Court of India has given 48 hours for the university grant commission (UGC) to respond to a series of petitions filed by the students by challenging the circular by UGC given on 6 July which directs universities and colleges to complete the final exams by 30 September during the pandemic. The court has refused to stay the circular but granted an early hearing on 31 July. The Solicitor-General of India, Mr. Tushar Mehta has said that UGC was providing numerous alternatives for the students, including the facility of online examinations. Students can also have a combination of both online and physical mode of examinations, in which only 10 students will sit in a room. The UGC has also provided for special examinations for those who have been left out. 

D) SC urged to withdraw action against Bhushan.

A group of 131 prominent citizens which includes retired judges, former bureaucrats, lawyers, and activists have written to the Apex Court of India by asking it to reconsider the decision given by the earlier to initiate suo motu contempt proceedings against lawyer Prashant Bhushan. They have urged the court to withdraw it at the earliest in the interest of justice and fairness and also to maintain the dignity of the Court.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

A) Five Rafales on their way to India. 

Five Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) took off from France on the morning of 27 July and will be inducted into the IAF on July 29 after their arrival. The immediate focus post-arrival would be on the operationalization of the aircraft, given the urgency of the ongoing tensions with China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. The IAF has said that the final induction ceremony will take place in late August. While there is no doubt that the deployment of these aircraft will significantly boost the Indian air force’s combat capability, the jury is still out on the degree to which they can influence outcomes in the ongoing LAC tensions with China.

B) The government bans more 47 Chinese apps.

Approximately after a month of banning 59 Chinese mobile apps, the Indian government has banned the use of another 47 Chinese apps. Confirming the development, an IT Ministry official said that the newly banned applications were essentially clones of the 59 applications which were banned last month. The main criterion for the latest ban was concerned over Indian data going back to the Chinese government.

C) Israeli team arrives for trials of rapid tests for COVID-19. 

On 27 July, a team from Israel which is led by a high ranking research and development (R&D) has arrived in Delhi. The team has a multi-pronged mission, code with the name “Operation Breathing Space”. The purpose of the team to arrive in India is to work with Indian authorities on rapid testing kits for novel coronavirus. This was said in a statement by the Israeli embassy in Delhi. The team will be coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel (MFA), and Ministry of Defense of India (MoD) and the Ministry of Health.  4 different kinds of rapid tests will be developed jointly after trials on COVID-19 patients of India. Emphasis will also be given to high-tech equipment to minimize the risk of spreading covid19 to the medical staff, advanced respirators, and special sanitizers which were developed in Israel.

D) Russia offers to supply anti-COVID-19 drugs. 

Russia is offering for partnership in India in order to supply 3 anti-COVID-19 drugs that were manufactured indigenously. They had to get positive results therefrom these drugs. As per the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India, Russia has developed some drugs and also registered various foreign drugs for the treatment of COVID- 19. By sharing the details of 3 drugs and coordinates of entities by manufacturing them in Russia, those which are having substantive commercial interest are requested to approach the contacts provided for each drug. The Import of any drug into India comes under the provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 & Rules 1945.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
27 JULY 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

 

A) India could fast track clearances on imported vaccines. 

A guidance document from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) said that the Indian companies who are looking to import or test potential COVID-19 vaccines, that have been developed internationally, could get leeway in the number of India-specific tests and trials they would need to conduct. The document was published on 23 May. It further said that the data which is generated outside India will be considered and examined and an abbreviated pathway may be considered for the COVID-19 vaccine based on scientific rationale. 

B) Congress to move a no-confidence motion against the Chief Minister of Manipur. 

The coalition Ministry in Manipur is likely to face a no-confidence motion on the one-day Assembly session which is scheduled on August 10. At the very same time, the Opposition party also said that they will move a contempt of court against the Speaker. In the meanwhile, 2 Congress MLAs are yet to give an answer to the party’s showcase notice in order to explain that why disciplinary actions should not be taken up against them for voting for BJP candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat in Manipur. 

C) PM to inaugurate new testing centers. 

On 27 July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch high throughput novel coronavirus testing facilities in Noida, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The PMO said that these will ramp up testing capacity and help strengthen early detection and treatment in the country. As part of his monthly radio address on 26 July, PM Modi said that the COVID-19 recovery rate in India is far better as compared to other countries and the case fatality rate of covid19 is also much less as well. 

D) Covid Watch – Numbers and Developments. 

The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stands at 14,30,358 with the death toll at 32,816. The Union Health Ministry on 26 July said that about 36,145 patients have recuperated from COVID-19 in a span of 24 hours, the highest recorded in a day, pushing the recovery rate to 63.92%,. The Ministry further said that the COVID-19 case fatality rate has further dropped to 2.31%.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

A) 200 Chinese investment bids await MHA nod. 

Approximately 200 investment proposals from China are waiting for security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) after new rules which were notified in April. As per these new rules, prior approval is mandatory from the government for foreign direct investments (FDI) from those countries which share a land border with India. Since FDI is allowed through automatic routes, prior to these rules, the proposals have been passed without the approval of MHA. The prior approval from the government or the security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs was mandatory only for making investments in critical sectors and any investments from Pakistan and Bangladesh.

B) Poland set to quit the treaty on violence against women.

On 25 July, the Justice Minister of Poland said that steps will be taken from the next week to withdraw from a European treaty on violence against women. The Ministry would submit a request to the Labor and Families Ministry on 27 July to begin the process of withdrawing from the treaty which is known as the Istanbul Convention. The ruling Law of Poland and the Justice party has promoted a conservative social agenda. The government said that the treaty is disrespectful towards religion. Moreover, it also requires teaching social policies in schools that are liberal. 

C) Russian Navy will soon get hypersonic n-weapons, says Putin. On 26 July, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Russian Navy would be armed with hypersonic nuclear strike weapons and underwater nuclear drones. The combination of fast speed and altitude of hypersonic missiles is capable of traveling at more than 5 times the speed of sound which makes them difficult to track and capture. Mr. Putin said at an annual naval parade at St. Petersburg that the capabilities of Navy were growing and the navy will get 40 new vessels this year.

D) The staff prepares to leave the U.S. consulate in Chengdu.

The staff of the U.S. consulate in Chengdu made final efforts to clear the premises on 26 July as security remained tight outside, ahead of a closure ordered by Beijing as China-U.S. relations continue to worsen. A mini tourist atmosphere was created outside the facility on a street on 26 July.  The Police have asked the people to move on from there when the crowds were gathered outside the consulate. The onlookers were taking photos and videos of the compound. The street was closed only the consular or police vehicles were allowed to pass from there.