Tag: latest Current Affairs

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.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
25 JULY 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

A) Rajasthan political situation back in flux.

The Rajasthan High Court on 24 July ordered a status quo to be maintained on the disqualification notices issued by Assembly Speaker C.P. Joshi to the former Congress leader Sachin Pilot and 18 supporting Congress MLAs. With this order, the court has effectively put the disqualification procedure on hold. No action will be taken against them till the Apex Court resume the hearing on the special leave petition of the speaker made on 27 July. Ashok Gehlot has said that he had requested the Governor of Rajasthan, Mr. Kalraj Mishra on July 23 to call a session of the Assembly. But there had been no response. He also claimed that the Governor was under pressure from the BJP central government not to call an assembly session. 

B) Don’t be too risk-averse: RBI governor tells banks.

On 24 July, RBI governor Shaktikanta Das said that the financial system of the country is sound but lenders should desist from extreme risk aversion during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. He told this in the biannual Financial Stability Report (FSR). He further said that the top priority right now for banks and financial intermediaries should be augmenting capital levels and improving resilience. The financial system in India is good, in the current environment. But the need for financial intermediaries to actively augment capital and improve their resilience has acquired top priority.

C) Covaxin human trials begin at AIIMS. 

The phase-I human clinical trial of India’s first indigenously-developed vaccine against the novel coronavirus, Covaxin, began at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi on 23 July. The first dose of the injection was given to a man who is 30 years old. Since 18 July, more than 3,500 volunteers have registered themselves for the trial. Out of these, 22 persons are currently being screened. The first volunteer who is a resident of Delhi was screened 2 days ago and his parameters of health were found within the normal range. He also does not have any co-morbid conditions. Few more participants will be given the vaccine on 25 July after their screening reports come in.

D) MMS calls Narasimha Rao “father of economic reforms.”

Former PM of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that Former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao was a great son of the land.  He can honestly be called the father of economic reforms in India since he had the vision as well as the courage to push the economy forward. While addressing the inaugural function of the year-long birth centenary celebrations of the late Prime Minister, which was organized by the Congress’s Telangana unit, Manmohan Singh said that he is particularly happy that the program date coincides with the first Budget of Rao’s government, which was presented by him in 1991. The 1991 Budget is hailed by many as the one that set the foundations of a modern India by laying the roadmap for economic reforms in the country.

E) COVID Watch: Numbers and Developments. 

The number of coronavirus infections reported from India stood at 13,19,446 with the death toll at 31,038. The chief scientist of the WHO, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, has warned that a situation where a large section of the population has developed antibodies against Covid-19, is still a long way off though it can speed up by a vaccine. In a social media live event, which was organized by the WHO from Geneva, the scientist said that more waves of the infection would be required to get to a stage of natural immunity. 

F) SC gave time to lawyers in Prashant Bhushan’s Contempt case. 

The Supreme Court on 24 July gave time to the lawyers till 4 August to research and prepare their defense for civil rights lawyer Prashant Bhushan and former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, Tarun Tejpal in an old contempt case which has come back into the spotlight these days. The case was registered in 2009 after the court took suo motu cognizance of an interview in Tehelka, in which Bhushan had remarked about the judiciary and the presence of former CJI S.H. Kapadia on the Forest Bench of the apex court. The Bench had decided the Niyamgiri mining lease case in Odisha in favor of Sterlite Industries.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

A) With border talks set to continue, India imposes new economic curbs. 

India and China have agreed to hold another round of high-level military talks so as to move forward the disengagement process along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Meanwhile, in a move that is seen as primarily targeting Chinese businesses, India has slapped new trade curbs on companies from nations that share a land border with India. As per the new rules, companies from nations that share a land border with India are barred from bidding for government contracts for goods and services until they register with the industry department. This comes close on the heels of two earlier economic curbs the banning of 59 Chinese apps, and a rulemaking it mandatory for suppliers to mention the origin country on the e-Marketplace of the government while bidding for tenders.

B) No business as usual with China: Envoy

Indian envoy in Moscow Mr. D.B. Venkatesh Varma has said that India has made it clear to China that it will not do business with China until there is a complete disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India does not believe in a trade war with any country. However, The engagement of India with China on multilateral fora like Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS), Russia-India-China (RIC), and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was expected to continue. The statements come during the disengagement process at the LAC that appears to be stalled after an initial pullback by Chinese troops from some of the stand-off areas. Both countries were negotiating to resolve the situation. The ban on some Chinese apps is a step towards ensuring digital security. 

C) India invites Israeli defense companies to strengthen ties.

On 24 July, India invited greater participation from Israeli defense companies under the new liberalized foreign direct investment (FDI) regime in defense manufacturing. This was conveyed during a telephonic conversation between Defense Minister of India, Mr. Rajnath Singh, and his Israeli counterpart Lieutenant General Benjamin Gantz. The conversation took place as the Indian Armed Forces are undertaking a series of emergency defense purchases, including from Israel, amid ongoing tensions with China on the border.

D) China asks the U.S. to shut Chengdu consulate

On 24 July, China has ordered the U.S. consulate in the southwestern city of Chengdu to close its retaliation for one of its missions in the United States being shuttered. This was done during a furious week of Cold War-style diplomacy. In a statement given by the Foreign Ministry, it was said that ordering the Chengdu consulate to cease operation was a legitimate and necessary response to the unreasonable measures which were taken by the United States. The U.S. is responsible for the current situation in China-U.S. relations. 

E) Apple starts sales of India-made iPhone 11.

The contract manufacturer of Apple, Foxconn has started assembling the iPhone 11 in India. The flagship of the U.S. company device is being assembled at Foxconn’s Chennai plant. A small batch of iPhone 11 which are assembled-in-India had been dispatched to the retail market and was now on sale. Currently, iPhone XR and iPhone 11 are being assembled by Foxconn, which is situated in Chennai. The iPhone 7 is made by, Wistron, in Bengaluru, which is another partner. 

SPORTS NEWS 

A) IPL to be held in UAE. 

The BCCI has finalized the rescheduled window for the IPL from September 19 to November 8 in the UAE, pending government approval. In consultation with various stakeholders, they have decided on the same window, considering the various aspects required. The governing council will be formally convened once they get a formal response from the government, which they hope will happen early next week. The BCCI office-bearers were involved in discussions with franchise management, the broadcasting partner, and the Emirates Cricket Board over the last couple of days.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
24 JULY 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

A) Women officers can now get permanent commission in the Army

A formal Government Sanction Letter has been issued by the Defense Ministry for grant of a permanent commission (PC) for women officers in the Army. The Selection Board will be scheduled soon after all the affected Short Service Commissioned (SSC) women officers exercise their option and complete the documentation process. The order specifies the grant of permanent commission to SSC women officers in all the 10 streams in which they presently serve. 

B) High Court adjourns hearing on capital Bills to August 6

On 22 July, a three-judge Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court has refused to conduct a piecemeal hearing of the writ petitions filed against the Decentralization and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill and the APCRDA Repeal Bill and their reintroduction by the State. They have cited a reason for the same by saying that when a situation is developing, all the matters have to be taken up together. The Bench, comprising Justices Rakesh Kumar, A.V. Sesha Sai, and M. Satyanarayana Murthy, gave liberty to a petitioner’s counsel to implead the Accountant-General to let them know about the costs involved in the construction of the capital and how much has been spent on it so far.

C) Recoveries continue to rise 

The number of active cases in India is 4,26,167 active with a fatality rate of 2.41% and the recovery rate at 63.18 %. This was as per the figures that were released by the Union Health Ministry on 22 July. It is for the second day in a row that recoveries in a single day continue to post a significant rise to 29,557. While the number of recovered cases has jumped to 7,82,606, there has been growth in the recovery rate, which stands at 63.18%. A higher number of patients getting cured and discharged has contributed to the increasing gap between recovered and the active cases. 

D) Independence Day event scaled down. 

The union ministry has said that the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort will be limited to the Prime Minister’s speech, a 21-gun salute, unfurling of the national flag, the national anthem, and release of tricolor balloons. This decision was taken by keeping in view the limitations and precautionary steps in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Ministry has issued detailed guidelines for the celebrations at the State, district and panchayat levels. They suggest inviting COVID-19 warriors such as doctors, health workers, sanitation workers as a recognition of their noble service. The Ministry asked different arms of the government to spread the message of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” on August 15. 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

A) India expects China to work sincerely: MEA

India has expected that China will work sincerely on the disengagement plan at the Line of Actual Control as agreed to by both the countries. In between the concerns that the process has slowed down after the People’s Liberation Army soldiers failed to withdraw from the ridges of the Finger areas around Pangong Tso lake. On 22 July, Anurag Srivastava, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said that It is their expectation that the Chinese side will sincerely work with them for complete disengagement and full restoration of peace and tranquility on the border areas at the earliest, which was agreed to by the Special Representatives. He further said that India would not accept any unilateral attempts to change the status quo along the LAC.

B) India and Israel to work on a rapid test

The Embassy in India on 22 July said that in the next few weeks, a special flight from Israel will land in India with a team of high-ranking team of Israel research and development in order to develop rapid testing for COVID-19 in under 30 seconds. The flight will also bring emerging technologies of Israel for combating COVID-19, which have been donated by the Foreign Ministry of Israel. The plane will also deliver some mechanical ventilators which were granted special permission by the Government of Israel for export to India. The delegation of Israel which is led by the Directorate of Defense Research and Development in the Ministry of Defense will conduct a series of tests to determine the effectiveness of a number of rapid diagnostic solutions along with Indian scientists. 

C) China launches an ambitious Mars mission. 

China has launched its most ambitious Mars mission on 22 July in a bold attempt to join the U.S. in successfully landing a spacecraft on Mars. Around 12-40 p.m., a Long March-5 carrier rocket took off from Hainan Island, south of China’s mainland. The space agency of China has said that the rocket carried the probe for 36 minutes before successfully placing it on the looping path that will take it beyond the orbit of earth and into more distant orbit around the sun of Mars. The tandem spacecraft of China will take seven months to reach Mars. It marked the second flight to Mars this week after a UAE orbiter blasted off on a rocket from Japan on 19 July.