Tag: latest Current Affairs

CURRENT AFFAIRS
18 August 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

A) SC to examine in detail when corruption allegations against the judiciary can be made public.

The Supreme Court on 17 August has decided to launch a detailed examination under which circumstances, a person can make public allegations of corruption against the judiciary. This decision came out just a few days later on the very criticized judgment which held human rights lawyer Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court. A 3 Judge Bench has also decided to hear the arguments on laying down a procedure to be followed if such statements of corruption are made in public against the sitting as well as the retired judges. The Bench referred to the majority judgment delivered by Justice J.S. Verma in 1992 which concerned about the removal of a Supreme Court judge. That judgment had laid down the procedure to deal with allegations against a sitting judge and said the judge had to be given a fair opportunity to be heard, and the process had to be restricted to a limited circle of high judicial functionaries and parliamentarians. The Justice Arun Mishra bench said that the 1992 judgment was against publicly making allegations against judges.

B) Facebook public policy director alleges threat to life.

The public policy director of Facebook India, Ankhi Das, on Monday, registered a police complaint in South Delhi claiming that she has received threats and offensive messages on social media. She has filed the complaint and reported the matter to the senior police officers as well. Atul Thakur, DCP (South) said they have received the complaint and an FIR will be registered only after preliminary investigation. In her complaint, she has said that the threats were in connection to an article published in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on August 14, 2020. She also said that the WSJ report was published further in a distorted manner by many publications in India. She has also mentioned some Twitter and Facebook accounts in her complaint.

C) SC refuses to postpone NEET/JEE.

On 17 August, the Supreme Court has refused to take cognizance of a petition which is filed by the students who were asking to postpone the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). The students had sought a postponement due to pandemic-linked risks. But the SC refused the petition after recording the exam authorities’ assurance that all necessary precautions would be taken to ensure the safety of the candidates, whose numbers run into lakhs. “Education should be opened up. Covid-19 may continue for a year more. Are you going to wait for another year? The petition seeking postponement of the NEET and the JEE scheduled in September had been filed by 11 students from 11 States.

D) Heavy rains cause a flood-like situation in AP, Telangana

Heavy monsoon rains over the past 4 days have led to flood-like situations in several parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The water level at Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage (SAC-Dowleswaram) on the Godavari is inching close to the danger mark, with the discharge of nearly 19 lakh cusecs of the floodwater. Thousands have been evacuated from low-lying areas in East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh. In Telangana, if cropland gets submerged, farmers could be staring at huge losses.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

A) S. imposes more sanctions targeting Huawei

The administration of the U.S. on 17 August has expanded its sanctions on the Huawei company of China. This is a move that aims at further limiting the technology giant access to computer chips.  The Commerce Secretary has said that  Huaweihave worked through 3rd parties so as to harness the technology of the U.S. which undermines the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States. The officials of the United States have argued that Huawei has a security risk because of its links to the Beijing government. However, this claim had been denied by the company. The Trump administration has banned Huawei from 5G wireless networks in the U.S. and has pressed allies to do the same.

B) New Zealand postpones poll to fight the second wave of the virus.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Ms. JacindaArdern on 17 August has postponed the elections of New Zealand. This step was taken to focus on fighting the second wave of COVID-19. The disease has killed more than 7,66,000 people globally. Many countries have also plunged into recession since COVID-19 first emerged in China late last year. This decision provides sufficient time for all the parties for campaigns. Moreover, the Election Commission also gets enough time for ensuring smooth conduct of the elections. The return of coronavirus has sent the largest city of New Zealand into lockdown again because of which people have discouraged from voting in September. The election is shifted to October.

C) Indian, Nepalese diplomats discuss bilateral projects.

The diplomats of India and Nepal on 17 August met in Kathmandu. They reviewed the status of a number of bilateral projects that are going on between both the countries. This is the first diplomat level meeting between both countries in the year 2020. The meeting relates to the Kalapani territorial dispute. The two teams which are led by the Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Shankar Bairagi, and Indian Ambassador in Kathmandu Vinay Mohan Kwatra, discussed cross-border railways, Arun-III hydropower project, Pancheshwar multipurpose project, construction of the Nepal Police Academy and Ramayana projects among other items.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
17 August 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

A) Changes afoot for Monsoon session of Parliament.

The pending Monsoon session of the Indian Parliament will include the use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system and polycarbonate separators. These arrangements are done by following the norms of social distancing under the restrictions induced by Covid-19. The Parliament has to meet by September 23. In keeping with the requirements, four large display screens in the chamber of the Rajya Sabha, six small screens in its four galleries, audio consoles in the galleries, etc. are being installed. It was decided that chambers and galleries of both the Houses would be used for conducting the session under the prevailing restrictions.

 

B) Airlines shift focus from passengers to stay airborne.

Our Aviation Correspondent has a report today on the measures being taken by various Indian airlines as they struggle to stay afloat after their business was severely hit by months of lockdown. Except for IndiGo, most of the airline companies have run out of cash. They are totally dependent on their promoters. Airlines have to recapitalize and fund the next two years of operations and without massive recapitalization.

 

C) Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments

The number of coronavirus cases reported from India stands at 26,39,603 with the death toll at 50,938. India on Friday recorded 63,490 new cases. The ministry added that the recovery rate in 32 states and Union Territories have exceeded 50% and more than 18 lakh people in the country have recovered from the disease so far.

Former Indian cricketer and Uttar Pradesh Minister Chetan Chauhan died on 16 August. He was 73. Mr. Chauhan was admitted to hospital on July 17 after he had tested positive for COVID-19. He succumbed to COVID-19 around 5 p.m, hospital sources said. Mr. Chauhan was put on a ventilator after he had developed kidney and blood pressure problems and his condition deteriorated.

D) Detention of Kafeel Khan has increased.

The Uttar Pradesh government has extended the detention of DrKafeel Khan under the National Security Act by three months. Khan has been in jail since January 29 for delivering an allegedly provocative speech at a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act on December 10. Khan was arrested on January 29 and granted bail in the case by a court in Aligarh district on February 10. However, he was not released from the Mathura jail. Instead, the NSA was invoked against him three days later and his detention continued.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

A) Telephone services resume between UAE and Israel after the peace agreement.

The Telephone service between the United Arab Emirates and Israel began working on 16 August as both the countries have opened diplomatic ties. The Press journalists in both countries were able to call each other both from landline and cellular phones as well. Also on 16 August, Israeli news websites that were previously blocked by the UAE authorities could be accessed without using means to bypass internet filtering in the Emirates. The connection of phone service represents the first sign of the deal between UAE and Israel.

B) Chinese Minister makes a rare visit to Tibet border.

The Foreign Minister and State Councillor of China Wang Yi have made a rare visit in order to inspect the border infrastructure in Tibet. The Chinese media has linked this visit to the recent tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India. Mr. Wang on 14 August had met with the top Communist Party official in Tibet, along with the chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) government. He urged them to safeguard national security.

 

C) Influenza vaccine firms make a record number of doses.

The makers of the Global influenza vaccine have produced a record number of doses for dealing with the upcoming flu season. This was done because the authorities try to reduce the burden on hospitals because they are already overburdened with lots of patients of covid19. The pharmaceutical companies in the US have planned to produce approximately 196 million doses so as to serve a population of 330 million. Vaccine maker Seqirus plans to increase production by roughly 15% in the U.S.from 52 million to 60 million doses. The vaccination of this Widespread flu can help free hospital beds, which is a vital public health measure in order to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
16 August 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

A) LAC or LOC, our jawans gave a befitting response: PM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the address on Independence Day from the Red Fort said that Indian soldiers had given a befitting reply to those who challenged the country’s sovereignty, from the Line of Control to the Line of Actual Control, whenever India has been challenged, our soldiers have given a fitting response in a language they understand. In a speech that lasted 90 minutes, Modi spoke about the policies and programs that were framed to meet the health and economic challenges of the pandemic, and the security challenges at the border. Applauding the frontline workers in the battle against the novel coronavirus, he said India was going through a unique phase due to the pandemic but would emerge victoriously. Stressing that India should be self-reliant, he said self-reliance should become a mantra for all countrymen.

 

B) National Digital Health Mission and health ID card for every citizen

PM Modi has said that the pandemic has brought home to us the importance of strong health systems and interventions. With this in view, the government will be launching a National Digital Health Mission that would give every Indian a health identity verifiable digitally and will work as each Indian’s health account. Every test, disease, diagnosis, and medical report along with medical prescriptions will be stored in every citizen’s health ID. The PM also announced that there were three coronavirus vaccine candidates at various stages of trial in India. In preparation for the time when any of these become viable for use, the government already has an elaborate road map for its production and distribution in the shortest possible time.

C) Committee to review the minimum age of marriage for women.

On the infrastructure front, Modi announced that that the task of connecting India’s more than six-lakh villages with an optical fiber network will be completed in the next 1,000 days. Besides, high-speed internet connectivity via submarine optical fiber cable will be extended to Lakshadweep in this period. Modi also became the first Prime Minister to talk about menstrual health in an I-Day speech as he announced that 5 crore sanitary pads priced at ₹1 had been distributed through 6,000 Jan AushadhiKendras spread across the country. He further announced that a committee has been set up to reconsider the minimum age of marriage for women. Currently, the law prescribes a minimum age of 21 years for men and 18 years for women.

 

D) COVID Watch: Numbers and Developments.

The number of coronavirus cases reported from India stood at 25,65,971with the death toll at 49,764. India on Friday recorded 65,002 new cases. Indian companies have sought technical details on the trials of Russian Covid-19 vaccine from the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for possible production in India, Indian Embassy sources in Moscow said. Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced the successful development of the world’s first vaccine against Covid-19.

Chetan Chauhan, who is also a cabinet minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, was admitted at the SanjayGandhiPGIHospital in Lucknow after testing Covid-19 positive on July 12. He is currently on ventilator support.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

A) ‘I have more Indians than her’, Trump taunts Kamala Harris

US President Donald Trump while speaking to members of the City of New York Police Benevolent Association said that if Joe Biden would become the President, he will immediately pass legislation to gut every single police department in America and probably Kamala Harris is a step worse. She is of Indian heritage. I have more Indians than she has. Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris is of mixed Indian and Jamaican heritage. Harris’s candidature, announced earlier this week, has been widely seen as a big challenge for Trump’s Presidential bid, given her stronger track record in public debates compared to her Republican counterpart Mike Pence.

B) Nepal PM Oli calls up Modi on Independence Day.

Prime Minister of Nepal K.P. Sharma Oli on 15 August called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held a discussion. A Nepalese official statement declared that Oli has sought some meaningful bilateral cooperation with India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that anti-COVID-19 cooperation was discussed during the phone call.

This high-level contact came after nearly nine months of tension and verbal sparring after India asserted control over the Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura region of Pithoragarh, which is claimed by Nepal. In response, Nepal had issued a map that depicted the region as part of Nepalese sovereign territory and urged India to convene Foreign Secretary-level dialogue to address Nepal’s concerns. Today’s phone call is expected to boost the upcoming “oversight mechanism” level dialogue which is planned for next week. The discussion between the Foreign Secretary of Nepal Shankar Bairagi and Indian ambassador to Kathmandu Vinay Mohan Kwatra will focus on bilateral development projects and other issues such as border security and Covid-19 management. However, the Kalapani issue is unlikely to be a part of this initiative.

 

C) Idols from U.S. galleries handed over to India.

The U.S. authorities have formally handed over to India a set of priceless antique pieces, including a limestone relief of Shiva and Parvati, a marble Apsara, and some other idols. The artifacts were handed over to Indian officials at a ceremony to mark the Indian Independence Day festivities in New York. They were reportedly stolen and smuggled out of the country at different times. They were seized from the Nancy Weiner Gallery, Christie’s in New York, and the Maitreya Gallery, all of which are situated in the United States. This is the first time the American law enforcement agencies have disclosed the names of the galleries and individuals in possession of the artifacts and their valuation.

 

D) UAE’s deal with Israel has made it a legitimate target’

An ultraconservative Iranian newspaper said on 15 August that the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s decision to normalize ties with Israel has made it a “legitimate target” for pro-Tehran forces. The deal reached with the UAE is only the third such accord Israel has struck with an Arab state. As part of the agreement, Israel pledged to suspend annexation of Palestinian lands, although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that did not mean it was abandoning plans to one day annex the Jordan Valley and Jewish settlements across West Bank. The UAE downgraded ties with Iran in 2016. But their relations had appeared to be on the mend in recent months, with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif holding rare talks with his UAE counterpart only last week.

 

SPORTS NEWS

A) S. Dhoni calls it quits: ‘Consider me retired’

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a man of few words and massive sixes, announced his retirement from international cricket in his inimitable, understated style. Through his official Instagram handle ‘mahi7781’, the former India captain, who led India to the 2011 World Cup title, put out a statement on the evening of:15 August: “Thanks. From 19.29 hrs consider me as Retired.”Dhoni had taken everyone by surprise with his retirement from Tests in Australia in December 2014. He addressed a press conference after the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and walked away. A BCCI release then mentioned that he had retired from Tests! He continued to play ODIs and Twenty20s, and that journey extended till last year. His final appearance for Virat Kohli’s men ended in defeat against New Zealand in the ICC World Cup semifinal at Manchester’s Old Trafford on July 10. He scored a 72-ball 50 and retreated. In retrospect that was his finish-line.While there was talk about a swan song during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup later this year in Australia, the COVID-19 pandemic played spoilsport. Dhoni fans can now watch him turn out for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League in the United Arab Emirates from September 19.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
15 August 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

A) SC finds Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt for tweets against CJI

A three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court today found noted civil rights lawyer Prashant Bhushan guilty of criminal contempt by ‘scandalizing the court’. The court found that his tweet on a photograph of Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde astride a bike, and another on the court’s role in the past six years ‘ scandalized’ the Supreme Court as an institution. The tweets had the effect of attempting to destabilize Indian democracy. Such malice should be dealt with an iron hand in the larger public interest. The magnanimity of courts should not extend to weakness, the Bench, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, said in a 108-page judgment. It will pronounce the sentence on August 20. Bhushan’sdefence, that criticism was not contempt, was dismissed by the court. According to the Contempt of Court Act, 1971 punishment could be imprisonment that may extend to six months, or fine of ₹ 2,000 or both.

B) Nagaland would ‘co-exist’ with India, but not merge with it: NSCN-IM

On the eve of Independence Day, chief of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-IM (NSCN-IM) ThuingalengMuivahon14 August said the Centre recognized the sovereignty of the Nagas when it signed the 2015 Framework Agreement and that the Nagas will co-exist but not merge with India. He said that they were not asking the Government of India for a Naga national flag and a separate constitution as recognize them or not, we have our own flag and constitution. The speech, made on the eve of Independence Day, comes at a time when talks between the Centre and the Naga group have hit rough weather, with the latter demanding the removal of the interlocutor and Nagaland Governor R.N Ravi. Earlier this week, the NSCN-IM had for the first time released the details of the 2015 Framework Agreement, stating that the Centre had agreed to “share the sovereign power” and to provide for an “enduring inclusive new relationship of peaceful co-existence of the two entities”.

C) Travel e-passes for all in TN from August 17: CM

In what will come as a big relief to many, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has announced that from August 17, e-passes will be approved for anyone who needs it for important purposes. Currently, e-passes can be sought only for purposes such as medical emergencies, deaths and weddings. The lack of inter-district mobility has been a huge impediment to businesses in the state, which have been struggling to bring back workers.The state government has, however, clarified that the relaxation applies only for those seeking e-passes for inter-district travel within Tamil Nadu. For those coming in from other states and countries, existing norms will continue to apply.

D) COVID Watch: Numbers and Developments

The number of coronavirus cases reported from India stood at 25,11,788 with the death toll at 49,001. India recorded 64,553 new cases on 14 August.

Twenty-two officials who responded to the plane crash in Kerala last week have tested positive for coronavirus. The Air India Express plane had landed with 184 passengers from Dubai under the center’sVande Bharat Mission.

In yet more sobering news from the state, Health Minister KK Shailaja today said that Kerala may report 10,000 to 20,000 coronavirus cases per day between August and September if more people don’t join the fight against the pandemic.

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah on14 July said that he had tested negative for Covid-19 infection. Shah, who tested positive on August 2, was admitted to Medanta Hospital, Gurugram. Singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, who was admitted to a hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 last week, is on life support and his condition is said to be ‘critical’.

E) Independence Day ceremony to be held while following the social distancing norms.

More than 4,000 people have been invited for the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort. The persons who are invited are several diplomats, officials, and media personnel. The event is being organized keeping in mind the Covid-19 protocols, the Defence Ministry said today. It said seating arrangements have been made under the guiding principle of Do GazkiDoori (maintaining distance of two yards) between any two guests.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

A) Trump stokes a false birther claim.

On 13 August, U.S. President Donald Trump gave acceptance to a false and racist conspiracy theory about the eligibility of Kamala Harris to be a vice president of the U.S. This gave fuel to an online disinformation campaign. When it was asked at the White House regarding the same, Trump told the reporters that he had heard rumors that Harris who is a Black woman and a U.S.-born citizen and whose parents were immigrants, does not meet the requirements to serve in the White House. He added that he considered the rumors very seriously.

 

B) Iran, Turkey lash out at UAE over Israel deal.

On 14 August, Iran and Turkey had lashed out at their regional rival i.e. the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its decision to normalize the diplomatic relations with Israel. UAE accuses Israel of betraying the Palestinian cause, even as much of the international community welcomed the move. Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the U.S.-brokered deal a dagger that was unjustly struck by the UAE in the backs of the Palestinian people and all Muslims. The UAE, which has never fought with Israel and has quietly been improving ties for years, said the agreement put a hold on Israel’s plans to unilaterally annex parts of the occupied West Bank, which is the heartland of the future state of the people of Palestine. Later on 14 July, Turkish President Recep Erdogan said he was considering downgrading Turkey’s relations with the UAE and recalling its Ambassador.

C)  Turkey hits out at France over sea stand-off

On 14 August, Turkey accused France of acting like a bully because EU Foreign Ministers met to address an emerging crisis in the energy-rich eastern Mediterranean. The search for oil and gas in disputed waters not far from Cyprus has pitted Turkey against its uneasy NATO ally Greece and the entire EU bloc. Turkey’s decision to send a seismic vessel accompanied by a small Navy fleet into the increasingly volatile region on Monday prompted Greece to dispatch in its own military assets to observe what was going on. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday underscored the fraught nature of the stand-off by warning of a “heavy price” to pay for those who threaten Turkey’s Oruc Reis research ship. The Greek Defence Ministry denied being involved in an incident with the ship.

D) India hails UAE-Israel pact, reiterates Palestine cause

On 14 July, India has welcomed the normalization of ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), calling them both key strategic partners. The trilateral agreement called the “Abraham Accords”, signed along with the U.S. on Thursday, also commits Israel to suspend its plans for annexation of Palestine majority areas. While the announcement of the agreement has been welcomed by India, it will also mean continuing to walk a balance on West Asian politics. According to experts, the normalization of ties between Israel and the UAE could be followed by similar actions by other Gulf countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and strong reactions from other countries in a region India has deep stakes in terms of energy supplies and expatriate populations. New Delhi will also need to watch ties with Iran, which has slammed the agreement and will see Arab-Israeli tie-ups as a direct threat to its security.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
14 August 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

A) Ram temple trust head who shared the stage with PM tests positive for Covid-19.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust chief Mahant Nritya Gopal Das (82) tested positive for Covid-19 in Mathura on 12 August. Confirming this, Sarvagya Ram Mishra, District Magistrate, Mathura, said the Mahant complained of fever and breathlessness following which doctors were called, and a rapid antigen test was conducted. The test came out positive. Ram temple trust head Nritya Gopal Das (without face mask), who tested positive for COVID-19, is seen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (left) and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat (right) during the Bhoomi puja ceremony for the temple in Ayodhya on August 5, 2020.

B) Varanasi doctors tender mass resignations alleging harassment.

Over 2 dozen doctors in-charge of Covid-19 treatment in Varanasi submitted mass resignations, accusing the administration of harassment after an Additional Chief Medical Officer (ACMO) died due to the disease and the wrong body was handed over to his family for last rites. In an application to the district Chief Medical Officer, the doctors claimed the District Magistrate had threatened to lodge an FIR against them if they failed to fulfill their targets. They claimed the administration was blaming them for Covid-19 deaths in the district.

C) SC allows withdrawal of petition challenging constitutional validity of contempt provision

The Supreme Court on 13 August has allowed veteran journalists N. Ram, Arun Shourie, and advocate Prashant Bhushan to withdraw their writ petition challenging “scandalizing of the court” as a ground for contempt, with the liberty to approach a High Court. A 3 Judge Bench led by Justice Arun Mishra, however, insisted that the writ petitioners could not withdraw the case with an intention to straightaway move the Supreme Court later on. Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, for the petitioners, agreed, saying they would approach the appropriate forum, that is, the High Court concerned. The petition was earlier dropped from the list of cases scheduled for hearing before a Bench led by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud on August 10 because it was accompanied by an application to stay contempt cases pending against Bhushan before another Bench (Justice Mishra’s).

D) COVID Watch: Numbers and Developments

The number of coronavirus cases reported from India stood at 24,51,394 with the death toll at 48,071. India on 13 August recorded reported nearly 67,000 new cases in 24 hours, a new record. Pharmaceutical company Zydus Cadila announced the launch of what it said was the cheapest generic version of anti-viral drug redeliver for Covid-19 treatment in India. One 100 gram vial of the medicine will cost ₹2,800. The condition of former President Pranab Mukherjee remains unchanged, said the Army Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi. He is deeply comatose with stable vital parameters and continues to be on ventilator support.

E) NEET can’t be online for those abroad: NTA.

The NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) for undergraduate medical courses cannot be held online for candidates abroad, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has told the Supreme Court. The specialized body, which conducts examinations for higher educational courses, said the Medical Council of India (MCI) had made it very clear that NEET was only held in the paper-book format for all candidates. It is a policy decision of the NTA. The conduct of these exams was purely within the MCI’s domain. The parents, represented by advocates Haris Beeran and Pallavi Pratap, had asked the court to step in and spare their children from being forced to travel to India to take their exams amid the pandemic.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

A) U.S. Facebook users misinform about the Presidential elections.

Beginning Thursday, U.S.Facebook users who post about voting may start seeing an add-on to their messages — labels directing readers to authoritative information about the upcoming presidential election. In yet another step to counter election-related misinformation on its platform, Facebook began adding similar links to posts about in-person and mail-in balloting by federal politicians, including the U.S. President Donald Trump, in July.

B) Relationship with Trump was like a fantasy film: Kim Jong.

Kim Jong-un said his relationship with Donald Trump was like a " fantasy film", according to the publishers of a new book on the U.S. President that will unveil 25 private letters exchanged between the two leaders. The relationship between the two has been the main factor responsible for recent diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang. According to the publisher, Simon; Schuster, investigative journalist Bob Woodward managed to obtain, for his book, messages between the two leaders “that have not been public before”.

C) Lebanon Parliament declares a state of emergency in Beirut.

On 13 August, Lebanon’s Parliament approved a state of emergency in the capital, Beirut, in its first session since the tragic explosion last week, granting the military sweeping powers amid rising popular anger and political uncertainty. The blast that killed more than 170 people and injured at least 6,000 others changed the face of the capital and forced the government to resign. Before resigning, the government declared a state of emergency in Beirut that granted the military sweeping powers, including the power to declare curfews, prevent public gatherings
, and censor media.

D) France reinforces naval forces in the Mediterranean.

On 13 August, France said that it was temporarily reinforcing its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean Sea during the ongoing tensions between its neighbors Greece and Turkey over recently-discovered gas reserves. The French military said that two Rafale jets would arrive on Thursday on the island of Crete for a stay of several days, after having taken part in a military exercise in Cyprus earlier in the week. The purpose behind this military presence is to strengthen the autonomous assessment of the situation and to affirm the commitment of France to free movement and to the security of maritime navigation in the Mediterranean and respect for international law as well.

 

SPORTS NEWS

A) Rescheduling of IPL will affect domestic season preparation.

Rescheduling the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to the COVID-19 pandemic has not only resulted in a truncated domestic season but is also bound to hit a majority of teams hard when it comes to preparing for the season, especially for the shortened limited-over leg. The BCCI is hoping to start the domestic season with the Mushtaq Ali Trophy on November 19, after the IPL final in the United Arab Emirates on November 10. As a result, domestic teams’ preparation will be severely affected ahead of the season. Quite a few State teams are unsure whether their seniors will be able to participate in the inter-State T20 tournament, since they may be asked to be in quarantine after returning from the IPL.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
13 August 2020

NATIONAL NEWS:

 

A) Karnataka orders the District Magistrate-level probe into Bengaluru riots.

At least 110 rioters have been arrested for the violence that erupted in eastern Bengaluru’s DJ Halli area following protests against a social media post by a relative of Congress MLA R. Akhanda Srinivasamurthy on the night of 11 August. The Karnataka government has ordered a probe by the District Magistrate. Naveen P, nephew Srinivasamurthy, has been arrested for allegedly sharing an inflammatory post on Facebook. Nearly 60 policemen and at least one media person were injured during the riots. The police have now clamped a curfew in the riot-affected areas. Tension prevailed on the night of 11 August after the post went viral. Soon, people started gathering in front of the MLA’s house to protest against the post. While the MLA was not at home, the mob pelted stones at his house and later set portions of it on fire. The police rushed to the spot and picked up Naveen even as a mob of about 1,000 demanded that he be handed over to them, police officials said. The mob accused the police of “rescuing” Naveen and soon turned against them. The violence swiftly spread to other parts of the area. Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister CT Ravi has said that the state would recover the costs of the assets destroyed in the violence from the people who had rioted. 

B) COVID Watch: Numbers and Developments.

The number of coronavirus cases reported from India stood at 23,84,760 with the death toll at 47,407. The Health Ministry today said India’s recovery rate has soared past 70% with 16,39,599 people having recuperated from the disease so far, while active cases comprised only 27.64% of the total caseload. The case fatality rate has further declined to 1.98%. Experts have pointed out that the emphasis on the recovery rate could be misleading. Since the majority of patients recover from the disease and the mortality rate from it is low, it necessarily follows that recovery rates in all countries will eventually be in the high nineties. Former President Pranab Mukherjee’s health condition continues to remain critical, the Army’s Research and Referral (R&R) Hospital said on Wednesday. “Presently he is hemodynamically stable and on a ventilator,” the hospital said in a bulletin. Mukherjee underwent life-saving emergency surgery for a brain clot on Monday and has been on ventilator support since.

C) 3 firms to construct the new Parliament building. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has selected three firms — Larsen and Toubro Limited, Shapoorji Pallonji and Co. Ltd. and Tata Projects Ltd. — from the seven that applied for pre-qualification to bid for the project to construct the new Parliament building. The project is a part of the government’s proposed redevelopment of the Central Vista. It is estimated to cost ₹889 crore and take 21 months to complete, according to the CPWD.

D) Home Minister’s medal for 15 CBI officers. 

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) officer leading the Bhima Koregaon (Maharashtra) investigation and a Delhi Police officer heading the team probing the riots last February in north-east Delhi are among the 121 recipients of the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation that was announced on 12 August. The Home Ministry has said that this medal was constituted in 2018. The objective of this medal is to promote high professional standards of investigation of crime as well as to recognize such excellence in an investigation by investigating officers. 

E) 3 Journal assaulted by a mob in northeast Delhi.

Delhi Police on 12 August said that they have received a complaint from a news magazine that three of its journalists, including a woman, were assaulted by a mob in northeast Delhi, where they had gone to report on a story linked to the riots that had taken place in February. The Caravan magazine alleged that the incident took place on the afternoon of 11 August. Joint Commissioner of Police (eastern range) Alok Kumar said that they have received complaints from both sides (magazine and locals) and are looking into them. 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

A) Kamala Harris becomes the first Black and Indian-origin woman to be on a presidential ticket.

U.S. Senator from California Kamala Harris has been named running mate of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Harris, 55, is the first woman of Indian descent and a black woman to be on the presidential ticket of a major political party in the U.S. The move puts her in a powerful position to lead the Democratic party in the near future and with a shot at the presidency in four to eight years. Born to Shyamala Gopalan, a cancer researcher originally from Chennai, and Donald Harris, an economics professor from Jamaica, Harris has decades of public service to her name. In 2010, she became California’s Attorney General, the first Black woman to hold the position. In 2016, she was elected to the Senate.

B) China warns the U.S. against ‘playing with fire’

China has warned Washington not to “play with fire” on 12 August because a U.S. delegation went on a historic trip to the self-ruled country of Taiwan. Beijing was infuriated by the high profile visit to Taiwan as the relationship of U.S.-China is getting worse day by day and to a record low over a range of issues from trade to military and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Health chief of the USA has finished a 3-day visit to Taiwan, during which he criticized China for handling the pandemic. He also visited the shrine of a former Taiwan President which was hated by the Communist Party leadership. Beijing slammed the visit on 12 August and said that it firmly opposes official exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan under any pretext.

C) Indians having any valid visa can now fly to the UAE.

With the Union government lifting the pandemic-induced curbs on tourist and visit visas for travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after five months, airlines can now carry any Indian national holding any type of valid UAE visa to the seven emirates. Till now, only Indian and UAE nationals having a resident visa, fresh job visas, or student visas were allowed to travel on flights operated by Air India Group and Air India Express and on chartered flights to the UAE. The Centre was under pressure to allow everyone with valid UAE visas to travel after the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs in Dubai started issuing new visit visas for Indians. Relatives of NRIs were not able to fly to the seven emirates due to the restrictions.