Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services -11-07-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 11-07-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Environment and Ecology – 14% excess rain in India so far this monsoon – Monsoon rainfall since June has been 14% more than what is normal for this time of the year. So far, India has received 28.7 cm rainfall as opposed to the typical 25.2 cm. Only on nine of the 40 days of monsoon so far has rainfall been less than the daily average, according to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).  About 40% of districts received excess rain while 27% others have seen deficient rain, having received at least 20% less rain than usual. There are 29 districts in Uttar Pradesh, 17 in Gujarat and 16 in Jammu and Kashmir that have received deficient rain. Paradoxically, Uttar Pradesh also leads in the number of districts with excess rain (35), followed by Bihar (32) and Madhya Pradesh (28). Currently, the IMD collates rainfall data from 681 districts.
2. Covid-19 Updates – India’s Covid count tops 8L even as deaths cross 22,000 – India’s Covid-19 caseload went past the 8 lakh mark just four days after having crossed 7 lakh, while the death toll topped 22,000. Amid a major surge in the pandemic, fresh infections crossed 27,000 for the first time, the third record high in daily numbers in three days. The day’s death toll from the virus crossed 500 for the first time in six days, settling at 520. This was the second highest single-day count of deaths after the 608 reported on July 4, discounting the 2,003 deaths reported on June 16 in a data reconciliation exercise. Over 2.36 lakh cases have been reported in the 10 days of July, as compared to 4 lakh in the whole of June. Likewise, these 10 days have seen 4,733 deaths while June had recorded about 12,000 in all. With 27,449 cases, the total infections in India rose to 8,21,722, as per data collated from states.
   
3. Indian Economy – Solar energy will play big role in ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’: PM – PM Narendra Modi said solar energy would play a major role in achieving self-reliance in energy, essential for an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India). Inagurating a 750 MW solar power project in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh, he said: “We won’t be able to use solar power entirely unless we have within the country improved solar panels, improved batteries and best quality storage. We need to work in this direction now.” Solar energy, he asserted, would be a big medium for the energy needs of the 21st century.
4. Indian Politics – LJP, RJD call for postponing Bihar poll – With the Assembly election in Bihar just months away, parties from both the ruling and opposition camps in the State have demanded its postponement in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases. While National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner Lok Janshakti Party requested the Election Commission to take a decision after “looking into all aspects”, the Rashtriya Janata Dal demanded that the poll be postponed. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is also Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, took aim at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar while opposing the upcoming election.
5. India-China Standoff 2020 – Ahead of military talks, India & China agree on total disengagement – Keeping a close eye on the military disengagement in eastern Ladakh, senior officials from India and China met virtually to talk through the details of the exercise, days before the next round of corps commander-level talks are due. The Indian statement said both sides agreed to ensure complete disengagement and de-escalation. Officials agreed that it was necessary for both sides to sincerely implement the understanding reached between senior commanders. As agreed by the two special representatives (NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi), senior commanders will meet soon to discuss further steps.
   
6. Covid-19 Updates – State FDA says Aadhaar must to buy remdesivir –  The state FDA issued a circular that made it mandatory for relatives of patients to produce Aadhaar card details, doctor’s prescription, consent form, the Covid-19 positive report and contact details for the purchase of the anti-viral drug remdesivir and antiinflammatory medicine tocilizumab. The regulatory authority is investigating if hospitals are hoarding the drugs after procuring them directly from manufacturers. FDA minister Rajendra Shingne said the decision was taken in the wake of complaints of shortage and concerns about the experimental drugs being sold in black.
7. Internal Security – IAF gets last of 5 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing – Boeing handed over the last of the five AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF), completing the contract for 22 Apaches. The Apaches were deployed at the Leh air base as part of the forward movement of assets. The final five of the 22 Apache attack helicopters were handed over to the IAF at the Air Force Station, Hindan, in June. Earlier, in March, Boeing handed over the last five of the 15 CH-47F(I) Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to the IAF. The IAF inducted the first batch of Apaches in September 2019 and based them at Air Force Station, Pathankhot, Punjab. India contracted 22 Apache helicopters and 15 Chinook helicopters from Boeing through in Sept 2015 under a $3 billion deal.
8. World Politics – China, U.S. in new spat over Uighur crackdown – China said it will impose tit-for-tat measures after the U.S. slapped sanctions on Chinese officials for their involvement in a crackdown on Muslim minorities, raising tensions between the superpowers. The two countries have traded barbs and sanctions on a slew of issues since President Donald Trump took office, from trade to more recent spats over the coronavirus pandemic, a security law in Hong Kong, and Chinese policies in the far west regions of Tibet and Xinjiang. The latest Chinese response followed a U.S. announcement of visa bans and an assets freeze on three officials, including Chen Quanguo, the Communist Party chief in Xinjiang and architect of Beijing's hardline policies against restive minorities.
   
9. World Politics – Erdogon allowed iconic museum Hagia Sophia to be used as mosque – President Tayyip Erdogan declared Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia open to Muslim prayer as a mosque after a top court ruled that the building’s conversion to a museum by modern Turkey’s founding statesman was illegal. Mr. Erdogan made his announcement just an hour after the court ruling was revealed, brushing aside international warnings not to change the status of the nearly 1,500-year-old monument that is revered by Christians and Muslims alike. Greece’s Culture Ministry described the court decision as an “open provocation” to the civilised world..
10. Indian Economy – Factory output shrinks 35%, but pace of decline narrows – The country’s factory output contracted sharply for the third consecutive month in May as the national lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus took a toll on several sectors such as manufacturing, but the pace of decline narrowed. The National Statistical Office (NSO) only released the index numbers as a majority of the industrial sector establishments were not operating since the end of March.. The index for the month of May 2020 stands at 88.4 as compared to 53.6 for April 2020. the index of industrial production (IIP) contracted 34.7% in May compared to an expansion of 4.5% in the year ago month.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	Bank of India	Faculty, Office Attendant, Office Asst.	7	8th Class, 12th, Degree	Aug 3, 2020	https://bankofindia.co.in/Career
2	NEIST	Research Scientist, Sr. Laboratory Technician	14	DMLT/ BMLT, B. Tech/ PG)	July 14, 2020	http://www.rrljorhat.res.in/jobs/Advertisment_NHM_CSIR-NEIST_2020.pdf
3	SCTIMST	Driver	10	10th Class with DL	July 24, 2020	https://www.sctimst.ac.in/Recruitment/resources/DRIVER%20-%20TEMPORARY,%20LAST%20DATE%2024.07.2020.pdf
4	NIVEDI	SRF, Young Professional-I & II	6	Diploma, Degree, PG	July 22, 2020	http://nivedi.res.in/sites/default/files/2020-07/Institute%20Website%20Online%20Interview.pdf
5	Lok Sabha Secretariat	Parliamentary Interpreter	12	PG	Aug 18, 2020	http://loksabhadocs.nic.in/JRCell/Module/Notice/Advertisement%20Interpreter%202020.pdf
6	IIT, Delhi	Executive Assistant	39	B.Tech/ PG	July. 24, 2020	https://home.iitd.ac.in/uploads/Final%20Advt.%20No.%20E-II.07.2020%20(Contractual)%20-%20Website.pdf
7	Regional Centre for Biotech.	Proj. Head, Sr Scientist, Res. Consultant	36	B.Tech/ M.Sc, M.Tech	July 18, 2020	https://www.rcb.res.in/upload/Advt_IBDC_FINAL.pdf

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• SECTION 2 - DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

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• 1. CONSTITUTION AND LAW (Prelims, GS Paper 2, Essay paper)

1.1 Not Available Today

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• 2. ECONOMY (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper

2.1 Banking and Finance

• Govt. keeps interest rates on small savings schemes unchanged for Jul-Sep quarter –

1. The government has decided to keep the interest rates on small savings schemes or post office schemes unchanged for the July-September quarter of FY 2020-21. 
2. Rate of interest for Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme remains 7.6%. Interest rate for Public Provident Fund remains 7.1%. Interest rate for National Savings Certificate remains 6.8%.
3. Interest rate for Kisan Vikas Patra remains at 6.9%. KVP will mature in 124 months. 
4. The government has decided to keep the interest rates on small savings schemes or post office schemes unchanged for the July-September quarter of FY 2020-21. Interest rate for the monthly income scheme remains 6.6%. For five-year recurring deposit, the interest rate stays at 5.8%.
5. For five-year time-deposit, it remains 6.7%. For three-years, two-years and one-year time deposits, the interest rate remains 5.5%. Interest on savings deposit stays unchanged at 4%.

2.2 National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) launched NASSCOM Launchpad to trade between India and US.

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• 3. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper)

3.1 4th edition of the virtual Ministerial on Climate Action held

•  Key point – 

1. The fourth edition of the virtual Ministerial on Climate Action was co-chaired by European Union, China and Canada.

• Highlights - 

1. In the meeting, India was represented by the Union Environment Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar.
2. The meeting witnessed the countries deliberating on how countries are aligning economic recovery plans with the Paris Agreement as well as the critical enabling conditions to ensure continued climate action. 
3. The virtual Ministerial on Climate Action was held with prime objective of demonstrating the continued political commitment to global climate action.
4. It also aimed to further the discussions on the full implementation of the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
5. It was attended by Ministers and representatives of about 30 countries and was held virtually in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

• Secretariat UN Climate Change - 

1. Bonn, Germany.
   

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• 4. FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Prelims, GS Paper 2, Essay paper)

4.1 Australia suspends Hong Kong extradition treaty

•  Key point -  

1. Australia has suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in response to fears over a new national security law imposed by China.

• Detailed news with importants notes- 

1. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new law undermined "Hong Kong's own basic law" and the territory's current level of autonomy from Beijing.
2. China has criticised the move as "gross interference" in its domestic affairs. 
3. Since the law was enacted last week, Canada has also suspended its extradition treaty, while the UK has offered citizenship options to Hong Kong residents.
4. Critics say the law makes it easier to punish protesters and critics of the Chinese government.
5. Hong Kong's government says the law is required to bring order to a city that saw mass pro-democracy protests last year that often turned violent.
6. As the extent of the law's reach is still uncertain, critics have said it could also lead to foreign nationals being arbitrarily detained in Hong Kong.
7. That has led Australia and other nations to issue new warnings to their citizens in Hong Kong. More than 100,000 Australians are in the city.
8. Previously, Australia and Hong Kong could both seek the extradition of any person within their jurisdiction who was wanted for prosecution or a criminal sentence. This process has happened just twice in the past 10 years.
9. Australia has also offered to extend visas to Hong Kong residents by five years - providing a pathway to permanent residency for up to 10,000 people.
10. Hong Kong is a former British colony and was handed back to China in 1997. Under the arrangement, Hong Kong was allowed to have certain freedoms for 50 years, setting it apart from the Chinese mainland.
11. However the UK, and other Western nations say China's new law directly threatens those freedoms and rights.
12. Bilateral relations have soured further this year after Australia called for a global investigation into the origins of Covid-19. This has been viewed as the catalyst for China levelling sanctions on Australian exports. 

 4.2 US announces visa restrictions for Chinese officials under Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act

•  Key point -  

1. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced visa restrictions for a certain group of Chinese officials under the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act. 

• Highlights - 

1. The US says that Beijing has continued systematically to obstruct travel to the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) and other Tibetan areas by US diplomats and other officials, journalists, and tourists, while Chinese officials and other citizens enjoy far greater access to the US. 
2. Pompeo announced visa restrictions on Chinese government and Chinese Communist Party officials involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners to Tibetan areas.
3. He said access to Tibetan areas is increasingly vital to regional stability, given the Chinese human rights abuses there, as well as Beijing's failure to prevent environmental degradation near the headwaters of Asia's major rivers.
4. Pompeo said the US will continue to work to advance the sustainable economic development, environmental conservation, and humanitarian conditions of Tibetan communities in China and abroad.
5. The State Department funding for the Tibetan issues for the fiscal year 2021 beginning October 1 has been proposed to be $17 million and $1 million for the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. 

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• 5. GOVERNMENT SCHEMES (Prelims, GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3)

5.1 Not Available Today

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• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 Weekly Roundup - Sports

• Former West Indian batsman Everton Weekes (95) dies - Former West Indian batsman Everton Weekes (95) died in Barbados on July 1, 2020. In 48 test matches during 1948-58, he made 4,455 runs at an average of 58.61 per innings. He holds world record of five consecutive centuries in test innings made in 1948-49.  These were 141 against England in Jamaica followed by four centuries in India: 128 at Delhi, 194 in Bombay and 162 & 101 in Calcutta. Weekes also jointly holds the record for the fastest to reach 1000 Test runs with England’s Hebert Sutcliffe. Both of them had taken 9 Tests and 12 innings
• Quinton de Kock named men’s Cricketer-of-the-Year at South Africa’s annual awards - Quinton de Kock was named men’s Cricketer-of-the-Year at Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) annual awards ceremony in Johannesburg on July 5, 2020. He also bagged the Test Cricketer-of-the-Year while young opener Laura Wolvaardt took home the women’s Cricketer-of-the-Year and ODI Cricketer-of-the-Year awards. Pacer Lungi Ngidi was named ODI and T20 Player-of-the-Year.
• India’s Nitin Menon included in ICC’s Elite Panel of Umpires - India’s Nitin Menon (36) on June 29, 2020 became the youngest ever to be included in the International Cricket Council’s Elite Panel of Umpires for the upcoming 2020-21 season. He has officiated in three Tests, 24 ODIs and 16 T20Is. 
• Muttiah Muralitharan named ‘Most Valuable Test Player of 21st Century’ by Wisden - The world’s highest Test wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan has been named the ‘Most Valuable Test Player of the 21st Century’ by Wisden Cricket Monthly.
• Valtteri Bottas wins season-opening Formula One Austrian Grand Prix at Spielberg - Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland won the season-opening Formula One Austrian Grand Prix at Spielberg on July 5, 2020 followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris in second and third places respectively.
• Valentina Gunina wins 2nd Grand Prix leg of FIDE Chess.com Women’s Speed Chess - Valentina Gunina of Russia won the second Grand Prix leg of the FIDE Chess.com Women’s Speed Chess on July 5, 2020, defeating Ukraine’s Anna Ushenina 7-5 in the final. Kateryna Lagno of Russia took the third spot. 
• Anna Ushenina wins 1st Grand Prix leg of FIDE Women’s Chess.com Speed Chess - Anna Ushenina of Ukraine won the first Grand Prix leg of the FIDE Women’s Chess.com Speed Chess, beating Russia’s Valentina Gunina 7-4 in the final on June 28, 2020.
• Norway’s Magnus Carlsen wins Chessable Masters online tournament - Norway’s Magnus Carlsen won the $150,000 Chessable Masters online tournament on July 4, 2020 by defeating Anish Giri of Netherlands in the final 2.5–1.5.
• Chinese men’s singles badminton player Lin Dan (36) retires - Chinese men’s singles badminton player Lin Dan (36) announced retirement from the sport on July 4, 2020. He won gold medals in 2008 & 2012 Olympic Games. He also won five World Championship titles and six All England championship titles.
• NADA’s mobile app launched to help athletes stay updated on banned substances - Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on June 20, 2020 unveiled National Anti-Doping Agency’s first mobile app to provide information about prohibited substances and their inadvertent use.
• Australia & New Zealand to co-host the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup - Australia and New Zealand will co-host the 2023 Women’s World Cup, FIFA announced on June 25, 2020. The expanded 32-team tournament will feature eight more teams than the 2019 edition in France.
• FIFA approves $1.5 billion Covid-19 relief fund for world football - FIFA’s ruling council has unanimously approved the Covid-19 Relief Plan giving a total of $1.5 billion to help the global football community weather the coronavirus pandemic. Each of the 211 member associations will get a one million dollars payment.
• Clare Connor becomes first female president of the 233-year old MCC - Former England captain Clare Connor was on June 24, 2020 named as the first female president of the London-based Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), guardian of the laws of the game, in its 233-year history.
• Top-ranked tennis player Novak Djokovic, wife Jelena test positive for Covid-19 - Top-ranked tennis player Novak Djokovic and wife Jelena tested positive for Covid-19 on June 24, 2020 after taking part in a tennis exhibition series he organized in Serbia and Croatia.
• Olympic Day celebrated on June 23 - International Olympic Day was celebrated on June 23, 2020 to commemorate the day when the International Olympic Committee was founded in 1894. The first-ever Olympic day was celebrated on June 23, 1948. 
  

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 Navy concludes Samudra Setu

• Key point - 

1. Operation Samudra Setu, which was launched by the Navy on May 5 as part of the national effort to repatriate Indian citizens abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic, has culminated after successfully bringing back 3,992 individuals.

• Highlights -

1. Five repatriation trips were done by ships to Male in Maldives, two were done to Bandar Abbas in Iran and one went to Colombo in Sri Lanka under the operation..
2. Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa (Landing Platform Dock), and Airavat, Shardul and Magar (Landing Ship Tanks) participated in this operation which lasted over 55 days and involved traversing more than 23,000 kilometers by sea. 
3. The greatest challenge for the Indian Navy was to avoid any incident of outbreak of the infection on board the ships during the evacuation operation.
4. Rigorous measures were planned and medical and safety protocols unique to the operating environment of ships were implemented.
5. Ships used for the operation were especially provisioned and the Sick Bay or the clinic on board was especially equipped with COVID-19 related equipment and facilities.
6. This operation was undertaken by the Indian Navy in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health and various other agencies of the government of India and state governments.

7.2 Other Important Happenings

•  J&K: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates six bridges in Akhnoor (4) and Kathua (2) districts.
• Army personnel asked to remove 89 apps, including Facebook and Instagram, from their mobile phones by July 15.
• New diplomats - David Pine - High Commissioner of New Zealand, Philip Barton - High Commissioner of UK, Akhatov Dilshod Khamidovich - Ambassador of Uzbekistan.

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• 8. SOCIAL ISSUES (Prelims, GS Paper 1, GS Paper 2)

8.1 WHO says Sri Lanka and Maldives eliminate measles, rubella

• Key point - 

1. Sri Lanka and Maldives have become the first two countries in the World Health Organization's South-East Asia region to eliminate both measles and rubella ahead of a 2023 target.

• Highlights -

1. A country is considered to have eliminated measles and rubella when there is no evidence of endemic transmission of the viruses for more than three years and there is a well-performing surveillance system.
2. Maldives reported its last endemic case of measles in 2009 and rubella in October 2015, while Sri Lanka reported its last endemic case of measles in May 2016 and rubella in March 2017.
3. WHO praised the efforts of countries in the region to continue vaccinating children while battling the coronavirus pandemic.
4. All of the countries in recent years have introduced two doses of measles vaccine and at least one dose of rubella vaccine in their routine immunization programs.
5. First-dose coverage of measles vaccine is now 88% and second-dose coverage 76% in the region.
6. Since 2017, nearly 500 million more children in the region have been vaccinated for measles and rubella.

• WHO's South-East Asia region –

1. In September 2019, the 11 countries in WHO's South-East Asia region set 2023 as a target for the elimination of measles and rubella.
2. The countries in the WHO region are Bangladesh, Bhutan, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, North Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
3. Bhutan, East Timor and North Korea have succeeded in eliminating measles.

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• 9. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (Prelims, GS Paper 3)

9.1 Not Available Today

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• 10. FACTS, CHARTS, RANKINGS and EDITORIALS (Prelims + GS Mains)

10.1 Not Available Today

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• The Indian Gas Exchange, first nationwide online delivery-based Gas trading platform, was launched on June 15, 2020..
• J Anbazhagan died in June 2020 at the age of 62. He was an MLA.
• 2019 Asian Athletics Championship gold medal winner Gomathi Marimuthu was banned for doping recently.
• Telangana state’s formation day was celebrated on June 2.
• DRDO has developed a sanitising chamber named ‘GermiKlean’.

10.3 Today's best editorials to read

• We offer you 7 excellent editorials from across 10 newspapers we have scanned. 

CLICK HERE TO OPEN AND READ!

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• SECTION 3 - MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

Solve the online quiz given, right now. Check scores, and relative performance!

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