Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 11-08-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 11-08-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. World – Lebanon govt quits in wake of blast – Lebanon’s prime minister has stepped down from his job in the wake of the catastrophic explosion in Beirut that has triggered public outrage, saying he has come to the conclusion that corruption in the country is “bigger than the state”. The move follows a weekend of anti-government protests after the August 4 explosion in Beirut’s port that decimated the facility and caused widespread destruction, killing at least 160 people and injured about 6,000 others. Diab blamed corrupt politicians who preceded him for the “earthquake” that has hit Lebanon. Although Diab’s resignation had appeared inevitable after the catastrophe, he seemed unwilling to leave and only two days ago made a speech in which he offered to stay on for two months to allow for various factions to agree on a road map for reforms. But the pressure from within his own cabinet proved to be too much.
2. COVID-19 – US study finds 97,000 kids were infected in last 2 weeks of July – As schools face the daunting challenge of reopening while the coronavirus continues to spread, at least 97,000 children around the US tested positive in the last two weeks of July — a 40% rise in such infections. A report says that at least 3,38,000 children had tested positive through July 30, meaning more than a quarter tested positive in just those two weeks. The report comes as some schools have tried to reopen, only to quickly order quarantines or close their doors. States in the South and West accounted for more than seven out of 10 infections in the new report, which relied on data from 49 states along with Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and Guam. The report noted that children rarely get severely sick from Covid-19.
3. World – China slaps sanctions on U.S. Senators – China has sanctioned 11 Americans, including Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, in retaliation for similar U.S. moves prompted by Beijing’s crackdown in Hong Kong. Washington has accused 11 officials of suppressing “freedom and democratic processes” in Hong Kong, including city leader Carrie Lam, and announced plans to freeze their U.S. assets. It was the toughest U.S. action yet in response to Beijing’s introduction of a sweeping and controversial new national security law for the territory. Beijing said the measure was a violation of international law and “grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs”.
4. World – Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai arrested – Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has become the highest-profile person arrested under a new national security law, detained over suspected collusion with foreign forces as around 200 police searched the offices of his Apple Daily newspaper. Mr. Lai has been one of the most prominent democracy activists in the Chinese-ruled city and an ardent critic of Beijing. His arrest comes amid Beijing’s crackdown against pro-democracy Opposition in the city and further stokes concerns about media and other freedoms promised to the former British colony when it returned to China in 1997. China imposed the sweeping new security law on Hong Kong on June 30, drawing condemnation from Western countries.
5. COVID-19 – U.S. COVID-19 case count crosses five million – Face masks have become compulsory in tourist hotspots in Paris amid warnings of a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, as infections in the U.S. topped five million. In Berlin, thousands of children have returned to school after the summer break, sporting masks which are compulsory in common areas like school courtyards. Schools in some other German regions also reopened, though with differing rules on masks. People in Paris aged 11 and over are now required to wear the masks in crowded areas and tourists hotspots. These include the banks of the Seine River and more than a 100 streets in the French capital. Several French towns and cities have already introduced similar measures, as well as parts of Belgium, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain. Globally, nearly 20 million cases have been officially registered. The death toll is at least 7,31,500 worldwide since virus emerged in China last December.
6. Polity & Governance – Lukashenko wins Belarus election marred by protests – The Opposition in Belarus rejected official election results handing President Alexander Lukashenko a landslide re-election victory on Monday (August 10), saying the poll was rigged and that talks needed to begin on a peaceful transfer of power. Earlier, the central election commission said Mr. Lukashenko, in power for more than a quarter of a century, won 80% of the vote in Sunday’s election, while Svetlana Tikhanouskaya, who emerged from obscurity to become his main rival, took just 9.9%. Foreign observers have not judged an election to be free and fair in Belarus since 1995, and the run-up to the vote saw authorities jail Mr. Lukashenko’s rivals and open criminal investigations into others who voiced opposition.
7. Economy – India’s imports from China rise in June and July – India’s imports from China have risen to $5.6 billion in July, climbing for the second straight month, although imports are still down by 24% from 2019. India’s imports from China had fallen to a record low of $3.2 billion both in April and May, coinciding with India’s lockdown on account of the pandemic. Imports rose to $4.8 billion in June and further to $5.6 billion in July, almost back to the pre-lockdown level of $5.8 billion reported in March, in part, economists said, driven by Chinese exports of medical supplies. After seven months of this year, India’s imports from China reached $32.2 billion, down 24.7% year-on-year, largely because of the slump in April and May.
8. Economy – PM Modi inaugurates submarine optical fibre cable connecting Chennai, Port Blair – PM Modi has said the submarine optical fibre cable (OFC) connecting Andaman and Nicobar to the rest of the country and the world is a symbol of the government’s commitment to ease of living of the island’s people. The PM inaugurated the optical fibre cable project, which will connect Tamil Nadu’s Chennai and Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The submarine cable will also connect Port Blair to Swaraj Dweep (Havelock), Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Kamorta, Great Nicobar, Long Island and Rangat.
9. Economy – Equity MFs see 1st outflow in over 4 years – Equity mutual funds witnessed an outflow of ₹2,480 crore in July, making it the first withdrawal in more than four years, primarily on profit-booking by investors. Overall, the mutual fund industry witnessed a net inflow of ₹89,813 crore across all segments last month, much higher than the ₹7,265 crore seen in June. As per the data, outflow from equity and equity-linked open ended schemes was at ₹2,480.35 crore in July compared with an inflow of ₹240.55 crore in June. July 2020 saw the first outflow since March 2016, when equity schemes witnessed a pull-out of ₹1,370 crore.
10. Polity & Governance – Pilot cancels flight from Cong after meeting Rahul, Priyanka – A month after he revolted against CM Ashok Gehlot and left Jaipur with 18 supporting MLAs, Sachin Pilot met Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and rolled back his rebellion on the assurance that his grievances would be “redressed”. Though the terms of the peace deal remain to be worked out in detail, he may be offered an AICC post such as general secretary. The development marks a win for Gehlot who has all along claimed he has the numbers for a floor test and has been reluctant to accommodate Pilot. The meeting with Rahul and Priyanka was followed by a party statement, which said Pilot had expressed his grievances in detail.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	CSMCRI	Project Associate- I, Project Assistant Level I	10	B.Sc / B.R.S., B. Tech, M.Sc	AUG-28-2020	https://www.csmcri.res.in/jobs/project-associate-i-and-project-assistant-level-i-advt-no-csir-csmcriapb-082020
2	National Institute of Pathology	Scientist B, Technical Officer, Technical Assistant, DEO	6	Intermediate/ 10+2, MBBS, Degree, PG (Life Science)	AUG-12-2020	https://main.icmr.nic.in/sites/default/files/career_opportunity/Notification07082020.pdf
3	GBPIHED	Junior Project Fellow, Field Assistant	6	Intermediate, Any Degree, PG	AUG 17-2020	http://gbpihed.gov.in/PDF/Recruitment/Rec_Doc1596721947NERC_Rec_6_Aug_2020.pdf
4	CRPF	Staff Nurse, Lab Technician, Pharmacist & Other	67	10th, 12th Class, GNM, Diploma	17 to 20-08-2020	https://www.crpf.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/Recruitment_Advertise/ADVERTISE/1_196_1_744082020.pdf
5	Indian Army	Technical Entry Scheme 44 Course	90	10+2	SEPT 9,2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/indian-army/18464/#TES-44Course
6	Andhra University	AP SET 2020	-	PG	SEPT-19-2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/apset-2/149536/
7	Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation	Female Health Worker	13	-	AUG-26-2020	https://ojas.gujarat.gov.in/AdvtDetailFiles/BMC_202021_2.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 Weekly Roundup – Constitution and Law

• Sushant Singh Rajput Case - BMC orders release of Bihar IPS officer hours after filing of Hebeas Corpus petition in Supreme Court. Justice Hrikesh Roy. Habeas corpus is a recourse in law through which a person can report an unlawful detention or imprisonment to a court and request that the court order the custodian of the person, usually a prison official, to bring the prisoner to court, to determine whether the detention is lawful.
• Foundation for Media Professional vs UOI - ‘You have waited for a while, wait for another two days’ – SC on contempt plea against J and K administration in 4G restoration matter. Justice N. V. Ramana, R. Subhash Reddy and B. R. Gavai
• Praneek K and Others vs UGC - ‘Taken a ‘conscious decision’ of not holding final year exam of both professional and non-professional courses’ – Maharashtra govt. tells SC
  Janhit Abhiyan vs Union of India - Can posts be reserved only on the basis of economic criterion? Is 50% calling absolute?: SC refers substantial questions of law to 5-Judge bench. Bench of Chief Justice S. A. Bobde, Justice Subhash Reddy and B. R. Gavai.
• Prashand Bhushan case - ‘Comments were not out of malice; but out of love and affection for court’ – says Bhushan as SC reserves orders on contempt case. Justices Arun Mishra, B. R. Gavai and Krishna Murari.
   

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

2.1 Major Happenings

• Defence Ministry announced a phased, year-wise embargo on the import of 101 items of defence equipment.
• PM released sixth instalment of funds under the PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) scheme.
• Fourth edition of National Public Procurement Conclave organized by GeM (Government e Marketplace) in association with CII.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched various initiatives of Defence PSUs & OFB through digital link.
• Defence Ministry celebrating Atma-Nirbharta (self-sufficiency) week from August 7 to 14.
• Isher Judge Ahluwalia has stepped down as Chairperson of ICRIER (Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations) after 15 years; succeeded by Pramod Bhasin.
• LIC launched special revival campaign for lapsed policies from August 10 to October 9.
• PSEB (Public Enterprises Selection Board) selects Soma Mondal as the next Chairperson of SAIL.

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

3.1 International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem

• Key points -   

1. The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, adopted by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015 and celebrated annually on 26 July, aims to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem” and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses.

• Important details –

1. Mangroves are rare, spectacular and prolific ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea.
2. These extra ordinary ecosystems contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection of coastal communities worldwide.
3. They support a rich biodiversity and provide a valuable nursery habitat for fish and crustaceans.
4. Mangroves also act as a form of natural coastal defense against storm surges, tsunamis, rising sea levels and erosion. Their soils are highly effective carbon sinks, sequestering vast amounts of carbon.
5. Yet mangroves are disappearing three to five times faster than overall global forest losses, with serious ecological and socio-economic impacts.
6. Current estimates indicate that mangrove coverage has been divided by two in the past 40 years.
7. UNESCO is engaged deeply in supporting the conservation of mangroves, while advancing the sustainable development of their local communities.
8. The inclusion of mangroves in Biosphere Reserves, World Heritage sites and UNESCO Global Geoparks contributes to improving the knowledge, management and conservation of mangrove ecosystems throughout the world.

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

4.1 Loya Jirga approves release of 400 Taliban prisoners

•  Key points -    

1. Afghanistan’s grand assembly, or Loya Jirga, has approved the release of 400 “hard-core” Taliban prisoners, paving the way for the beginning of peace talks aimed at ending more than 19 years of war.

• Highlights –
  
  1. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had convened the assembly in the capital Kabul, where some 3,200 Afghan community leaders and politicians gathered amid tight security and concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic to advise the government on whether the prisoners should be freed.
  2. The Taliban militants had insisted they be released as a condition for entering peace talks with the government. With the release, the Afghan government will fulfil its pledge to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners.
  3. Western diplomats said talks between the warring parties will start in Doha within a week.
  4. Deliberation around the release of last batch of Taliban prisoners, accused of conducting some of the bloodiest attacks across Afghanistan, had triggered outrage among civilians and rights groups who questioned the morality of the peace process.
  5. But ahead of November elections, U.S. President Donald Trump is determined to fulfil a major campaign promise of ending America’s longest war.
  6. The drawdown will bring the number of U.S. troops to “a number less than 5,000” by the end of November.
  7. In a February pact allowing for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, Washington and the Taliban agreed on the release of the Taliban prisoners as a condition for the talks with Kabul.

4.2 U.S. Health Secretary visits Taiwan, angering China

 

• Key points –  

1. A senior member of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has landed in Taiwan 9 for Washington's highest level visit since switching diplomatic recognition to China in 1979, a trip Beijing has condemned.
2. During the three-day visit Health Secretary Alex Azar will meet President Tsai Ing-wen, who advocates Taiwan being recognised as a sovereign nation and is loathed by China's leaders.

• Important details –

1. Mr. Azar is the most senior U.S. cabinet member to visit Taiwan in decades and his visit comes as relations between the world's two biggest economic powers plunge to historic lows.
2. In recent days, Trump has ordered sweeping restrictions on popular Chinese apps TikTok and WeChat and the US Treasury Department slapped sanctions on Hong Kong's leader over a tough law that curbs dissent.
3. Washington has billed the Taiwan trip as an opportunity to learn from the island's fight against the coronavirus and to celebrate its progressive values.
4. But Beijing balks at any recognition of self-ruled Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory and vows to one day seize, by force if necessary.
5. It has described Mr. Azar's visit as a threat to “peace and stability”, while China's defence minister warned against Washington making any “dangerous moves”.
6. Taiwan has become a poster child for defeating the coronavirus thanks to a well-honed track and tracing programme as well as firm border controls.
7. Despite its proximity and economic links to China it has recorded fewer than 500 infections and seven deaths.
8. In contrast the US has recorded the most deaths in the world with more than 160,000 fatalities.

• A cautious testing of China –

1. The rapidly deteriorating relationship between Beijing and Washington comes as Trump seeks re-election in November.
2. He is trailing in the polls to rival Joe Biden and has begun campaigning hard on an increasingly strident anti-Beijing message.
3. As public disapproval has grown for his handling of the epidemic, Trump has pivoted from his previous focus on striking a trade deal with China to blaming the country for the coronavirus crisis.
4. The two countries have clashed on a range of issues, from trade to espionage allegations and Beijing's human rights record such as the mass incarceration of Uighur Muslims and the political crackdown in Hong Kong.
5. Washington remains the leading arms supplier to Taiwan but has historically been cautious in holding official contacts with it. Under Trump, relations with Taiwan have warmed dramatically and he has approved a number of major military sales, including F-16 fighter jets.
6. Taiwan has also built broad, bipartisan support in Washington.

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

5.1 Winners of the AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge

• Winners of the AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge across 8 categories launched by the government in July announced. Winners in various categories are - Social: Chingari; Entertainment: CaptionPlus;  E-learning: Disprz; Games: Hitwicket Superstars; Health: StepSetGo; Business: Zoho Invoice, Books & Expense; Office: Zoho Workplace and Cliq (jointly); News: Logically Check Fake News and Verify Facts.

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• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 Weekly Round – Accidents and Natural Disasters

• Hurricane Isaias hits Bahamas, heads to Florida (US) as tropical storm - Hurricane Isaias weakened slightly to a tropical storm on August 1, 2020 after lashing the Bahamas, but forecasters warned it would likely grow into a hurricane again overnight as it approaches eastern Florida (US).
• 21 die after drinking spurious liquor in three districts in Punjab - 21 people died after consuming spurious liquor in 3 districts of Punjab-Amritsar, Batala and Tarn Taran- since July 29, 2020.  
• 11 dead as crane crashes at Hindustan Shipyard in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh - A massive 70-tonne crane under trial run in PSU ship-builder Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) came crashing down on August 1, 2020 at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, crushing 11 victims to death.

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 PM Modi launched Rs. 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

• PM Modi has launched a new financing scheme under the ₹1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund meant for setting up storage and processing facilities, which will help farmers get higher prices for their crops.
• He also released the sixth instalment of funds under the PM-KISAN scheme, which amounted to ₹17,000 crore to about 8.5 crore farmers.
• The scheme will support farmers, PACS [primary agricultural credit societies], FPOs [farmer producer organisations], agri-entrepreneurs, etc. in building community farming assets and post-harvest agriculture infrastructure.
• These assets will enable farmers to get greater value for their produce as they will be able to store and sell at higher prices, reduce wastage, and increase processing and value addition.
• The agriculture fund, a 10-year ₹1 lakh crore scheme starting this financial year, is a “medium-long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and credit guarantee.

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

8.1 International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

• Key points –

1. The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is celebrated on August 9 each year to recognize the first UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations meeting in Geneva in 1982.
2. On December 23, 1994, the UN General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People should be observed on August 9 annually during the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People.
3. This event also recognizes the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.
4. The UN’s International Day of the World's Indigenous People is a United Nations day of observance but it is not a public holiday.

• Theme 2020 – COVID-19 and indigenous peoples’ resilience.

• What do people do –

1. People from different nations are encouraged to participate in observing the day to spread the UN’s message on indigenous peoples.
2. Activities may include educational forums and classroom activities to gain an appreciation and a better understanding of indigenous peoples.
3. Events may include messages from the UN secretary general and other key leaders, performances by indigenous artists, and panel discussions on reconciliation.

• Important details –

1. While the exact origins of COVID-19 have not yet been confirmed, the link between environmental damage and pandemics is well known to leading research organizations.
2. But there is yet another group of experts, who have been worrying about the threat of a pandemic even before COVID-19: indigenous peoples.
3. Thanks to their traditional knowledge and their relationship with the natural world, they have long known that the degradation of the environment has the potential to unleash disease.
4. As we fight against the spread of the pandemic, it is more important than ever to safeguard indigenous peoples and their knowledge.
5. Their territories are home to 80% of the world’s biodiversity and they can teach us much about how to rebalance our relationship with nature and reduce the risk of future pandemics.
6. Indigenous peoples are seeking their own solutions to this pandemic. They are taking action and using traditional knowledge and practices such as voluntary isolation, and sealing off their territories, as well as preventive measures.
7. Indigenous communities already experience poor access to healthcare, significantly higher rates of diseases, lack of access to essential services, sanitation, and other key preventive measures, such as clean water, soap, disinfectant, etc.

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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 Supreme Court in July 2020 directed the Income Tax (IT) department to refund Rs 833 crore to Vodafone Idea.
• Electronics and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed the virtual G20 Digital Economy Ministers meeting in July 2020.
• Valentina Gunina of Russia is well-known for Chess.
• The government has announced the launch of Floating Rate Savings Bonds, 2020 (Taxable) that will have a maturity of 7 years.
• John Bolton is the author of ‘The Room Where It Happened’, a book on US President Donald Trump.

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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