Current Affairs Daily Digest – June 30 2020
1. Indigenously Developed ‘COVAXIN’ gets DGCI approval for Human Clinical Trials
The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) has given approval for Phase I and Phase II human clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine ‘COVAXIN’.
In association with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV), COVAXIN is developed by Hyderabad based vaccine & bio-therapeutics manufacturer-Bharat Biotech. At NIV Pune, the strain of SARS-CoV-2 was isolated before being transferred to Bharat Biotech.
2. China passes Hong Kong National Security Law
The National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) has unanimously passed the National Security Law for Hong Kong on 30th June 2020. The three-day meeting of the Standing Committee began on 28th June, on the first day itself the controversial Bill was fast-tracked for approval, on the last day of the meet all 162 members of the Standing Committee approved the Bill.
3. K.K.Venugopal reappointed as Attorney General for India
The President of India has reappointed Senior Advocate K.K. Venugopal as the Attorney General for India. The current tenure of K.K. Venugopal was up to 30th June 2020, his tenure was extended for a period of one year effective from 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021. On 30th June 2017, K.K. Venugopal succeeded Mukul Rohatgi to become the 15th Attorney General of India.
4. Indian Government signs agreement for Two Projects in Tamil Nadu with World Bank Group
An agreement was signed between the World Bank Group and the Government of India for providing urban poor in the state of Tamil Nadu access to affordable housing. The agreement signed has two projects under Tamil Nadu Housing Sector Strengthening Program and Tamil Nadu Housing and Habittat Development Project.
The loans for both the project are from the lending arm of the World Bank Group the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The maturity of both the loans including 3.5 years grace period is 20 years.
5. World’s Largest Plasma Therapy Trial under Project ‘Platina’ launched by Maharashtra
The World’s largest Convalescent Plasma Therapy Trial project was launch on 29th June 2020 by the Maharashtra State Government. The name of the project is Platina. The project was virtually launched by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray. For this trial project, the Indian Council of Medical Research has given the approval to conduct plasma therapy in COVID-19 positive patients admitted in the 21 COVID-19 hospitals of the Maharashtra State Government.
6. Concession Agreement Signed between India & Bhutan for Joint Venture Hydroelectric Project
A concession agreement was signed between the Kholongchhu Hydro Energy Limited and the Royal Government of Bhutan. The Concession Agreement provides the right to Kholongchhu Hydro Energy Limited to operate the Kholongchhu Hydroelectric Project within the jurisdictions of the Bhutanese Government.
The Concession Agreement signing was conducted at Bhutan’s capital city Thimphu. The Agreement signing was attended virtually by the Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. S. Jaishankar.
7. International Day of Parliamentarism is observed on 30 June
International Day of Parliamentarism is observed on 30th June every year. The day is aimed to honour the Parliamentarian for their service amid the pandemic. During the COVID-19 crisis, Parliaments and other government institutions are subject to the same social distancing measures as other public and private organizations.
But the parliament plays a more vital role than ever to pass emergency laws, allocate resources, and scrutinize government action.
8. India bans 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, Helo, WeChat
The government banned 59 Chinese mobile applications, including top social media platforms such as TikTok, Helo and WeChat, to counter the threat posed by these applications to the country’s “sovereignty and security,” it said in a press release late. ShareIT, UC browser and shopping app Clubfactory are among the other prominent apps that have been blocked amid rising tensions between India and China following clashes at the border two weeks ago.
9. Mizoram celebrates 34th anniversary of Mizo peace accord
In Mizoram, the 34th anniversary of Mizo peace accord is being celebrated through simple functions maintaining social distancing and guidelines of lockdown of Covid-19.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Zoramthanga said that the Mizo peace accord has been the most successful accord ever signed in the country and the world as well. He said Mizoram has become the most peaceful state and a beacon of hope for the world and proved peace can be attained and sustained.
10. India’s ‘first’ lichen park in Uttarakhand to conserve Jurassic era plant
Uttarakhand Forest Department has developed India’s ‘first’ lichen park in Munsiyari in Pithoragarh district of the state. The state has over 600 species of lichens of which around 150 are found in Munsiyari.
11. International Asteroid Day 30 June
International Asteroid Day aims to raise public awareness about the asteroid impact hazard and to inform the public about the crisis communication actions to be taken at the global level in case of a credible near-Earth object threat.
12. 36th ASEAN Summit chaired by Vietnam
The 36th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit was held via video conference on the theme “Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN”. The summit was chaired by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc as Vietnam is ASEAN’s chair in 2020. The focus of the meet was on COVID-19 response, post-pandemic recovery and further cooperation with partners.
13. Micheal Martin elected Ireland’s new PM after coalition deal
Micheal Martin was elected as Ireland’s new prime minister, after his centre-right Fianna Fail party sealed a historic coalition deal with long-time rivals Fine Gael as well as the Green Party.
The election of Martin, who replaced Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach during a special sitting of the Dail parliament, comes after months of negotiations between the parties following elections in February.
14. Kannada novelist Geetha Nagabhushan passes away
Kannada novelist Geetha Nagabhushan (78) passed away at a private hospital following cardiac arrest.
Born on March 25, 1942, into a poor family at Savalagi village of Kalaburagi district, Geetha Nagabhushan had to struggle hard to pass through the patriarchal environment to get educated and serve as a lecturer, reader and professor for over thirty years.
