COVID-19
(1.) WHO reports record daily spike in COVID-19 cases: – The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a record increase in daily coronavirus cases across the world, despite many countries starting to ease lockdown measures. It said there were 284,196 new infections in 24 hours yesterday, while the number of deaths increased by 9,753, which was the largest single-day increase since April 30, the BBC reported. The latest figures broke WHO’s previous record for new cases, 259,848, on July 18. According to the WHO, the number of new cases by country were the US (69,641), Brazil (67,860), India (49,310), and South Africa (13,104).
(2.) PM emphasises on importance of remaining extra vigilant as Corona crisis is far from over: -Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said India has fought against COVID 19 unitedly and the recovery rate is better as compared to other countries. He said the mortality rate is much less as well compared to most countries. He said the loss of even one life is saddening, but India has succeeded in saving the lives of millions of people. The Prime Minister cautioned the people to remain extra vigilant as the hazards of Corona are far from over. He advised everyone to wear face masks whenever they are out in public in order to protect themselves and others from the disease.
(3.) President presents cheque of Rs 20 lakh to Army Hospital to buy equipment to combat with Covid-19: – President Ram Nath Kovind today presented a cheque of 20 lakh rupees to the Army Hospital, Delhi to buy equipment that will help doctors and paramedics combat the Covid-19 effectively. The President’s contribution to the Army Hospital has been made possible due to an exercise to economise expenditure in the Rashtrapati Bhavan and thus make more resources available to contain Covid-19.The contribution from the President to the Army Hospital will be used to procure units of PAPR (powered air purifying respirator), which are state-of-art equipment to enable medical professionals to breathe during surgeries and protect them from infection.
The President’s gesture will boost morale of the frontline Covid Warriors of the Army Hospital. It is also hoped that the gesture will inspire other people and organisations to economise expenditure and utilise the savings to aid and support the Covid warriors.
NATIONAL NEWS
(1.) 5th phase of ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ to begin from 1st August: – The fifth phase of the Vande Bharat Mission will begin from 1st of next month to rescue Indians stranded abroad. It will continue till 31st August this year. Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the detailed schedule of the mission will be shared soon. He said evacuation and outbound travel of every stranded Indian is a priority and no one will be left behind.
(2.) PM Modi salutes brave soldiers; lauds Indian Army on occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas:– Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the nation on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas calling it a victory of high morale and bravery of armed forces. Addressing the nation in Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio today, Mr Modi saluted the brave soldiers as well as their mothers. He said, it was on this very day 21 years ago that the Army unfurled the flag of victory in the battle of Kargil.
(3.) Vice President cautions prejudice can become more toxic than fake news & misinformation: – Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today expressed anguish over instances of stigmatizing COVID-19 patients and denial of dignified farewell to people, who succumbed to the virus. He said such incidents were totally uncalled for and urged the local communities and the society at large to prevent the recurrence of such happenings.
In a Facebook post, Mr Naidu said the need of the hour is to fight prejudice and nip it in the bud. he said otherwise, it can become more toxic than fake news and misinformation. Urging everybody to treat COVID-19 patients with compassion and empathy, he said it should be remembered that nobody is totally safe and the invisible virus can infect anybody.
(4.) MyGov initiative completes 6 years: – Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated efforts of everyone who have enriched MyGov endeavour of the government by their maximum and active participation. MyGov initiative completed 6 years today. The citizen-centric platform was started with an objective to empower people to connect with the Government and also to contribute towards good governance in the country. In a tweet, Mr. Modi said, MyGov has emerged as a noteworthy forum that celebrates participative governance.
STATE NEWS
(1.) PM Modi praises skilled artisans of Assam, Tripura and Manipur for value addition to bamboo products: – Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised skilled artisans of Assam, Tripura and Manipur for value addition to bamboo products including water bottles, tiffin boxes etc with the aim of making the country ‘Atmanirbhar’. “These products made with bamboo are of high quality and very useful,” said Mr Modi during his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ Radio programme broadcast today. He said that these indigenous products boost the income of the people and the business during the festivities and various other occasions.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
(1.) Numbers of confirmed Coronavirus cases worldwide cross 16 million marks: – The number of confirmed Coronavirus cases worldwide has topped 16 million. According to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. leads the count with 4.1 million, followed by 2.3 million in Brazil. The U.S. also has the highest number of deaths with 1,46,460, followed by 86,449 in Brazil. Russia has recorded 5,765 new Coronavirus cases and 77 more deaths today. Russia’s Coronavirus crisis response center said, the nationwide tally of infections has risen to 8,12,485. In France, the health authorities are making COVID-19 tests available free of charge without preion as they closely monitor an uptick in infections after the lifting of lockdown measures. PCR nasal swab tests, which detect COVID-19 infections caused by the novel Coronavirus, will be freely available on demand under government orders published yesterday.
(2.) Maldives celebrates 55th Independence Day: – Maldives is celebrating its 55th Independence day today. President Ramnath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended their greetings to the neighbouring country on the occasion. Indian high commission in Male while extending its greetings, said India will continue to support post COVID economic recovery in Maldives and additional financial assistance will be announced soon. It said India first’ policy of Maldives and Neighbourhood first policy of India has set the foundation of the growing relationship. Indian government has also provided 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines under operation Sanjeevani and 600 tons of essential food items to Maldives amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
(3.) 6,500 Pakistani terrorists among foreign fighters in Afghanistan: UN report: – A UN report says 6,500 Pakistani terrorists are present in Afghanistan that pose a serious threat to the war-torn country’s security. The report from UN Security Council’s analytical support and sanctions monitoring team said that Pakistani terrorists formed a significant part of the foreign fighters in Afghanistan. The UN report said, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are present in the eastern Afghan provinces of Kunar, Nangarhar and Nuristan. It said, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkare-Taiba play a key role in bringing foreign terrorists into the wartorn country. The report said, both groups are responsible for carrying out targeted assassinations against government officials and others. The UN report also highlighted the close links between the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaeda despite the signing of the agreement with the US in February. The report said, the Haqqani Network – a key component of the Afghan Taliban – continues to be close to al-Qaeda. It said al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri met members of the Haqqani Network as recently as February.
(4.) South China Sea is not Beijing’s maritime empire: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: – In a fresh salvo at China, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that the South China Sea is not Beijing’s maritime empire. He said, United States’ policy is crystal clear that South China Sea dispute must be resolved through international law. Mr Pompeo said, if Beijing violates international law and free nations do nothing, history shows that Chinese Communist Party will simply take more territory. Mr Pompeo’s statement comes after Australia backed United States saying Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea are illegal.
SPORTS
(1.) Haryana to host 4th Khelo India Youth Games: – Haryana will host the 4th Khelo India Youth Games. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced this through video conferencing. Khelo India Youth Games is scheduled to take place after Tokyo Olympics next year. The Games will be held at Panchkula in Haryana. Mr Rijiju said, usually the Khelo India Youth Games take place in January every year.