1. India’s first COVID-19 vaccines candidate ‘COVAXIN’ approved for human trials
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approved Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate ‘COVAXIN’ for Phase 1 and Phase 2 human trials. COVAXIN is India’s first vaccine candidate to receive approval for human testing and is developed in collaboration with the ICMR and National Institute of Virology. Clinical trials are set to begin in July 2020.
2. India bans 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, Shein, ShareIt.
The Ministry of Information Technology banned 59 applications, which include TikTok, UC Browser, ShareIt and Shein. These apps were called prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India. It aims to safeguard the interests and data of crores of India mobile and internet users. The ban is interim in nature, and apps like TikTok have appealed to the Indian government stakeholders, while ensuring full compliance.
3. Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace gets threat call from Pakistan to blow up hotel: Police
Security around Mumbai’s Taj Mahal palace Hotel was tightened on Tuesday after a threat call was received from Karachi, Pakistan, to blow up the hotel with bombs. An investigation has been launched into the call. The area, which has always been on high alert since the terrorist attacks of 26/11 in 2008, has seen it’s security beefed up again. The call was reportedly from the terror outfit, Lashkar-e-Toiba.
4. 500 sq km garden of soft corals discovered in Greenland’s deep sea
A team of researchers led by University College London has discovered a garden of soft corals in Greenlands deep-sea waters, spanning nearly 500 square kilometers. A special low-cost camera was used for the discovery. The area is next to a fishing area and must be recognized as a “Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem” under UN guidelines to ensure it’s protection. It exists in total darkness, around 500 meters below the sea surface.
5. HC orders takeover of TN police station where custodial deaths occurred
The Madras High Court directed the District Collector to depute revenue officers to take control of the Sathankulam police station after the judicial team investigating the deaths of a father-son duo claimed they faced hostility by the policemen.The policemen forced the team to stop their inquiry mid-way on Sunday night. The probe was later transferred to the CBI.
6. SL demands criminal investigation into 2011 World Cup final over fixing allegations
A criminal investigation was launched by the Sri Lanka government into allegations that the SL cricket team ‘sold’ the 2011 World Cup final to ensure victory for India. The action came weeks after former SL Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that “some officials” had fixed the match. He also stated that the players were not connected to the fixing.
7. POTUS Trump retweets video of white couple pointing guns at protesters
A video showing a white couple pointing guns at protestors who were marching to the mayor’s house to demand her resignation in US’ St. Louis City was retweeted by POTUS Trump on Monday. This happened a day after Trump deleted a tweet he had shared with a video of a Trump supporter shouting “White power! White power!”.
8. China passes law giving it greater control over Hong Kong: Reports
A national security law has been reportedly passed in China following anti-government protests in Hong Kong last year. The law would criminalise offences such as secession and subversion against the Chinese government. Hong Kong is a part of China but runs under a “one country, two systems” principle, which guarantees it a level of autonomy which the Chinese government is trying to encroach upon. The US and UK have objected to the law.
9. Pandemic not even close to being over, worst is yet to come: WHO
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said the coronavirus pandemic is “not even close to being over”, adding that the worst is yet to come. The pandemic is gradually speeding up, in spite of countries claiming to have made progress. A WHO team will probe virus origins in China.
10. Govt allows export of PPE medical coveralls with 50L monthly quota
The government has now permitted the export of personal protective equipment (PPE) medical coveralls for COVID-19 with a limit of 50 lakh units per month. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal shared the notification regarding the same in a tweet writing, “Boosting Make in India exports”. Other items of the PPE are still prohibited for export.
11. At least 30 drown in Bangladesh after ferry capsizes in Buriganga river
A ferry carrying over 100 people sank after colliding with another vessel in Bangladesh’s Buriganga river, with at least 30 people drowning. Some passengers swam ashore, but several are still missing.
12. Night curfew timings relaxed to 10m pm to 5 am in Unlock 2
Unlock 2 guidelines have relaxed the night curfew timings from 9pm-7am to 10pm-5am. The government has encouraged citizens to use the Aarogya Setu app. The night curfew will still allow essential activities and other relaxations given in Unlock 2.
