? The Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS) has been joined by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as an observer.
? The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) has given its approval to the Indian vaccine manufacturer Bharat Biotech’s COVID vaccine candidate- Covaxin. Covaxin is India’s first indigenous vaccine candidate. Bharat Biotech can now initiate phase-I and Phase-II human clinical trials for Covaxin.
? Former world number one badminton player and the two-times Olympic badminton champion from China, Lin Dan has announced his retirement from the sport.
? The Indian government is planning to acquire the more lethal and capable version of Spice-2000 Bombs to further strengthen its military capability to hit ground targets. The Spice-2000 Bombs were used to destroy the large Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist training camp in Balakot town in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
? Care Ratings has forecasted Indian economy to contract by 6.4% for the financial year 2020-21.
? India has banned 59 Chinese mobile apps that are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, Defence of India, security of state and public order. The ban was imposed by the Ministry of Information Technology.
? Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has extended the Sukhbir Singh Sandhu‘s tenure as the chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for a period of six months.
? Chinese researchers have detected a new strain of flu virus -”G4” in China that has the potential to turn into another pandemic. The new flu virus has emerged recently and it is carried by pigs but has the potential to infect humans.
? President of Russia, Vladimir Putin has recorded a victory in the recently held Presidential polls. With a victory, he is set to stay in power until the middle of the next decade i.e. until 2036.
? President Kovind has given Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel additional charge of Madhya Pradesh. She is taking over the post temporarily in the absence of MP Governor Lal Ji Tandon. The 85-year-old Lal Ji Tandon was admitted to Medanta Hospital on June 11 with breathing problems and fever.
? In a major move, PM Narendra Modi announced that the centre’s free ration scheme- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana will be extended till November end to support the poor and migrant labourers through India’s upcoming festive season.
? Bollywood actors Hrithik Roshan and Alia Bhatt are among the 819 people invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. If they accept the invitation they will have voting rights for this year’s Oscar’s awards.
? Russians on July 1, 2020 approved the constitutional changes proposed by the Vladimir Putin-led Russian Government, which will allow Putin to possibly remain in power for another 16 years till 2036.
? Syed Ali Shah Geelani has quit Hurriyat Conference, the biggest separatist political front in Kashmir. The 90-year-old had been the face of Kashmir’s separatist politics for over three decades. Geelani has been blamed for the rise in militancy and bloodshed in Kashmir.
? India has placed its bid for the hosting rights of the 2027 Asian Cup. India will be competing with four other nations for the hosting rights, announced the Asian Football Federation (AFC). The four other bidders for Asia’s premier football tournament include Iran, Uzbekistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
? Iran has issued an arrest warrant for US President Donald Trump over the killing of top Iranian general in January, Qasem Soleimani. Iran has asked Interpol to issue a “red notice” for Trump and the other individuals involved in the killing of Soleimani.
? The nominations for Padma Awards-2021 will be open till September 15, 2020, as per the latest Home Ministry announcement, The Ministry stated that online nominations and recommendations for the Padma Awards had begun from May 1st onwards. They will be announced on the occasion of Republic Day next year.