Current Affairs Today 02nd May 2020| Current Affairs News

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

CAIT to launch national e-commerce marketplace ‘bharatmarket’ for retail traders

• Traders’ body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has announced to launch a national e-commerce marketplace ‘bharatmarket‘ soon for all retail traders in collaboration with several technology partners.
• CAIT stated the marketplace will integrate capabilities of various technology companies to provide end-to-end services in the logistics and supply chains from manufacturers to end consumers, including deliveries at home.
• CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal stated the e-commerce portal will include a nationwide participation by retailers and aims to bring 95 per cent of retail traders onboard the platform, who would exclusively run the portal.
• He stated the initiative has had active support and guidance of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, as they see this as an effective way to get essential commodities to consumers during the lockdown period and within containment zones.
• CAIT National President BC Bhartia stated the traders body is looking to enrol about one crore retailers on this e-marketplace in 2020 and make it the world’s largest and most-unique e-marketplace ever.

About Ministry of Commerce and Industry

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Piyush Goyal, Cabinet Minister
• Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State
• Som Parkash, Minister of State

Government raises Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) of 49 items in view of circumstances arising out of Covid 19

• In a crucial  announcement affecting the livelihoods of tribal gatherers , the Government revised the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) of 49 items. TRIFED to monitor the implementation of the revised MSP in states
• The  order issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in New Delhi states that the MSP for MFPs is revised once in every 3 years by the Pricing Cell constituted under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
• It further states that however, in view of the exceptional and very difficult circumstances currently prevailing in the country on  account of COVID-19 pandemic and the potential of the instant scheme to offer the much needed support to the tribal MFP gatherers, the competent authority has decided to relax the  existing provisions in the scheme guidelines and effect revision of MSP in respect of the MFP items currently covered under the scheme after the due consultation with MFP Pricing Cell.
• The increase across various items of minor forest produce ranges from 16% to 66%
• The increase is expected to  provide an immediate and much needed momentum to procurement of Minor Tribal Produce in atleast 20 States.

About Ministry of Tribal Affairs

• Arjun Munda, Cabinet Minister
• Constituency :Khunti
• Renuka Singh Saruta, Minister of State

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND FINANCE

RBI extends benefits under SLF-MF to all banks

• The RBI allowed regulatory benefits to banks meeting the liquidity needs of mutual funds without using RBI’s Special Liquidity Facility for MFs (SLF-MFs).
• This means banks using their own funds to meet liquidity needs of mutual funds, and purchasing investment-grade corporate bonds, commercial papers (CP), debentures and certificates of deposit (CD) held by MFs can claim the regulatory benefits available under SLF-MF scheme. The decision was taken based on requests received from banks, RBI stated in a statement.
• RBI opened a special liquidity facility of Rs 50,000 crore to ease the liquidity strain on mutual funds, which had intensified due to redemption pressures sparked by the closure of some debt schemes.
• The central bank also granted certain regulatory benefits to banks using the window. The liquidity availed under this window could be classified as held-to-maturity (HTM) even beyond 25 per cent of the total investment permitted in the HTM portfolio. The exposures under the facility won’t be reckoned under the Large Exposure Framework (LEF).
• Meanwhile, RBI extended the amended market trading hours until further notice and will review it when the government announces directions pertaining to the lockdown. As per the revised timings, RBI regulated market opens at 10 am instead of 9 am earlier, while the closing timings have been revised to 2 pm for all segments.
• The amended trading hours i.e., from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm for RBI-regulated markets that were effective till the close of business on April 30, 2020, shall be extended till further notice, it stated.

About RBI:

• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Established: 1 April 1935
• Governor: Shaktikanta Das

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATES

GI tag to Manipur black rice, Gorakhpur terracotta and Kovilpatti kadalai mittai

Chak-Hao(Manipur black rice)

• Chak-Hao, a scented glutinous rice which has been in cultivation in Manipur over centuries, is characterised by its special aroma. It is normally eaten during community feasts and is served as Chak-Hao kheer.
• According to the GI application filed, this rice takes the longest cooking time of 40-45 minutes due to the presence of a fibrous bran layer and higher crude fibre content.
• At present, the traditional system of Chak-Hao cultivation is practised in some pockets of Manipur.
• Direct sowing of pre-soaked seeds and also transplantation of rice seedlings raised in nurseries in puddled fields are widely practised in the State’s wetlands.

Gorakhpur terracotta

• In the case of Gorakhpur terracotta, the application was filed by Laxmi Terracotta Murtikala Kendra in Uttar Pradesh.
• The terracotta work of Gorakhpur is a centuries-old traditional art form, where the potters make various animal figures like, horses, elephants, camel, goat, ox, etc. with hand-applied ornamentation.
• Some of the major products of craftsmanship include the Hauda elephants, Mahawatdar horse, deer, camel, five-faced Ganesha, singled-faced Ganesha, elephant table, chandeliers, hanging bells etc.
• The entire work is done with bare hands and artisans use natural colour, which stays fast for a long time.
• There are more than 1,000 varieties of terracotta work designed by the local craftsmen.
• The craftsmen are mainly spread over the villages of Aurangabad, Bharwalia, Langadi Gularia, Budhadih, Amawa, Ekla etc. in Bhathat and Padri Bazar, Belwa Raipur, Jungle Ekla No-1, Jungle Ekla No-2 in Chargawan block of Gorakhpur.

Kovilpatti kadalai mittai

• The famous Kovilpatti kadalai mittai has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• The application was filed by the Kovilpatti Regional Kadalaimittai Manufacturers.
• Kovilpatti kadalai mittai is manufactured in Kovilpatti and adjacent towns and villages in Thoothukudi district.
• Kovilpatti kadalai mittai is a candy made of peanuts held together with glistening syrup, and topped with wisps of grated coconut dyed pink, green and yellow.
• Kovilpatti kadalai mittai is produced by using both groundnuts and jaggery (organic jaggery), in carefully selected quantities from selected specific locations in Tamil Nadu. The groundnuts are grown in the native black soil in and around Kovilpatti.

About GI Tag

• A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g. a town, region, or country)
• In India, GI registration is administered by the Geographical Indications ofGoods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from September 2003.

Tripura govt to launch agri entrepreneur facilitation desk to boost economy

• Tripura government has announced the launch of an agro-based entrepreneurship facilitation desk in a bid to boost primary sectors, such as agriculture, after nationwide lockdown restrictions, which were initially enforced nationwide since March 25 for 21 days and then further extended for another 19 days till May 3 to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, are lifted.
• The state cabinet has approved the setting up of the desk, which will operate from the Directorate of Horticulture and Soil Conservation in the state capital, Agartala.
• The desk will be manned by those who hold a masters’ degree in business administration (MBA) or an undergraduate degree in science.
• The state government has worked out an estimated budget of Rs 24 lakh for the exercise, including the salaries of new hires and other related official activities. The Technical Support Group Funds of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture will fund the project.
• Agriculture is a major sector of our economy and our government is keen for its growth. There are many entrepreneurs, who want to set up agro-based industries in Tripura, but aren’t aware of state and central government’s various schemes, including the National Horticulture Board’s subsidies and incentives. This desk will provide such information.
• The state government also plans to inspire youth to engage in processing and marketing of fruits such as pineapple, lemon, jackfruit, and also vegetables that are grown in abundance in Tripura in a bid to increase farmers’ income.

About Tripura

• Capital– Agartala.
• Chief minister – Biplab Kumar Deb
• Governor– Ramesh Bias.

National Board for Wildlife Permits Coal Mining in Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve in Assam

• National Board for Wildlife has recommended that part of 59 hectares reserve forest land that is a part of Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve be used for opencast coal mining by North-Eastern Coal Field of Coal India Limited while the rest of the area may be considered for underground coal mining.
• The proposal of locating the coal mine inside the reserve was considered during the 54th meeting of the board on July 18 last year when it was decided that a committee comprising noted elephant expert and member of NBWL, Professor R Sukumar, a representative of the wildlife division and the state chief wildlife warden of Assam would visit the site and submit a report to the ministry.
• 02 hectares of forest land has already been used for mining by Coal India Limited and that in the balance 41.39 hectares of unbroken area a cautious approach needs to be adopted owing to the rich biodiversity

About Assam

• Capital– Dispur
• Chief minister– Sarbananda Sonowal
• Governor– Jagdish Mukhi

About National Board for Wildlife

• Formed in 2003 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, it is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It is responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests.

Maharashtra becomes first state in country to provide free and cashless insurance premium to people of the state

• Amid the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Maharashtra Government announced that cent per cent inclusion of population from the state will be provided free health treatment under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana.
• While making the announcement on the 60th foundation year of the state, Health Minister Rajesh Tope stated, with this Maharashtra has become the first state in the country to provide free and cashless insurance premium to the people of the state.
• 85 per cent of the state’s population was covered under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) at present and the cover will be extended to the remining 15 per cent.
• A memorandum was signed to include government, semi- government employees and white ration card holders in the scheme in a bid to prevent private hospitals from overcharging patients, he stated.
• The government has signed a MoU with the General Insurance Public Sector Association (GIPSA) for treatment of COVID-19 patients at private hospitals in Pune and Mumbai, he stated.
• Similarly, different packages will be designed for all diseases, to standardise treatment fees at all hospitals

About Maharashtra

• Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
• Capital: Mumbai
• Chief Minister :Uddhav Thackeray

Kashmir saffron gets GI tag

• Kashmir saffron, which is cultivated and harvested in the Karewa (highlands) of Jammu and Kashmir, has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry. The spice is grown in some regions of Kashmir, including Pulwama, Budgam, Kishtwar and Srinagar.
• Kashmir saffron is renowned globally as a spice. It rejuvenates health and is used in cosmetics and for medicinal purposes. It has been associated with traditional Kashmiri cuisine and represents the rich cultural heritage of the region.
• The unique characteristics of Kashmir saffron are its longer and thicker stigmas, natural deep-red colour, high aroma, bitter flavour, chemical-free processing, and high quantity of crocin (colouring strength), safranal (flavour) and picrocrocin (bitterness).
• It is the only saffron in the world grown at an altitude of 1,600 m to 1,800 m AMSL (above mean sea level), which adds to its uniqueness and differentiates it from other saffron varieties available the world over.
• Saffron cultivation is believed to have been introduced in Kashmir by Central Asian immigrants around 1st Century BCE. In ancient Sanskrit literature, saffron is referred to as ‘bahukam’.

About Jammu And Kashmir:

• Capitals: Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
• Lieutenant Governor : C. Murmu

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPS AND PORTALS

CSIR launches Kisan Sabha App to connect farmers to supply chain, transportation Management System

• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched Kisan Sabha App to connect farmers to supply chain and freight transportation Management System.
• It aims to provide the most economical and timely logistics support to the farmers and increase their profit margins by minimizing interference of middlemen and directly connecting with the institutional buyers.
• It will also help in providing best market rates of crops by comparing nearest mandis, booking of freight vehicle at cheapest cost thereby giving maximum benefit to the farmers.
• The portal connects the farmers, transporters, Service providers like pesticides, fertilizer, dealers, cold store and warehouse owner, mandi dealers, customers and other related entities for timely and effective solution.
• It will act as a single stop for every entity related to agriculture, be they a farmer who needs better price for the crops or mandi dealer who wants to connect to more farmers or truckers who invariably go empty from the mandis.

About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

• Established: 26 September 1942
• President: Prime Minister of India
• Head Quarters : New Delhi
• Director General: Shekhar C. Mande

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Ajay Tirkey assumes charge as Secretary of WCD Ministry

• Ajay Tirkey, an Indian administrative Service officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre belonging to 1987 batch, assumed charge as Secretary in Ministry of Women and Child Development. He succeeds Rabindra Panwar who retired.
• Before assuming the charge of Secretary, Shri Ajay Tirkey was holding the post of Special Secretary and Additional Secretary in the Ministry.
• He also worked as Joint Secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy in the Ministry of Human Resource Development. He has also worked in Ministry of Defence as Director and Joint Secretary from 2004 to 2009.

About Ministry of Women and Child Development 

• Smriti Zubin Irani, Cabinet Minister
• Constituency :Amethi
• Debasree Chaudhuri, Minister of State

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

IIT Madras professor, Padma Shri awardee chosen for Nikkei Asia Prizes 2020 for clean water tech at Rs 2 per litre

• IT Madras professor T Pradeep, a 2020 Padma Shri Awardee, was chosen for the prestigious Nikkei Asia Prizes 2020 in ‘Science and Technology’ category for his pioneering work in nanotechnology-based water purification.
• More than one crore Indians have benefitted from the research undertaken by the research group led by Prof T Pradeep, who is the Deepak Parekh Institute Chair Professor of Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras. The nation also conferred the Padma Shri on him recently.
• Prof T Pradeep’s nanotechnology-enabled water filters have helped to deliver clean water for at a cost of just 2 paisa per litre in India.
• He has demonstrated that completely home-grown nanotechnology, from excellent science to relevant technology is possible in our institutions, with limited resources available from research grants, in the process transforming students to entrepreneurs.
• To expand the reach of these technologies globally and to conduct additional research, multiple companies have been incubated, which secured venture funding.

About the coveted Nikkei Asia Prizes

• First presented in 1996, Nikkei Asia Prizes has entered its 25th edition.
• The Nikkei Asia Prizes are conferred on individuals who have contributed to the region’s sustainable development and to the creation of a better future in Asia.
• They are awarded annually in three areas – Economic and Business Innovation, Science and Technology and Culture and Community.

Ramayan sets world record, becomes most viewed entertainment programme globally

• The epic mythological show Ramayan, by Ramanand Sagar, has scripted new world wide record of becoming the most watched entertainment programme in the world in 2020as of April 16.
• This announcement was made by Doordharshan (DD) on its Twitter handle on 30 April 2020, based on the data released by Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC)
• As per DD, Ramayan has also clocked the highest viewership record on a single day and has reported a viewership of 7.7 crore as of 16 April 2020.
• Besides this, the record has also contributed to make DD as one of the most viewed channels.
• The show Ramayan, based on the life of mythical character Lord Ram, was first aired on the DD channel, two decades ago, in January 1987 and ended in July 1988.
• It began re-telecasting from March 28 after the nationwide lockdown was announced.

American Academy of Arts and Sciences elects three Indians

• Three Indians have been elected for the prestigious membership of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences this year.
• Two of them are in the sciences: Biman Bagchi from the Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and Shobhana Narasimhan from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru. Kavita Singh, from the School of Arts and Aesthetics at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, has been selected for the Humanities and Arts stream.
• The prestigious International Honorary Membership counts Albert Einstein, Akira Kurosawa, Nelson Mandela and Charles Darwin among some of its past members, and the elected members aim to work together to solve problems faced by the world at large.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DST launches programme on health & risk communication with focus on COVID-19

• National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science & Technology (DST) has launched a programme on health and risk communication ‘Year of Awareness on Science & Health (YASH)’ withfocus on COVID-19.
• It is a comprehensive and effective science and health communication effort for promoting grass-root level appreciation and response on health and would help saving and shaping the lives of people at large, as well as build confidence, inculcate scientific temper and promote health consciousness among them.
• The programme will encompass development of science, health, and risk communication software, publications, audio-visual, digital platforms, folk performances, trained communicators, especially in regional languages to cater to various cross-sections of the society in the country.
• The programme is aimed at minimizing risks at all levels with the help of public communication and outreach activities, promoting public understanding of common minimum science for community care and health safety measures like personal sanitation and hygiene, physical distancing, maintaining desired collective behaviour and so on.
• It also includes information dissemination mechanisms to reduce the fear of risks and build confidence with necessary understanding for adopting sustainable healthy lifestyles and nurturing scientific culture among masses and societies.
• YASH also encompasses improved ability to clarify misperceptions, misbeliefs as well as introduce practices based on authentic knowledge duly verified by scientific processes; trust in scientific competence of solutions and service providers.

About DST

• Parent Ministry– Ministry of Science and Technology
• Secretary– Prof Ashutosh Sharma

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Shivaji in South Block: The Unwritten History of a Proud People by Girish Kuber

• Shivaji in South Block: The Unwritten History of a Proud People, journalist Girish Kuber talks about Maharashtra’s politics, history and society.
• A new book will dwell on Maharashtra’s history and evolution from a rich past to the modern times and list its enormous contribution to the tapestry of the country’s culture and thought.
• From the time of the Satavahanas down to the present day, he chronicles many lesser-known tales, the empire that brought the mighty Mughals to their knees to the woman who took the issue of consent in marital sex right up to Queen Victoria.
• The book also discusses the evolution of movements of the right and left as well as for Dalit pride, the leader who mentored Gandhi and the man who killed him, the best prime minister India never had, and the uncertain tryst of Shivaji’s metaphorical descendants with the seat of national power.
• It was published by HarperCollins India and announcement was made on the eve of 60th Maharashtra Day(May 1,1960), is scheduled for release in October.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS

Ross Taylor bags New Zealand Cricketer of the year award

• Veteran batsman Ross Taylor bagged the prestigious New Zealand Cricketer of the Year award, winning the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for the third time for excelling across formats.
• In what has been a season of milestones, Taylor leapfrogged Stephen Fleming as New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in Test matches and became the first cricketer from any country to play 100 international matches in all three formats.
• He scored 1389 runs in the last season in all formats and was an integral member of the New Zealand team which reached the World Cup final in July.
• Pacer Tim Southee followed his best bowler award with the Test Player of the Year recognition.
• Southee scalped 25 wickets at an average of 16.4 in the four Test matches that New Zealand won during the awards period.

About New Zealand:

• Prime minister: Jacinda Ardern
• Capital: Wellington
• Currency :New Zealand dollar ($) (NZD)

India lose top spot in ICC Test rankings for first time since October 2016

• The Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team was dethroned from the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for the first time in close to four years after cricket parent’s body announced the latest rankings. India had yielded the top spot for since October 2016.
• In the latest update, that rates all matches played since May 2019 at 100 per cent and those of the previous two years at 50 per cent, Australia (116) have taken over from India as the top ranked side in the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings with New Zealand (115) remaining in second place. India are now third with 114 points.
• South Africa have suffered the biggest rating fall of eight points, which sees them drop below Sri Lanka into sixth place. They had won three series in the period culled, while they have lost eight of their nine Tests since February 2019, playing against Sri Lanka, India and England.
• India still lead the ICC World Test Championship, a league comprising six series played by each of the top nine Test sides.
• In the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings, reigning World champions England (127) have increased their lead over India from six to eight points. New Zealand remain in third place, three points behind India. The top ten rankings remain unchanged.

About ICC:

• Chairperson: Shashank Manohar
• Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• CEO: Manu Sawhney

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARY

South African anti-apartheid veteran Denis Goldberg passes away

• Veteran South African anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg, who was tried alongside Nelson Mandela, has passed away at the age of 87.
• Mr Goldberg was a lifelong supporter of the African National Congress and became a member of the armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe, when it was formed in 1961.

About South Africa

• Capital– Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (Judicial), Cape Town (legislative).
• President– Cyril Ramaphosa.
• Currency– South African rand.

Writer and columnist RV Smith passes away

• Eminent author and columnist Ronald Vivian Smith, who is best known for his writings on Delhi passed away.
• Author to several books on Delhi, of whichThe Delhi That No One Knows was a bestseller, Smith also wrote poetry and romantic novels like Jasmine Nights & The Taj.
• His last book was a collection of a potpourri of myths, lores and historical tales, in and around Delhi, titledLingering Charm of Delhi.
• His last column inThe Hindu on 25 April was: “How Eurasian women took to ghazals and traditional dances”.

DAILY CA  1ST MAY

• International Jazz Day- 30th april
• International Labour Day or May Day- 1st may
• Nitin Gadkari launches bank of schemes, ideas, innovation & research portal on MSMEs
• Japan to Support ADB Developing Member Countries’ Response to COVID-19 Challenges
• Fintech firm HAPPY launches ‘Lockdown Loan’ to tide over Covid-19 crisis
• Delhi police Commissioner launches initiative Ayuraksha- ‘Corona se jung – Delhi Police ke sang’
• Sikkim CM launches portal to gather public feedback and suggestions on govt schemes
• AP government to release 905 crore in dues to MSMEs, waive power charges for April, May
• Over 325000 people are using “Janaushadhi Sugam” Mobile App to access Janaushadhi kendras
• Former Axis Bank CEO Shikha Sharma named advisor to Google Pay India
• Suresh K Reddy is India’s new ambassador to Brazil
• Atsushi Ogata appointed as President, MD and CEO of HMSI
• Jacqueline Hughes takes charge as Director-General of ICRISAT
• Manipuri Doctor Conferred ‘Order of Rising Sun’ by Japan
• Alabama teen names NASA’s pioneering Mars Helicopter “ Ingenuity
• Microwave steriliser developed to disintegrate COVID-19
• The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir by John Bolton
• Chhattisgarh tops among other states in providing employment to workers under MGNREGS
• Sania Mirza Becomes First Indian To Get Nominated For Fed Cup Heart Award
• ISL side FC Goa appoints Spaniard Juan Ferrando as new head coach
• PSG crowned Ligue 1 champions as season ended amid coronavirus crisis
• Freedom Fighter Hema Bharali Passes Away
• Legendary footballer Chuni Goswami passes away at 82

DAILY CA 2nd MAY

• CAIT to launch national e-commerce marketplace ‘bharatmarket’ for retail traders
• Government raises Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) of 49 items in view of circumstances arising out of Covid 19
• RBI extends benefits under SLF-MF to all banks
• GI tag to Manipur black rice, Gorakhpur terracotta and Kovilpatti kadalai mittai
• Tripura govt to launch agri entrepreneur facilitation desk to boost economy
• National Board for Wildlife Permits Coal Mining in Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve in Assam
• Maharashtra becomes first state in country to provide free and cashless insurance premium to people of the state
• Kashmir saffron gets GI tag
• CSIR launches Kisan Sabha App to connect farmers to supply chain, transportation Management System
• Ajay Tirkey assumes charge as Secretary of WCD Ministry
• IIT Madras professor, Padma Shri awardee chosen for Nikkei Asia Prizes 2020 for clean water tech at Rs 2 per litre
• Ramayan sets world record, becomes most viewed entertainment programme globally
• Ross Taylorbags New Zealand Cricketer of the year award
• American Academy of Arts and Sciences elects three Indians
• India lose top spot in ICC Test rankings for first time since October 2016
• DST launches programme on health & risk communication with focus on COVID-19
• Shivaji in South Block: The Unwritten History of a Proud People by Girish Kuber
• South African anti-apartheid veteran Denis Goldbergpasses away
• Writer and columnist RV Smith passes away