Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 22 December 2020

::NATIONAL::

New coronavirus strain in UK

India suspended all flights from and to the UK until December 31, amid concerns about a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 that is “spreading & growing rapidly” there. Several other countries, too, have suspended UK flights and imposed travel restrictions.

What are these concerns leading to travel restrictions?

Last week, the new SARS-CoV-2 variant was revealed to be the reason behind the rapid surge in Covid-19 cases in South and East England. It is being referred to as VUI (Variant Under Investigation) 202012/01, or the B.1.1.7 lineage.
“Over the last few days, thanks to our world-class genomic capability, we have identified a new variant of the coronavirus, which may be associated with the faster spread in the South of England,” UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of commons on December 14. UK authorities have already notified the World Health Organization about the variant.
Public Health England (PHE) announced that 1,108 cases with this variant have been identified as of December 13, “predominantly in the South and East of England”. “PHE is working with partners to investigate and plans to share its findings over the next 2 weeks,” it said.

What is the variant like?

The variant was identified in genomic surveillance by COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK), a consortium that analyses genome sequencing data from the UK. COG-UK is the largest contributor to the global Covid-19 database GISAID.
The variant is the result of multiple mutations in the spike protein of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, as well as mutations in other genomic regions of the RNA virus.
Preliminary analysis suggests that it is more transmissible than previously circulating variants. COG-UK identified one of these mutations as “N501Y”, in an area of the spike protein that binds to a key protein in the human cell, the ACE2 receptor.

Sentinelese and GreatAndamanese

Anthropological Survey of India has warned of threat to these 2 endangered groups from commercial activity.
Sentinelese and Great Andamanese both are among the 5 particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG) of theAndaman and Nicobar Islands (others are Onge, Jarawa, and Shompen).
Sentinelese with a population of about 50 to 100 live on the North Sentinel Island and their contact to theoutside world is almost nil.
Unlike the other PVTGs in the Andamans, the Great Andamanese are in contact with the general population.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

Bangladesh to join Trilateral Highway with India, Myanmar and Thailand

Bangladesh is interested in joining the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) trilateral highway to enhance connectivity with Southeast Asia, which would open a new chapter in trans-border corridors in the Indo-Pacific region.

Key highlights:

The IMT highways is aimed at opening land gate to ASEAN and boost trade and commerce.
India has also proposed extending the highway to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. India has undertaken two projects in Myanmar under the 1,360-km IMT project that starts from Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand through Myanmar.
These are construction of the 120-km Kalewa-Yagyi road sections to highway standard and upgrading of 69 bridges and approach roads on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa road section of 150 km.
Bangladesh also wants trucks with its goods to enter Bhutan and Nepal through India and Hasina sought cooperation from Modi in this regard at the summit in what would promote Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) road connectivity as part of sub-regional cooperation.
At the summit Bangladesh and India discussed ways of cooperation to expand transportation solutions within BBIN region, apart from cooperation in cross-border energy trade.
To facilitate better connectivity and simplify movement of passengers and goods between both the countries, both leaders agreed to an early operationalization of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement through expeditious signing of the Enabling MoU for Bangladesh, India and Nepal to commence the movement of goods and passengers, with provision for Bhutan to join at a later date.

Legion of Merit award

The President of the United States of America conferred the highest decoration, The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday.
In a statement Ministry of External Affairs said, the award is in recognition of the Prime Minister’s steadfast leadership and vision for India’s emergence as a global power and exemplary contribution made by him for the advancement of the India-United States strategic partnership and promoting global peace and prosperity.
The Legion of Merit, in the highest degree of the Chief Commander, is a prestigious award conferred by the President of the United States, typically upon Heads of State or Heads of Government of other countries.
The award was received on behalf of the Prime Minister by the Ambassador of India to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
At the ceremony, The Legion of Merit, was also awarded to the Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison, and former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe.

Economy

Rights of Consumer Rules, 2020

Union power minister announced the promulgation of the ‘Rights of Consumer Rules, 2020’ which lays down performance parameters for electricity distribution companies (discoms).

About:

The discoms will have to make provisions that such requests can be made, and progress be tracked, online. If the consumers receive electric bills with a delay of more than 60-days, they will be eligible for a rebate of up to 5%.However, the ‘carriage and content’ provision was removed from the latest draft version of the proposed amendments.
The new rules state that new connections and modification of existing connections in metro cities should be provided by discoms within seven days of receiving such requests. The time allotted is 15 days in other municipal areas and 30 days for rural consumers.
Discoms will have to make provisions that such requests can be made, and progress be tracked, online. If the consumers receive electric bills with a delay of more than 60-days, they will be eligible for a rebate of up to 5%.
All new connections will have to be given smart or regular pre-paid meters. Consumers with smart pre-paid meters will have to be given access to their usage data on a real-time basis, and they should also have the option of purchasing the meters by themselves.
State electricity regulators will have to allow self-meter reading by post-paid consumers, and photographs of such readings sent through mobile or email will be deemed valid.
In order to promote rooftop solar, discoms will have to make all arrangements to facilitate installation of renewable energy generation capacity in the premises of the ‘prosumers’ consumers injecting electricity into the discoms’ grid.

Science and Technology

Hypersonic Wind Tunnel(HWT) test facility

Union Defence Minister inaugurated the advanced Hypersonic Wind Tunnel (HWT) test facility during his visit to Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO’s).
HWTTest facility is a pressure vacuum driven enclosed free jet facility having nozzles which will simulate MachNo 5 to 12.
Mach number is the ratio of an object's speed in a given medium to the speed of sound in that medium.
It is an indigenous development will play a major role in the realization of highly complex futuristicaerospace and defence systems.
After the USA and Russia, India is the third country to have such a facility.

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Sports

Sports Ministry includes indigenous games in Khelo India Youth Games 2021

The Sports Ministry has approved the inclusion of four Indigenous Games to be a part of Khelo India Youth Games 2021, scheduled to take place in Haryana. The games include: Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta and Mallakhamba.

Key highlights:

Kalaripayattu: It is the martial artform of Kerala.
Gatka: It originates from Punjab and is traditional fighting style of the Nihang Sikh Warriors used both asself-defense as well as a sport.
Thang-Ta:It is a Manipur marital art and is dedicated to fighting skill and worship.
Mallakhamba: It is a traditional Indian sport, where athletes perform various types of gymnastics moves andhold various poses on a vertical wooden pole or a rope.It is well-known especially in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.