Synopsis

National

CBSE rationalises syllabus by up to 30 pc for classes 9, 12 to make up for academic loss

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has rationalised the syllabus for classes 9 to 12 for the academic year 2020-21 by up to 30 per cent to make up for academic loss caused due to COVID-19, Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' announced on Tuesday.
"Looking at the extraordinary situation prevailing in the country and the world, CBSE was advised to revise the curriculum and reduce course load for the students of classes 9 to 12.
"To aid the decision, a few weeks back I also invited suggestions from all educationists on the reduction of syllabus for students and I am glad to share that we received more than 1.5K suggestions. Thank you, everyone, for the overwhelming response," Nishank tweeted.
"Considering the importance of learning achievement, it has been decided to rationalize syllabus up to 30 per cent by retaining the core concepts," he added.
Universities and schools across the country have been closed since March 16 when the central government announced a countrywide classroom shutdown as one of the measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
A nationwide lockdown was announced on March 24, which came into effect the next day. While the government has eased several restrictions, schools and colleges continue to remain closed.

COVID-19: Tendulkar inaugurates plasma therapy unit

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday inaugurated a Plasma Therapy Unit for treating COVID-19 patients at the Seven Hills Hospital in suburban Andheri and urged those who have recovered from the deadly infection to help save lives by donating blood plasma.
The unit is an initiative of initiative of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). It will offer convalescent plasma therapy to COVID-19 patients using donated blood plasma from those who have recovered.
"We are facing an unprecedented challenge to our health in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising to the occasion, our doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, the police, municipal and government staff are working tirelessly to deliver effective healthcare to all those affected by the virus," said Tendulkar.
"Researchers around the globe are working to find an effective vaccine and treatment. In this, plasma therapy has emerged as an option to treat critically ill patients. I congratulate the BMC on starting this service that will save lives," added the former batsman, who has multiple records to his name.
He urged those who have recovered to donate their blood and save critically ill patients.
"I appeal to people who have recovered completely from COVID to come forward and donate their blood for plasma therapy and help to save lives of patients who are critically ill," said Tendulkar.
Plasma of a donor, who has recovered, contains high levels of antibodies against the pathogen that is the cause of the disease.
When this convalescent plasma is transfused into another patient with the same disease, it helps in generating immediate immune response.
Maharashtra has over 2 lakh COVID-19 cases, the highest in the country.

CM Kejriwal seeks report from health secy on COVID-19 deaths

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has sought a detailed analytical report from the Delhi government''s health secretary on factors responsible for COVID-19 deaths in the city in the last fortnight, officials said.

PM wishes Brazilian President speedy recovery from COVID-19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday wished Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro a speedy recovery from COVID-19.

Naidu remembers former PM Chandra Shekhar on his death anniversary

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday paid tributes to former prime minister Chandra Shekhar on his death anniversary, saying he will be remembered for espousing the cause of social change.

International

Brazil's president says hydroxychloroquine to cure his virus

Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian Prez Jair Bolsonaro says he is confident that he will swiftly recover from the new coronavirus thanks to treatment with hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug that has not been proven effective against COVID-19.

Texas passes 10,000 confirmed new virus cases in single day

Texas surpassed 10,000 new coronavirus cases in a single day Tuesday for the first time, crossing a sobering milestone rarely seen since the pandemic first hit the U.S. in March.

Japan battered by more heavy rain, floods, nearly 60 dead

Pounding rain that already caused deadly floods in southern Japan was moving northeast Wednesday, battering large areas of Japan''s main island, swelling more rivers, triggering mudslides and destroying houses and roads. At least 58 people have died in several days of flooding.

Trump admin's policy change on global students misguided: US varsities, lawmakers

Washington, Jul 8 (PTI) Several Congressmen and top American educational institutions decried the Trump administration''s policy change that will require international students in the US with an F-1 visa to take at least one in-person course or else face the prospect of deportation.

Business

Rupee slips 5 paise to 74.98 against US dollar in early trade

Mumbai: The rupee depreciated 5 paise to 74.98 against the US dollar in opening trade on Wednesday tracking weak domestic equities and strengthening American currency.

SBI cuts MCLR by 5-10 bps for shorter tenors

The country''s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) on Wednesday said it has reduced its marginal cost of funds based lending rate (MCLR) by 5-10 basis points (bps) for shorter tenors from July 10.

Sensex jumps over 100 pts in opening session; Nifty tops 10,800

Equity benchmark Sensex advanced over 100 points in early trade on Wednesday led by gains in HDFC twins, Reliance Industries and ITC amid sustained foreign fund inflow.

India ranks 34th in JLL's Global Realty Transparency Index
India's Global Real Estate Transparency Index ranking has improved by one notch to 34 on the back of regulatory reforms, better market data and green initiatives, according to property consultant JLL.

India was ranked 35th in the index during 2018 bi-annual survey, while the country was at 36th position in 2016 and 39th in 2014.

The country's real estate market is currently placed in the 'semi-transparent' zone.

The United Kingdom (UK) ranks first in the list of 99 countries, followed by the United States, Australia, France, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden and Germany.

Mainland China is at 32nd position, Chinese Taipei at 23rd, Sri Lanka is at 65th position while Pakistan is at 73rd.

Top 10 countries are categorised as highly transparent, while those in the 11th position to 33rd are termed as transparent.

"The country ranks 34th globally on the index, with higher levels of transparency observed in India due to regulatory reforms, enhanced market data and sustainability initiatives," JLL India said in a statement.

This improvement is led by the progress in the country's REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) framework attracting greater interest from institutional investors.

The structural reforms such as the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act 2016 (RERA), GST, Benami Transaction Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2016, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and digitisation of land records have brought about greater transparency in what was an erstwhile largely unregulated sector a few years back, JLL said.

This is the 11th edition of the Global Real Estate Transparency Index. It covers 99 countries and territories and 163 city regions.

This latest survey has been extended to quantify 210 separate elements of transparency, with additional coverage on sustainability and resilience, health and wellness, proptech and alternatives sectors.

Entertainment

Josh Brolin, Kathryn Boyd expecting second child

Los Angeles: Hollywood star Josh Brolin and his wife, Kathryn Boyd are expecting their second child together.

Taraji P Henson finds phrase 'strong black women' dehumanising

Los Angeles: Actor Taraji P Henson says she has issues with the usage of phrases like "strong black women" and "black girl magic" as it dehumanises women of colour and belittles their pain.

Sports

AICF secretary Chauhan hits out at Raja faction after chief selector's resignation

Chennai: All India Chess Federation (AICF) secy Bharat Singh Chauhan has hit out at rival P R Venketrama Raja faction's allegations that he "prompted" the resignation of chief selector R B Ramesh and urged the Grand to clear the air.

Chelsea into 3rd place in EPL, Arsenal held by Leicester

On a night of spectacular goals in the Premier League, it was a pair of tackles that had the most significant impact on the hard-fought race for Champions League qualification.

Juventus lets 2-goal lead slip in 4-2 loss at Milan

Juventus missed the chance to take a big step toward a ninth successive Serie A title as it let a two-goal lead slip away in a surprising 4-2 loss at AC Milan.

Banned for life by FIFA, soccer officials line up to appeal

The first of a number of appeals by former soccer officials banned for life by FIFA was heard at sport''s highest court

GK Snap Shot on 8 July 2020

1. Indian Coast Guard & Indonesia Coast Guard sign MoU to boost maritime relations

2. New Building of IARI, Jharkhand named after Dr.Shyama Prasad Mukherjee

3. India rises one place to 34th in JLL’s 11th edition of the Global Real Estate Transparency Index 2020; UK tops

4. New School Infrastructure worth Rs 1.94 cr Funded by India inaugurated in Nepal via Video Conferencing

5. Fino Payments Bank launches ‘Bhavishya’ Savings Account for Minors Aged between 10-18 years

6. Ola Enters into a Strategic Partnership with PhonePe to Enhance its Digital Payments Experience for its Customers

7. Sijo Kuruvilla George Appointed to Centre’s Committee on Science and Tech Policy

8. Govt Appoints Injeti Srinivas as the 1st Chairman IFSC Authority

9. MCA extends tenure of Justice(Retd.) Bansi Lal Bhat as acting chairperson of NCLAT by three months

10. Jayant Krishna is Appointed as the First India Based CEO of UKIBC

11. ICMR-NIV in Collaboration with Bharat Biotech Develops India’s First COVID-19 Vaccine – COVAXIN

12. Indian boxer Amit Panghal secures top spot in AIBA World Men’s Ranking 2020 in 52kg category; Manju world’s second best boxer in Women’s ranking

13. Indian Olympic Association Adopts New Visual Identity to Celebrate 100 Years of Participation in Olympic Games

14. Two Times Oscar Winner, Ennio Morricone, Italian Composer Passed Away at 91

15. Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa Launched a Scheme “Weavers Samman Yojana”

16. Haryana passed “Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Ordinance, 2020” to reserve 75% private sector jobs for locals

17. Maharashtra CM Launches ‘Maha Jobs portal’, an online platform to Provide Employment Opportunities

18. UP CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurates “Mission Vriksharopan-2020” to plant 25 crore saplings across UP

19. West Bengal CM launches “SelfScan” document scanning app

20. Madhya Pradesh: “Intzaar Aap Ka” Social Media Campaign to Attract Tourists

21. Himachal Pradesh becomes first state with 100% LPG Connections

News in detail for CLAT Students