RDIF and Morepen laboratories to produce test batches of Sputnik Vput

• The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Morepen Laboratories have announced the production of a test batch of Sputnik V at a special facility in Himachal Pradesh.

• First test batch will be sent to Gamaliya Institute for quality control.

• Delhi-based Panacea Biotec also recently received a manufacturing license for the production of Sputnik V.

Union cabinet reshuffle expected later this week

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold an important meeting at his residence on July 6, 2021. This comes amid reports of a reshuffle in the Union Cabinet.

• A cabinet reshuffle seems even more imminent after Union Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot has been appointed as the Governor of Karnataka.

• President of India Ram Nath Kovind appointed eight new governors for eight states, some with transfers and some new appointments.

• Around 18 new ministers are expected to be included in the Union Cabinet. A major reshuffle is expected on July 7 or July 8. BJP MP Jyotiraditya Scindia has also left for Delhi from Indore.

Entire England team forced to isolate, seven members test positive

• The entire England team has been forced into isolation after seven members of the England men’s ODI team for the Pakistan series tested positive for COVID-19.

• England, however, will pick a new team for the Pakistan ODI series and Ben Stokes will return as captain after several weeks with a broken finger.

• Three England players and four backroom staff tested positive for COVID-19 and the rest of the squad were considered close contacts.

• England has selected a new 18-man squad for the England vs Pakistan ODI matches.

DMRC launches FASTag/UPI-based cashless parking

• Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on July 6, 2021 launched India’s first FASTag/UPI-based cashless parking and a multi-modal integration facility at Kashmere Gate Metro Station.

• DMRC said that for the first time in the country, FASTag/UPI based cashless parking facility has been started by Dr. Mangu Singh at Kashmere Gate Metro Station.

• Dedicated Intermediate Public Transport (IPT) lanes for autos, taxis and e-rickshaws were also inaugurated at the station as a part of the Multi-Modal Integration (MMI) initiative.

India likely to bring back its citizens amid deteriorating Afghan security situation

• India is likely to bring back its citizens and officials from Afghanistan amid rapidly deteriorating security situation in the country. This comes after the Taliban took over the new territories.

• India has had a large presence in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 following the US invasion. India has an embassy in Kabul with consulates in Mazar and Kandahar where it has more than 500 employees.

• It is not yet clear whether the entire workforce will return or some will stay back.

• The Taliban are occupying new districts in the wake of the US decision to withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan.