NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Ordinance to Amend Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 receives Cabinet’s approval: The promulgation of
an Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 has received the Union
Cabinet’s approval. It has been approved by the cabinet, keeping in view the
recent instances with the most critical service providers i.e. members of
healthcare services being targeted and attacked by miscreants, thereby
obstructing them from doing their duties during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
It intends to make such acts of violence cognizable and non-bailable offences
and also ensure that during any situation akin to the current pandemic, there
is zero tolerance to any form of violence against healthcare service personnel
as well as damage to property.
2.
Union HRD Minister launches national program VidyaDaan 2.0 in New Delhi: The Union Human
Resource Development Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal’Nishank’ has launched
VidyaDaan 2.0 program on 22 April via video conferencing in New Delhi to invite
e-learning content contributions. VidyaDaan is a content contribution tool,
launched as a national program, for individuals & organizations, across the
country to donate or contribute e-learning resources, for both school and
higher education, to ensure continuity of quality learning. The programme has
been launched due to the increasing requirement for e-learning content for
students (both school and higher education) in the backdrop of situation
arising out of Covid- 19. The content will be used on the DIKSHA app of MHRD to
pass on the resource to millions of children across the country to continue
their learning anytime and anywhere. Contents may range from, explanation
videos, presentations, competency-based items, quizzes etc., for any grade
(from grade 1 to 12), for any subject as specified by the states/UTs. Contributions
can be made by educationists, subject experts, schools, colleges, Universities,
Institutes, government and non-government organisations, individuals, etc.
3. Karnataka
govt launches Mobile app “Apthamitra” as well as helpline number to fight
COVID-19: Karnataka
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has inaugurated a helpline number and a mobile
app named ‘Apthamitra’ to empower the people of the state in the fight against
COVID-19. The Apthamitra helpline is an exclusive toll free Number 14410
dedicated to deal with only Covid-19-related queries including telemedicine,
counselling and facilitating testing and treatment for those in need. It will
work from 8 AM to 8 PM. Similarly, the app is for those, seeking advice for
telemedicine from doctors directly. The two platforms will help to reach out to
people, especially those staying in Corona hotspot areas, to identify those
having influenza-like illness (ILI), Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI),
COVID-19-like symptoms or having high risk of getting infected. The initiative
will enable to identify persons with low risk but having some symptoms similar
to COVID-19 and provide them telemedicine support with over-the-counter
medicines and counsel them about the need to go through self-quarantine.
Note: Governor of Karnataka: Vajubhai Vala;
Chief Minister of Karnataka: B. S. Yediyurappa.
4. IIIT-Delhi
Develops Mobile App ‘WashKaro’ to warn about COVID-19: Researchers at
Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-Delhi) have developed an
app named ‘WashKaro’ to warn people about a coronavirus containment zone nearby
as well as help them to check whether a news item about the pandemic is genuine
or fake. The app has been developed by a team led by professor Ponnurangam
Kumaraguru and Dr Tavpritesh Sethi along with five students. The app uses
Bluetooth technology for communication and does not need internet or location
services. The containment zones are mapped on the app and if you enter the
area, it will alert you that you are entering a zone. The app also has a
feature ‘onAIr’, which makes use of the Artificial Intelligence technology to
cross-reference news with WHO documents.
Note: Director of IIIT-Delhi: Ranjan Bose
5.
NIF boost New variety of Anthurium developed by Kerala’s innovator: D Vasini Bai,
Kerala's women innovator has developed 10 varieties of Anthurium, a flower with
high market value by cross-pollination. National Innovation Foundation has
facilitated mass multiplication and large scale production through tissue
culture technique at IIHR to meet the demand. Anthurium is one of the best
domestic flowering plants that purify the surrounding air removing harmful airborne
chemicals like formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene, xylene, and allergens.
6.
BRO builds bridge to connect Kasowal enclave with rest of India: Border Roads
Organisation (BRO) has constructed new permanent bridge on the river Ravi
connecting Kasowal enclave in Punjab to the rest of the country replacing
pontoon bridge. The 484-meter bridge is built by 141 Drain Maintenance Coy of
49 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) of Project Chetak. The bridge is built at a
cost of Rs 17.89 crore excluding the approaches. The pontoon bridge used to be
dismantled every year prior to the Monsoon due to the limited load capacity.
Note: Chief Minister of Punjab: Capt.
Amarinder Singh; Governor of Punjab: V.P. Singh Badnore.
Director General Border Roads (DGBR): Lt
Gen Harpal Singh.
7.
ARCI develop NanoBlitz 3D for mapping material’s nano-mechanical property: Scientists from
International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials
(ARCI) and Nanomechanics Inc., Oak Ridge, USA have jointly developed an advanced
tool “NanoBlitz 3D” which can be used for the mapping of nano-mechanical
properties of materials such as multi-phase alloys, composites, and
multi-layered coatings. It will also help in carrying out advanced data
analysis like identifying and quantifying the mechanical properties of
constituent phases, features or components of multi-phase alloys, composites as
well as multi-layered coatings.
Note: Director of International Advanced
Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI): G. Padmanabham.
8.
Ministry of Home Affairs issues SOP for seafarers: Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA) has specified a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for sign in
and sign-off of seafarers on ships. MHA has also issued graded relaxations of
Indian seafarers at Indian ports. As per the SOP, Indian seafarers on the
vessel would have to undergo the COVID-19 test before returning to their home. After
the test, seafarer shall be kept in the quarantine facility by the Port State
Health Authorities till the time test report is not received.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
TCS to power Israel's first fully digital bank: India's largest
software services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will launch Israel's
first fully digital bank. TCS is the first to receive a banking license in
Israel in over 40 years and is to be launched in 2021 with industry leading TCS
BaNCS Global Banking Platform that helps banks offering innovative products and
services. The fully digital bank will have no physical branches and provide
Israeli citizens with all the services that regular banks offer. The TCS BaNCS
universal financial solution is designed to help financial services
institutions enhance end-customer experience, enabling them to embrace open and
innovative technologies that embody true digital customer engagement.
Note: Israel Capital: Jerusalem, Currency:
Israeli new shekel; Prime Minister of Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu.
2.
World Press Freedom Index 2020 released: The World Press Freedom Index 2020
has been released by the media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders (RWB).
It is compiled by means of a questionnaire in 20 languages that is completed by
experts all over the world. India has been ranked at 142nd position out of 180
countries. India has dropped two places from last year’s ranking. Norway ranks
first for the fourth consecutive year and Finland and Denmark in second and
third place. The index is released annually since 2002 measuring the level of
media freedom in 180 countries.
3. UN
English Language Day & UN Spanish Language Day: 23 April: The UN English
Language Day and UN Spanish Language Day is observed annually on 23 April. They
are one of the six official languages used by the United Nations throughout the
Organization. Each language has been assigned a day of celebration by UN’s
Department of Public Information in 2010 to celebrate multilingualism and
cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official
languages throughout the Organization. For English, 23 April has been chosen to
mark both the birthday and date of death of William Shakespeare. For Spanish
Language, the Day was chosen because the day is also observed as Hispanic Day
in Spain, meaning the Spanish speaking world.
Note: Director-General of UNESCO: Audrey
Azoulay; UNESCO formation: 4 November 1946; UNESCO Headquarters: Paris, France.
4.
World Book and Copyright Day: 23 April: The United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) organises the World Book Day every year on
23 April to promote reading, publishing, and copyright in the society. The day
is also known as World Book and Copyright Day or International Day of the Book.
The theme of 2020 World Book Day is ‘SHARE A STORY’. April 23 was approved by
UNESCO’s General Conference 1995 held in Paris to pay a world-wide tribute to
books and authors. It is also the date on which several prominent authors like
William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all
died. In United Kingdom, the day is observed on first Thursday of March.
5.
International Girls in ICT Day 2020: 23 April 2020: Every year the
International Girls in ICT Day is observed on the fourth Thursday of April. It
is an initiative backed by International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Member
States. In 2020, the day was observed virtually on 23rd April. 2020 theme:
‘Inspiring the Next Generation’. It provides an initiative to create a global
environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider
studies and careers in the growing field of information and communication
technologies (ICT).
Note: International Telecommunication Union
(ITU) headquarter- Geneva, Switzerland
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
P.V. Sindhu selected as ambassador for BWF’s “I Am badminton” awareness
campaign: Indian
badminton champion, P.V. Sindhu has been selected as one of the ambassadors for
Badminton World Federation (BWF)’s “I am badminton” awareness campaign. Other
people who have been selected as ambassadors by BWF are- Michelle Li from
Canada, Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong
from China, Jack Shephard from England, Valeska Knoblauch from Germany,
Chan Ho Yuen from Hong Kong and Marc Zwiebler from Germany’s Germany, who is
Athletes’ Commission Chair. The campaign provides a platform for players to
express their love and respect for badminton by advocating and committing to
clean and honest play.
Note: Headquarters of Badminton World
Federation: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Badminton World Federation Founded: 5 July
1934; President of Badminton World Federation: Poul-Erik Hoyer Larsen.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
RBI increases deployment time limit under TLTRO 2.0 to 45 days from 30 days: RBI has extended
the time available for banks for deployment of funds under the TLTRO 2.0 scheme
from 30 working days to 45 working days from the date of the operation. Under
TLTRO 2.0 the banks which have borrowed the funds are required to deploy this
fund in specific sectors as advised by RBI. The time limit for this deployment
of the fund is now 45 days from the date of borrowing. Funds that are not
deployed within this extended time frame will be charged interest at the
prevailing policy repo rate plus 200 bps for the number of days such funds
remain un-deployed.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Facebook buys 9.9% stake in Reliance Jio for Rs 43,574 crore: Social Media giant
Facebook on April 22, 2020 has bought 9.9% stake in Reliance Jio for $5.7
billion (Rs 43,574 crore). With this investment, Facebook has become the
largest minority shareholder of Reliance Jio, the telecom unit of Reliance
Industries Ltd (RIL). This is also the largest investment for a minority stake
by a technology company anywhere in the world as well as the largest FDI in the
technology sector in India. Following the Facebook’s investment, the Jio
Platform has been valued at Rs 4.62 lakh crore ($65.95 billion). Jio Platform
is the parent of phone and data unit Reliance Jio Infocomm including various
other digital app platforms like JioMart, Jio-Saavn and JioCinema.
Note: Chief Executive Officer of Facebook:
Mark Zuckerberg; Facebook Headquarters: California, US.
2.
Bajaj Auto’s Rakesh Sharma Appointed as President of IMMA: Rakesh Sharma, the
Executive Director (ED) at Bajaj Auto, has been appointed as the new President
of International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) on 22 April 2020.
Sharma succeeds Johannes Loman, Director of PT Astra International Tbk and
Executive Vice President Director PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM) Indonesia and will
hold the office of IMMA President for two years. He had been holding office as
vice-president in IMMA, since May 2019.
Note: IMMA Founded: 1947; IMMA
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
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