Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 09-04-2020
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- Lockdown would be extended - PM Modi made it virtually clear that the three-week countrywide lockdown would be extended beyond April 14, saying the coronavirus outbreak had created a national emergency that may require more tough measures to enforce social distancing. The sense as of now is clear that lifting the lockdown is not going to be possible. The PMO took strong exception to the leak, a first, of the clip but did not dispute the veracity of Modi's purported comments where he said the situation India was passing through was similar to "national emergency" and it may require tough measures. Significantly, the PM noted that leaders of all political parties had also spoken against removal of the restrictions.
- Focus on Infra building to fight COVID-19 - With 32 deaths reported in the past 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said building hospital infrastructure, aggressive contact tracing and total enforcement of the lockdown with the help of people were the main focus now in the fight against COVID-19. The most number of cases have been reported from Maharashtra, followed by Tamil Nadu and Delhi. At a press conference, Lav Agrawal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, said: "We are speeding up infrastructure-building and grading up our response as the number of cases...has shown a rise over the past few days". He added that the country was facing an unprecedented challenge, in which "we are getting cases of both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients acting as carriers”.
- UP govt. seals affected areas - The Uttar Pradesh government decided to completely seal COVID-19 hotspots within 15 districts till the end of the lockdown on April 14. Several hours after the government decision, officials were yet to declare the names of the hotspots in many districts. The "affected areas" in these 15 districts, which have reported six or more positive cases, should be "completely sealed" to make the lockdown secure, the State's top official Rajendra Kumar Tiwari said in instructions to District Police and administrative heads.
- 17,000 seafares return only after policy is finalised - Indian seafarers around the world would be allowed to return to the country after the ban on flights goes and the Government of India finalises a policy on repatriation of Indians, according to a senior official of the Shipping Ministry. Whatever policy is finalised, the same will be followed in the case of the seafarers. We are in touch with the shipping companies and they are willing to follow that policy," the official said.
- China lifts Wuhan lockdown after 76 days - After 76 days in lockdown, the Chinese city at the heart of the global pandemic reopened on Wednesday, and tens of thousands immediately hopped on trains and planes to leave. Elsewhere, the economic, political and psychological toll of fighting the virus grew increasingly clear and more difficult to bear. Across the Atlantic, New York City endured one of its darkest days yet, with the death toll surging past 4,000, hundreds more than the number killed on 9/11..
- Senator Bernie Sanders out of presidential race - Senator Bernie Sanders, who saw his once strong lead in the Democratic primary evaporate as the party's establishment lined swiftly up behind rival Joe Biden, ended his presidential bid, an acknowledgement that the former Vice-President is too far ahead for him to have any reasonable hope of catching up. Biden the presumptive Democratic nominee to challenge President Donald Trump in November. The former Vice -President's campaign had appeared on the brink of collapse after New Hampshire but found new life as the rest of the party's more moderate establishment coalesced around him as an alternative.
- Afghanistan released 100 Taliban prisoners - The Afghan government released 100 low-risk Taliban prisoners, a day after the insurgents announced they were walking out of talks with Kabul. But the swap has been beset with problems, with Kabul claiming the Taliban want 15 "top commanders" to be released, while the insurgents have accused Afghan authorities of needlessly wasting time. Afghan officials have said they want to release up to 10,000 non-Taliban prisoners to slow the spread of coronavirus in jails.
- Bangladesh: Mujibur Rahman’s killer will be executed - A Bangladesh military captain arrested after nearly 25 years on the run over the assassination of the country's founding leader will be executed. In 1998, Abdul Majed was sentenced to death along with a dozen other Army officers over the murders. Huq said Majed's only option to avoid the gallows was to appeal to the President for clemency..
- Chinese tycoon and Xi critic faces investigation - The Beijing Commission for Discipline Inspection announced that the 69-year-old former chairman of the State-owned real estate developer Beijing Huayuan Group was under investigation. Rights campaigners accuse President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of using charges such as "disciplinary violations" often considered to refer to corruption - as a way to silence dissent. Ren disappeared from the public eye in March, shortly after penning an essay that was fiercely critical of Mr. Xi’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
- Singer John Prine dies at 73 - John Prine, the raspy-voiced country-folk singer whose ingenious lyrics to songs by turns poignant, angry and comic made him a favourite of Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson and others, died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Prine underwent cancer surgery in 1998 to remove a tumour in his neck identified as squamous cell cancer, which had damaged his vocal cords. Dylan, listing his favourite songwriters in a 2009 interview, put Mr. Prine front and centre.
Important Exam Notifications
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S. No.
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Institution
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Exam
or Post Name
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Vacancies
or Seats
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Qualification
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Last
Date to Apply
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Link
for Details
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1
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ESIC Medical College & Hosp Faridabad
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Research
Scientist, Research Asst
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6
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MBBS,
PG (Relevant Discipline)
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--
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2
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IITM
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Research
Fellow
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36
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PG (Relevant Discipline)
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April 30, 2020
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3
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IITM
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Research
Associate, Research Fellow
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30
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Degree,
PG (Relevant Discipline)
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April 30, 2020
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4
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Western Railway
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Full
Time Contract Medical Practitioner
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28
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--
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April 10, 2020
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5
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South East Central Railway
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Staff
Nurse, Pharmacist, Dresser, Lab Technician & Other
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103
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Matriculation/
HSC, 10+2, Diploma, B.Sc
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April 13, 2020
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6
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North Western Railway
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Staff
Nures, Hospital Attendant, X-Ray Technician, Lab Technician & Other
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168
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10th,
10+2, Diploma, Degree
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April 9, 2020
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7
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Northern Railway
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Contract
Medical Practitioner
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26
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MBBS
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April 15, 2020
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1.1 Directions of Supreme Court to fight COVID-19 crisis
- SC directs Centre to ensure doctors, medical staff attending to Corona virus patients get appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) - Observing that doctors and medical staff are the "first line of defence of the country" in the battle against COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) are made available to them for treating coronavirus patients. The court passed the order on three petitions seeking protective kits, other requisite equipment and safety measure for doctors and healthcare workers amid the coronavirus pandemic. The apex court directed that necessary police security be extended to doctors and other medical staffs, who visit places to conduct screening of people to find out symptoms of the disease.
- SC directs private labs to conduct coronavirus tests free of cost, currently charging Rs.4,500 - The Supreme Court directed the government to issue appropriate orders immediately for free of cost testing for coronavirus even in private hospitals and laboratories, saying the current charges-though capped at Rs 4,500— will be beyond the reach of the poor. The court said it would examine later whether the private entities, carrying out the tests free of cost, would be entitled to reimbursement.
2.1 Government directs Food Corporation of India to provide wheat and rice to NGOs providing cooked food to the needy during coronavirus lockdown at OMSS (Open Market Sale Scheme) rates.
2.1 Government extended term of Banks Board Bureau members by two years. B. P. Sharma to continue as its part-time chairman.
2.1 Government extended term of Banks Board Bureau members by two years. B. P. Sharma to continue as its part-time chairman.
3.1 World Health Day observed on April 7
- April 7 of each year marks the celebration of World Health Day.
- From its inception at the First Health Assembly in 1948 and since taking effect in 1950, the celebration has aimed to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization.
- Over the past 50 years this has brought to light important health issues such as mental health, maternal and child care, and climate change.
- The celebration is marked by activities which extend beyond the day itself and serves as an opportunity to focus worldwide attention on these important aspects of global health.
- World Health Day 2020: Theme - The theme for World Health Day 2020 is to support nurses and midwives.
- WHO chose the year 2020 as the "Year of the Nurse and Midwife" because of the contribution which nurses and midwives are making in making the world a healthier place.
- 2019 Theme - Universal Health Coverage: : everyone, everywhere.
4.1 All SAARC nations except Pakistan participate in video conference to discuss impact of Covid-19 situation on intra-regional trade
- The virtual meeting of the trade officials was a follow-up to a video conference of leaders of the eight SAARC states that was convened by PM Modi on March 15.
- At that time, Pakistan was the only country not to be represented by its head of government.
- The countries contributed to discussions on a wide-ranging trade-related agenda in the spirit of “shared interest and a problem-solving approach”.
- They recognised that the pandemic is “likely to have a considerable adverse impact on trade in the SAARC region”.
- The trade officials stressed that new ways should be identified to sustain and expand intra-regional trade until normal trade channels are restored.
- The impact of health issues such as Covid-19 on regional trade and measures to mitigate it emerged as a new focus area for discussion within the larger framework of trade facilitation under Saarc, and the need to enhance the quantum of intra-Saarc trade was highlighted, the statement said.
- This will also enable further interaction on ideas and proposed actions for the early restoration of normal trade in the region after movement restrictions related to Covid-19 are lifted.
5.1 Govt launches contact tracing app to track risk of getting coronavirus
- The Government on April 2, 2020 launched a mobile app called ArogyaSetu to help citizens assess their risk of contracting the coronavirus. Built in a public-private partnership mode, the app was launched on the Google Play Store as well as the Apple Store.
- ArogyaSetu will use Bluetooth technology, algorithms and artificial intelligence to assess the risk of a person based on their interactions. Once installed in a smartphone, the app will detect other devices with ArogyaSetu installed in the proximity of the phone.
- The app can then calculate the risk of infection based on sophisticated parameters if any of these contacts is tested positive.
- To ensure privacy of individuals is maintained, people’s data will be stored in their phones only and will be used only if the person comes in contact with someone who has tested positive for the COVID-19 disease. The personal data collected by the app is encrypted and stays secure on the phone till it is needed for facilitating medical intervention.
- In case a person comes in contact with a COVID-19 positive person, the app will also send instructions on how to self-isolate and take care of themselves in case they develop symptoms.
- The app will help the Government take necessary timely steps for assessing risk of spread of COVID-19 infection, and ensuring isolation where required.
- Available in 11 languages, the app has chatbots, a risk assessment tool, and a list of helpline numbers of all States in the country.
- A test version of the app called “Corona Kavach” was earlier put up on the Google Play Store for testing, and after putting in new features and fixing some issues, it has been relaunched as ArogyaSetu.
6.1 Weekly Roundup – Corporate
- Coronavirus: TAFE launches free tractor rental scheme to help small, marginal farmers - Farm equipment major TAFE on April 2, 2020 said it has launched a free tractor rental scheme to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on small and marginal farmers of Tamil Nadu and to support the farming community. The scheme will be available through its JFarm Services platform on the Uzhavan App, for a duration of 90 days starting April 1, 2020. This scheme will be available across 30 districts of Tamil Nadu. The renters hiring out Massey Ferguson, Eicher Tractors and implements will be paid directly by the company.
- Google to shut down ‘Neighbourly’ app - Google will shut down its ‘Neighbourly’ app - which was designed to help people source local information from their neighbours - as it failed to scale up. The app was launched in May 2018 in Mumbai and then scaled to other cities like Ahmedabad, Coimbatore and Mysore. A few months later, it was made available pan-India.
- PNB unveils new logo following its merger with UBI and OBC - Punjab National Bank (PNB) unveiled a new logo as it merges with United Bank of India and Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) with it, with effect from April 1. The new logo will bear distinct signages of all the three public sector banks.
- Aurobindo, Sandoz call off USD 900 mn deal - India’s Aurobindo Pharma on April 2, 2020 said the USD 900 million deal to acquire Sandoz Inc’s US-based generic oral solids and dermatology businesses, has been mutually called off.
- Govt. launches Twitter handle for information on novel coronavirus - The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on March 31, 2020 set up a dedicated Twitter handle for sharing news and updates about the novel coronavirus. The account is named #IndiaFightsCorona and uses the handle @CovidnewsbyMIB.
- ITC ties up with Jubilant FoodWorks to deliver food items via Domino’s app - In a first-of-its-kind partnership between a quick service restaurant and a fast-moving consumer goods company, Jubilant FoodWorks, the master franchisee of the Domino’s brand in India, is partnering with ITC to deliver essential commodities at the consumers doorstep. This service will be available for consumers first in Bengaluru.
- Uber launches ‘UberMedic’ service for healthcare during COVID-19 crisis - Ride-hailing company Uber on March 31, 2020 said it has launched a new service ‘UberMedic’ to help transport frontline healthcare workers to medical facilities and other critical areas across India.
- Covid-19: Apollo Hospitals launches ‘Project Stay I’ - Healthcare major Apollo Hospitals on March 30, 2020 said it has launched ‘Project Stay I’ with 500 rooms in select hotels across the country in the first phase with light medical supervision for quarantine.
- Wipro, Azim Premji Foundation commit Rs 1,125 cr to tackle COVID-19 crisis - Wipro Ltd, Wipro Enterprises Ltd and Azim Premji Foundation have together committed Rs 1,125 crore towards tackling the unprecedented health and humanitarian crisis arising from the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
- HUL completes GlaxoSmithKline merger, buys Horlicks in Rs 3,045 cr - FMCG major Hindustan Unilever on April 1, 2020 announced the completion of the merger of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd with the company, almost 15 months after the announcement of the deal. Besides, the FMCG major is also acquiring popular health food drink brand Horlicks in a Rs 3,045 crore deal from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd (GSKCH) using the option available in the original agreement between HUL and GSK.
- HarperCollins to acquire Egmont Books - HarperCollins Publishers on April 1, 2020 announced that it will acquire Egmont Books UK Ltd., as well as the Nordic media group’s book business in Poland and Germany.
- Apple acquires weather app Dark Sky, to shut down Android version in June - Apple has acquired popular weather app Dark Sky and will shut down its Android and Wear OS versions in July. There will be no changes to Dark Sky for iOS at this time. It will continue to be available for purchase in the App Store. The Dark Sky website will remain active beyond that time in support of API and iOS App customers.
- Toyota discontinues Etios series, Corolla Altis production in India - Toyota’s Etios series and Corolla Altis model will no more be seen at the dealers as the company has stopped production of the models. In a statement, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said that the company manufactured the last batch of both models at its plant in Bidadi in Karnataka.
- Godrej Locks launches digital lock Spacetek - Godrej Locks, the 122-year-young leader in the locks segment, launched Spacetek, a new age 100% ‘Made in India’ digital lock. Spacetek is the latest hi-tech and aesthetically designed home safety solution from Godrej Locks..
7.1 PSB Indian Overseas Bank nominated by Government for collection of donations for PM-CARES (Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund) Fund.
8.1 COVID-19 effects – popularity of TikTok is increased even more
- The social video platform which was already a favourite of teens is increasingly being used by adults looking for ways to pass the time during coronavirus lockdowns.
- Users post short videos — no longer than 60 seconds but often as short as 15 — to showcase their bite-size dance skills or share relatable experiences with a humorous twist.
- The application, owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, saw 65 million worldwide downloads in March, according to analytics site SensorTower.
- In addition to the existing 800 million reported in January by DataReportal, the app is nearing a billion users —though TikTok itself does not publish such data.
- And though teens have been posting on the platform for months, it seems adults with more free time — as much of the world is encouraged to stay at home to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus —are finally catching on.
- Celebrities have joined the fun too, from Jennifer Lopez to Mariah Carey —even 82-year-old Jane Fonda.
- Social media use is up across the board as movement is restricted around the world, but TikTok — already having a moment before the pandemic — is doing better than others.
- Idyllic vacation views and perfectly framed artistic shots — long the markers of the Instagram aesthetic — are currently out of reach for most. But the typical TikTok post does not require a beautiful background, explained Thibault Le Ouay, founder of Pentos, a company that helps brands with their marketing strategy on the platform.
9.1 Not Available Today
10.1 Only 1/4th of Indians pay for news, but 2/3rd willing to pay: WEF study
10.2 Daily dose of FIVE Facts -- With the coronavirus pandemic emphasising the media’s indispensable role in society, a new study showed on April 2, 2020 that just about one-fourth of the consumers in India currently pay for news but nearly two-thirds are willing to pay. The survey of news and entertainment consumers conducted by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in six key markets -- China, Germany, India, South Korea, the UK and the US -- also found that the willingness among Indians to pay for entertainment media services in future is even higher at 87 per cent.
- APMC is - Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee.
- The 19th Asian Games will be held at Hangzhou in September 2022.
- Under the interest subvention scheme, farmers who repay their short-term crop loans upto Rs. 3 lakhs on time are charged an interest of 4 percent.
- The government announced an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh for medical staff involved in novel. coronavirus prevention and cure duties.
- India ranks 144th among 156 countries in the World Happiness Report of the UN.
10.3 Today's best editorials to read
- We offer you 7 excellent editorials from across 10 newspapers we have scanned.
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