Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services -10-07-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 10-07-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Crime – U.P. gangster, wanted for killing 8 policemen, arrested in M.P. – Vikas Dubey, the main accused in the killing of eight policemen in Kanpur’s Bikru village last week, was arrested in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Later in the evening, he was handed over to a team of the Uttar Pradesh police. He was taken to UP by road. However, Opposition parties as well as the family of Circle Officer Devendra Mishra, who was killed in the Bikru ambush, have questioned the manner of the gangster’s arrest, terming it a staged surrender. Dubey, who has more than 60 cases against him, was on the run since the attack on a police team on the intervening night of July 2 and 3.
2. Covid-19  Updates – Govt. ‘watching’ WHO alert on airborne spread of virus – Continuing to rule out community transmission of COVID-19 in the country, the Union Health Ministry said it is “closely watching the dynamic evolution of the virus situation in India, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) now indicating that the virus may be airborne”. After earlier denials, the WHO now said there is evidence emerging of the airborne spread of the coronavirus, after over 230 scientists across the world urged the global body to update its guidance.
3. Indian Society – Revision in CBSE syllabus makes paper-setting for JEE, NEET tricky – The rationalisation of CBSE syllabus for 2020-21 will not just impact next year’s board exams but also JEE (Main) and NEET-UG, the competitive tests for admission to engineering and medical courses. Deletion of topics from physics, chemistry, maths, and biology, which are also part of the syllabus for JEE (Main) and NEET-UG, make paper-setting for the tests in 2021 a tricky affair. The National Testing Agency on Thursday consulted subject experts on the issue and plans to place the matter before the Joint Admission Board (JAB). IITs, which conduct JEE (Advanced), will also put it up for review by their committee and paper setters to assess the effect.
4. Disasters and Control – NDMA to monitor water release to Karnataka – Observing that a “threatening disaster situation” may arise in the State due to release of water from dams in Maharashtra during the monsoon, the Karnataka High Court directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to look into this aspect and issue necessary directions to both States through its national executive committee. The High Court also directed the Chief Secretary and other officers of Karnataka to be in touch with their counterparts in Maharashtra to exchange information on release of water and to take precautions till the NDMA examines the matter.
5. COVID-19 Updates – Another day, another record: India lists 26,500 infections – A day after reporting over 25,000 new cases for the first time, India’s daily count of Covid-19 infections jumped to another record level, when more than 26,500 cases were detected even as the day’s death toll stood at 477. The country’s overall caseload rose to just under 8 lakh, with more than 7.94 lakh cases reported till Thursday, while 21,578 people had so far succumbed to the virus, as per data collated from state governments. In all 26,550 fresh cases were recorded. The number of recovered had increased to 4.95 lakh but the number of active cases too had risen to more than 2.77 lakh. Deaths have been on the rise even though the mortality rate has been falling. In the last seven days (July 3-9), an average of 485 deaths was reported every day, up from 417 in the previous seven days. In the week before that, the daily average was 395.
6. Upheaval in Nepal  – Oli, Prachanda don’t back down, Nepal ruling party stares at split–  The ruling Nepal Communist Party was staring at a split after efforts to mediate a settlement between Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and the rival camp led by former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ failed to make headway. Chinese ambassador Hou Yanqi, who has been meeting leaders on both sides, held talks Thursday with Prachanda. Sources said while Prachanda stuck to his demand that Oli must step down as Prime Minister, he told Hou that no matter how this crisis ends, it will not affect ties between the Nepal Communist Party and the Communist Party of China.
7. International Affairs – Nepal’s ruling party to meet today to decide PM Oli’s fate – Whether Nepal PM K P Oli yet again proves a survivor or succumbs to an inner party rebellion may be decided when the powerful standing committee of the ruling Nepal Communist Party meets to discuss the political situation after having been postponed it earlier to allow senior leaders some time to address differences. Oli and his rival and party co-chair P K Dahal Prachanda met in an apparent attempt to preserve party unity and avert the crisis which has, according to reports from Nepal, seen 30 out of the 45 members of the committee seeking the PM’s resignation. Oli’s detractors have been pressuring him to step down in the wake of his reported statements that a plot was being cooked against him in New Delhi.
8. US Politics – Trump claim to absolute immunity rejected – The US Supreme Court has dealt a severe blow to President Trump, rejecting his claim to absolute immunity while in office and ruling that a New York prosecutor who is probing possible hush money payments to adult entertainer Stormy Daniels could pursue a subpoena to access his private and business financial records.  There is no immediate danger for Trump since the prosecutor Cyrus Vance will have to return to the lower courts to follow up the subpoena to Deutsche Bank and Mazars, Trump’s bank and accountant respectively, in a process that could take several months and push the denouement past Election Day.
   
9. Indian Economy – Corona impact may lead to birth of pandemic risk pool – With the coronavirus pandemic causing massive disruption and losses across sectors, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irdai) has proposed creating a “pandemic risk pool”. The aim is to provide cover to risks related to the virus. A pool refers to the practice of insurance companies coming together and committing funds to meet claims arising out of any particular insured risk in proportion to the business they do. In this manner, claim payout is equally shared among all pool participants.
10. Covid-19 Updates – WHO sets up panel to probe its virus response – The World Health Organization, which faced fierce U.S. criticism over its handling of the coronavirus crisis, launched an independent panel to review its response to the pandemic. The Independent panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response will be headed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	IREL	Trade Apprentice, Grad. Tech. Apprentice	21	ITI, Diploma (EEE), B.E	AUG 5, 2020	http://www.irel.co.in/documents/20126/0/Engagment+of+App.+Advertisement+2020-21+%282%29.pdf/24f4e740-de85-b2ef-f316-cc68469cb65a?t=1594014734807
2	ACTREC	Scientific Officer, Office In Charge, Nurse, Jr Engineer	146	SSC, ITI, HSC, GNM, Dip., Degree, PG	AUG 7, 2020	https://actrec.gov.in/sites/default/files/jobs/ADVT-A-3-2020%20dated%2007.07.2020.pdf
3	NERIE	JPF, Computer Typist, Technical Coordinator	10	Any Degree, Degree, PG	July 17, 2020	http://nerie.nic.in/pdf/rect_vc_july2020.pdf
4	Govt General Hospital, Kakinada	Child Psycho., Staff Nurse, Lab Tech, Pharmacist	311	Diploma, Degree, PG	July 18, 2020	https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s36f3ef77ac0e3619e98159e9b6febf557/uploads/2020/07/2020070883.pdf
5	Tezpur University	Research Associate, JRF, Lab Asst	11	Degree, M.Sc with NET/ GATE, Ph.D	July 31, 2020	http://www.tezu.ernet.in/ProjectWalkin/Advt-DoRD-EnvSc-AD-20-472-1293-A.pdf
6	Collector and Dis. Magistrate, Kanker	Lecturer, Principal, Teacher, Lab Assistant, Asst, Peon, Sweeper	56	Degree, B.Ed, B.P.Ed, D.Ed, D.El.Ed, PG	July 22, 2020	https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s35c04925674920eb58467fb52ce4ef728/uploads/2020/07/2020070698.pdf
7	District Education Officer, Jashpur	Lecturer, Physical Instructor, Librarian, Lab Assistant, Asst	43	5th, 8th, 12th Class, Degree, PG	July 18, 2020	https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s385fc37b18c57097425b52fc7afbb6969/uploads/2020/07/2020070711.pdf

 

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• SECTION 2 - DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

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• 1. CONSTITUTION AND LAW (Prelims, GS Paper 2, Essay paper)

1.1 Use of pre-printed and fixed forms to record patients' consent amounts To 'Unfair Trade Practice' : NCDRC

• News - 

1. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has held that the use of fixed "informed consent cum undertaking" by the hospitals to record consent from the patients amounts to "unfair trade practice" within the meaning of Section 2(1)(r) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
2. The Commission asserted that it help hospitals gain an undue advantage and it is beyond doubt a practice of "administrative arbitrariness".
3. As the forms are pre-printed and fixed, with limited space for handwritten entries, they could be misused after the filling up of blank spaces, the Commission noted.
4. The Commission made these observations while dismissing a complaint of medical negligence against R G Stone Urology and Leproscopy hospital, Delhi and its doctors, Dr. Anil Varshney.
5. Though the allegations of medical negligence were rejected, the Commission observed that it cannot ignore the peculiarity of use of pre-printed forms for recording informed consent.
6. Determining the use of pre-printed consent form to be an "unfair trade practise", the two member bench comprising Dr. S.M. Kantikar and Dinesh Singh imposed a cost of Rs 10 Lakhs on the Hospital and directed it to deposit the same in the Consumer Legal Aid Account of the Commission within four weeks.
7. The hospital was also directed to discontinue its said unfair trade practice with immediate effect.

• Background - 

1. The basis of the dispute was that, a patient of aged 65 years with some pain in the abdomen and related difficulties had rushed to a private hospital in Delhi and due to financial difficulties, later moved to the opposite party private hospital and underwent a surgery. The surgery caused some complications and the patient alleged the hospital and the doctor who treated him for medical negligence and approached the State Consumer Redressel Commission, Delhi. The State Commission had disposed the complaint on the ground of lack of pecuniary jurisdiction. 
2. On approaching the NCDRC, the national commission had found that the Consent obtained by the hospital was "informed consent", since the hospital authorities had communicated to the patient and the patient himself is aware of his prior medical complications. And on the claim of Medical Negligence and deficiency in service the commission had also favoured the Hospital.

• The Bench was comprising of Justice N V Ramana, B R Gavai and R Subhash Reddy.
• A contempt petition was filed on June 9 stating that despite the directions of the Court, no such Committee seems to have been constituted.
• The petition, on this ground, seeks the initiation of contempt proceedings and the summoning of the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Chief Secretary, U.T. of Jammu and Kashmir, who are members of the Special Committee, to explain their willful disobedience of the Supreme Court's judgement.
• It is pertinent to note at this point that despite the contempt petition having been filed ten days back, it is yet to be listed due to functioning of the Supreme Court Registry being impacted by COVID-19 but this delayed listing sheds a light on the partiality exhibited in listing of cases.
• With successive orders being passed by the Home Department of Jammu and Kashmir, extending the restrictions on internet speed, without the convening of a Special Committee as per the directions of the Supreme Court, the outcome of the contempt petition filed remains to be seen.

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• 2. ECONOMY (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper

2.1 Cabinet approves capital infusion of Rs 12,450 crore in 3 state-run insurance companies

• Key points - 

1. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved capital infusion of Rs 12,450 crore for three public sector general insurance companies namely Oriental Insurance Company Ltd, National Insurance Company Ltd & United India Insurance Company Ltd (including Rs 25,00 crore infused in FY 2019-20).

• Highlights -

1. Cabinet also approved an increase in the authorised share capital of NICL to Rs 7,500 crore and that of UIICL and OlCL to Rs 5,000 crore respectively to give effect to the capital infusion.
2. The government is reportedly also planning a merger and listing of these companies.
3. The capital infusion is expected to enable the three PSGICs to improve their financial and solvency position, meet the insurance needs of the economy, absorb changes and enhance the capacity to raise resources and improved risk management.
4. In the current financial year, the immediate financial implication would be Rs 3,475 crore as a result of capital infusion in three PSGICs namely OlCL, NICL and UIICL as the first tranche which will be followed by Rs 6,475 Crore.

• Important notes -

1. In the financial year 2019, three state-run insurance companies dragged down the non-life industry into a Rs 44 crore loss.
2. Insurance companies National Oriental Insurance and United India together reported losses of Rs 4,200 crore which was more than the collective profits of the remaining 23 companies.
3. The PSU insurers' performance in fiscal 2019 was in sharp contrast to their FY18 financials.
4. Including the listed New India Assurance, the four PSU insurers together reported a combined net profit of Rs 2,543 crore in FY19.
5. However, taken with the private industry’s profits of Rs 3,922 crore, this translated into a Rs 6,341-crore profit for the industry in that year.
6. Despite New India turning a Rs 645 crore profit, the four PSU insurers in FY19 together reported a loss of Rs 3,628 crore.

2.2 Other important happenings.

• Government extended tenure of acting chairperson of National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) Justice B. L. Bhat by 3 months.
• Government asked ecommerce companies to display products’ country of origin by August 1.
• KVIC begins online sale of Khadi Face Masks; cotton Rs 30, silk Rs 100.
• General and health insurers can offer cover for more than Rs. 5 lakh under Arogya Sanjeevani: IRDAI
• Facebook’s photo sharing app Instagram launches short video format Reels in India.
• Investment advisers can either sell financial products or advise on them to investors but can’t do both: SEBI.

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• 3. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper)

3.1 Not Available Today

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• 4. FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Prelims, GS Paper 2, Essay paper)

4.1 Not Available Today

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• 5. GOVERNMENT SCHEMES (Prelims, GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3)

5.1 Cabinet approves rental housing scheme for migrants, government to spend Rs 600 crore

• The ARHC scheme-

1. An affordable rental housing scheme for migrants who went back to their home states during the lockdown has been approved by the Cabinet.
2. The scheme under the ministry of housing and urban affairs will be a sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) with an estimated expenditure of around Rs 600 crore.
3. The scheme aims to cover nearly 3 lakh beneficiaries initially.
4. It will have a two-pronged approach; first, existing vacant government funded housing complexes will be converted into ARHCs through a concession agreement for 25 years.

• Benefits of the ARHC scheme -

1. ARHCs will create a new ecosystem in urban areas making housing available at affordable rent close to places of work and will cut down unnecessary travel, congestion and pollution.
2. The investment under ARHCs is expected to create new job opportunities. Government funded vacant housing stock will be converted into ARHCs for economically productive use.
3. The scheme would create a conducive environment for entities to develop ARHCs on their own vacant land which will enable new investment opportunities and promote entrepreneurship in rental housing sector.

• Key data -

1. As per data, there are 1.2 lakh such government houses available built under the erstwhile UPA- led scheme Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), NDA government led PMAY and housing schemes of the state governments.
2. Of these Maharashtra has the maximum number of accommodations available at 35,000 and Delhi 30,000 houses.

• Key facts -

1. Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in massive reverse migration of workers and urban poor in the country who come from rural areas or small towns for seeking better employment opportunities in urban areas.
2. Usually, these migrants live in slums, informal/unauthorized colonies or peri-urban areas to save rental charges.
3. They spend a lot of time on roads by walking/ cycling to workplaces, risking their lives to cut on the expenses.
4. A large part of workforce in manufacturing industries, service providers in hospitality, health, domestic/commercial establishments, and construction or other sectors, labourers, students etc who come from rural areas or small towns seeking better opportunities will be the target beneficiary under ARHCs.

5.2 Centre extends provision of free food grain to 81 crore people for 5 months till November-end

• Key point - 

1. Cabinet approves extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana – allocation of additional foodgrain for further five months from July to November, 2020.

• Highlights -

1. So far about 74.3 crore beneficiaries have been covered in April, 74.75 crore in May and about 64.72 crore in June 2020.
2. Rice/wheat at the scale of 5 kg per person per month is provided being to beneficiaries covered under NFSA (National Food Security Act), 2013.
3. Free distribution of whole Chana @ 1kg per month will also be done.
4. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) provides a safety net to the poor and vulnerable who had been worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
5. Announcement for Ujjwala beneficiaries: The Union cabinet has also approved the extension of time limit for availing the benefits of “PMGKY” for Ujjwala beneficiaries by three months with effect from 1st July 2020.

• EPF contribution -

1. The Cabinet also approved the extension of EPF contribution 24% (12% employees share & 12% employers share) for another 3 months from June to August 2020 under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana/Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
2. With a total estimated expenditure of Rs 4,860 crore, this move will benefit over 72 lakh employees.

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• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 DEFENCE Ministry approved acquisition of home-grown Astra long-range air to air missiles

• News - 

1. Amid continuing tensions on the Ladakh border, the defence ministry has approved procurement of weapons and ammunition worth Rs 38,900 crore, including critical home developed systems that will reduce dependence on imports in the coming years and will come as a boost to the defence industry.
   

• Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAM) - 

1. The indigenous design and development proposals approved — worth over Rs 20,400 crore — includes the cutting-edge Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAM) that has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
2. The missile, which has been successfully tested, will be ordered by both the Air Force and Navy and would replace legacy Russian missiles in the long term.
3. In the first tranche, 248 of the missiles will be ordered to be equipped on the Su 30 MKI and MiG-29K fleets.
   

• Other weapons and equipments - 

1. The ministry has also given the go ahead for addition of a new Long Range Land Attack Missile Systems, capable of hitting targets at over 1,000 km, for the Navy and Air Force. This will give greater standoff range to the forces and could be equipped onto the future fleet of P-75I submarines that are being procured.
2. The projects cleared include ammunition for Pinaka rocket launchers, BMP combat vehicle upgrades and software defined radios for Army.
   

• Made in India -

1. The equipment are going to be manufactured in India involving Indian defence industry with participation of several MSMEs as prime tier vendors. The indigenous content in some of these projects is up to 80% of the project cost. Acquisitions worth Rs 31,130 crore would be carried out from the Indian industry.
2. This includes a Rs 10,730-crore order to be placed on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture 12 more Su-30 MKI fighter jets at Nasik. 
3. This adds to the 272 fighter jets of the type that have been ordered in several tranches by the Air Force till now. 
4. The ministry has also given approval for the procurement of 21 news MiG-29 UPGs from Russia, as well as an upgradation of 59 existing fighter jets of the type for Rs 7,418 crore.
   

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 PM Modi's address at India Global Week 2020 in UK

• Key point - 

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make a major worldwide address at the India Global Week 2020 in the United Kingdom on July 9 at 01:30 pm.
2. His speech is likely to focus on India's trade and foreign investment prospects.
3. The organisers expect an estimated 250 senior business and strategic expert speakers to attract a worldwide audience of over 5,000 people over the course of the summit.

• Highlights -

1. PM Modi will connect remotely to the event, which is being touted as one of the biggest international events on India's globalization.
2. He is likely to lay out numerous investment and manufacturing opportunities that India has on offer as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. The annual event is an initiative by India Inc. Group, a UK-based media house. 
4. The theme of this year's event is '#BeTheRevival: India and a Better New World.
5. The summit will be held for three days – starting July 9 – on a virtual platform in view of the coronavirus pandemic and the consequent lockdown.
6. The India Inc. Group said the wide range of around 75 sessions during India Global Week 2020 between July 9 and 11 will cover subject areas such as geopolitics, business, emerging technologies, banking and finance, pharma, defence and security, and arts and culture.
7. From the UK, Prince Charles will be making a special address at the event and the British government is lining up high-profile speakers, including Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Home Secretary Priti Patel, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and International Trade Secretary Liz Truss.
8. Gaitri Kumar will also be addressing the event later this week, among her inaugural engagements as the new Indian High Commissioner to the UK.
9. Besides a focus of the India-UK bilateral ties and much-anticipated enhanced special relationship in a post-Brexit world, there are a series of country-specific sessions scheduled to cover India's ties with countries such as the US, Australia, Singapore and Japan.
10. The line-up will also include in-conversation segments, including between Indian-origin Hollywood actor Kunal Nayyar and Isha Foundation Founder Sadhguru, and journalist Barkha Dutt and Art of Living Foundation Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

• Some of the prominent speakers from India will include -

1. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar; Railways and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal; Civil Aviation and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri; IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad; and Skill Development Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey.

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• 8. SOCIAL ISSUES (Prelims, GS Paper 1, GS Paper 2)

8.1 WHO acknowledges 'evidence emerging' of airborne spread of COVID-19

• Key point - 

1. The World Health Organization has acknowledged there is emerging evidence that the coronavirus can be spread by tiny particles suspended in the air.

• Detailed news -

1. Officials say that the airborne transmission could not be ruled out in crowded, closed or poorly ventilated settings.
2. If the evidence is confirmed, it may affect guidelines for indoor spaces.
3. Scientists had accused the WHO of underestimating the possibility of airborne transmission.
4. The WHO has so far said that the virus is transmitted through droplets when people cough or sneeze.
5. WHO officials have cautioned the evidence is preliminary and requires further assessment.
6. The difference between droplet and airborne transmission:

• Droplet transmission - 

1. Coughs and sneezes can spread droplets of saliva and mucus.
2. Airborne transmission: Tiny particles, possibly produced by talking, are suspended in the air for longer and travel further. 

• A shifting position -

1. For months, the WHO has insisted that Covid-19 is transmitted via droplets emitted when people cough or sneeze.
2. Droplets that do not linger in the air, but fall onto surfaces - that's why handwashing has been identified as a key prevention measure.
3. But 239 scientists from 32 countries don't agree: they say there is also strong evidence to suggest the virus can also spread in the air: through much tinier particles that float around for hours after people talk, or breathe out.
4. Now, the WHO admitted that there was evidence to suggest this was possible in specific settings, such as enclosed and crowded spaces.
5. If the evidence is confirmed, the advice on how to prevent the virus spreading may have to change, and could lead to more widespread use of masks, and more rigorous distancing, especially in bars, restaurants, and on public transport. 

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• 9. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (Prelims, GS Paper 3)

9.1 Not Available Today

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• 10. FACTS, CHARTS, RANKINGS and EDITORIALS (Prelims + GS Mains)

10.1 Not Available Today

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• Airtel Payments Bank on June 15, 2020 launched ‘Suraksha Salary Account’, designed specifically workforce of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
• Pablo won the World Photographer of the Year Award in the professional category sponsored by Sony recently? Albarenga.
• Ajay Singh died at the age of 70 in June 2020. He had served as Ambassador.
• Democratic Republic of Congo declared a new Ebola epidemic on June 1, 2020 in the western city of Mbandaka. 
• “Hunar Haat” will restart from Sept. 2020 with the theme of “Local to Global”, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in May 2020.

10.3 Today's best editorials to read

• We offer you 7 excellent editorials from across 10 newspapers we have scanned. 

CLICK HERE TO OPEN AND READ!

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• SECTION 3 - MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

Solve the online quiz given, right now. Check scores, and relative performance!

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