Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services -18-07-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 18-07-2020

• [message]
• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Economy – ‘India got 273m out of poverty in 10 yrs’ – India had the biggest reduction in the number of multidimensionally poor people estimated at over 270 million during the 2005-15 period. The data, released by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), showed 65 of 75 countries studied significantly reduced their poverty levels between 2000 and 2019. Four countries —Armenia (2010–2015 /2016), India (2005/2006–2015/ 2016), Nicaragua (2001–2011/2012) and North Macedonia (2005/2006–2011) halved their global MPIT value and did so in 5.5–10.5 years. These countries show what is possible for countries with very different initial poverty levels. They account for roughly a fifth of world’s population, mostly because of India, the report said. The multidimensional index is a measure that looks beyond income to include access to safe water, education, electricity, food and six other indicators. But the impact of Covid-19 may slow down efforts to reduce multidimensional poverty.
2. COVID-19 – U.S. breaks record for new coronavirus cases with over 77,000 in one day – America's coronavirus crisis has taken a turn for the worse. More than 77,000 new cases were reported on Thursday (July 16), beating the old single-day record by nearly 10,000. The daily death toll is more than 900, including a record 156 in Florida. Meanwhile, the national debate over wearing masks is intensifying as large parts of the economy remain at a standstill. As of Friday morning, the US accounted for the world's highest number of infections and fatalities at 3,570,037 and 138,291, respectively.
   
3. Economy – India set to create its first overseas oil stockpile in US – India is moving to store oil in the US, the first time world’s third-largest oil guzzler is creating an emergency reserve abroad to take advantage of low prices and guard against possible supply disruptions. The move comes amid India’s deadly border stand-off with China in Ladakh and signals of New Delhi and Washington deepening their strategic bonding beyond defence. The US has emerged as India’s 6th largest oil supplier since the first US crude shipment reached Paradip in Odisha in October, 2017.
4. COVID-19 – Less than 2% COVID-19 patients in ICU – The Union Health Ministry said that less than 1% COVID-19 patients in the country are on ventilator support, less than 2% cases in ICUs, and less than 3% on oxygen beds. It said the actual case load in the country is 3.42 lakh, with more than 6.35 lakh people recovering from the disease. The Health Ministry has also deployed a team to Bihar to review the situation in the State, which is witnessing a rising trend in COVID-19 cases.
5. COVID-19 – Human trials for Covaxin begin – Three volunteers were administered Covaxin, India’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) in Rohtak on Friday (July 17) as part of the first phase of human trials. The vaccine, developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Virology, didn’t induce any initial adverse effects. The vaccine has been tested successfully on animals. The entire process might take six months and the final assessment on safety and the level of production of antibodies would be made by a safety board.
   
6. Terrorism – UN blacklists Pak. Taliban leader Noor Wali Mehsud – The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group’s leader Noor Wali Mehsud has been designated as a global terrorist by the UN for participating in the financing, planning and perpetrating acts on behalf of and in support of entities associated with al-Qaeda. The UN Security Council’s 1267 ISIL and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee added Mehsud, 42, to the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda Sanctions List on July 16, subjecting the Pakistani national to an assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. In June 2018, Mehsud was named the leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, following the death of former TTP leader Maulana Fazlullah. The TTP was blacklisted by the UN on July 29, 2011 for its association with al-Qaeda. Under Noor Wali’s leadership, TTP has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly terrorist attacks across Pakistan, including an attack targeting Pakistani security forces in North Waziristan in July 2019 and a bomb attack against Pakistani soldiers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in August 2019.
   
7. Business – Roshni Nadar: The first woman chairperson of an Indian IT company – Roshni Nadar Malhotra, India's wealthiest woman, is now the chairperson of HCL Technologies. She replaced her father Shiv Nadar on July 17 as the chairperson of the $9.9-billion HCL, the company by Shiv Nadar founded in 1976. Nadar-Malhotra has become the first woman chairperson of an Indian IT services company. Aside from being the richest India woman, Roshni Nadar was ranked 54 on the 2019 Forbes World's 100 Most Powerful Women list. In the same year, IIFL Wealth Hurun rankings estimated her wealth at Rs 36,800 crore. HCL is today the third largest in the industry, after TCS and Infosys, and has been among the fastest growing for many years now.
8. World – Hong Kong demands Taiwan officials sign ‘one China’ document – Taiwanese officials in Hong Kong have been told their visas will not be renewed unless they sign a document supporting Beijing’s claim to Taiwan under its “one China” policy. The move comes after Taipei criticised a new security law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing, and opened an office in Taipei this month to help people who may want to leave the Asian financial centre. The official said the move was unprecedented and presented an “unnecessary political obstacle” for Taipei-Hong Kong ties.
   
9. World – Security agencies can’t have unfettered access to online data: German court – Germany’s highest court has said security services had too much unfettered access to people’s online data and ordered legislation to be revised to set higher hurdles. German intelligence services and police agencies currently have the right to ask telecom and Internet companies for user info ranging from names and birth dates to passwords and IP addresses, to help their investigations. But the Court agreed with complaints brought by privacy activists that the access to data was excessive and an unconstitutional violation of citizens’ right to telecoms privacy. In their ruling, judges said the current powers to retrieve data were “disproportionate”.
10. Internal security – In signal to China, Navy runs major exercise off Andamans – The Indian Navy is conducting a major exercise off the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, in a clear display of strategic intent against China amid the ongoing military confrontation along the border in eastern Ladakh. The Indian naval manoeuvres come at a time when two American super aircraft carriers, USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan, are conducting rare dual combat drills in the South China Sea, much to China’s chagrin. The exercise is being conducted with warships and aircraft from Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) and Eastern Naval Command (ENC).

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	NIFT	Steno Grade-III, Asst Accounts, Machine Mechanic, Lab Asst.	18	10th,12th, ITI, Dip/Deg.	AUG 4, 2020	https://www.nift.ac.in/srinagar/sites/srinagar/files/inline-files/RECRUITMENT%20ON%20LONG%20TERM%20CONTRACT%20BASIS_0.pdf
2	NIELIT, Chennai	Pro. Eng., Jr Pro. Eng., Accounts Asst, Jr Asst, MTS	12	12th Class, B.E/B.Tech, Degree/ PG	July 24, 2020	http://nielit.gov.in/chennai/sites/default/files/Chennai/Manpower%20Advertisement.pdf
3	Cochin Shipyard Limited	Technician Apprentice, Trade Apprentice	358	Voc. Higher Sec., ITI	July 4, 2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/cochin-shipyard/17694/#Apprentice
4	Army Recruiting Office, Kota	Soldier	------	08th, 10th, 12th Class	August 31, 2020	https://joinindianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/BRAVO_NotificationPDF/Army_Recruitment_Rally_at_Ajmer__2020-21_ARO_Kota.pdf
5	District Hospital, Chittoor	Psychiatrist/ Medical Officer, Counsellor, DEO & Ward Boy	9	Diploma, ANM, MBBS, PG Deg/ Dip	July 21, 2020	https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s333e75ff09dd601bbe69f351039152189/uploads/2020/07/2020071595.pdf
6	APVVP, Vizianagaram	DEO, Radiographer, Bio Statis., Refractionist and Nursing Orderly	33	Inter, BA/ B.Sc/ MA/ M.Sc	July 22, 2020	https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3cee631121c2ec9232f3a2f028ad5c89b/uploads/2020/07/2020071772.pdf
7	Govt General Hospital, Srikakulam	Child Psychologist, Staff Nurse, Radiographer, Pharmacist Gr II	203	10th, GNM, D.Pharm, Deg.	August 8, 2020	https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3f899139df5e1059396431415e770c6dd/uploads/2020/07/2020071691.pdf

• [message]
• SECTION 2 - DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

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

1.1 Not Available Today

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

2.1 India ranks 3rd in global manufacturing locations among 48 countries

• Highlights - 

1. According to property consultant Cushman & Wakefield, India ranks third in the list of most-suitable locations for global manufacturing among 48 countries in terms of cost competitiveness and operating conditions.
2. In the backdrop of the Covid-19 scenario, the government has reiterated its agenda to launch fresh measures that would give a boost to setting up of a more conducive environment to make India a manufacturing hub.
3. At a time like this, India ranking amongst top-3 on the most suitable locations for global manufacturing comes as a shot in the arm for the country.
   

• Detailed report -

1. China retains the top spot, followed by the U.S. at second and India at third positions.
2. In cost scenario, India is at 3rd position after China and Vietnam.
3. However, India ranks 30th in risk scenario.
4. Countries that present lower levels of political and economic risks are ranked higher.

• MRI cost scenario - 

1. The MRI cost scenario places greater emphasis on cost reduction to give a higher score to countries where operating costs, including labour, are lower.
2. While China retains its lead position, Vietnam and India jumped to second and third positions, respectively.
3. The annual Global MRI scores each country against 20 variables that make up the three final weighted rankings that cover conditions, cost and risk.
4. The MRI 2020 includes analysis of the impact of Covid-19 on the global manufacturing sector and ranked countries by their projected ability to restart their manufacturing sectors once confinement measures are relaxed and business starts to return to normal.

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

3.1 Not Available Today

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

4.1 Cochin Shipyard bags contract to build electric vessels for Norwegian company

•  Key points -

1. Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has signed a contract to construct autonomous electric vessels for ASKO Maritime AS, Norway.
2. CSL won this export order after a detailed evaluation of various global shipyards and based on its value proposition to the customer.
3. CSL is already constructing 23 hybrid electric boats for the Kochi Water Metro.
4. This project is expected to catapult CSL onto the league of premier shipbuilding yards in the world capable of handling high tech vessel construction.

• Highlights -

1. The pact was signed for the construction and supply of two autonomous electric ferries with an option to build two more identical vessels.
2. ASKO Maritime AS, the subsidiary group of Norges Gruppen ASA, is one of the largest players in the Norwegian retail segment.
3. The project is an ambitious one in Norway and is partially funded by the Norwegian Government.
4. It aims at emission-free transport of goods across the Oslo fjord.
5. Once in operation, this vessel will create a new benchmark for the merchant shipping world in the field of autonomous vessels with zero carbon emission.
6. The 67m-long vessels will initially be delivered as a full-electric transport ferry, powered by 1846kWh capacity battery.
7. After commissioning of autonomous equipment and field trials in Norway, it will operate as a fully-autonomous ferry that can transport 16 fully-loaded standard EU trailers in one go across the fjords.
8. The vessels are designed by Naval Dynamics Norway using Kongsberg Maritime systems, with detailed engineering to be carried out by CSL.

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

5.1 Boeing completes delivery of Apache and Chinook helicopters to IAF

•  Key points -  

1. US aerospace company Boeing on July 10, 2020 said that it has delivered the final five of the 22 Apache attack helicopters to the Indian Air Force. The company had already completed the delivery of 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters in March.

• [message]
• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 Weekly Roundup – Sports

• Jack Charlton, a member of England’s 1966 FIFA World-Cup winning side, dies at 85 - Jack Charlton, a member of the England 1966 World-Cup winning side passed away at the age of 85 on July 10, 2020 in England. He scored 6 goals in 35 appearances for England in 1965–1970. es. At the club level, he was member of the Leeds United team that won First Division title (1968–69), FA Cup (1972) and League Cup (1968) in England. Charlton also served as manager of Ireland team that qualified for the world cups in 1990 and 1994.
• Wimbledon tennis organisers to pay prize money to players despite cancellation - Wimbledon will pay out $12.5 million in prize money to 620 players despite the annually held tennis tournament’s cancellation because of the coronavirus pandemic, the All England Club said in London on July 11, 2020.
• Asia Cup Cricket tournament postponed till June 2021 - The Asia Cup Cricket tournament, which was scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka in September 2020, has been postponed till June next year by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) owing to an upsurge in COVID-19 cases in the region.
• Mohd Mushtaque Ahmed resigns as Hockey India President - Mohd Mushtaque Ahmed has resigned as Hockey India president due to personal commitments, the national federation announced on July 10, 2020. Manipur’s Gyanendro Nigombam was appointed as the officiating president in Ahmed’s place.

• [message]
• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 Armed forces get special powers for individual procurement worth Rs 300cr

• Key point - 

1. Amid tension between India and China over the Ladakh border dispute - fuelled by the killing of 20 Indian soldiers in June 2020 - the armed forces have been granted special powers to purchase up to Rs 300 crore of weapons and equipment for "emergent operational requirements".

• Highlights -

1. The decision will shrink procurement timelines and ensure the military gets new arms and equipment within 12 months of placement of the order.
2. There would be no cap on the number of procurement programmes, meaning the armed forces can place multiple orders - so long as each is Rs 300 crore or less.
3. Earlier in July 2020, the defence ministry approved the procurement of 33 frontline fighter jets, a number of missile systems and other military hardware at a cost of Rs 38,900 crore.
4. This will consist of 21 MiG-29s from Russia and 12 Sukhoi-30s from government-run HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).
5. Procurement of 248 ASTRA BVR (beyond visual range) Air-to-Air missile systems and other missile systems were also approved.

• PM Modi’s views –

1. He has said that modernisation of the armed forces was a priority for his government.
2. The government would balance "vocal for local" - to increase manufacturing and help a coronavirus-battered economy - by importing modern defence technology from around the world.

• Tensions between India and China – 

1. Tensions between the two countries threatened to spiral out of control after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley region last month.
2. Following extensive senior-level military talks between the two, there has been a degree of mutual disengagement, with each side withdrawing by two kilometres. However, the situation is still volatile. 

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

8.1 World Youth Skills Day

•  Key point -  

1. In December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring 15th July as World Youth Skills Day.
2. The goal is to achieve better socio-economic conditions for today's youth as a means of addressing the challenges of unemployment and under employment.

• Attending a virtual conference -

1. UNESCO-UNEVOC every year organises a Virtual Conference on Skills for a Resilient Youth for a week. The conference is held from  6-14 July 2020.
2. This year the focus was on the importance of developing skilled youth across the globe.
3. Moreover, several virtual events focusing on the theme of “Skills for a Resilient Youth” are organised to mark this day.

• How to celebrate World Youth Skills Day –

1. One can help to spread awareness: One can do a bit by spreading knowledge about those who are looking for jobs. It is also essential to spread the awareness to others about that vocation, and skill-based education, which can make a difference in the employment crisis that exists today.
2. One can be a mentor: One can opt to become a mentor and establish emotional bonds to provide the support and guidance to youth, which will eventually help them to succeed in life and reach their goals.
3. One can become a volunteer: Many of the well-known organisations today offer benefits to their employees that put in volunteering hours. This initiative can become a blessing to those who want to build their career in specific areas. As an example, if you are running a tech company, you can send your employees to solve IT problems at non-profit organisations. By doing this, it will help them improve their skills in specific areas by giving them a glimpse of the community around them. 

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

9.1 IIT Delhi launches ‘Corosure’ test kit or COVID-19

•  Key points - 

1. In a big boost to India's efforts to ramp up testing for the Novel Coronavirus, the Covid-19 test kit developed by the IIT Delhi has been launched at a base price of Rs 399.
2. Even after adding the RNA isolation and laboratory charges, the cost per test will be considerably cheaper compared to currently available kits in the market.
3. Approved by the Indian Medical Council of India and Drug Control General of India, the commercial product named ‘Corosure’ was commercially developed by a company named NewTech Medical Devises after obtaining license from the IIT.

• Highlights - 

1. The company has said that it will manufacture two million kits by next month (August).
2. The institue said that it is 'world's most affordable' RT-PCR based Covid-19 diagnostic kit.
3. The Covid-19 diagnostic Kit developed by IIT Delhi is a step towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a self-reliant India.
4. IIT Delhi director informed that other than Corosure, the institute is also working on another testing kit in collaboration with the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) Pune for easy use by individuals at home for quick results.
5. In April 2020, IIT Delhi became the first academic institution to obtain the ICMR’s approval for a real-time PCR-based diagnostic assay.

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

10.1 Not Available Today

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• The National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered its first overseas case in Afghanistan recently.
• Under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), each MP is allocated Rs. 5 crores per year.
• IT industry body NASSCOM appointed UB Pravin Rao as its chairman for 2020-21.
• President Donald Trump has announced halting US government’s funding of up to USD 500 million annually to the WHO.
• Spanish Author Luis Sepulveda died on April 16, 2020 at the age of 70.

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!

• [message]
• SECTION 3 - MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

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

---

>