Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 14-08-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 14-08-2020

• [message]
• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Economy – PM announces taxpayers’ charter – PM Modi has launched a “Transparent Taxation — Honouring the Honest” platform that provides faceless assessment, faceless appeal and a taxpayers’ charter. He appealed to those not paying taxes, despite having the ability, to come forward and commit themselves to the cause of making the country self-reliant. While the faceless assessment and taxpayers’ charter came into force on Thursday itself, the faceless appeal system will be available from September 25, the birth anniversary of Deendayal Upadhyaya. The assessment system seeks to eliminate corrupt practices by doing away with the territorial jurisdiction of income-tax offices.
2. World – UAE, Israel reach agreement to establish diplomatic ties – President Donald Trump has said that the United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state. The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to have active diplomatic ties to Israel. For Israel, the announcement comes after years of boasting by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his government enjoys closer ties to Arab nations than publicly acknowledged. For the UAE, it further burnishes its international campaign to be seen as a beacon of tolerance in West Asia despite being governed by autocratic rulers.
3. World – Lebanon Parliament declares a state of emergency in Beirut – Lebanon’s Parliament has approved a state of emergency in the capital, Beirut, in its first session since the tragic explosion last week, granting the military sweeping powers amid rising popular anger and political uncertainty. The blast that killed more than 170 people and injured at least 6,000 others changed the face of the capital and forced the government to resign. Before resigning, the government declared a state of emergency in Beirut that granted the military sweeping powers, including the power to declare curfews, prevent public gatherings and censor media as well as refer civilians to military tribunals for alleged security breaches.
4. Economy – US eases ban on foreigners returning to same job role – The US Department of State has permitted foreign nationals to seek an H-1B or an L-1 visa and return to the US to resume their previously held employment. In addition, individuals — including those in information technology (IT) — may also qualify for entry to the US under ‘national interest exception’ norms, subject to meeting certain conditions. Immigration experts believe that the slew of lawsuits against the entry ban on a wide range of visa holders, which had the backing of such US tech giants as Apple and Microsoft, forced the Trump administration to backtrack and introduce relaxations. These relaxations are a huge relief to hundreds of US job holders who were visiting India for dealing with family emergencies and functions and, owing to the travel ban announced by President Donald Trump on June 22, found that they could not obtain a visa stamp and travel back to the US.
5. Economy – Inflation accelerates to 6.93% dimming chances of a rate cut – India’s retail inflation accelerated to 6.93% in July on higher food prices, remaining above the RBI’s medium-term target for a tenth straight month. Food prices soared due to supply-side disruptions caused by lockdowns. They rose 9.62% compared to a jump of 8.72% in June. A steady increase in COVID-19 cases has disrupted the supply chain as lockdowns have continued at regional levels. Fearing a sharp acceleration in inflation the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last week kept interest rates on hold, after reducing the repo rate by a total of 115 basis points since February. The RBI’s medium-term inflation target is set at 4%. India’s economy is expected to contract more than 4.5% in the current fiscal, but some analysts do not expect the central bank to cut rates further this year.
6. Economy – India gifts Maldives its biggest infra project – India has announced several developmental projects in the Maldives, including a $500 million Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP), billed as the largest ever infrastructure project in the country. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also announced the creation of an air bubble to facilitate movement for employment, tourism, medical emergencies. India said in a statement that it will support implementation of GMCP through a grant of $100 million and a new Line of Credit of $400 million. Jaishankar noted that this project will connect Malé with three neighbouring islands - Villingili, Gulhifahu (where a port is being built under Indian LoC) and Thilafushi (new industrial zone) – by construction of a bridge-and-causeway link spanning 6.7 km. India also announced the commencement of a direct cargo ferry service and extension of urgent financial assistance.
7. COVID-19 – Biggest nat’l daily rise: 66k+ cases, 1,008 deaths – An unprecedented surge in the Covid-19 pandemic in India on Thursday (August 13) saw the number of fresh cases and deaths touch record highs. New infections on the day shot up to 66,037, while fatalities soared to 1,008. India’s total caseload has crossed 24 lakh. This was the second time that deaths had crossed 1,000 in a day. Thursday’s toll was just 1 higher than 1,007 deaths on August 9.
8. COVID-19 – New Zealand races to track down the source of the Auckland coronavirus outbreak – After more than 100 days without community transmission, New Zealand is now grappling with a fresh coronavirus outbreak in its largest city, Auckland. The resurgence of the virus has bamboozled health officials and sent politicians into a spin about the possible source. It all comes after New Zealanders had been quietly confident they had eliminated COVID-19 outside of the quarantine centres set up to take in Kiwis returning from overseas. But earlier this week, an Auckland family of four tested positive, sending shudders through the whole city and sending businesses back into lockdown.
9. Defence – Coast Guard''s offshore patrol vessel ''Sarthak'' launched – An offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Indian Coast Guard was launched and rechristened as "Sarthak" on Thursday (August 13). The OPV is fitted with the state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment, sensor and machinery. The 105 metre ship displaces approximately 2,350 tonnes and is propelled by two 9,100 KW diesel engines designed to attain a maximum speed of 26 knots, with an endurance of 6,000 nautical miles.
10. World – China launches 'Clean Plate' campaign against food waste – China has stepped up measures to reduce food waste, after President Xi Jinping called the amount wasted "shocking and distressing". The "Clean Plate Campaign" comes after Mr Xi highlighted that Covid-19 had "sounded the alarm" on food waste. He added that China had to "maintain a sense of crisis about food security". It also comes after weeks of mass flooding across southern China which left farms wrecked and ruined tons of produce. Following Mr Xi's message, the Wuhan Catering Industry Association urged restaurants in the city to limit the number of dishes served to diners - implementing a system where groups must order one dish less than the number of diners. So under this system dubbed "N-1", a group of 10 people can only order 9 dishes.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	IARI	JRF/ SRF, Project Associate-I, Field Worker	7	Any Degree, PG	AUG-26-2020	https://www.iari.res.in/bic/projectnew32/admin/jobs/SRF_ADVT_Genetics_06082020.pdf
2	NEERI	Project Asst, Project Associate I	10	B.Sc, BE/ B.Tech/ M.Sc	AUG-24-2020	https://www.neeri.res.in/file_homes/56695183_revised_PA_NOTICE_HZC.pdf
3	IIT, Bombay	GATE 2021	-	Degree, PG	SEPT-30-2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/gate/652022/
4	HAL	Apprentice & Faculty	2000	Diploma/ Degree	SEPT-5-2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/hal-recruitment/18197/
5	DLSA, Dakshina Kannada	Para legal Volunteer	-	-	AUG 27,2020	https://districts.ecourts.gov.in/sites/default/files/DLSA_PLV.pdf
6	Municipal Service Commission, WB	Medical Officer, Laboratory Technician	71	Madhyamik, Diploma (Lab Tech), MBBS	SEPT-2-2020	ESZhttps://www.mscwb.org/home/download/bGYrYXdqRDJiaFI2a0s1RGNySlhjWDZ4SDBlVVJjUWhYRXNQaHI1WDhkTnpMMVV3ZmNPS0N1dWV1ZUFGSzNMbFRYbjZCUXpyM2xLcEdrN0pMaDI2VGJySC9Xa3ZmcWMzemk2K05KRGVTZXNoRXplaklETnpJbTdya2p5S3JONjM=
7	Central Institute of Psychiatry	Senior Resident	15	MBBS, PG Degree	04-09-2020 – Walk in	https://cipranchi.nic.in/cipadmin/notice_pdf/Notice%20for%20SR%20interview_10_50_59ame1b0a98c1bd6b8f63c89c6a2c29e5087.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 Major Happenings

• Committee constituted by Corporate Affairs Ministry proposes renaming Business Responsibility Report as Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR)
• Dwayne Johnson tops Forbes list of world’s highest-paid male actors with an income of $87.5 million from June 1, 2019 to June 1, 2020
• Sumner Redstone, US media mogul who headed Viacom Inc and CBS Corp, dies at 97.

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

3.1 World Elephant Day 2020

• Highlights –

1. World Elephant Day is observed every year on August 12.
2. It is a day dedicated to the preservation and protection of the world's elephants.
3. Also known as International Elephant Day, the goal of this day is to raise awareness about the plight of African and Asian elephants and the threats they face.
4. Supported by numerous conservation agencies, the day is a time to spread awareness, share knowledge, and provide solutions for better care and management of both captive and wild elephants.
5. Elephants continue to face numerous challenges, including poaching, habitat loss, exploitation, abuse, and proximity to human conflict and poverty.
6. World Elephant Day is now supported by over 65 wildlife organizations and many individuals in countries across the globe.
7. African elephants are listed as "Vulnerable" and Asian elephants as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
8. One conservationist has stated that both African and Asian elephants face extinction within twelve years.
9. The current population estimates are about 400,000 for African elephants and 40,000 for Asian elephants, although it has been argued that these numbers are much too high.

• History –

1. The first International Elephant Day was held on August 12, 2012.
2. The film Return to the Forest, narrated by William Shatner, is about the reintroduction of captive Asian elephants to the wild and was released on the inaugural World Elephant Day.
3. The follow-up feature film When Elephants Were Young, also narrated by William Shatner, depicts the life of a young man and young elephant in Thailand.

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

4.1 Biden picks Indian-origin Kamala Harris as his vice president nominee

• Key point –

1. Democratic nominee Joe Biden has named Indian-origin senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, making history by selecting the first black woman to compete on a major party's presidential ticket.

• Who is Kamala Harris and what does her pick signify –

1. Harris was the first South Asian American to become a US senator.
2. Harris, 55, was born in Oakland, California. She is a former attorney general of California and a former San Francisco district attorney.
3. Kamala Harris is currently the US Senator from California.
4. Former US President Barack Obama has often described her as a trailblazer.
5. If elected, Kamala Harris would be the first ever woman to be the Vice President of the United States and the first ever Indian-American and African Vice President of the country.
6. Daughter of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, Harris has known many firsts. She has been a county district attorney; the district attorney for San Francisco - the first woman and first African-American and Indian-origin to be elected to the position.
7. She was also the first female African-American and Indian-origin to become California's attorney general.
8. Harris became the first Indian-origin and second African-American woman to join the Senate, winning the California seat vacated by Senator Barbara Boxer.
9. Leading Indian-American groups across the US have lauded the selection of Kamala Harris as the Vice Presidential candidate, saying it was a moment of pride and celebration for the entire community in America.

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

5.1 Not Available Today

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

6.1 Weekly Round – Sports

• IPL in UAE gets provisional govt. nod - The Union Government granted provisional clearance for IPL 2020 to be shifted to the UAE in the wake of COVID-19. On August 2, 2020, the IPL governing council decided that the tournament will be held from September 19 to November 10. 

• The council finalised the proposal to advance the start of the night matches to 7.30 p.m. from 8 p.m. While the squad size will be capped at 24, it was also decided to not allow spectators in any of the three venues — Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah — during the initial phase of the tournament.
• The council decided to not tinker with any of its sponsorship deals. In the wake of the government’s increased curbs against Chinese entities following a border standoff, the BCCI had announced that it would review IPL’s sponsorship deals, including the one with Chinese mobile company VIVO, the title sponsor.
• Selection committee for national sports awards announced - Retired Supreme Court Justice Mukundakam Sharma will head the selection committee for finalising this year’s Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and other sports awards such as Dhyan Chand award, Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar (RKPP) and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad trophy. The Union Sports Ministry named Virender Sehwag (cricket), Sardar Singh (hockey), Monalisa Baruah-Mehta (table tennis), V. Devarajan (boxer) and Deepa Malik (para athletics) as part of the committee. The others are the Sports Authority of India director- general Sandip Pradhan, joint secretary L.S. Singh and Cdr. Rajesh Rajagopalan of Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), besides three mediapersons — Neeru Bhatia, Alok Sinha and Manish Batavia. Two Dronacharya awardees may be invited while considering nominations for the same.
• England beat West Indies in 3-test series 2-1 - England beat West Indies by 269 runs in the third and final test at Old Trafford, Manchester on July 28, 2020 to win the series 2-1. England had won the second test at the same venue by 113 runs on July 20 while West Indies won the first test at Rose Bowl, Southampton by 4 wickets on July 12.
• England’s Stuart Broad becomes 7th bowler in Test cricket to take 500 wickets - England fast-bowler Stuart Broad on July 28, 2020 became the seventh bowler in the history of Test cricket to scalp 500 wickets in in his 140th test played at Old Trafford, Manchester against West Indies. Those ahead of Broad are: Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Australia’s Shane Warne (708), India’s Anil Kumble (619), England’s James Anderson (589*), Australia’s Glenn McGrath (563) and Courtney Walsh (519) of West Indies.

• England: Former cricketer Ian Botham made member of House of Lords - Legendary England all-rounder Ian Botham (64) has been made a member of the House of Lords of the British Parliament. Botham, who played 102 Test matches for England between 1977 and 1992, was knighted in 2007.
• Arsenal beat Chelsea to win FA Cup football tournament in England - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang inspired Arsenal to a record 14th FA Cup triumph, the Gunners captain scoring both goals in the 2-1 win against Chelsea in the final played in London on August 1, 2020. The win earned Mikel Arteta silverware in his first season as Arsenal boss.
• Football: Italian club Lazio’s Ciro Immobile wins European Golden Shoe - Lazio’s Ciro Immobile scored his 36th goal of the season in Italian first division football ‘Serie A’ that won him the European Golden Shoe award. The award is given to the top scorer across every European league, with goals weighted by the quality of league. Immobile finished ahead of Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich (Germany) and Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus (Italy).
• Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton wins British Grand Prix at Silverstone - Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on August 2, 2020. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished second while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was third.

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

7.1 Doctors with medical degree from PoK won’t be allowed to practice in India, says MCI

• Highlights - 

1. The medical council of India has declared qualification obtained from medical colleges located in Pakistan Occupied Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh (PoJKL) ineligible for practice of modern medicine in India through a notification issued on August 12.
2. The notification says that any medical institute in POJKL requires permission under the Indian Medical Council act, 1956 since the occupied territories are an integral part of India and therefore subject to Indian laws and regulations.
3. Such permission has not been granted to any medical college in POKJL.
4. Therefore any qualification obtained from medical colleges located within these illegally occupied areas of India shall not entitle a person for grant of registration under Indian Medical Council Act 1956 to practice Modern Medicine in India.
5. The act stipulates that the medical qualifications granted by any university or medical institution in India which are included in the First Schedule shall be recognised medical qualifications for the purposes of the act.

• Note – Medical Council of India is a regulatory body for medical education and professionals.

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

8.1 Reliance Foundation, USAID partner to bridge gender digital divide in India

• Key Point –  

1. Reliance Foundation has forged a new partnership with US Agency for International Development and W-GDP to bridge the gender digital divide in India.
2. Highlights –
3. The W-GDP Women's Connect Challenge (WCC) supports private sector-led approaches that close the gender digital divide, expands business opportunities, and empowers women.
4. As part of programme, W-GDP will partner with the Reliance Foundation to create an India-specific expression of the WCC and incorporate the lessons of previous W-GDP WCC Rounds.
5. In 2016, Reliance launched Jio a tech ecosystem that has ushered in digital life for 1.3 billion Indians and delivered first-hand a pan-India digital revolution that has transformed lives in ways unimaginable before.
6. Today, Jio is the largest digital services company in India, and the second-largest in the world. As many as 120 million Jio users are women, and the number is growing rapidly.
7. This year Reliance Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and over the last decade has impacted the lives of 36 million Indians.
8. In February 2019, the White House established the Women's Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative, the first whole-of-government approach to women's economic empowerment.
9. W-GDP seeks to reach 50 million women in the developing world by 2025 by focusing on three pillars women prospering in the workforce, women succeeding as entrepreneurs, and women enabled in the economy.
10. W-GDP leverages a new innovative fund, scaling private-public partnerships that address the three pillars. In its first year alone, W-GDP programs reached 12 million women across the globe.

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

9.1 Not Available Today

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

10.1 COVID-19 impact: 50% of Global youth depressed, 17% out of jobs, says ILO

• Key Points –  

1. Half of the world's youth population is subject to anxiety or depression-causing circumstances and more than a third are uncertain of their future career prospects due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a survey by the International Labour Organization.
   The coronavirus, which first emerged in China's Wuhan city, has claimed over 740,000 lives with more than 20 million confirmed cases across the world so far.

• The survey –

1. If urgent action is not taken, youths are at the risk of suffering severe and long-lasting adverse impacts from the pandemic.
2. One in two (i.e., 50 per cent) young people across the world are possibly subject to anxiety or depression, while 17 per cent are probably affected by it.
3. Mental well-being is lowest for young women and younger youths between the ages of 18 and 24 years.
4. Young people whose education or work was either disrupted or had stopped completely were almost twice as likely to be affected by anxiety or depression as compared to those who continued to be employed or whose education was not affected.
5. Among those who thought that their education would be delayed or might fail, 22 per cent were likely to be affected by anxiety or depression, compared to 12 per cent of students whose education remained on track.
6. 38 per cent of young people are uncertain of their future career prospects, with the Covid-19 crisis expected to create more obstacles in the labour market and to lengthen the transition from school to work.
7. Some youths have already felt the direct impact of the pandemic, with one in six youths having to stop work since the virus outbreak.
8. Many young workers are employed in highly-affected sectors, such as support, services or sales-related work, making them more vulnerable to the economic consequences of the pandemic.
9. The report said 73 per cent of the young people experienced school closures though all of them were not able to transition into online and distance learning.
10. The pandemic has left 1 in 8 young people without any access to courses, teaching or training.
11. 65 per cent of the young people reported having learnt less since the pandemic began.
12. Fifty-one per cent believe their education will be delayed, and nine per cent fear their education would suffer and might even fail.
13. One in six young people (17 per cent) who were employed before the outbreak, stopped working altogether, most notably younger workers aged 18 to 24 years, and those in clerical support, services, sales, crafts and related trades.
14. Working hours among the employed youths fell by nearly a quarter and two out of five young people reported a reduction in their income.
15. Young people in low-income countries are the most exposed to reductions in working hours and the resultant contraction in income.

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• Himachal Pradesh has launched ‘Har Ghar Pathshala’ education initiative using WhatsApp.
• Madhya Pradesh has the highest population of tigers according to report of Tiger Census – 2018 released in July 2020.
• The government in July 2020 said that 18% GST is applicable on alcohol-based sanitizers.
• UNFCCC stands for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention.
• 7.1% is the rate of interest for Public Provident Fund July-September 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!

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

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

---

>