Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 18-08-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 18-08-2020

• [message]
• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Education – NEET, JEE won’t be postponed: SC – The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a petition by students to postpone the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) citing COVID-19 after recording the exam authorities’ promise that all necessary precautions would be taken to keep safe the candidates, whose numbers run into lakhs. The petition was filed by 11 students from 11 States. The NEET and the JEE are scheduled for September. COVID may continue... are you going to wait another year, court asks petitioners.
2. World – New Zealand postpones poll to fight second wave of virus – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has postponed the nation’s election to focus on fighting a COVID-19 second wave, as data showed Japan’s economy had endured a historic contraction. With more than 21.5 million cases worldwide, a second wave of infections is also threatening further disruption in Europe where summer holiday-makers are helping fuel a resurgence of COVID-19. The disease has killed more than 7,66,000 people globally. The postponement of New Zealand’s election to October 17 came after the shock discovery of COVID-19 in Auckland last week, ending the nation’s 102-day streak without community transmission.
3. World – Lukashenko offers to hold referendum – Alexander Lukashenko, the leader of Belarus, has said that he would be ready to hold new elections and hand over power after a constitutional referendum, an attempt to pacify mass protests and strikes that pose the biggest challenge yet to his rule. He made the offer, which he insisted would not be delivered on while he was under pressure from protesters, after exiled opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said she was willing to lead the country. In a sign of his growing vulnerability, Mr. Lukashenko faced heckling and chants of “step down” during a speech to workers at one of the large state-run factories that are the pride of his Soviet-style economic model and core support base.
4. World – U.S. imposes more sanctions targeting Huawei – The U.S. administration has expanded its sanctions on China’s Huawei, a move aimed at further limiting the tech giant’s access to computer chips and other technology. A Commerce Department statement added 38 Huawei affiliates around the world to the “entity list,” claiming that the company was using international subsidiaries to circumvent the sanctions which prevent export of U.S.-based technology. U.S. officials have argued that Huawei poses a security risk because of its links to the Beijing government, a claim denied by the company. The toughening of sanctions comes amid heightened U.S.-China tensions and claims by Washington that Chinese firms are being used for spying, despite repeated denials. Mr. Trump has claimed that Huawei “comes out and they spy on our country — this is very intricate stuff, you have microchips, you have things that you can’t even see.” The Trump administration has banned Huawei from 5G wireless networks in the U.S. and has pressed allies to do the same.
5. People& Personalities – Rakesh Asthana to take over as BSF chief – Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) chief Rakesh Asthana was appointed as director general of Border Security Force (BSF) on August 17. Asthana, a 1984 batch IPS officer of Gujarat cadre who earlier served as CBI special director, will continue to hold additional charge as DG, Narcotics Control Bureau. The government also approved the appointment of V S K Kaumudi, chief of Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), as special secretary (internal security) in the home ministry. Jawed Akhtar, a 1986 batch IPS officer from UP cadre working as special DG, CRPF, was appointed as DG, Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guard. BSF has not had a full-time chief for several months now, with ITBP DG S S Deswal holding additional charge as head of the border-guarding force. Asthana will be DG, BSF until his superannuation on July 31, 2021, or until furthers orders. He is also seen a strong contender for the post of CBI director when the incumbent’s term ends in February next year.
6. COVID-19 – Covid tests up 10 times, but positivity rate 8% for 2 wks – The Covid-19 positivity rate has stabilised at around 8% over the last fortnight even as daily testing increased almost 10 times as compared to last month, resulting in India crossing over three crore samples tested in total. Despite the surge in testing, the growth factor in new cases (every day’s new cases divided by the previous day’s cases) has also remained largely constant at around 1 percentage point while the overall active cases and fatality rate have started declining. Values of less than one are read as a decline. The daily positivity rate on August 16 dropped to 7.9% with 57,981 new cases detected, the cumulative rate has been hovering around 8.8% though there is cause for concern in some states with rates higher than 10%.
7. Economy – Hiring in India sees recovery from lows hit in April: Study – Overall hiring in India has recovered from the lows of April with software engineers, business development and sales managers being among the jobs with highest demand, according to a report. It noted that those working in recreation and travel sectors, the hardest hit by Covid-19, are almost seven times more likely to look for a job in a different sector. The data further suggests that those in retail sectors are twice as likely to apply for a job in a different sector, while people in consumer goods, entertainment, real estate and software services are less likely to shift. The good news is that the gap between male and female hires has narrowed. Competition for jobs is heating up, too, with the average number of applications per job posted on LinkedIn increasing from around 90 in January to 180 in June.
8. Economy – Q1 GDP contraction may be lower than expected: SBI – The contraction of first quarter GDP growth is likely to be much narrower than previously estimated, an SBI report said, but cautioned that rural recovery may not have much impact on GDP growth and called for remedial steps. It said the per capita loss for the entire country is around Rs 27,000 with states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Telangana, Delhi, Haryana and Goa exhibiting a loss of more than Rs 40,000 per person in fiscal year 2021.
9. People & Personalities – Doyen of Hindustani classical music Pandit Jasraj dies at 90 – Tributes are pouring in for Indian classical music legend Pandit Jasraj, who has died at the age of 90. The singer died at his home in the US on August 17 after suffering a cardiac arrest. He enthralled audiences across the world with his soulful performances for more than seven decades. The maestro also wrote music for some Bollywood films but he will mostly be remembered for making Indian classical music popular across the world. Pandit Jasraj was born into a family of musicians. His father was a vocalist in a royal court and his two brothers were also musicians.
10. Environment & Ecology – 'Highest temperature on Earth' as Death Valley, US hits 54.4C – What could be the highest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth - 130F (54.4C) - may have been reached in Death Valley National Park, California. The recording is being verified by the US National Weather Service. It comes amid a heatwave on the US's west coast, where temperatures are forecast to rise further this week. The scorching conditions have led to two days of blackouts in California, after a power plant malfunctioned on August 15. Before this, the highest temperature reliably recorded on Earth was 129.2F (54C) - also in Death Valley in 2013. The current heatwave stretches from Arizona in the south-west, up the coast to Washington State in the north-west. 

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	IARI	SRF, Skilled Worker, Project Asst	7	--	27 & 28-08-2020	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/08/Notification-IARI-SRF-Field-Worker-Posts.pdfr
2	Ministry of           Chem. & Ferti.	Head, Consultant & Young Professional	10	--	21 Days	https://img.freejobalert.com/uploads/2020/08/Notification-Ministry-of-Chemicals-Fertilizers-Consultant-YP-Posts.pdf
3	Indian Inst. of Toxicology Res.	Scientist & Senior Scientist	11	MD/ MVSc, ME/ M.Tech	SEPT-21-2020	http://iitrindia.org/pdf/IITRSciAdvt2020.pdf
4	IRCON Inter. Ltd.	Add. Gen. Manager, Joint Gen. Manager	6	Degree	SEPT-5-2020	https://www.ircon.org/images/file/HRM/2019/Final-ST-Advt.pdf
5	JIPMER	Anaesthesia Technician, Biomedical Engineer	52	Diploma, Degree	20 to 26–8-2020	https://main.jipmer.edu.in/sites/default/files/Detailed%20Advertisement%20of%20Various%20Gr%20B%20%26%20C%20posts%20on%20Contractual%20Basis%20for%20JIPMER%2C%20Puducherry_0.pdf
6	ICFRE	Library Information Assistant, Tech. Asst.	107	10th Class, 10+2, Degree	SEPT-15-2020	https://frirecruitment.icfre.gov.in/documents/Advertisement.pdf?v=11416
7	WIHG	Scientist, Tech. Officer, Field & Laboratory Asst.	8	Diploma, B.E, B.Tech, M.Sc	AUG-28-2020	http://www.wihg.res.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Advertisement.pdf

 

• [message]
• SECTION 2 - DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

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

1.1 Weekly Round-up – Constitution and Law

• Rhea Chakroborty vs State of Bihar – Sushan Singh Rajput Death: SC reserves order on Rhea Chakroborty’s plea to transfer Bihar FIR to Mumbai. Justice Hrishkesh Roy
• Praneeth K. V. UOI/Batch Pleas – Student vs UGC: Adjourns Hearing to August 18. Justices Ashok Bhushan, R. Subhash Reddy and M. R. Shah
• Vineet Sharma vs Rakesh Sharma – Daughters have coparency rights even if their father was not alive when Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 came into force: SC. Justices Arun Mishra, S. Abdul Nazeer and M. R. Shah
• Foundation for Media Professional vs UOI – 4G Internet will be restored in one districts each in Jammu and Kashmir on trial basis: AG tells SC. Justices N. V. Ramana, Subhash Reddy and B. R. Gavai
• SC holds Prashan Bhushan guilty of contempt for tweets against Judiciary; will hear him on sentence. Justices Arun Mishra, B. R. Gavai and Krishna Murari
• Abdul Nazeer vs Union of India and others – NEET 2020 to be conducted in single shift at the same time on the same day, No overseas centres possible: National Testing Agency tells SC. Justices L. Nageswara Rao, Hemand Gupta and S. Ravindra Bhat
• Nuzlat Parween vs State of Uttar Pradesh - SC directs Allahabad HC to dispose off Dr. Khafeel Khan’s plea against his detention at Mathura Jail. Chief Justice S. A. Bobde, A. S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian.
• Dr. Arushi Jain vs Union of India – Covid-19 quarantine period of Doctors and Health Workers will be treated as “On Duty” and not “On Leave” – Centre tells SC. Justices Ashok Bhushan, M. R. Shah and Subhash Reddy.

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

2.1 RBI transfers Rs 57,128 crore as surplus to government

• Highlights -  

1. The central bank has transferred a surplus of Rs 57,128 crore to the central government for the accounting year 2019-20 while deciding to maintain the Contingency Risk Buffer at 5.5%.
2. The central government had estimated a dividend of Rs.89,648 crores from RBI and other financial institutions for FY21.
3. The lower than expected transfer could mean further pressure on the central government at a time when revenues are weak and fiscal deficit is widening due to COVID-19 related spending.

• Experts’ views -

1. Experts argue that the lower transfer will be a disappointment for the government.
2. By June end, the government has already reached 83% of the fiscal deficit target for this year, so the transfer from RBI is a little disappointing compared to last year.
3. Moreover, banks may not be able to fill up the remaining gap on dividend on account Covid related provisions.
4. The lower than expected figures could be on account of forex interventions by the RBI to keep rupee stable and cost incurred by the central bank on account of excess liquidity parked with them.
5. The RBI Board also reviewed the current economic situation, continued global and domestic challenges and the monetary, regulatory and other measures to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
6. A call on deficit monetization may be taken only later when the RBI has more clarity on the economic recovery.

2.2 Vocal for local should become mantra for every Indian: PM Modi

 

 

• Highlights –

1. PM Modi has said that the mindset of free India should be 'vocal for local' to achieve the goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
2. While addressing the nation on 74th Independence Day, PM Modi emphasised on the need for using local products and said Aatmanirbhar Bharat has become a 'mantra' for the 130 crore Indians today.
3. Speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the PM addressed the nation and highlighted the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" spirit of the country that has resulted in achieving self-reliance amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. He also said there would be challenges in achieving this dream, but there's always a solution to these problems.
5. PM Modi expressed confidence that India will be able to achieve its Atmanirbhar Bharat goal during and said don't rest until the goal is achieved.
6. Earlier, the Prime Minister unfurled the tricolour at the Red Fort, as India turns 74. PM also inspected the Guard of Honour at the iconic monument.
7. In his Independence Day address to the nation, PM Modi mentioned India's strategy for the development of the COVID-19 vaccine.
8. The PM stated that scientists are working on this mission with strong determination.

• Home Minister’s views –

1. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated PM Modi's vision of "Vocal For Local" saying that people should now make it the mantra of their lives and move towards Make in India as well as Make for World.
2. The Union Home Minister said that the National Digital Health Mission is a visionary decision, which will revolutionise the health sector by creating a healthy India. He expressed his gratitude towards Narendra Modi for this decision.
3. Announcing the National Digital Health Mission on the occasion of 74th Independence Day, PM Modi on Saturday (August 15) said a unique health ID will be provided to every citizen, which will have their details of diseases, diagnosis, report, medication and so on.

• [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 Trump orders ByteDance to divest interest in U.S. TikTok operations within 90 days

• Key points –

1. President Donald Trump has ordered the Chinese company ByteDance to divest its interest in video-sharing app TikTok’s operations in the United States within 90 days.
2. A group of major US companies including Apple have raised concerns about the potential negative implications on US firms from the TikTok and WeChat orders.
3. Highlights –
4. The move adds to pressure for ByteDance to divest TikTok, and legally buttresses the Trump administration’s crackdown on the Chinese-owned social media app.
5. TikTok has come under fire from US lawmakers over national security concerns surrounding data collection.
6. Recently, Trump issued an executive order that would ban US transactions with ByteDance and with Tencent Holdings Ltd’s WeChat in 45 days, escalating a confrontation with Beijing over the future of the global tech industry.
7. Trump has said he would support an effort by Microsoft Corp. to buy TikTok’s American operations if the US government got a “substantial portion” of the proceeds, but has also said there are other interested potential buyers.
8. Trump nevertheless said he will ban the popular app on Sept. 15, though some Republicans have raised concerns about potential political fallout.
9. The Trump administration has stepped up its efforts to purge what it deems “untrusted” Chinese apps from US digital networks.

4.2 Israel and UAE strike historic deal to normalise relations

 

• Key points –

1. Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reached an agreement - brokered by the United States - to work towards a "full normalisation of relations", a deal the Palestinians called a "treacherous stab in the back".
2. Until now Israel has had no diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab countries.

• Importants details –

1. Under the agreement announced by the US President Donald Trump, Israel said it has agreed to "delay" the annexation of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank, but the plan "remains on table".
2. The UAE is the first Gulf Arab state and the third Arab nation - after Egypt and Jordan - to announce active ties with Israel.
3. Delegations from Israel and the UAE would meet in coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements on investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications and other issues.

• Stab in the back –

1. The Palestinian groups slammed the Israel-UAE agreement, saying it does nothing to serve the Palestinian cause and ignores the rights of the Palestinian people.
2. The Fatah movement said the UAE is "flouting its national, religious and humanitarian duties" toward the Palestinian cause.
3. It is said that under the Arab initiative, there should be first a settling of the Arab-Israeli conflict before any normalisation, so this is a major upset in terms of what has been the explicit thinking of Arab politics up until this point.

• [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-up – Accidents and Natural Disasters

• Air India Express plane crashes while trying to land at Kozhikode airport; 18 dead - At least 18 people died after a Boeing Co 737 plane of Air India Express coming from Dubai skidded off the runway and broke apart while attempting to land at the hilltop airport in Kozhikode, Kerala on August 7, 2020. It was carrying 190 passengers and crew. The dead included both pilots.
• Kerala: 18 killed in landslide in Rajamalai in Idukki district - A massive search operation using man and machine, is underway on August 8, 2020 to find 50 odd people reported missing after a landslide at Rajamalai in Idukki district of Kerala. The tragedy took place when big boulders came down on four lines of tea estate houses.
• Covid-19: Australia’s Victoria state declares a ‘state of disaster’ - Australia’s second-most populous state of Victoria declared a state of disaster on August 2, 2020 and imposed a nightly curfew for the capital Melbourne as part of its harshest movement restrictions to date to contain a resurgent Covid-19.
• Mauritius declares emergency as stranded ship spills fuel - The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius declared a “state of environmental emergency” on August 7, 2020 after a Japanese-owned ship MV Wakashio that ran aground offshore on July 25 began spilling tons of fuel. The Panama-flagged bulk carrier had been en route from China to Brazil.
• Afghanistan: Militants affiliated with Islamic State attack prison in Jalalabad - In Afghanistan, militants affiliated with the Islamic State group stormed a prison in the city of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province and freed over 400 militants on August 3. At least 39 people, including the assailants, were killed in the day-long siege.
• Lebanon: 100 killed in a blast in port warehouses in capital Beirut - A huge blast in port warehouses storing highly explosive material in Lebanon’s capital Beirut killed 100 people on August 4, 2020. Prime Minister Hassan Diab said there would be accountability for the deadly blast at the “dangerous warehouse”.
• Somalia: 8 soldiers killed in blast outside army base in capital Mogadishu - A car bomb exploded at the gates of a military base in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on August 8, 2020, killing at least eight soldiers. The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab extremist group, which controls large parts of southern and central Somalia, claimed responsibility via its radio arm, Andalus.

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

7.1 Not Available Today

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

8.1 PM Modi launches National Digital Health Mission; every Indian to get health ID

• 74th Independence Day –

1. PM Modi launches National Digital Health Mission.
2. He said that it will revolutionise the Indian health sector.
3. The National Digital Health Mission has been created to improve efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of the health service in India.

• Important details –

1. PM Modi during his Independence Day speech from Red Fort announced the National Digital Health Mission. As per the mission, every Indian will have a health ID.
2. PM Modi said that the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) will ensure seamless healthcare services through the health card.
3. The NDHM had recently received in-principle approval from the Cabinet.
4. The platform would have health IDs, personal health records, Digi Doctor and a health facility registry.
5. Once it is rolled out, the platform would also expand to include e-pharmacy and telemedicine services.
6. The digital health ecosystem would be a voluntary one and would be up to the user to enrol, hospitals and doctors to enrols.
7. Health records of individuals could be accessed but only after authorisation.
8. Users would also be able to link their Aadhaar with the health IDs.
9. The IDs could be put to use at hospitals, pharmacies and labs across the country.
10. The platform would also allow doctors to sign up and show their details and contact numbers. They would also be assigned a digital signature for prescriptions.
11. The force behind the National Digital Health Mission is the National Health Authority that brought the Ayushman Bharat scheme to fruition.
12. While the Ministry of Finance has approved a budget of Rs 470 for the National Digital Health Mission, the platform is likely to seek around Rs 400 crore from the government.

• [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 Not Available Today

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• Ajay Tyagi got an extension as the Chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) till Feb 2022.
• Northern Railway in August 2020 started first-ever Vyapar Mala Express train from Delhi to Tripura.
• The 700 MW Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3 achieved criticality on July 2020.
• SpiceJet has become India’s first airline to offer COVID-19 hospitalisation insurance cover to its flyers.
• The Central Board of Secondary Education syllabus for classes 9 to 12 has been reduced by 30% this year due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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!

---

>