Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 16-10-2020

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 16-10-2020

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Scams – TRP scam: All news channels’ ratings paused for three months – Exactly a week after Mumbai police announced it had busted a scam to manipulate TRP ratings and boost advertising revenues by Republic TV and two Marathi channels, the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) paused its weekly rating for all news channels for the next three months. According to BARC, the period would be used to bring the ratings system to global standards and to discourage “unlawful inducement of its panel home viewers”. Review and augment the current standards of measuring and reporting the data of niche genres to improve their statistical robustness and significantly hamper potential attempts to infiltrate panel homes. The police have already arrested five persons they allege were involved in a racket to bribe households with bar-o-meters to keep the three channels switched on so as to fraudulently show higher viewership.
2. Indian Politics – J&K parties team up for restoring special status – National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah chaired a meeting of regional political parties and announced the formation of a new grouping, named the ‘Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration’, comprising the parties that had signed it on Aug 4 last year “to fight for Jammu and Kashmir’s special status”. The meeting was held at the residence of Dr. Abdullah on Gupkar Road in Srinagar and attended by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, Peoples Conference (PC) chief Sajad Lone and CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami, among others.
3. Economy – GST: Centre to borrow for States – The Centre appeared to make a departure from its stance that the States should undertake market borrowings to bridge the Rs. 1.1 lakh crore of GST compensation shortfall this year, stating that the Government of India (GOI) will now undertake the required borrowings in tranches and pass them on to the States as “back-to-back loans” that will reflect on their own books. The move may help break the impasse between the Centre and the States over the issue of borrowings to recompense the latter, with consensus remaining elusive despite extensive talks over three GST Council meetings. 21 States and Union Territories, including Delhi and J&K, had acceded to the Centre’s proposal that the States undertake the borrowings to meet the shortfall, with principal and interest repayments to be paid from future GST collections.
4. Arts and Culture – Bhanu Athaiya, India’s first Oscar winner, passes away – Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya, India’s first Oscar winner, died at her home on Thursday after a prolonged illness. She was 91. Ms. Athaiya won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, along with John Mollo, for her work in Richard Attenborough’s 1983 film Gandhi which starred Ben Kingsley as the Mahatma. The lavish biopic about Mahatma Gandhi swept the Oscars with eight awards. The Kolhapur-born Athaiya, who worked till as recently as five years ago, began her career as a costume designer in Hindi cinema with Guru Dutt’s 1956 super hit C.I.D. She went on to work in over 100 films. In 2012, Ms. Athaiya returned her Oscar to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for safe keeping.
5. World – Despite ban, thousands join Thai protest – Thousands of protesters demonstrated in Thailand’s Bangkok, defying a ban imposed to end three months of anti-government action that has targeted King Maha Vajiralongkorn as well as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader. Despite police appeals over a loudspeaker to disperse, the group spilled across the Ratchaprasong Intersection in one of Bangkok’s busiest commercial districts. It was the scene of bloodshed in 2010, during more than a decade of violence between supporters and opponents of the Thai establishment. Protesters also filled the walkways of the nearby shopping complex, holding up the three-finger salute adopted as a symbol of opposition after Mr. Prayuth’s 2014 coup.
6. World – EU imposes sanctions on six Russians over Navalny attack – The European Union (EU)and Britain imposed sanctions on six Russians, some among the highest-ranked officials in the nation, and a state research institute over the nerve agent poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The move comes a day after Russia’s Foreign Minister threatened the 27-nation EU with retaliatory action. The State Scientific Research Institute for Organic Chemistry and Technology was also targeted. The EU said that institute, which was responsible for destroying Soviet-era chemical weapon, was years ago involved in the development and production of chemical weapons, including the nerve agent Novichok allegedly used to poison Mr. Navalny.
7. Covid-19 Updates – Sri Lanka faces biggest test yet to its virus response – As the number of daily cases of COVID-19 continues to rise in Sri Lanka, following a new wave identified at a garment factory earlier this month, the spotlight is on two issues. One, the source of these infections, and the other, the plight of workers engaged in the apparel factories that fetch precious foreign exchange. Although Sri Lanka contained the pandemic effectively in the last few months, the latest outbreak is the biggest test yet to the country’s much-hailed pandemic response from the public health sector with the Army’s support. Especially since authorities are yet to track down the source of the latest cluster, unlike in the previous waves of COVID-19 infections in the country. Sri Lanka’s Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera has said the women worker who tested positive on October 4 may not be the first case, while cautioning the public about a more virulent strain of the virus this time.
8. US-China – U.S. warship in Taiwan Strait enrages China – A U.S. warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait in what the American military described as a “routine” passage on Wednesday, but enraging China, which claims sovereignty over the island and surrounding seas. Ties between Beijing and Washington have deteriorated in recent months, over issues including trade and Hong Kong, with the self-ruled island of Taiwan a long-running source of tension. The guided-missile destroyer USS Barry passed through the Strait on October 14, according to a statement by the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The ship’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
9. World – Kyrgyzstan President resigns to end post-election crisis – Kyrgyzstan’s President Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigned on Thursday, saying he wanted to bring an end to the crisis sparked by disputed parliamentary elections earlier this month and avoid any further bloodshed. Protests erupted after the October 4 election was won by parties loyal to Mr. Jeenbekov, with opponents disputing the results, alleging vote-buying. The vote was later annulled but this did not quell the tensions. More than 1,200 people were injured and one killed during the post-election clashes between protesters and police.
10. Economy – Sensex snaps ten-day rally, slumps 2.6% – Snapping its ten-session winning run, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex plunged 1,066.33 points on Oct 15 as investors pressed the exit button amid a massive sell-off in global markets. The 30-share index slumped 2.61% to close at 39,728.41. The broader NSE Nifty crashed 290.70 points, or 2.43%, to 11,680.35. Bajaj Finance was the top loser, tumbling 4.68%, followed by Tech Mahindra, IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI, Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel and HCL Tech. Investors lost Rs. 3.25 lakh crore in Oct 15’s session as the total market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies fell to Rs. 157.31 lakh crore.

Important Exam Notifications
S. No.	Institution	Exam or Post Name	Vacancies or Seats	Qualification	Last Date to Apply	Link for Details
1	General Insurance Corp of India	Acturial Apprentice	7	Any Degree/ PG Degree, PG Diploma	OCT-25-2020	https://www.gicofindia.com/images/pdf/Actuarial_Apprentice__2020_English.pdf
2	NIELIT, Delhi	Senior Consultant, Consultant	16	BE/ B.Tech	OCT--19-2020	http://nielit.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/Recruitment/Eligibility%20Criteria_1.pdf
3	Tata Memorial Centre	Counselor, Attendant	7	Degree (Psychology, Social Work)	OCT-17-2020	https://actrec.gov.in/sites/default/files/2020-10/Counselor%20%26%20Attendant_0.pdf
4	Indian Army	56th SSC (Men) & 27th SSC (Women) (Apr) 2021	191	Degree	NOV-12-2020	http://www.freejobalert.com/indian-army/18464/#SSC-Apr
5	Assam PSC	Motor Vehicle Inspector	33	HSSLC with Dip. (Auto. or Mech. Engg)	NOV-9-2020	http://apsc.nic.in/advt_2020/Advt_no_09_2020_MVI_13Oct2020.pdf
6	CMHO, Durg	MO, OT Technician and Other	99	Diploma, Degree, PG	OCT-25-2020	https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3851ddf5058cf22df63d3344ad89919cf/uploads/2020/10/2020101334.pdf
7	Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya	Senior Resident	16	MBBS, PG Deg/ Dip/ DNB	OCT-22-2020	http://www.cnbchospital.in/UploadedData/TenderAndCareerFile/132470518425800532.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 Not Available Today

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

2.1 Not Available Today

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

3.1 Red light on, gaadi off

 

Highlights –

• To get rid of air pollution in the national capital, Delhi government has launched ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ initiative.
• The initiative part of ‘Yuddh, Pradushan Ke Viruddh' campaign promotes switching off the engine of the vehicles while waiting at the red signals.
• In the coming days, the Delhi government also plans to launch a massive awareness campaign regarding this.
• Around 10 million vehicles are registered in Delhi. Experts say that even if 1 million vehicles shut down their vehicles at the traffic lights, it will reduce PM10 pollution by 1.5 lakh tonnes. Even PM2.5 pollution will also come down by 0.4 tonnes.
• Experts believe that this campaign has the potential to bring down vehicular pollution by 15-20%.
• According to experts, every driver in Delhi needs to stop at red lights for about 15 to 20 minutes every day. In winter, the smoke emanating from the car during the idling period on a traffic light pushes up pollution enormously.
• If the driver switches off the engine at every traffic light, he can save 200 ml of fuel every day. This will result in an annual savings of Rs 7,000.
• Mr. Kejriwal says the people of Delhi have together worked to slash pollution levels by 25 per cent over the last five years.

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

4.1 Weekly Roundup – Foreign Affairs II

 

Highlights –

• New Caledonia rejects freedom from France in a referendum - The South Pacific territory of New Caledonia chose to remain French on October 4, 2020, narrowly rejecting independence in a referendum. The vote rejecting a breakaway from France after almost 170 years came in at 53.26%, according to final results announced in capital Noumea, down from 56.7% in a referendum two years ago. The referendum is part of a carefully negotiated de-colonisation plan agreed in 1998, known as the Noumea Accord, designed to put an end to a deadly conflict between the mostly pro-independence indigenous Kanak population, and the descendants of European settlers known as “Caldoches”.
• EU imposes sanctions against Belarus - The European Union imposed sanctions against Belarus on October 2, 2020 in a bid to pressure President Alexander Lukashenko to hold a fresh election. The EU said that the August 9 election that saw Lukashenko re-elected was neither free nor fair.
• High-level meeting on 25th anniversary of 4th World Conference on Women held - Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani addressed the High-level meeting on the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women on October 1, 2020. Irani said the Government of India took a series of measures for ensuring safety, security and wellbeing of women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Kuwait: Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah becomes new emir - Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah became the new ruling emir of Kuwait on September 29, 2020 following the death of Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah at the age of 91.
• International Translation Day celebrated on September 30 - International Translation Day was celebrated on September 30, 2020. 30 September celebrates the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator, who is considered the patron saint of translators.
• International Day of Older Persons observed on October 1 - International Day of Older Persons was observed on October 1, 2020. The 2020 observance will promote the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030). The day is an opportunity to highlight the contributions that older people make to society and raise awareness of the challenges of ageing in today’s world.  
• International Day of Non-Violence observed on October 2 - The International Day of Non-Violence was observed on October 2, 2020, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. According to the UN, the day is an occasion to “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness”.  
• World Heart Day observed on Sept 29 - The World Heart Day was observed on September 29, 2020 with its theme as: ‘Use Heart To Beat Cardiovascular Disease.’ According to WHO, cardiovascular diseases take the lives of 17.9 million people every year, 31% of all global deaths. Triggering these diseases are tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol.
• International Day of Awareness of Food Loss & Waste celebrated on Sept 29 - The first International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste was celebrated on September 29, 2020 with its theme as: “Stop food loss and waste. For the people. For the planet.” The day recognizes the fundamental role that sustainable food production plays in promoting food security and nutrition.
• International D ay for Universal Access to Information celebrated on Sept 28 - International Day for Universal Access to Information was celebrated on September 28, 2020. UNESCO organised a high-level online panel - “Access to Information – Saving lives, Building Trust, Bringing Hope!” - to mark the day and its themes. The online panel had the theme ‘Leaving No One Behind!’
• World Pharmacists Day celebrated on September 25 - The annual World Pharmacists Day was celebrated on September 25, 2020 with it theme as: Transforming global health. The purpose of the day is to encourage activities that promote and advocate for the role of the pharmacist in improving health in every corner of the world.
• World Rabies Day observed on Sept 28 - World Rabies Day was observed by the World Health Organization (WHO) on September 28, 2020 with its theme as 'End Rabies Collaborate, Vaccinate.' 28 September marks the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur, the French chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine.

4.2 Sushma Swaraj Lectures for foreign diplomats

 

Highlights –

• The Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), Ministry of External Affairs and the India Foundation are organizing the ‘Sushma Swaraj Lectures 2020 on Introduction to India’ on 15-16 October 2020.
• This is the first edition of the Lectures designed to introduce India to foreign diplomats posted in New Delhi.
• Forty-five foreign diplomats newly arrived to take up their assignments in Missions and International Organizations in New Delhi are attending the Sushma Swaraj lectures 2020.
• The programme includes an introduction to Indian history, polity, culture, and economy. An eminent list of speakers including Members of Parliament, senior Government officers and intellectuals/academics will be addressing the participants.
• The lectures are aimed at sensitizing partner countries to the dynamic and complex Indian polity, economy etc.
• SSIFS has trained over 3500 diplomats from 180 countries. SSIFS has signed 89 MoUs with counterpart institutions across the globe.
• The Foreign Service Institute was renamed as the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service on 14 February 2020, the birth anniversary of late Smt. Sushma Swaraj – a tribute to the lasting impact of the  former External Affairs Minister on Indian diplomacy. 

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

5.1 Not Available Today

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• 6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

6.1 Weekly Round-up – Sports 

• Sports Minister launches new logo of Sports Authority of India - Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on September 30, 2020 launched the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) new logo at Delhi’s Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi. SAI has been the pivot of the sports ecosystem in the country since its establishment in 1982.
• Commonwealth games gold medallist shooter Shreyasi Singh joins BJP - Commonwealth games gold medallist shooter and Arjuna awardee Shreyasi Singh joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on October 4, 2020. She is the daughter of former Union minister late Digvijaya Singh.

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• 7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

7.1 CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurates operations of International Institute of Advanced Virology

 

Key point –

• Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated operations of the first phase of the International Institute of Advanced Virology at the Life Science Park at Thonakkal in Thiruvananthapuram.

Highlights –

• Vijayan expects the institute to become an institution of world-class standards in the field of health research.
• The chief minister said in 2017, based on the suggestions of world-renowned scientists, Prof MV Pillai and Dr Saragndharan, the state decided to set up a virology research centre.
• The first phase of the building was inaugurated in February 2019.
• A total of 80,000 square feet of state-of-the-art facilities will be set up for the institute.
• Eight scientific divisions are envisioned here based on various virology research topics.
• Clinical virology and viral diagnostics, which are related to the diagnostic system, are the first two categories.
• The state government has decided to upgrade the institute to an autonomous institution once it becomes fully operational.
• Vijayan has emphasized the fact that the state needs institutions like the Institute of Advanced Virology to effectively prevent the health problems and new epidemics that Kerala face, including lifestyle diseases.

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

8.1 International Day of Rural Women 2020

 

Key points –

• The International Day of Rural Women was observed all over the world on October 15, 2020.
• The International Day of Rural Women was created in 1995 by Civil society organizations at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing and was declared an official UN Day in 2007 by the UN General Assembly.
• The day takes into consideration the contribution and essential role of rural women, including indigenous women in rural and agricultural development, to eliminate rural poverty and improved food security in their regions.

Objectives –

• To mobilize relevant NGOs and grassroots women’s groups, organizations, networks and international institutions, as well as the media, to commemorate the Day and celebrate Rural Women Leaders and their communities around the world.
• To raise awareness of rural women’s participation in the development process with a focus on their needs and rights, highlighting their contributions to sustainable development, household food security, safeguarding traditional knowledge, biodiversity, and peacebuilding and so much more.
• To sensitize the public at large and lobbying governments on the crucial role rural women play in climate change management and to prioritize action for their support.
• To encourage organizing local and national initiatives on the annual Day using the Women's World Summit Foundation (WWSF) Call to action and Campaign Kit “17 Days of activism 1-17 October”; nominating candidates for the Prize for rural women and giving credit where it’s due.
• The 17 Days campaign includes the International Day of Rural Women 15 October, which is also the Day when prize-winners are celebrated in their local communities.

Theme 2020 –

• Building rural women’s resilience in the wake of COVID-19.

The Invaluable Contribution of Rural Women to Development –

• Women account for a substantial proportion of the agricultural labour force, including informal work, and perform the bulk of unpaid care and domestic work within families and households in rural areas.
• They make significant contributions to agricultural production, food security and nutrition, land and natural resource management, and building climate resilience.
• Even so, women and girls in rural areas suffer disproportionately from multi-dimensional poverty. While extreme poverty has declined globally, the world’s 1 billion people, who continue to live in unacceptable conditions of poverty, are heavily concentrated in rural areas.
• Structural barriers and discriminatory social norms continue to constrain women’s decision-making power and political participation in rural households and communities.

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

9.1 FDA gives nod to first treatment for Ebola Virus

 

 

 

Key points – 

• The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug tested during the 2018 Ebola epidemic as a treatment for the disease.
• It is the first therapy approved by the agency for Ebola, and shows that research done during an emergency can find effective drugs.

Important details –

• The drug, called Inmazeb, is a mixture of three antibodies that block the Ebola virus. It was developed by Regeneron, which is also testing an antibody treatment for COVID-19.
• In clinical trials, patients who took Inmazeb were far less likely to die from the disease.
• Inmazeb was tested in a clinical trial that ran in 2018 and 2019 during an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• The trial, called the PALM trial, compared four drugs developed to treat Ebola, and two — this drug and a different antibody cocktail — proved to be the most effective.
• The PALM trial was the first major attempt to run a rigorous clinical trial during an ongoing disease outbreak. Before it started, the World Health Organization was worried about the downsides of conducting a trial during a emergency, because it could take resources away from caring for sick patients.
• This trial and other studies done during Ebola outbreaks over the past decade showed that scientific research during an epidemic was possible.

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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 -

• The World Bank in May 2020 approved US $ 1 bn 'Accelerating India's COVID-19 Social Protection Response Program'.  
• 2020 Padma Shri awardee Guru Shashadhar Acharya is a noted exponent of Chhau dance form.
• Kochi hosted the India International Seafood Show (IISS) in Feb 2020.
• Britain and France were hit by Storm Dennis amid widespread flooding and high winds in Feb 2020.
• Muhyiddin Yassin was sworn in as the new PM of Malaysia in Feb 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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