Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 8th April 2020. These are important for the upcoming Exams. Candidates who were preparing for the examination can use these current affairs and also you can download the same as PDF.
Current Affairs Today – 8th April 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to increase the number of days that a State/UT can continue to overdraft to 21 working days from the current stipulation of 14 working days as they are facing cash flow mismatches due to coronavirus.
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited, the target, by JSW Energy Limited, the acquirer.
- Joint Secretary in Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Lav Agarwal said that three types of healt-care facilities will be set up for various categories of COVID-19 cases as a mechanism to provide care to COVID-19 patients.
- The Central government has announced that it will deploy more drones to enhance monitoring of the lockdown.
- The Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) in collaboration with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Forge and InnovatioCuris launched “SAMADHAN”, a mega online challenge, to test the ability of students to innovate.
- Mysore-based Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI) has partnered with the district administration of Mysore, Karnataka to provide enough equipment needed for testing of samples.
- The Government of India has relaxed a ban on exports of paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) that are used to treat COVID-19.
- Swasth ke Sipahi pharmacists of Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMJAK) are delivering essential services and medicines at the doorstep of patients and elderly under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) during the nationwide lockdown.
- The Ministry of Human Resource Development has designated DigiLocker as the sole National Academic Depository (NAD).
- WhatsApp has placed new limits on message forwarding as part of an effort to curb the spread of misinformation about the Corona virus pandemic.
- Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has come up with a unique Art initiative amidst the global battle against novel Coronavirus.
- Andhra Pradesh state government has placed an order for 3 lakh rapid testing kits for COVID-19.
- The Chhattisgarh police developed the app ‘Rakhsa Sarv’, with the help of Noida-based startup Mobcoder
- The government of Telangana invested swiftly to deploy India’s first automated “COVID-19 Monitoring System App” by Vera Smart Healthcare.
- In Karnataka, the Primary and Secondary Education department has come out with a unique idea to start a You Tube channel that can invoke in children a passion for learning and creative activities during the lockdown period.
- Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had announced to provide Rs. 2000 each to those Manipuri who are stranded outside due to the nationwide lockdown.
- In Madhya Pradesh, the State Government announced an insurance cover of 50 lakh rupees for police personnel and other government employees engaged in the fight against Corona virus.
- In Assam, the state Cabinet has decided to deduct 30 percent of the monthly salaries of the Chief Minister, Ministers and all MLAs for one year.
- Chief Executive Officer of Twitter, Jack Dorsey has pledged to donate $1 billion to charities working towards combatting the global COVID-19 pandemic.
- The United States has announced $2.9 million aid for India through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
- Vaccine manufacturer Indian Immunologicals (IIL) partnered with Australia’s Griffith University to do research and develop a vaccine for COVID-19.
- Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, Justice Sanjay Dhar and Justice Puneet Gupta were sworn in as a permanent Judges of the common High Court for the Union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh today.
- Beverage Major PepsiCo has named Shafali Verma, 16 years old, Indian Women Cricketer, as one of its brand ambassadors for one year.
- Indian Air Force (IAF) has rendered continuous support in the fight against Coronavirus by providing medical supplies to all the states in the country.
- Amid 21-days nationwide lockdown in India, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been using scientific endeavours to develop products in an accelerated manner to combat COVID-19 pandemic.
- Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is to support and fund a technology by the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering (DBB), IIT-Bombay to capture and inactivate novel coronavirus.
- Scientists at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) have designed and developed a disinfected barrier-examination booth to examine COVID-19 patients.
- FastSense Diagnostics announced that it is currently developing two modules for the detection of COVID-19.
- Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad and Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi began research on the whole genome sequencing of novel coronavirus for the first time.
- Malayalam film and theatre actor Kalinga Sasi passed away.
- Kannada actor “Bullet” Prakash passed away.
NEWS IN DETAILS
BANKING AND FINANCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
RBI relaxed the norms of State/UT to avail overdraft
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to increase the number of days that a State/UT can continue to overdraft to 21 working days from the current stipulation of 14 working days as they are facing cash flow mismatches due to coronavirus.
Highlights:
- In addition, the number of days that a State/UT can overdraft in a quarter has also been increased to 50 working days from the current stipulation of 36 working days, while all other stipulations remain unchanged.
- The new arrangement is effective immediately and is valid until September 30, 2020.
- It has also increased the Ways and Means Advances (WMA) limit by 30% from the existing limit (Rs 1.20 lakh crore) for all States/UTs which was effective from April 1, 2020 & is valid till September 30, 2020.
Extra Shots:
RBI: The Reserve Bank of India is India’s central banking institution, which controls the issuance and supply of the Indian rupee.
- Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Governor: Shaktikanta Das
- Deputy Governors: B P Kanungo, M K Jain, N S Vishwanathan, Micheal Patra
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
CCI approved acquisition of GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited by JSW Energy Limited
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited, the target, by JSW Energy Limited, the acquirer.
- The acquisition was done under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002 on 7 April.
Acquisition:
- As per the move, JSW Energy Limited acquires the 100% shareholding of the GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited.
- JSW has a power generation capacity of 4,541 MW comprising of a portfolio of thermal (3,140 MW), hydro (1,391 MW) and solar (10 MW).
- GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited is engaged in the generation of power through its coal-based thermal power plant at Kamalanga village, Odisha.
Extra Shots:
JSW Energy Limited:
- Founded: 1994
- Headquarters: Mumbai, India
- Chairman: Sajjan Jindal
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Govt to set up three levels of health care facility for management of COVID-19 cases
- Joint Secretary in Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Lav Agarwal said that three types of healt-care facilities will be set up for various categories of COVID-19 cases as a mechanism to provide care to COVID-19 patients.
- These three types are covid care centres, dedicated covid health centres and dedicated covid hospitals.
- All three types of COVID-19 dedicated facilities will have separate ear marked areas for suspect and confirmed cases.
- Suspect and confirmed cases should not be allowed to mix under any circumstances. It said, all suspect cases, irrespective of severity of their disease will be tested for COVID-19.
- Quoting a recent study of Indian Council of Medical Research, Mr. Agrwal said, if one COVID-19 patient does not follow lock down orders or practice social distancing, then the patient can infect 406 people in 30 days.
- Quoting the Health Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, he said, social distancing is social vaccine to manage the Covid-19.
- He urged the people to adopt the social distancing measure to deal with the corona virus.
Cabinet approved ordinance to take 30 percent pay cut for one year
- The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to amend the Salary, Allowances, and Pension of Members of Parliament (MP) Act through an ordinance.
Highlights:
- As per the amendment, there will be a salary cut of all ministers, including Prime Minister, for a year by 30%.
- The information was passed by the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi.
- The move is to provide financial assistance to the COVID-19 crisis.
- President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-president Venkiah Naidu and governors will also take a salary cut of 30% for a year.
- The savings from the salaries will go to the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI).
Extra Shots:
Consolidated Fund of India
- CFI is the revenues collected by the Centre through direct taxes and indirect taxes, license fees, money received by the government in loan repayment, profits from public sector undertakings.
- CFI is used for all the expenses of the government.
- CFI of the Central government was established under Article 267 of the Indian Constitution and State Government was established under Article 266 of the Indian Constitution.
- Only with the approval of Parliament, money can be withdrawn from CFI.
- The fund is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India and the reports will be submitted to the Union legislatures.
- Rajiv Mehrishi is the current CAG of India.
Centre to deploy drones to monitor the ban on religion gatherings during the lockdown
- The Central government has announced that it will deploy more drones to enhance monitoring of the lockdown.
Highlights:
- GoI aims to ensure that a large number of people do not gather at religious congregations, with several festivals.
- The issue was taken up at the Group of Ministers (GoM) meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on 7 April.
- The move is followed by the concern raised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that the community leaders are being reached out to deter gatherings during Hanuman Jayanti, Good Friday and Easter-Sunday.
- Drones have been put to different use by many states during the lockdown. Drones will be deployed for monitoring of religious gatherings.
Measures taken by MHA:
- Government is taking appropriate measures and ensure hoarding and black marketing are not done.
- Around 152 cargo flights were operated to ensure pharma supplies across India helping to stabilize the availability of medicines.
- Special attention has been taken to keep the supply of medical oxygen smooth and hassle-free.
- Also, the cyber and information security wing of MHA has cautioned against fake coronavirus videos on social media platforms. It stated that spreading fake, unverified content may make one liable for punishment as per the law.
MHRD launched Samadhan, a challenge to find quick solution to COVID-19 pandemic
- The Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) in collaboration with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Forge and InnovatioCuris launched “SAMADHAN”, a mega online challenge, to test the ability of students to innovate.
About Samadhan:
- Students can participate in the Samadhan challenge.
- The participating candidates are expected to search and develop new measures that can provide quick solutions to the Coronavirus epidemic and other such calamities. The solution can be made available to the government agencies, health services, hospitals, and other services
- Samadhan will be done to make citizens aware, to motivate them, to face any challenge, to prevent any crisis and to help people get a livelihood.
- Under the Samadhan challenge, the faculty and students can conduct new experiments and make new discoveries. The experiments should be provided with a strong base leading to a spirit of experimentation and discovery.
- Applications to participate in the competition will start on 7 April 2020. he last date for submission of application is 14 April 2020.
- The names of the contestants after shortlisting will be declared on 17 April 2020.
- The contestants are expected to submit their entries between 18-23 April 2020. The final list of Samadhan will be released on 24 April and the grand online jury will decide the winners of the challenge on 25 April 2020.
CSIR-CFTRI to provide testing equipment for COVID-19 detection
- Mysore-based Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI) has partnered with the district administration of Mysore, Karnataka to provide enough equipment needed for testing of samples.
Highlights:
- CSIR-CFTRI is providing two Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines and one RNA extraction unit along with necessary chemicals to the district administration. It helps to deal with such a large number of samples that are to be tested.
- The test for COVID-19 is very sophisticated and is being done in select centres approved for testing by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Along with the equipment, CSIR-CFTRI has deployed two skilled technicians for the period required by the District Administration.
- Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore college received the PCR machines on 5 April. It is expected that the centre will triple the number of tests done per day.
- Also, under the partnership the RNA extraction unit will be delivered soon.
Extra Shots:
PCR method:
- Currently, the COVID-19 infection is detected by a sophisticated and precise technique called Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. As per the PCR method, the RNA of the virus is extracted from samples and amplification of the same using a PCR machine. The main advantage of the PCR test is that it can detect the virus in a person at a very early stage, even symptoms emerge.
India relaxed ban on exports of paracetamol, hydroxychloroquine drugs
- The Government of India has relaxed a ban on exports of paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) that are used to treat COVID-19.
- The drugs are currently placed in the licensed category.
- The move came as the US President Donald Trump had threatened India with retaliation if India rejected the US’s demand for the supply of hydroxychloroquine.
Ban relaxation:
- Doctors and scientists are divided over the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine drug which is used to treat malaria and auto-immune diseases. It has been found that the drug hydroxychloroquine is the key to battle the infection.
- A panel led by drug pricing regulator Shubhra Singh was tasked with assessing the capability and the manufacturing capacity of domestic pharmaceutical companies.
- The decision was taken after verifying stock availability in the country.
- India is one of the biggest manufacturers of the drug across the world.
- The US along with 30 countries, including South Asian neighbours and key global partners in West Asia, had asked India to lift the ban on the export of hydroxychloroquine drugs.
Essential services, medicines delivered at doorstep of patients by Swasth ke Sipahi under PMBJP
- Swasth ke Sipahi pharmacists of Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMJAK) are delivering essential services and medicines at the doorstep of patients and elderly under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) during the nationwide lockdown.
Swasth ke Sipahi:
- The pharmacist is working as part of PMJAK.
- Currently, they are extending essential services by making available quality generic medicines at affordable prices to the common people of the country and the elderly persons at their doorstep to fight the Corona pandemic.
- Swasth ke Sipahi is supporting the government’s initiative of practicing social distancing.
Extra Shots:
About PMJAK:
- PMJAKs are being run by the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India. The main objective of PMJAK is to provide quality and affordable healthcare to anyone in need. Currently, more than 6300 PMJAKs are functioning across the nation, covering 726 districts of the country.
MHRD declares DigiLocker as National Academic Depository
- The Ministry of Human Resource Development has designated DigiLocker as the sole National Academic Depository (NAD).
- The ministry has directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to implement NAD as a permanent scheme within DigiLocker.
- NAD will be implemented as a permanent scheme without the levy of any user charges by DigiLocker through the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
- UGC has also been asked to ensure the transfer of academic awards, creation of student accounts and procedure of verification with DigiLocker.
Extra Shots:
About DigiLocker
- DigiLocker is primarily a cloud-based safe, which allows users to store electronic versions of important documents like Aadhaar card, birth certificates, voters ID cards, PAN cards, driving license, property documents and provides access to these on the go.
WhatsApp placed new limits on message forwarding to curb misinformation
- WhatsApp has placed new limits on message forwarding as part of an effort to curb the spread of misinformation about the Corona virus pandemic.
Highlights:
- The new policy limits users to forwarding certain messages to one chat at a time, aiming to limit the rapid propagation of content which is provocative but likely to be false.
- It took the action to enable people to concentrate on personal and private communications during the health crisis.
- Last year, WhatsApp set limits on forwarded messages to five chats at a time, to constrain virality, responding to events in India where the rapid proliferation of unverified information led to mob violence.
Extra Shots:
WhatsApp: WhatsApp Messenger, or simply WhatsApp, is an American freeware, cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service owned by Facebook, Inc. It allows users to send text messages and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other media.
- Initial release date: 3 May 2009
- Developer(s): WhatsApp Inc. (Facebook, Inc.)
- Written in: Erlang
- Size: 137.5 MB (iOS); 22.88 MB (Android)
- Owner: Facebook
- Original authors: Brian Acton, Jan Koum
ICCR launches unique Art competition, urges people worldwide to express their emotions
- Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has come up with a unique Art initiative amidst the global battle against novel Coronavirus.
Highlights:
- Affirmed with a belief to propagate Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam, World is one family, the Art competition entitled United against COVID is open for participants from worldwide.
- ICCR with its focus on building cultural links with countries around the world and connecting people through Cultural and Educational exchanges, has urged Indians and other nationalities across the world to express their emotions through this Art competition.
- The competition is open to all amateur and professional artists from India and the world over in all age categories.
- The event encourages submissions of artistic expressions to present their emotions, feelings, ideas and innovative thoughts on the COVID-19, social distancing, quarantine and the fight against the virus through Digital Art Graphic Posters & Paintings.
Extra Shots:
ICCR: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations, is an autonomous organisation of the Government of India, involved in India’s external cultural relations, through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples. Director General: Akhilesh Mishra
- President: Vinay Sahasrabuddhe
- Headquarters location: New Delhi
- Parent organisation: Government of India
- Founder: Abul Kalam Azad
- Founded: 9 April 1950, New Delhi
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
AP state to procure 3 lakh rapid testing kits
- Andhra Pradesh state government has placed an order for 3 lakh rapid testing kits for COVID-19.
- The Andhra Pradesh state has seen a sharp spike in the number of COVID-19 positives linked to Tablighi Jamaat prayers at Nizamuddin recently.
- So far, the state has reported 304 positive cases in the state.
AP’s measures:
- The AP state government has identified and designated 13 hospitals in 13 districts as COVID hospitals.
- It has a dedicated hospital where no other patients will be treated. The move is to avoid further transmission, said the government of the disease.
- The AP government authorities are to undertake extensive testing in containment zones that are established across the state where positive COVID-19 cases have been reported.
- After the delivery of the ordered equipment, the AP state is to undertake the exercise of randomly testing 8,000 samples from across the state to better understand the extent of the spread.
- The state govt. used the equipment that is used for testing of Tuberculosis on 5 positive cases and 5 negative cases. The results were accurate and hence the government has decided on a two-step testing process from hereon in some cases.
Extra Shots:
Andhra Pradesh:
- Capital: Amravati
- Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
- Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
- State Formed in: 1 November 1956
- Literacy Rate: 67.4 %
- National Park: Sri Venkateswara National Park, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Papikonda National Park
Chhattisgarh Police create app ‘Rakhsa Sarv’ for quarantined people
- The Chhattisgarh police developed the app ‘Rakhsa Sarv’, with the help of Noida-based startup Mobcoder
Details about ‘Rakhsa Sarv’:
- This app will enables them to track the quarantined people through Google Map.
- The purpose of launching the app is that a large number of people are kept in-home quarantine, and so it is not possible to keep each one under surveillance on a regular basis.
- Details of the home-quarantined people are being fed in the app’s dashboard.
- The quarantined person will have to upload a selfie in the app every hour which will specify his/her location.
- Police teams have started installing the application in the phones of those kept under home quarantine and so far, over 50 per cent of such people have been covered.
Note:
- A similar mobile app has been developed by the Mohali Police in Punjab named ‘COVID Control’ to keep an eye on home quarantined people to ensure quarantine protocols are being followed properly.
Extra Shots:
Chhatishgarh:
- Capital: Raipur
- Chief Minister: Bhupesh Baghel
- Governor: Anusuiya Uikey
- Literacy Rate: 60.21%
Telangana deploys Vera’s COVID-19 monitoring system App
- The government of Telangana invested swiftly to deploy India’s first automated “COVID-19 Monitoring System App” by Vera Smart Healthcare.
- The objective of this app is to identify patients, undertake live surveillance, track, monitor, and provide real-time analytics to the chief minister and the state health department.
COVID-19 Monitoring System App
- Every single device connected with the platform screens 75-100 houses per day.
- The platform enables health workers to handle 50,000 calls/chatbot interactions per month.
- 1,500-2,000 Asha and ANM workers will be using this app at any given point of time.
- These workers will forward the information to around 4,800 PHC sub-centres from where it will be sent to one of the state’s 886 public health centres (PHCs).
- This data will then be shared with the concerned district medical health office for appropriate action.
- This user-friendly app has been developed by an early stage start-up Vera Smart Healthcare based out of Hyderabad and the US.
- The Monitoring System which is built on a digital platform erases human errors and provides accurate information.
- The quick turnaround, and the innovative psyche, has initiated improved surveillance, tracking – effective monitoring, and supervision.
Extra Shots:
Telangana
- Capital: Hyderabad
- Chief Minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
- Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
Karnataka Education dept to start You Tube channel for children during lockdown
- In Karnataka, the Primary and Secondary Education department has come out with a unique idea to start a You Tube channel that can invoke in children a passion for learning and creative activities during the lockdown period.
- This comes at a time when Television, mobile and video games have become a distraction for children under lock-down.
- The parents are concerned about their children lack of academic and creative activities.
- The step has been taken to keep children productively engaged during the period.
- The Department has invited academicians, start-ups, software engineers and social service organisations to prepare innovative, entertaining, interesting learning audio-visual videos of 10 to 15 minutes and send them to it.
Extra Shots:
Karnataka:
- Capital: Bengaluru
- Chief Minister: B. S. Yediyurappa
- Governor: Vajubhai Vala
- National Park: Anshi NP, Bandipur NP, Bannerghatta NP, Kudremukh NP, Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) NP.
Manipur CM announces to provide Rs 2,000 each to stranded Manipuris outside due to lockdown
- Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had announced to provide Rs. 2000 each to those Manipuri who are stranded outside due to the nationwide lockdown.
- Manipur Chief Minister’s Secretariat decided the step to transfer the amount to bank account of the selected person.
- And appeal those who has been stranded due to lockdown to contact the Secretariat or visit www.tengbang.in, a website launched especially for COVID-19 by the State government.
Extra Shots:
Manipur
- Capital: Imphal
- Chief Minister: Nongthombam Biren Singh
- Governor: Najma Heptulla
MP Govt announces Rs 50 lakh insurance cover for police, govt employees engaged in fight against Corona virus
- In Madhya Pradesh, the State Government announced an insurance cover of 50 lakh rupees for police personnel and other government employees engaged in the fight against Corona virus.
- Many health workers and police personnel and their family members tested positive for Corona virus in Bhopal.
- Around 300 people infected with the Corona virus in the state.
- Out of the total cases, a maximum of 173 have been reported from Indore alone while there are 83 cases in the state capital.
Extra Shots:
Madhya Pradesh:
- Capital: Bhopal
- Chief Minister: Kamal Nath
- Governor: Lalji Tandon
- National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP
Assam Cabinet decides to deduct 30% of salaries of CM, Ministers & all MLAs for 1 year
- In Assam, the state Cabinet has decided to deduct 30 percent of the monthly salaries of the Chief Minister, Ministers and all MLAs for one year.
- The deducted amount will be deposited in the fund for treatment of COVID -19 patients and management of the outbreak.
- The Cabinet decided to follow the guidelines issued by the Centre.
- Informing this to the media after the cabinet meeting yesterday, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, the Centre’s directive would have to be directly implemented by the Deputy Commissioners.
Extra Shots:
Assam:
- Capital: Dispur
- Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
- Governor: Jagdish Mukhi
- National Park: Dibru-Saikhowa NP, Kaziranga NP, Manas NP, Nameri NP, Rajiv Gandhi Orang NP
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Twitter CEO pledges $1 billion to combat COVID-19 pandemic
- Chief Executive Officer of Twitter, Jack Dorsey has pledged to donate $1 billion to charities working towards combatting the global COVID-19 pandemic.
- The donation of $1 billion by the Twitter CEO seems to be the largest donation pledged by a private individual in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
- To fulfill the donation amount of $1 billion, Jack Dorsey will move $1 billion of his digital payments group “Square” equity i.e. 28% of his wealth, to #startsmall LLC to fund global COVID-19 relief.
Extra Shots:
Twitter is an American microblogging and social networking service on which users post and interact with messages known as “tweets”. Registered users can post, like, and retweet tweets, but unregistered users can only read them.
- CEO: Jack Dorsey
- Founded: 21 March 2006, San Francisco, California, United States
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
- Founders: Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone, Noah Glass, Evan Williams
USAID announces $2.9 million aid to India to fight Covid19
- The United States has announced $2.9 million aid for India through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
- The funds announced are going to help India in its fight against COVID-19 and to also provide care for those who are affected and help the local communities with the tools to stop the pandemic spreading in the country.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other relevant agencies, is working closely with India to support the country’s response to the pandemic.
- The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is one of the leading aid agencies globally.
- COVID-19 is a global public health threat that can be addressed best by close collaboration among governments and international organizations.
- It will also support the World Health Organization (WHO) initiatives in India.
- The funds will help the Government of India slow the spread of COVID-19, provide care for the affected, and support local communities with the tools needed to contain the disease.
Extra Shots:
USAID: The United States Agency for International Development is an independent agency of the United States federal government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
- Employees: 3,893 career U.S. employees (FY 2016)
- Agency executives: Mark Green, Administrator; Bonnie Glick, Deputy Administrator;
- Founder: John F. Kennedy
- Founded: 3 November 1961
AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED
IIL partners with Griffith University of Australia to develop vaccine for coronavirus
- Vaccine manufacturer Indian Immunologicals (IIL) partnered with Australia’s Griffith University to do research and develop a vaccine for COVID-19.
- The two entities have signed a pact regarding this.
Highlights:
- Under the partnership Scientists from India and Australia will develop a ‘live attenuated SARS–CoV-2 vaccine’ using the latest codon deoptimization technology.
- IIL stated that the technology looks promising for developing a vaccine for prophylactic, active, single-dose immunization against novel coronavirus in humans, with an enhanced safety profile.
- The vaccine is expected to provide long-lasting protection with a single dose administration with an anticipated safety profile similar to other licensed vaccines for active immunization.
- Upon the completion of the research, the vaccine strain will be transferred to ILL. It will work with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), to conduct clinical trials. IIL intends to use its Vero cell platform tech for mass production of the vaccine.
- IIL is promoted by the National Dairy Development Board. It is committed to addressing critical public health needs by engaging in this collaboration.
Extra Shots:
Australia (Capital/Currency): Canberra/ Australian dollar
- Prime Minister: Scott Morrison
APPOINTMENT
Three HC judges administered oath by Chief Justice
- Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, Justice Sanjay Dhar and Justice Puneet Gupta were sworn in as a permanent Judges of the common High Court for the Union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh today.
- The newly appointed Judges were administered oath of office by Chief Justice J&K High Court, Justice Gita Mittal in a simple but impressive ceremony in Jammu wing of the High Court.
Shafali Verma named as brand ambassador by PepsiCo
- Beverage Major PepsiCo has named Shafali Verma, 16 years old, Indian Women Cricketer, as one of its brand ambassadors for one year.
- Pepsi will be Shafali’s first contract with a major brand.
- The beverage firm recently signed Bollywood star Salman Khan as its face for 2 years.
Highlights:
- Shafali Verma hails from Haryana is the explosive top- order Indian batswoman, who played the ICC (International Cricket Council) Women’s T20I (Twenty20 International) World Cup against Australia in Melbourne.
- She also claimed the top spot in ICC T20I rankings and also became the youngest woman cricketer to play for India when she debuted against South Africa.
- Shafali broke the 30-year old record of Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, as the youngest Indian to score an international half-century in November 2019.
Extra Shots:
PepsiCo, Inc. is an American multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation headquartered in Harrison, New York, in the hamlet of Purchase. PepsiCo has interests in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products.
- CEO: Ramon Laguarta
- Headquarters: Purchase, Harrison, New York, United States
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
IAF provides medical supplies during COVID-19 lockdown
- Indian Air Force (IAF) has rendered continuous support in the fight against Coronavirus by providing medical supplies to all the states in the country. Medical supplies are transported to equip the state governments/Union Territories (UTs) and supporting agencies to combat the contagion effectively and efficiently.
IAF Measures:
- IAF has provided essential medical supplies and commodities from nodal points to Manipur, Nagaland, and Gangtok in the North-Eastern region and the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
- An-32 aircraft of IAF airlifted personnel and 3500 kg of medical equipment of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) from Chennai to Bhubaneshwar for setting up testing labs and facilities in Odisha.
- IAF has allocated aircraft at nodal points to airlift medical supplies and equipment at short notice to proactively support operations against COVID-19.
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IAF:
- Founded on: 8 October 1932
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind
- Chief of the Air Staff (CAS): Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria
- Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS): Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora
DRDO develops sanitisation enclosures & face shields
- Amid 21-days nationwide lockdown in India, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been using scientific endeavours to develop products in an accelerated manner to combat COVID-19 pandemic.
- As a result of its efforts, DRDO has developed Personnel Sanitisation Enclosures (PSE) and Full Face Mask (FFM) to protect primarily healthcare professionals from novel coronavirus.
About Personnel Sanitisation Enclosure (PSE):
- Personnel Sanitisation Enclosure (PSE) is a full body disinfection chamber which has been designed by Vehicle Research Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar, a DRDO Laboratory.
- The PSE is equipped with sanitiser and soap dispenser, applicable for personnel decontamination, one person at a time.
- The chamber comprises of mist spray which has been calibrated for an operation of 25 seconds and stops automatically indicating completion of operation.
- It includes a tank of capacity 700 litres along with mounted roof and it can decontaminate 650 personnel until the refill is required.
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DRDO: The Defence Research and Development Organisation is an agency of the Government of India, charged with the military’s research and development, headquartered in Delhi India.
- Headquarters location: New Delhi
- Motto: बलस्य मूलं विज्ञानम्; “Strength’s Origin is in Science” (Sanskrit)
- Founded: 1958
- Director: G. Satheesh Reddy
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DST to fund IIT-Bombay to develop a gel for nasal passage to prevent coronavirus entry
- Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is to support and fund a technology by the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering (DBB), IIT-Bombay to capture and inactivate novel coronavirus.
Highlights:
- The funding by SERB will help DBB of IIT-Bombay to develop a gel that can be applied to the nasal passage, which is a major entry point of the coronavirus.
- The solution is expected to protect the safety of health workers and lead to a reduction in community transmission of COVID-19.
- It will help to manage the spread of coronavirus.
- The health providers including doctors and nurses are at maximum risk as they work closely with the contagious COVID-19.
- The researchers are planning for a 2-pronged approach to limit the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- Firstly, the viruses replicate within host cells of the lungs, the first component of the strategy will be to inhibit the binding of viruses to host cells. This is expected to reduce infection in the host cell, and the viruses that will still remain active should be inactivated.
- Secondly, a method where biological molecules that are incorporated, would inactivate the trapped viruses in a manner similar to that of detergents. The successful completion of the project will lead to the development of gels that can be locally applied in the nasal cavity.
SCTIMST developed disinfected barrier-examination booth to examine COVID-19 patients
- Scientists at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) have designed and developed a disinfected barrier-examination booth to examine COVID-19 patients.
- It is a thoughtfully designed protective booth with clinician inputs.
Disinfected examination booth:
- The innovative disinfected examination booth is closed like a telephone booth. It has been designed to examine the patient without direct contact with the doctor to prevent transmission of infection.
- The booth is equipped with a lamp, table fan, rack, and Ultraviolet (UV) light.
- The booth is installed with UV light that disinfects the chamber after each patient leaves.
- The UV light installed in the booth has a wavelength of 254nm with a 15 watts rating, which effectively removes most of the viral load within 3 minutes of exposure.
- The Examination Booth has dimensions of 210 cm (H) X 150cm (D) X 120cm (W). It is designed in a way that the booth provides enough space for the patient.
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SCTIMST:
- SCTIMST was established in 1976 by the Indian Government. The autonomous institute functions under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology. It is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It is one of the premier research Institutes and centers in India.
FastSense Diagnostics develops rapid diagnostic kit for COVID-19 screening
- FastSense Diagnostics announced that it is currently developing two modules for the detection of COVID-19.
- The startup is being funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Highlights:
- The major challenges of testing for COVID-19 are speed, cost, accuracy, and accessibility at the point-of-care or use.
- The company is to roll out two products.
- One is a modified Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based detection kit for confirmatory analysis in less time compared to existing detection methods. Approximately 50 samples can be tested in an hour.
- The second is a portable chip-based module for rapid screening of the target population based on the on-chip sensing technology that would provide on the spot results in less than 15 min per sample.
- The sample size for confirmatory tests can also be increased in the future to 100 samples/ hour.
- The point of care detection kits of FastSense Diagnostics that can provide on the spot detection rapidly and without highly trained technicians could boost India’s testing efforts in the fight against COVID-9.
- The two proposed modules by the company will be deployed at any real locations and hotspots like hospitals, airports, densely populated areas where screening of population can be done to prevent the spread of coronavirus to healthy individuals. The data can be generated with ease in less than an hour.
- It is believed that the company will make it with less cost and more affordable.
Indian researchers begin novel coronavirus genome sequencing
- Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad and Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi began research on the whole genome sequencing of novel coronavirus for the first time.
Genome Sequencing:
- Genome Sequencing will help scientists to understand the evolution of the virus, how dynamic it is and how fast it imitates.
- The study will help to know how fast it evolves and what are the future aspects of it.
- 3-4 people from each institute are continuously working on the whole genome sequencing. At least 200-300 isolates will be studied and the information would help them to make some further conclusions about the behaviour of this virus.
- National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune has also been requested to give a virus that has been isolated from different places.
- It is expected that the virus will help the institutes to establish the family tree of the virus.
Working:
- The whole-genome sequencing method is used to determine the complete Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence of the genome of a specific organism.
- For genome sequencing, samples from patients that have been found to be positive should be taken and sent to a sequencing centre.
- The method needs a very large number of samples for the study.
- Without much data, no conclusion can be made right.
- With around a few hundred sequencing, scientists can make many inferences from many biological aspects of this virus.
Extra Shots:
CSIR: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research abbreviated as CSIR was established by the Government of India in September 1942 as an autonomous body that has emerged as the largest research and development organisation in India.
- Head: Shekhar C. Mande
- Founded: 26 September 1942
- Founders: Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar, Government of India
CCMB: The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology or CCMB is an Indian fundamental life science research establishment located in Hyderabad that operates under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
- Director: Rakesh Mishra
- Headquater: Hyderabad
- Founded: 1977
OBITUARIES
Malayalam actor Kalinga Sasi passes away
- Malayalam film and theatre actor Kalinga Sasi passed away.
- His real name was V Chandrakumar.
- He made his debut in the film industry in 1988.
- He has been a part of over 500 plays and 100 movies.
- Some of his well-known films include Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha, Pranchiyettan & the Saint, Indian Rupee, Adaminte Makan Abu, Amen etc.
- He has been the part of the theatre industry for over 25 years.
Kannada comic actor ‘Bullet’ Prakash passes away
- Kannada actor “Bullet” Prakash passed away.
- He was known for his comic roles and performances in films like Aithalakkadi and Aryan.
- He was named ‘Bullet’ because of his love for Royal Enfield Bullet motorbikes which he used to ride.
- He had been a part of more than 300 films and had recently signed a couple of projects in Kannada.
- He was also a member of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2015.
