Introduction
Current Affairs is a type of broadcast journalism where the emphasis is on detailed analysis and discussion of news stories that have recently occurred or ongoing at the time of broadcast. The article Current Affairs 18 March 2020 includes News summary on current events of International, National, Education, Banking, Sports, Awards and Obituary importance of 18 March 2020.
INT
Australia bans 'non-essential' gatherings of over 100 people
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Key Highlights- Australia has banned "non-essential" gatherings of more than 100 people in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced sweeping new measures, including discouraging travel overseas.
- But he said schools, public transport, and public squares would remain open, avoiding the kind of shutdown seen in some nations.
UN agency’s ‘kind quick reminder’: Viruses have no nationality
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Key Highlights- US President Donald Trump sparked a controversy over his “Chinese virus” tweet. Trump later defended his comment and described it as “a very accurate term”.
- Interestingly, Trump’s “Chinese virus” comment came on the same day when a UN agency posted a “kind reminder” online, urging people to understand that “viruses have no nationality”.
China to expel more American journalists from leading US dailies
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Key Highlights- China said it will revoke the press credentials of American journalists working for the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post before the end of the month, weeks after President Donald Trump put a limit on the number of Chinese citizens working in the US for five state-controlled Chinese media outlets.
- The late-night announcement from the Chinese foreign ministry – and the latest round of escalation of US-China media war - added that these three US outlets, as well as Time magazine and the Voice of America, furnish detailed information about their operations in China including details of their staff members.
European Union Imposes Entry Ban For 30 Days Over Coronavirus
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Key Highlights- The European Union will impose an entry ban on travellers from outside the bloc for 30 days to battle the spread of the coronavirus, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.
- Member states "agreed to impose an entry ban" into the bloc, with only nationals of EFTA countries and Britain exempt from the restriction, said Merkel.
National
India to provide NPR 107.01 million to build 3 schools in Nepal
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Key Highlights- India assured to provide a grant of Nepalese Rupees(NPR) 107 million to construct 3 schools in Nepal & to create better facilities for students.
- The Embassy of India & the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration(MoFAGA) Nepal signed 2 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) .
Government targeted to achieve sales around 70 lakh hybrid & electric vehicles by the end of 2020
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Key Highlights- The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change & Minister of Information & Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar informed that the government has set an ambitious target to achieve sales of around 70 lakh hybrid & electric vehicles by the end of 2020.
- In 2015 as part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan(NEMMP) 2020, Department of Heavy Industry formulated the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme.
West Bengal reports first positive case of coronavirus
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Key Highlights- An 18-year-old student from Kolkata studying at a prominent university in England who flew back to the city two days ago tested positive for coronavirus.
- The student admitted himself to Kolkata's state-run Infectious Diseases Hospital. One of his four swab samples tested at the National Institute for Cholera and Enteric Diseases was found positive.
Education
UPSC To Release Civil Services Exam Admit Card In May
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Key Highlights- The admit cards for Civil Services preliminary exam will be released in May. The exam will be held on May 31. As per the exam notification by UPSC, the admit cards for the exam will be released three weeks before the exam date.
- "The eligible candidates shall be issued an e-Admit Card three weeks before the commencement of the examination," the UPSC has said in the notification.
Raja Ramanna Centre For Advanced Technology Announces Young Scientist Programme
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Key Highlights- Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT) has invited applications for Young Scientist Research Programme, which will be held during May 11 to July 3.
- RRCAT is a premier unit of Department of Atomic Energy, engaged in R & D activities in front line research areas of Accelerator science, Laser science, related technologies and applications.
Banking
Yes Bank Withdrawal Cap To Be Lifted Today
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Key Highlights- Crisis-hit Yes Bank is set to resume full banking operations starting 6 pm today, paving way for its troubled depositors to make withdrawals without any restrictions.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had earlier superceded Yes Bank's board and imposed a moratorium on the beleaguered private sector bank, permitting customers to only take out up to Rs 50,000 from their accounts in the bank with certain exceptions.
Sensex Jumps Over 500 Points Amid Choppy Trade; Global Markets Rebound
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Key Highlights- Domestic stock markets started Wednesday's session on a higher note tracking a positive trend in Asian peers, following a rebound in Wall Street where equities took one of the ugliest hits on record amid concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
- The S&P BSE Sensex rose as much as 522.68 points to touch 31,101.77 in the first few minutes of trade, and the broader NSE Nifty 50 benchmark climbed to as high as 9,127.55, up 160.5 points from the previous close.
Sports
ATK FC won ISL trophy for the 3rd time by defeating Chennaiyin FC
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Key Highlights- ATK FC (Football Club) won the ISL (Indian Super League) trophy for the 3rd time following a 3-1 win against Chennaiyin FC in the final match held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, Goa.
- About ATK FC: ATK (previously known as Atlético de Kolkata) is an Indian professional football club based in Kolkata, West Bengal, that plays in the Indian Super League (ISL) under licence from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Olympic Gymnastics Qualifier In Tokyo Cancelled Over Coronavirus
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Key Highlights- A Tokyo Olympics gymnastics qualifier next month, which had hoped to feature US superstar Simone Biles among its participants, was cancelled as the coronavirus pandemic continued to cast a shadow over this year's Games.
- The Japan Gymnastics Association announced the scrapping of the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Tokyo on April 4-5, an Olympic test event, just a few days after saying it would be held without spectators.
World Cup Winner Blaise Matuidi Tests Positive For Coronavirus
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Key Highlights- Juventus's France World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi and Hellas Verona's Mattia Zaccagni have both tested positive for coronavirus, their Serie A clubs confirmed.
- "Matuidi has undergone medical tests that have revealed his positivity to the Coronavirus-COVID-19," the Italian champions said in a statement.
Appt
Ravinder Singh Dhillon appointed as CMD of Power Finance Corporation
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Key Highlights- Ravinder Singh Dhillon, was appointed as a Chairman and Managing Director of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet with effect from June 1, 2020.
- This Appointment Committee of the Cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be serving in this post till his superannuation on May 31, 2023.
Obituary
Veteran journalist, former Rajya Sabha Member Patil Puttappa passes away at 99
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Key Highlights- Patil Puttappa (99) a veteran journalist, writer, Khadi Activist, and a former Rajya Sabha member passed away at Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubballi, Karnataka due to age-related illness.
- He was born on January 14, 1921, at Kurabagond village, Dharwad district, Karnataka. He was also known as PaPu.
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