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 24 March 2020 includes News summary on current events of International, National, Education, Banking, Sports, Awards and Obituary importance of 24 March 2020.
INT
Coronavirus Update: PM Boris Johnson locks down UK to enforce social distancing
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Key Highlights- Alarmed at people continuing to gather in public spaces and not taking social distancing seriously enough, Prime Minister Boris Johnson placed the UK under strict curfew, allowing people to leave homes for only four specified reasons.
- The police will have powers to enforce the curbs, he said, announcing steps similar to those taken by France and other European countries, where people have to fill forms and state purposes for which they intended to leave homes, or face fines.
New York City region is the new ‘epicenter’ with more than 5% of worldwide cases
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Key Highlights- The New York City region has emerged as the new “epicenter” of the outbreak accounting for nearly 5% of cases worldwide and the toll of US fatalities crossed 400 as President Donald Trump has sought to ramp up assistance to the three states hit the hardest, New York, California and Washington with medical supplies such as masks and respirators and mobile hospitals.
- Adding to the urgency of the crisis facing many American businesses large and small and individuals and families, US Senate failed to agree on a massive $1.8 trillion federal relief and stimulus package. Negotiations continue however as both sides are keen to find common ground.
US Cuts Aid To Afghanistan By $1 Billion Over Leaders' Impasse
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Key Highlights- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was cutting $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan, voicing disappointment that rival leaders pressed by him on a visit failed to form an inclusive government.
- "The United States is disappointed in them and what their conduct means for Afghanistan and our shared interests," Mike Pompeo said in a statement after his talks in Kabul with President Ashraf Ghani and Ghani's rival Abdullah Abdullah.
Italy Reports 602 New Coronavirus Deaths In A Day
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Key Highlights- The number of deaths from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has grown by 602 to 6,078, the head of the Civil Protection Agency said, an 11% increase but the smallest rise in numerical terms since, suggesting a clear downward trend.
- The total number of confirmed cases in Italy rose to 63,927 from a previous 59,138, an increase of 8%, the Civil Protection Agency said -- the lowest rise in percentage terms since the contagion came to light on February 21.
National
PM Modi Shares Link On Information Regarding Coronavirus In Sign Language
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Key Highlights- Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to share a link on information regarding coronavirus in sign language.
- "Valuable information on COVID-19 in sign language," he tweeted.
Delhi Government Allocates Rs 7,704 Crore For Health Sector In Budget
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Key Highlights- The Delhi government announced an allocation of Rs 7,704 crore for the health sector in its budget, with approving Rs 2,578 crore for upgrading and expanding 16 hospitals.
- Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia presented the first budget of the AAP government's second term in the Assembly.
Coronavirus update: 16 private labs can now conduct Covid-19 tests
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Key Highlights- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the country’s apex biomedical research body, approved 10 more private laboratories including Dr Lal PathLabs, Dr Dangs Lab and Indraprastha Apollo Delhi in Delhi to test for the coronavirus disease, taking to 16 the number of private facilities that can begin collecting samples whenever they are ready.
- ICMR, however, did not expand its criteria for people to be able to take the test, with only those with travel history and symptoms and people in direct contact with positive cases eligible to have their samples taken.
Andhra CM Jagan Reddy calls for CBI probe into Amaravati land dealings during Naidu regime
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Key Highlights- The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday called for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged irregularities in land dealings in and around the Amaravati capital region during the Telugu Desam Party regime.
- In order to this effect was issued by the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government.
- “The government has decided to entrust to CBI the cases of irregularities committed by persons officiating in the erstwhile government of Andhra Pradesh while designating the new capital for the state,” the order said.
PM Modi To Address Nation At 8 pm On COVID-19 Scourge
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Key Highlights- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation today at 8 pm on the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected over 490 people in India.
- "I will address the nation at 8 pm today on vital aspects relating to the scourge of the pandemic COVID-19," PM Modi has tweeted.
- This is his second address to the nation since when he called for a "Janata Curfew" on Sunday, a 14-hour self-quarantine to fight the spread of coronavirus.
India Led World In Eradicating 2 Pandemics, Should Show The Way
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Key Highlights- The executive director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Michael J Ryan, said that India has a tremendous capacity to deal the coronavirus outbreak situation as it has experience of eradicating two pandemics, namely small-pox and polio.
- "There is a need in the number of labs where a surge is seen. India is a very populous country and the future of this virus will be considered in a very highly and densely populated country.
Covid-19: India stops incoming traffic on all 107 immigration check posts
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Key Highlights- The government late notified stoppage of all incoming passenger traffic on all 107 immigration check posts (ICPs) as the country insulated itself to check the spread of coronavirus.
- The Union home ministry in a statement said it was conveying “the orders of the central government to stop all incoming passenger traffic on all 107 immigration check posts (ICPs) which includes all airports ICPs, all seaport ICPs, land ports ICPs, rail ports ICPs, river ports ICPs in view of the spread of coronavirus.”
Education
SSC issues notification on postponement of medical exams for various posts
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Key Highlights- In view of the coronavirus outbreak, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released an official notification regarding the postponement of the medical examination scheduled for the recruitment in various forces working under Union Home Ministry.
- The commission in the notification said that the decision has been communicated by the Ministry of Home Affairs due to the situation arising out of the COVID-19.
HRD directs JNVs to make available unoccupied hostels to district admins
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Key Highlights- The HRD Ministry directed Navodaya schools in the country to make their unoccupied hostels available to respective district administration to be used as any kind of medical facility in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
- “Assessing the current situation, I have advised Commissioner Navodaya Vidyalaya to make their hostels (where no students are staying) available for the respective District Administrations, aiding them to fight COVID-19,” Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said.
Banking
Rupee depreciation may continue in the short term, may touch 77/USD
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Key Highlights- A country’s economy is determined by the direction in which its currency is headed versus the benchmark USD.
- Lately, the strengthening of USD against global currencies hit by the pandemic has led to the rupee depreciation to levels above Rs. 76 per USD mark as on March 23.
RBI advances second tranche of G-Sec buying under OMOs to March 26
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Key Highlights- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on March 23 said it has preponed the second tranche of purchase of Rs 15,000 crore of government securities under open market operations (OMOs) to March 26. The OMO purchase auction was earlier scheduled for March 30.
- "On review of current liquidity and financial conditions, the RBI has decided to advance the second tranche of purchase of government securities under OMOs for Rs 15,000 crore to March 26, 2020," the RBI said in a release.
Sports
UEFA Postpones May's Champions League, Europa League Finals
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Key Highlights- UEFA announced on Monday that it has postponed the Champions League, Europa League and women's Champions League finals, originally scheduled for May, due to the coronavirus pandemic, with no new date given. European football's governing body had already postponed the competitions until further notice earlier this month. UEFA said that "no decision has yet been made on rearranged dates".
- "The working group, established last week as a result of the conference call among the stakeholders of European football, which was chaired by UEFA president, Aleksander Ceferin, will analyse the options available," UEFA said in a statement.
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