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 9 March 2020 includes News summary on current events of International, National, Education, Banking, Sports, Awards and Obituary importance of 9 March 2020.
INT
Italy death toll soars amid travel ban
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Key Highlights- The number of people to have died from the coronavirus in Italy has shot up by 133 in a day to 366, officials say.
- The total number of infections leaped 25% to 7,375 from 5,883, according to the Civil Protection agency.
- The jump in figures comes as millions adapt to radical measures introduced on Sunday in an attempt to contain the outbreak.
China to donate $20 million to WHO to fight novel coronavirus
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Key Highlights- Beijing has decided to donate USD 20 million to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in support of international cooperation over fighting the novel coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 3,600 people and infected over one lakh others worldwide.
- Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, the WHO, under the leadership of Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has played an important role in promoting other countries to strengthen their prevention measures and tackle the epidemic in a scientific and rational way, and in helping relevant countries improve their health system capacity, which has been widely recognized by the international community, Xinhua news agency reported.
Qatar Bans Arrivals From 14 Countries Over Coronavirus Fears
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Key Highlights- Qatar has temporarily barred travellers from 14 countries from March 9 as a precaution against the rapidly spreading coronavirus, the government announced.
- The ban covers China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Thailand.
- Qatar Airways had already suspended flights to and from Italy.
WHO lauds Italy’s ‘genuine sacrifices’ to combat coronavirus
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Key Highlights- The World Health Organization saluted Italy’s “genuine sacrifices” after the government put a quarter of the population under lockdown to try to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus.
- Over 15 million people in northern Italy woke to find themselves cut off from the rest of the country after the government imposed strict measures to slow the epidemic.
National
Indian Wells Tennis Tournament Cancelled Over Worldwide Outbreak
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Key Highlights- The ATP and WTA tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, has been cancelled over concerns about the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, organizers said.
- The tournament, one of the biggest outside the four Grand Slams, was due to begin. It's the first major US sports event to be cancelled because of concern over the virus.
Efforts On For Return Of Indian Pilgrims From Iran
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Key Highlights- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said efforts are underway for the return of Indian pilgrims from Iran's Qom city and follow up arrangements are being discussed with the Iranian authorities.
- S Jaishankar also said no case of coronavirus has been reported among the Indian fishermen in Iran.
Kerala launches contact-tracing programme to neutralise coronavirus threat
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Key Highlights- A day after five fresh cases of coronavirus was detected in Pathanamthitta district, the Kerala government launched awareness campaigns and a vigorous exercise to trace all those who had come in contact with the five infected people of the same family.
- The government has also braced itself as more results on tests of suspected cases are expected by the evening.
H-1B visa application rules to change from next month. 5 things to know
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Key Highlights- H-1B visa applicants will now have to pay a $10 fee during registration.
- H-1B visa applicants will now be randomly screened at the registration level itself
- The electronic registration process for the H-1B visa will run from March 1 to March 20. Companies will have to pay a fee of $10 for each candidate. The new visa application process is expected to streamline processing by reducing paperwork and data exchange. USCIS said the new rules will provide overall cost savings to employers.
- The registration process requires only basic information about the employer and the employee. Details include the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, country of citizenship, gender and passport number. The employee would also need to job offer letter.
- H-1B visa applicants will now be randomly screened at the registration level itself. The USCIS will then notify the employer if their candidate has been selected so that they can file an H-1B petition within 90 days. The process of filing the H-1B petition will begin from April 1.
- “By streamlining the H-1B cap selection process with a new electronic registration system, USCIS is creating cost savings and efficiencies for petitioners and the agency, as only those selected will now be required to submit a full petition," USCIS Deputy Director Mark Koumans said.
- The number of new (initial) H1B visas issued each year is currently limited to 65,000 and an additional 20,000 H1B visas are available only to qualified foreign workers who have a master's degree or higher from a US institution of higher education. The top 30 employers of the H1B program are large information technology companies. "Approximately 66 percent of the H-1B petitions approved in FY 2018 were for computer-related occupations," according to the Department of Homeland Security data.
Waiver of farm loans marks Telangana budget
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Key Highlights- The Telangana government announced waiver of all outstanding crop loans of up to Rs 1 lakh in four instalments, which will come into effect from this month.
- State finance minister T Harish Rao, who presented the annual budget for 2020-21, said an amount of Rs 1,198 crore would be released immediately to waive off outstanding crop loans of below Rs 25,000 belonging to 5.83 lakh farmers at one go.
Education
CTET July 2020 Application Concludes Today
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Key Highlights- CTET July 2020 application process will conclude. The application window will close today at midnight.
- The last date to apply for July 2020 CTET exam was March 2 initially, but the date was extended to March 9. CBSE had, earlier, extended the last date for application from February 24 to March 2.
Aligarh Muslim University Postpones Exams Due To Coronavirus Scare
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Key Highlights- The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has postponed all examinations of the distant learning courses for students in Aligarh, Kerala, Murshidabad (West Bengal), Kishangarh (Bihar) and Delhi due to fears of the novel coronavirus, that has so far infected 39 people in the country.
- Professor Nafees Ansari, Director of the Distant Learning Centre, AMU, said that 6,000 students, who are enrolled in four degree courses B.Com, M.Com, Bachelor of Library Science, BSc Computer Application -- will now appear for the exams from April 1.
Banking
Yes Bank crisis Withdrawal cap may be lifted by March 23 ahead of RBI deadline
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Key Highlights- The withdrawal cap of Rs 50,000 imposed on Yes Bank’s depositors may be lifted by March 23, Mint has reported. This would be at least 11 days before the April 3 deadline set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- A person aware of this development, told the newspaper: “With the State Bank of India (SBI) running the bank, concerns over liquidity and viability of Yes Bank as a going concern have receded. Placing caps on withdrawals can be counter-productive. The RBI feels the limit can be withdrawn earlier and that should happen by March 23."
Sports
Real Madrid Lose To Real Betis As Barcelona Go 2 Points Clear On Top
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Key Highlights- Real Madrid's response to winning the Clasico was another surprise defeat on Sunday as they lost 2-1 away at Real Betis to hand the initiative straight back to Barcelona.
- Betis were deserving victors of a thrilling contest at the Benito Villamarin where two galling Madrid errors cost them their place at the top of La Liga, with Barca now two points clear.
Appt
Tamim Iqbal Replaces Mashrafe Mortaza As Bangladesh ODI Captain
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Key Highlights- Bangladesh named opening batsman Tamim Iqbal as captain of the national one-day side, replacing pace bowler Mashrafe Mortaza.
- Mashrafe stepped down as ODI captain this week after the third and final game of a three-match series against Zimbabwe. He had led the side for more than five years.
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