Top GKToday’s News Headlines-9 April 2020

Here are Top GKToday’s News Headlines for 9 April, 2020

India

Covid 19: SC directs Centre to provide appropriate PPE to medical staff

Observing that doctors and medical staff are the “first line of defence of the country” in the battle against COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court on April 8, 2020 directed the Centre to ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) are made available to them for treating coronavirus patients.

SC directs private labs to conduct coronavirus tests free of cost

In a big relief to the common people, the Supreme Court on April 8, 2020 directed that private labs should conduct coronavirus tests free of cost, observing they need to be philanthropic in the hour of national crisis. Private labs are at present allowed to charge Rs.4,500 for screening and confirmation tests for COVID-19. Labs must have approval of NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories), ICMR or WHO.

Covid 19: HRD Ministry launches ‘Integrated Government Online Training Portal’

In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) on April 8, 2020 launched ‘Integrated Government Online Training Portal’ for capacity building of frontline workers to combat the coronavirus outbreak.

Covid 19: Training module for physicians to care for pregnant women launched

Health & Family Welfare Ministry along with the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) has introduced training module for the physicians wherein technical guidance will be given on the anti-natal care and labour management of the pregnant women who are either suspected or confirmed of coronavirus.

Quashing of Physical Training Instructors’ appointment in Haryana schools upheld

The Supreme Court on April 8, 2020 upheld the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashing appointment of 1,983 Physical Training Instructors in schools in Haryana in 2010 and asked the state staff selection commission to conduct the recruitment process afresh.

Economy & Corporate

Covid 19: FCI to provide grains at OMSS rates to NGOs feeding the needy

Government has directed FCI to provide wheat and rice to NGOs and Charitable Organizations providing cooked food to poor and needy people during coronavirus lockdown at the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) rates without going through the e-auction process. Hitherto only state governments and registered bulk users like Roller Flour Mills were allowed to buy stock from FCI under OMSS rates.

Govt extends term of Banks Board Bureau members by two years

The government on April 8, 2020 extended term of board members of the Banks Board Bureau (BBB), the recruiter for top posts in state-run banks and financial institutions. B P Sharma will continue as its part-time chairman. Other part-time members are Vedika Bhandarkar, former MD of Credit Suisse; P Pradeep Kumar, former MD of SBI; and Pradip P Shah, founder MD of rating agency CRISIL.

World

US Presidential Election: Joe Biden becomes Democratic Party’s nominee

Former Vice President Joe Biden is now the nominee of the Democratic Party for the American Presidential Race after his rival Bernie Sanders quit.

Covid 19: Video conference of senior trade officials of SAARC nations held

A video conference of senior trade officials of all SAARC countries was held on April 8, 2020 to discuss the impact of travel restrictions and the larger Covid-19 situation on intra-regional trade. All SAARC countries, except Pakistan participated.

Covid 19 lockdown: 400 mn Indians are at a risk of slipping into poverty–ILO

Around 400 million Indians are at a risk of slipping into poverty due to a “stringent” nationwide lockdown implemented to control coronavirus, International Labour Organisation (ILO) said in its recently released report titled ‘COVID-19 and the world of work’.

Oxford University launches COVID-10 Government Response Stringency Index

University of Oxford launched COVID-10 Government Response Stringency Index to estimate the impact of lockdown measures in countries across the world. ILO noted that India’s current lockdown measures were at the high end of the index.

Covid 19: Veteran Indian-American journalist Brahm Kanchibotla dies at 66 in US

Veteran Indian-American journalist Brahm Kanchibotla died at the age of 66 from coronavirus in the US on April 6, 2020. He was former New York and UN correspondent of the United News of India.

Sports

2020 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack released

England’s Ben Stokes was named leading men’s cricketer of the year by 2020 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack while Australia’s Ellyse Perry was leading women’s cricketer of the year. England’s Jofra Archer, South Africa’s Simon Harmer, Australians Pat Cummins, Marnus Labuschagne and Ellyse Perry were picked as the five Wisden Cricketers of the year.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2020