Daily Current Affairs Update: 23rd April

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Daily Current Affairs Update

Staying updated with the daily current affair is crucial for the aspirants preparing for the government job examinations. Latest news of national and international importance is what many people seek on a daily basis. With so much happening around you, it must be difficult to get all the news of the day at one place. To help the aspirants get an insight into the news of the day, we are providing you with the daily current affairs update. In this post, we will cover all the important news useful for government job aspirants.

Ordinance to Amend Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 receives Cabinet’s approval

The promulgation of an Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 has received the Union Cabinet’s approval. It has been approved by the cabinet, keeping in view the recent instances with the most critical service providers. It intends to make such acts of violence cognizable and non-bailable offences and also ensure that during any situation akin to the current pandemic.

MHRD rolls out National program “VidyaDaan 2.0”

National program “VidyaDaan 2.0” has been rolled out by the Union Human Resource Development Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ to invite e-learning content contributions as the requirement of e-learning content for students has increased in the backdrop of situation arising out of Covid-19 pandemic. This donated/shared content will be utilized on the DIKSHA app.

TCS BaNCS to power Israel’s 1st fully Digital Bank

Israel’s first fully digital bank would be launched by the Tata Consultancy Services in 2021. The digital banking operations platform will be powered by the TCS BaNCS Global Banking Platform. TCS has been selected by Israel’s Ministry of Finance to transform its banking sector. The TCS BaNCS universal financial solution is designed to help financial services institutions enhance end-customer experience, enabling them to embrace open and innovative technologies that embody true digital customer engagement.

“Apthamitra” app launched by Karnataka government

“Apthamitra” app and exclusive toll-free helpline number 14410 has been launched by the Karnataka government to empower the people of the state in the fight against COVID-19. The application aims at providing medical guidance and advice on COVID-19 while the helpline has been dedicated to deal with only COVID-19-related queries including telemedicine, counselling and facilitating testing and treatment for those in need.

BRO builds bridge to connect Kasowal enclave with rest of India

A new permanent bridge has been build by the Border Roads Organisation to connect the Kasowal enclave in Punjab with rest of India. The 484-meter long permanent bridge has been constructed by the 141 Drain Maintenance Coy of 49 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) of Project Chetak on the river Ravi to provide the local population and the Army an all weather connectivity to the enclave.

Facebook buys 9.99% stake in Reliance Jio

Facebook has acquired a 9.99% stake of Reliance Jio for USD 5.7 billion (about Rs 43,574 crore). This deal of USD 5.7 billion has put the pre-money enterprise value of Jio Platforms at Rs 4.62 lakh crore. Jio Platform is the parent of phone and data unit Reliance Jio Infocomm including various other digital app platforms like JioMart, Jio-Saavn and JioCinema.

Rakesh Sharma has become the new President of IMMA

International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) has elected Rakesh Sharma as its President for a tenure of 2 years. He had been holding office as vice-president of IMMA since May 2019. He will replace Johannes Loman, Director of PT Astra International Tbk and Executive Vice President Director PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM) Indonesia.

BWF names PV Sindhu as ambassador for ‘i am badminton’ campaign

World Badminton Champion, P V Sindhu has been named as one of the ambassadors for Badminton World Federation (BWF)’s “I am badminton” awareness campaign. Other ambassadors of the campaign includes the Chinese duo of Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong, Canada’s Michelle Li, England’s Jack Shephard, Hong Kong’s Chan Ho Yuen, Germany’s Valeska Knoblauch and Germany’s Marc Zwiebler, who is Athletes’ Commission Chair.

ARCI develops advanced tool “NanoBlitz 3D”

Scientists from International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) and Nanomechanics Inc., USA have jointly developed an advanced tool “NanoBlitz 3D” which can be used for the mapping of nano-mechanical properties of materials such as multi-phase alloys, composites, and multi-layered coatings. It will also help in carrying out advanced data analysis like identifying and quantifying the mechanical properties of constituent phases, features or components of multi-phase alloys, composites as well as multi-layered coatings.

English Language Day observed globally on 23 April

English Language Day is observed globally on 23 April every year. It marks the birthday and date of death of famed writer William Shakespeare. This Initiative was established by the UN’s Department of Public Information in 2010 “to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organization”.

World Book and Copyright Day observed on 23 April

World Book and Copyright Day is observed globally on 23 April every year to pay tribute to all those writers and authors who have contributed to the social and cultural progress of humanity. The slogan for 2020- “KL Baca – caring through reading”. World Book Capital for 2020 is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

‘WashKaro’ app developed by IIIT-Delhi to warn about Covid-19

Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology has developed a mobile app named ‘WashKaro’ to warn the people about a coronavirus containment zone nearby and helps them check whether a news item about the pandemic is genuine or fake. It uses Bluetooth technology for communication and does not need internet or location services.