International
1. On March 30, 2020, the World Health Organization condemned countries including India for not taking actions to address the concerns of daily workers and migrant workers.

  2. On March 29, 2020, the Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that Saudi Arabia has assured India of uninterrupted LPG supply amidst growing threat of COVID-19.

  3. On March 29, 2020, the Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that Saudi Arabia has assured India of uninterrupted LPG supply amidst growing threat of COVID-19.

  4. US President Donald Trump invokes the Defense Production Act recently.  The act has been invoked in order to direct General Motors, a multinational corporation to manufacture ventilators needed to fight COVID-19.

  5. On March 27, 2020, the JICA (Japanese International Cooperation Agency), a funding agency of the Japanese Government signed an agreement with GoI for 3 mega rail infrastructure projects.  The project cost has been estimated as Rs 15,295 crores.

  6. On March 26, 2020, the United Nations Space Force launched a hyper-secure satellite for its military communications.  With the launch of the satellite the United States has begun its first national security mission.

  7. The United Nations has estimated that about 25 million jobs are lost due to the COVID-19 impacts.

  8. On March 27, 2020, the G20 video summit was chaired by the Saudi King Salman.  As a member of G20, India was represented by PM Modi.  At the summit, the leaders pledged to infuse 5 trillion USD into the global economy.

  9. The International Monetary Fund recently launched the "IMF Policy Tracker".  The platform will provide all key economic responses launched by Governments all over the world to fight against Coronavirus.

  10. On March 25, 2020, the United Nations launches Global Humanitarian Response Plan to fight against COVID-19.  The organization has allocated 2 billion USD to implement the plan.  The plan has been launched in 51 countries of Africa, South America, Middle East and also Asia.

  11. On March 25, 2020, 11 people were killed in a terrorist attack that targeted a "Dharmashala" in Kabul.  The Dharamshala is reported to have sizeable number of Hindu and Sikh minorities.  The Islamic State Organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.

  12. The Saudi Arabian King Salman is to chair the G20 summit on Coronavirus through a video conference.  The Summit is to be held on March 26, 2020. The summit becomes significant as several international organizations are holding in the summit.

  13. On March 25, 2020, 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit northern Pacific.  The quake was 37 miles deep and stuck to the eastern Kuril Islands of Russia.

  14. On March 24, 2020, the International Monetary Fund announced that the recession to be due to Coronavirus is worse than in 2009. The IMF has warned the G20 nations that the current economic outlook is negative.  The G20 nations are holding a virtual summit in a week to come out with a global solution to combat Coronavirus.

  15. The World Health Organization recently launched a mega trial of the four most promising Coronavirus treatments.  The organization focuses on repurpose drugs that have already been approved to be safe rather than finding new compounds from the scratch.

  16. A man in Yunnan Province of China has tested positive for Hanta Virus.  He died shortly after he was tested positive for the virus on March 23, 2020. The symptoms of Hanta Virus are similar to that of the Coronavirus.

  17. The Disaster Management Center of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation has launched a website related to COVID-19.  This website shows the number of Coronavirus Cases in member states.

  18. The US President Donald Trump has canceled an in-person G7 summit and is conducting the summit through video conferencing.  This is being done due to the growing threat of Coronavirus.

  19. The United Kingdom is co-chair India-led CDRI (Global Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure).  The CDRI was established by PM Modi at the G20 meet in 2017.

  20. On March 20, 2020, the United States successfully tested nuclear capable hypersonic missiles.  Russia's missile testing capabilities.  Recently, Russia tested a hypersonic weapon in December 2019 and China has already showcased its DF-17 hypersonic glide vehicle.

  21. The Paleontologists of Canada have linked human hands to the fins of fish.  The researchers examined a fossil of "Elpistostege".

  22. On March 19, 2020, the Ministry of External Affairs announced that 1 million USD has been dispersed toward the Emergency COVID-19 funds.  The fund was set up during a video conference recently.  Walking on the foot steps of India, Saudi Arabia had recently initiated similar conference in G20 countries to fight COVID-19.

  23. On March 17, 2020, PM Modi interacted with the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.  Prime Minister shared about India's preparedness to fight against Coronavirus.  He also mooted the idea of ​​SAARC-like virtual conference in G20 nations.

  24. On March 16, 2020, India signed Memorandum of Understanding with Nepal for construction of new schools in the country.  Under the MoU, India is providing 107.01 million Nepali rupees.

  25. On March 16, 2020, the United States of America begins the first human trial evaluating the COVID-19 vaccine.  The US National Institute of Health will enroll 45 healthy adult volunteers between the ages of 18 and 55 for a period of 6 weeks in order to test the vaccine.

  26. The United Kingdom Government under PM Boris Johnson has adopted "Herd Immunity" strategy to contain Coronavirus.  With India declaring COVID-19 as "notified disaster", locking down Italy, Spain and France completely, the UK is adopting its immunity strategy.  The United Kingdom has recently received wide criticism for its adoption of the strategy.

  27. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development recently released a report on the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy.  According to the report, India was ranked 10th.

  28. On February 16, 2020, the United States Reserve Bank announced that key interest rates are to be slashed from 0% to 0.25%.  This is being done in response to the growing impact of Coronavirus.

  29. On March 15, 2020, SAARC leaders participated in a video conference to frame a strategy in order to fight Coronavirus.  PM Modi attended the video conference on India.

  30. The President of the United States of America Donald Trump has declared a national emergency over the spread of Coronavirus.  Also, the government has allocated 50 billion USD to fight against the disease.

  31. For the first time since 1962, Iran is seeking the help of the International Monetary Fund.  Since Islamic Revolution Iran stopped getting help from IMF.

  32. In 1918, the Spanish Flu is global pandemic.  It spread indiscriminately killing more than 50 million people.  10% of the patients infected with the virus died.  It is considered as the deadliest pandemic in the world history.

  33. Recently at the WION's Global Summit held in Dubal, the Pakistan representative, Minister Kasturi recalled Sir Creeek Pact.  The summit was organized under the theme: Navigating and Negotiating Global Imperatives

  34. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared Coronavirus as a global pandemic as it is rapidly spreading across the world.  Today there are more than 126,369 people infected with the COVID-19 virus.  The virus has killed so far 4,634 people.

  35. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared Coronavirus as a global pandemic as it is rapidly spreading across the world.  Today there are more than 126,369 people infected with the COVID-19 virus.  The virus has killed so far 4,634 people.

  36. On March 9, 2020, the prices of crude oil plunged by 20% after OPEC failed to make a deal in making production cuts.

  37. On March 6, 2020, India joined the Indian Ocean Commission as the fifth observer.  The other four observers in the grouping are Malta, China, the European Union and the OIF (International Organization of La Francophonie).

  38. On March 6, 2020, Ghojadanga of West Bengal and Agartala of Tripura were designed as land immigration check posts.  They are located in Indo-Bangladesh border.

  39. The United Nations Global Compact conducted a study recently and found that female labor participation declined from 34% in 2006 to 24.8% in 2020. The study also states that out of the 153 countries surveyed, India is the only country where economic gender is  The gap is greater than the political gap.

  40. During India's Smart Utility Week, India and the European Union called upon the Integrated Local Energy System.  The countries are at work on clean energy and climate.  The collaboration will help to improve the clean energy supply.

  41. Luxembourg in Europe is the first country to make all forms of public transport free.  It is the second smallest country in the European Union.

  42. On March 2, 2020, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) reported that nitrous oxide pollution in China has declined significantly between January and February 2020. According to the report, nitrous oxide pollution has declined by more than 100 tonnes of carbon-  dioxide.

  43. On March 3, 2020, the World Bank announced 12 billion USD to aid countries that are grappling with economic impacts of Coronavirus.  The virus has reached 60 countries so far.

  44. The Asian Development Bank is providing 4 million USD to member countries in Asia and the Pacific to contain COVID-19, the Coronavirus.  The fund is being allocated for purchasing emergency supplies, assessing health systems, improving resilience and responding to animal human disease outbreaks.

  45. The COVID-19 (Coronavirus), that began in China now spreads to more than 45 countries.  Outside China, South Korea has the highest number of COVID-19 victims.

  Business, Economy & Banking

  1. On March 30, 2020, the Asian Development Bank announced that it is investing 100 million USD in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).  The economic slowdown is a great boost for the Indian economy.

  2. The Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India are holding a meeting on March 31, 2020 to discuss the first half borrowing plan for the year 2020-21.  For the first time in Indian history, the meeting is being held through video conferencing.

  3. The Reserve Bank of India is implementing a merger plan of 10 state-run banks in 4 large banks from April 1, 2020. The amalgamation of the banks was notified by the GoI earlier of March 2020.

  4. On March 27, 2020, the Reserve Bank of India announced a series of measures to counter economic slowdown due to COVID-19.  The Central Bank advanced its Monetary Policy Committee meet due to COVID-19 pandemic.  This was the 7th Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement of the RBI for the financial year 2019-20.
  The RBI measures introduced to inject Rs 3.74 lakh core into the Indian Economy according to the RBI Governor.

  5. The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of PM Modi approved on March 25, 2020, the recapitalization of regional rural banks (RRBs) to improve capital to risk weighted assets ratio.

  6. The E-Commerce Giants Flipkart and Amazon have temporarily stopped their services in India following lock down in the country.

  7. On March 24, 2020, the India's National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency called Invest India launched "The Invest India Business Immunity Platform".  The platform is operated on the website of Invest India.

  8. On March 24, 2020, the Ministry of Labor and Employment transferred funds to the account of construction workers in the backdrop of outbreak of COVID-19.

  9. On March 24, 2020, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman announced several key measures in the view of Coronavirus Pandemic.  The Minister also announced that the Economic Task Force is to announce the Economic Relief Package to contain the spread of the disease.

  10. On March 19, 2020, the Finance Commission Constituted a committee under Shri N K Singh to build a fiscal consolidation road map for the center and the states.

  11. On March 19, 2020, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) announced Swavalamban Express.

  12. On March 19, 2020, the Finance Commission announced that it will monitor the situation of COVID-19 before releasing its second report.

  13. On March 19, 2020, the University Grants Commission directed all the affiliated colleges and universities to postpone ongoing examinations.  The evaluation works have also been directed to be rescheduled.

  14. On March 18, 2020, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Small Farmers Agriculture-Business Consortium.  The agreement aims to link the Farmer Producer Organization and Farmer Cooperatives with the export value chain.

  15. The RBI Governor recently stated that the apex bank has several armory of weapons and will not hesitate to deploy them.  Two of the measures suggested by the governor are Forex Swap and LTRO (Long Term Repo Operation).  This is being suggested as global economic growth is affected due to the impact of COVID-19 and this is in turn affecting India as well.

  16. On March 16, 2020, the National Mineral Development Corporation announced that the prices of iron ore are to be reduced by 1.5%.  The Corporation is taking such measures to reduce the iron ore demands caused by the Coronavirus.

  17. On March 16, 2020, the Commerce Ministry reported that the gold imports for the period April to February (2019-20) have decreased by 8.86% as compared to the previous year.

  18. On March 13, 2020, the Reserve Bank of India revised exposure limits of Urban Cooperative Banks.  Earlier the RBI is the sole lender of 15% of its capital funds and 40% of its funds to the group's borrowers.  It has now revised the group's borrower fund limit of 25% of its funds.

  19. The United Nations Conference on Trade, Investment and Development has warned that foreign direct investment flows will reduce all over the world by 15% due to Coronavirus.  According to the organization, the outbreak could cost 2 trillion USD to the global economy.

  20. Workers in the Diamond Industry of India, especially in the parts of Surat, are facing job losses and pay cuts as Coronavirus has hit exports to China.  China is the biggest market of precious stones and since February China is terribly affected with Coronavirus.

  21. The Union Cabinet recently approved a proposal to set up a major port at Vadhvan in Maharashtra.  The GoI has sanctioned Rs 65,545 crores for the project.

  22. On March 5, 2020, the Reserve Bank of India imposed a month-long moratorium.  Also, the Apex Bank has imposed withdrawal restrictions of Rs 50,000 to the customers.  However, in case of medical emergencies and higher education fees, the restriction has been increased to Rs 5 lakhs.

  23. On March 5, 2020, the world's largest oil producing nation of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) has planned to cut production.  This is the deepest oil production cuts since the 2008 financial crisis.

  24. On March 5, 2020, Google announced that it will open its next cloud region of India in Delhi by 2021. This is the second cloud region of Google after Mumbai, which was launched in 2017. Google owns 22 cloud regions in Asia Pacific.  General Chat Chat Lounge

  Science & Technology

  1. The Chinese Government has put a list of medicines that will be used to treat COVID-19.  It includes both Chinese traditional medicines and western medicines as well.  Among these, "Tan Re Qing" has been identified as the best cure.  This traditional medicine carries bear bile.

  2. A new technology has been adopted by the Maharashtra hospital to fight the COVID-19 fight.  The technology was developed by a Pune based Start Up.

  3. On March 30, 2020, the Government of India clarified that it had no plans to extend the 21 day lock down that was begun on March 25, 2020. The announcement comes to clarify rumors and fake news about extension of 21 day lock down.  General Chat Chat Lounge

  4. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has approved the use of Convalescent Plasma from patients recovered from COVID-19 to treat seriously ill COVID-19 patients.  The idea of ​​the method is to inject plasma antibodies into critically ill patients for them to gain immunity against the virus.

  5. The DRDO (Defense Research Development Organization) has been tracking the spread of the COVID-19 virus since it began to spread in China.  Now, the organization has developed four items to help India in its "War Against Corona".

  6. According to a research published in the journal "Pathogen", the virus jumped to humans from Pangolins.  Also, mutation was the main reason for the virus to target human cells so easily and hence lead to the fast spread of the virus.

  7. The International Advanced Center for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) operating under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India has developed a technology to improve fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines.

  8. For the first time in India IIT Madras is to host Hyperloop pod competition in July 2020. India has taken a few steps in transporting environmentally friendly Hyperloop pod to the country.

  9. On March 20, 2020, the National Center for Cell Science found that the pathogenic protein called the Huntingtin Protein causes decline in overall protein production.

  10. On March 19, 2020, the Indian Meteorological Department announced that the El Nino Weather Phenomenon is to remain neutral this year between May and July.  This will bring normal rains to India during South West Monsoon.

  11. On March 17, 2020, the Department of Space reported at the Parliament that ISRO has designed the NAVIC messaging system and receiver.  The system is currently used by the Indian National Center for Ocean Information System (INCOIS).

  12. Scientists at the INST (Institute of Nano Science and Technology), which operates under the Department of Science & Technology, has developed a starch based 'Hemostat'.

  13. The Agharkar Research Institute of Pune has isolated 45 strains of methanotrophic bacteria.  These bacteria are capable of reducing methane emissions in rice plants.

  14. Scientists from ARCI-International Advanced Research Center for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials operating under DST (Department of Science and Technology), Ministry of Science & Technology have developed cost effective solar receiver tube technology.

  15. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research along with the National Physical Laboratory recently discovered a bi-luminescent security ink.  The ink shall be used to counterfeit currency notes.  Also, it shows two colors when exposed to light.

  16. The Scientists of ARCI (Advanced Research for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials) recently developed PEMFC (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells).  The technology is used to manage Natural Disasters.

  17. On March 5, 2020, the Department of Science and Technology operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology, an international conference on Nano-Science and Nano Technology (ICONSAT) at Kolkata.  The conference is to be held between March 5, 2020 and March 7, 2020.

  18. The Gene Editing Tool called CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) has been used for treating blindness for the first time.  However, doctors claim that it will take a month to check if the vision of the patient is restored.  This has been achieved at the University of Oregon, Portland, USA.

  19. The Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology has cleared the Genome India Project.  More than 20 leading institutions including IISc Bengaluru are topping in the project.

  Sports

  1. On March 30, 2020 the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) announced that it was suspending all planned events until June 30, 2020. The decision was taken during the ITTF meeting that was held to discuss the impact of Novel Coronavirus.

  2. The World Governing Body FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association or International Federation of Association Football) has selected Indian Football Captain Sunil Chhetri among 28 other stars for its campaign.  The campaign is to combat COVID-19.

  3. Recently, Greece handed over the Olympic Flame to Japan.  However, due to the growing threats of Coronavirus, the International Olympics Committee is considering postponement of the 2020 Olympics.  The organization might postpone Olympics to 2021.

  4. On the eve of Women's Day, the final match of the T20 (Twenty 20) was held at Melbourne, Australia.  India lost the T20 world cup to Australia.


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