Current Affairs Daily Digest – April 22 2020
1. April 22: World Earth Day
Every year World Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. The day is celebrated to demonstrate environmental protection. It is being celebrated since 1970. This year the World Earth Day is celebrated under the theme :
Theme: Climate Action+
2. Govt approval must for all FDIs from neighbouring countries including China
The government on Saturday made its prior approval mandatory for foreign investments from countries that share land border with India to curb “opportunistic takeovers” of domestic firms following the Covid-19 pandemic, a move which will restrict FDI from China.
3. NPPA develops IT platform to monitor sale of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin
To support the government’s policy decision and monitor the availability of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) after allegations of supply crunch in several places, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed all state licensing authorities (SLAs) to ensure registration of all drug distribution stakeholders in prescribed format of National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)’s on-line platform circulated from the DCGI office to collect information on HCQ and azithromycin tablets to monitor their sales and availability.
4. Infosys Appoints Uri Levine as an Independent Director
Infosys (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting announced the appointment of Uri Levine as an Independent Director of the Company, effective April 20, 2020, based on the recommendations of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board. The appointment is for a period of three years and is subject to the approval of shareholders.
5. Tech Mahindra teams up with IBM to set up innovation centres
IT services firm Tech Mahindra said it is collaborating with the United States-headquartered IBM to help businesses transform operations and accelerate their hybrid cloud strategies.
As part of this relationship, the two companies will establish innovation centres to address complex business problems across industries, including telecommunication, manufacturing, financial services, insurance, retail and healthcare.
6. World Press Freedom Index 2020: India ranks 142, drops down by two places
India has ranked 142 out of 180 in the Global press freedom index. The report was released on April 21 in the annual Reporters without borders analysis.
‘World Press Freedom Index 2020’ stated as there were no murders of journalists in India in 2019 as compared to 6 in 2018, it showed that the security system in India seemed to have improved.
7. Facebook buys 9.99% stake in Reliance Jio platform
Facebook has announced the investment of Rs. 43,474 crores in Reliance Jio for 9.99 percent stake on April 22. It is the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India’s tech sector.
The announcement of signing a binding agreement for an investment of Rs. 43,474 crore was made by Jio Platform Ltd, Reliance Industries Ltd., and Facebook.
8. Iran has launched its first military satellite into orbit: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps
Iran has successfully launched its first-ever military satellite into the orbit, according to a statement by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps on April 22, 2020. The satellite launch comes amid heightened tensions with the United States over Iran’s nuclear programme.
9. Ujjivan Small Finance Bank ranks 5th among ‘Best Large Workplaces in Asia 2020’ by Great Place To Work Institute
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank is ranked 5th among ‘Best Large Workplaces in Asia 2020’ by the Great Place To Work Institute. In 2019, Ujjivan SFB was ranked 16th in the Best Large Workplaces in Asia. Ujjivan SFB has been consistently featured in the list of best companies to work for by Great Place To Work® for nearly a decade.
10. Reliance Foundation’s ‘Mission Anna Seva’ biggest free meal program run by any corporate: Nita Ambani
Reliance Foundation’s ‘Mission Anna Seva’ that aims to provide over 3 crore meals to marginalised communities and frontline workers facing hardships during the lockdown, is the largest free meal programme by any corporate foundation globally, its chairperson Nita Ambani said.
Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of India’s largest firm Reliance Industries, has pledged free meals, build country’s first COVID-19 hospital and is supplying PPEs and masks as part of its effort to help the nation fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
11. ICICI Bank launches voice banking services on Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
ICICI Bank 0announced that it has integrated its AI powered multi-channel chatbot, ‘iPal’, with the world’s two most popular voice assistant apps–Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant– to enable its retail banking customers to undertake an array of banking services with just a simple voice command.
This novel facility offers customers yet another way to connect with their Bank from home at a time when they are advised to stay indoors in the wake of the nationwide lockdown.
