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Daily Current Affairs 16 April 2020: We have collected the latest current affairs for 16 April 2020 that are important for all competitive exams like Bank, SSC, IBPS, SBI exams. The GK current affairs will help you score more in these competitive exams. Improve your general knowledge with our daily online current affairs. You can also read the daily current affairs on our mobile app.

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Current Affairs 16 April 2020

UP Becomes First State to get ICMR nod for ‘Pool Testing’ of COVID-19 Samples

Uttar Pradesh has become the first Indian state to receive the approval of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for conducting “pool testing” of samples of COVID-19 suspects in order to increase the rate of sample testing in the state.
This decision assumes significance in the wake of the rising coronavirus cases in state.
Pool Testing will fasten the screening process and also bring down cost of testing.

Pool Testing

In pool testing, upto five samples will be combined together and examined in a single test. Till now, one sample is being tested at a time.
If the result of a collection of samples comes negative, then that means all the samples in that group are negative.
However, if the result of one collection is found positive, then each of those samples is tested individually.

Goa Becomes First State to use ayurveda to boost COVID-19 patients’ immunity

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant led Government of Goa is going to start the use of ayurvedic treatment for COVID-19 patients and suspects to boost their immunity.
With this, the state has become the first in the country to make use of Ayurveda, along with the use of allopathy, in treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Though Ayurveda cannot cure COVID-19, but it will certainly boost patients’ immunity.
The treatment will be done in consultation with the team of doctors treating COVID-19 cases in Goa.
The government has also launched an app in association with the AYUSH Ministry, which covers all related information for the awareness among the general public regarding treatment, immunity booting, diet and related data. The contacts of Ayurvedic doctors are also given in the app.

Trump Administration Halts Funding to WHO for ‘covering up’ Covid-19 spread

United States President Donald Trump has decided to halt funding to World Health Organisation (WHO) and has criticized the WHO for “missing the call” on the coronavirus pandemic.
He has accused the UN agency of failing in its basic duty by covering up the spread of the virus after it emerged in China and acting too slowly and so must be held accountable.
The Trump administration has ordered to conduct a review to assess the World Health Organisation’s role in “severely mismanaging and covering up” the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
US is the biggest contributor to WHO. American taxpayers provide around $400 million to $500 million per year to the WHO as compared to roughly $40 million annual contribution by China.
Trump said that the world depends on the WHO to ensure that accurate information about international health threats is shared in a timely manner.

Tata AIA becomes the first Life Insurance company to announce Additional Benefits Related to COVID-19

Tata AIA Life Insurance has announced additional benefits for its Policyholders and Agents under which its individual policyholders will get COVID-19 related additional benefit up to Rs 500,000 at no additional cost.
Apart from this, all ‘active’ Agents of Tata AIA Life Insurance along with their spouse and children will be reimbursed up to Rs 25,000 in case of hospitalisation due to COVID-19.
This is a first of its kind initiative in India.
This benefit is applicable for all valid death claims with a date of death on or before June 30 2020.

Equitas Small Finance Bank launches Selfe FD and Selfe Savings Account

Equitas Small Finance Bank has launched two new digital banking services- Selfe FD and Selfe Savings Account. This would enable the customers of the bank to avoid visiting branches.
Under the “Selfe FD” option- customers can open Selfe Fixed Deposit online for value upto Rs 90,000 by providing Aadhar and PAN details. It will provide an interest rate of 7.75% for one year.
Under the “Selfe Savings Account” option, a person can open savings account with Equitas Small Finance Bank by web based interactive video form by registering one’s Aadhaar number, PAN and other basic details. The interest rate is 7.5% and no minimum balance.

Vineet Arora appointed as MD, CEO of Paytm General Insurance Ltd

Vineet Arora has been appointed as the managing director and chief executive officer of Paytm General Insurance Ltd.
Before this, he has served as managing director and chief executive officer of Aegon Life Insurance Company.

Ajay Mahajan appointed as MD, chief executive of Care Ratings

Ajay Mahajan has been appointed as the managing director and chief executive of Care Ratings.
Ajay Mahanjan earlier worked at IDFC First Bank.
He replaces Rajesh Mokashi, who resigned in December 2019.

India to host 2020 Asian Boxing Championship in November-December: BFI

India will host the 31st edition of the Asian Boxing Championships in November- December 2020.
This announcement was made by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh on 13 April.
The federation is yet to finalise on the host city.
Before 2019, the Asian Boxing Championships used to be held as two individual events for men and women.
However, from 2019 the tournament became a combined event for men and women.
Last time India hosted the Asian Boxing Championships for men’s event in 1980 at Mumbai and the women’s event in 2003 at Hisar, Haryana.

36th Siachen Day Observed on 13 April 2020

The Indian Army observed the 36th Siachen Day on 13 April 2020 to commemorate the courage and fortitude displayed by Indian Army troops in securing the highest and coldest battlefield in the world.
Every year this day is observed to pay solemn tributes to the soldiers who laid down their lives to capture the icy heights of Siachen 36 years ago.
On 13 April 1984, the Indian Army launched ‘Operation MEGHDOOT’ to secure Bilafond La and other passes on the Saltoro Ridgeline, from Pakistani aggression.

World Art Day: 15 April

World Art Day is observed every year on 15 April to celebrate fine arts and promote awareness of creative activity around the world.
The day was declared by the International Association of Art (IAA), an NGO working in official partnership with UNESCO.
The first celebration of World Art Day was held on April 15, 2012.
The date has been selected in honor of the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, the famous painter of Mona Lisa.
He was chosen as a symbol of world peace, freedom of expression, tolerance, brotherhood and multiculturalism as well as art’s importance to other fields.

Daily Current Affairs – 16 April 2020