Current Affairs Today

1. World Hemophilia Day

World Hemophilia Dy is observed on 17 April to raise awareness regarding the disease and other hereditary bleeding disorders.
 17 April is also the birthday of Frank Schnabel, a businessman born with serve haemophilia who was the founder of the World Federation of Haemophilia. (WFH).
The theme for World Haemophilia Day 2020 is Get + Involved.

2. The mascot for Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games

The mascot for the 4th Asian para Games was unveiled on 16 April 2020.
The design of Feifei is inspired by the motif of the Divine Bird in the Liangzhu Culture.
The mascot is the fusion of Hangzhou's Heritage and its drive for technological innovation. The 4th Asian Para Games will be held from October 9-15 2022, featuring 22 sports with Taekwondo and Para-Canoe to make their debuts.

3. CENS developed a compact solid-state sensor

 Centre for Nano and Soft Master Sciences has developed a compact solid-state sensor to detect the heavy metal ions in water.
It is a portable device which can help onsite detection in remote areas.
A team of researchers led by Dr Pralay K. Sentra have developed the sensor to detections such as lead ions (pn2) down to 0.4 parts per billion (ppb) for efficient onsite detection.

4. Delhi to start plasma transfusion trials

The Plasma transfusion trials for treating corona patients will be stated in Delhi soon.
The Central Government has given approval in this regard. If tests will be successful, the lives of serious COVID-19 patients can be saved.
Delhi government has also extended its list of cluster containment zones to 57 to contain the spread of COVID-19.

5. Foodgrains production increased the target

The agriculture ministry aims to increase food grain production by 6.35 million tonnes, to record 298.3 million tonnes in the 2020-21 crop year.
The ministry has set a target of 149.9 million tonnes of foodgrain production in the Kharif of the summer season and 148.4 million tonnes in the rabi or winter season.
Rice production target has been fixed at 117.5 million tonnes in 2020-21.

6. 4 Month rental of small IT units waived off

Government has taken a major decision to provide relief from payment of four month rental to the small IT units operating out of the Software Technology Parks of India. Most of these units are either Tech MSMEs or startups.
It will provide a rental waiver to these units from 1st March till 30th of June 2020. This initiative will provide benefit to nearly 200 IT and ITeS MSMEs.

7. Hydroxychloroquine supply to 55 countries 

India has decided to supply anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to 55 countries. Out of these 21 countries will get the drug on a commercial basis and other countries will receive it on a grant.
India will soon get COVID19 testing kits from South Korea.
Indian mission have also taken quotations for testing kits from vendors in the UK, Malaysia, UK, France, Germany, Japan and the US.

8. EPFO settled 3.31 lakh claims in 15 days

Employees Provident Fund Organization, EPFO has processed 331000 claims disbursing an amount of over Rs.946 cr in just 15 days.
The provision for a special withdrawal from the EPF scheme as part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana package has provided timely relief to the working class.
In addition, 284 crore rupees have been distributed by the exempted PF Trusts under this scheme.

9. Central released Rs. 7300 crore under MGNREGS

Central has released Rs. 7300 cr to the States and Union Territories under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme( MGNREGS).
It has been done to liquidate pending dues of last financial year but also the wage dues for the first fortnight of 2020-21.
Also, under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana ( Gramin) over 800 crore rupees has been released to the States.

10. IWF President Taman Ajan resigned 

Tamas Ajan has resigned as the President of the International Weightlifting Federation( IWF). Ajan, from Hungary, had been at the IWF since 1976 serving 24 years as general secretary and 20 years as president.
American Ursula Papandrea will continue to lead the sport's governing body as Acting president.