Kerala to become the first state to commence convalescent plasma therapy to treat critically ill COVID-19 cases

1.International Day of Human Space Flight: 12 April

The International Day of Human Space Flight is the annual celebration, held on April 12, of the anniversary of the first human space flight by Yuri Gagarin.It was proclaimed at the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly on April 7, 2011.

Yuri Gagarin crewed the Vostok 1 space flight in 1961, making one orbit around the Earth over 108 minutes in the Vostok 3KA spacecraft launched by Vostok-K launch vehicle.

In the Soviet Union, April 12 was commemorated as Cosmonautics Day since 1963, and is still observed in Russia and some former Soviet states.

2.Famed Anak Krakatau Volcano is erupting once again

Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano spewed a column of ash 500 meters into the sky in the longest eruption since its explosive collapse in 2018.Anak Krakatau, which means child of Kratakau, is the offspring of the famous Krakatau volcano, whose monumental eruption in 1883 triggered a period of global cooling.

Anak Krakatau volcano is located in the Sunda Strait between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra.

In 2018, the volcano’s eruption induced an underwater landslide leading to a massive tsunami along the coasts of Sumatra and Java, and killed 430 people.

3.Major Oil producers except Mexico agree to output cuts: OPEC

OPEC said that the major oil producers except Mexico have agreed to cut output in May and June by 10 million barrels per day, after marathon talks to counter collapse in prices.The agreement, which reduces production to eight million barrels per day from July to December, depends on Mexico’s support for it to take effect.

Global fuel demand has plunged by around 30 million barrels per day, or 30 percent of global supplies, as steps to fight the virus have grounded planes, cut vehicle usage and curbed economic activity.

OPEC Headquarters: Vienna, Austria

Members: 13

Secretary General: Mohammed Barkindo

4.With 70% annual global production share, India tops Hydroxychloroquine producer, exporter chart

India is the largest producer and exporter of Hydroxychloroquine with 70 per cent of annual global production.The Department of Pharmaceuticals has said that there is enough stock of API and manufacturing capacity of Hydroxychloroquine formulations to meet the country’s requirement as well as export obligations.

Senior Scientist at ICMR Dr Raman Gangakhedkar told the media in New Delhi that the use of Hydroxychloroquine is as Preventive healthcare and not as treatment.

5.Maharashtra, Telangana & West Bengal announce extension of lockdown till April 30

The Telangana government has extended the lockdown till 30th of April.Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said the state border with Maharashtra will be completely sealed.

The West Bengal government has also announced extension of ongoing lockdown till 30th of this month.

State government has also announced suspension of classes in Schools, Colleges and Universities till 10th of June.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said that the lockdown will be extended in the state till 30th of April.

He said he had expressed the willingness to extend the lockdown during video conferencing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Previously, Odisha also has become the first Indian state to extend the ongoing lockdown.

6.Kerala to become the first state to commence convalescent plasma therapy to treat critically ill COVID-19 cases

Kerala is set to become the first state in the country to commence convalescent plasma therapy, to treat critically ill COVID-19 cases on a trial basis.The Indian Council of Medical Research has given its nod to Kerala for the first of its kind project.

In this therapy the blood plasma from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19, i.e. their immune system that has developed antibodies in the blood plasma, to beat the disease, is transfused into a person critically ill with the disease.

The project is initiated by the Sree Chithira Thirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram.

At present Convalescent plasma therapy is not new and has been used by doctors to treat critically ill patients during earlier epidemics like H1N1, SARS and Ebola.

7.Manipur markets will be opened for sale of essential commodities to public in view of Easter, Cheiraoba festival

In Manipur, the State government has announced that all markets/shops in the State will be opened for sale of essential commodities to the public in view of Easter and Cheiraoba festival. Cheiraoba is one of the major festivals of Manipur celebrated mainly by the Meitei community of the State marking the beginning of a new year.

Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla has congratulated the medical team of JNIMS hospital for treating the first COVID-19 patient successfully.

8.Finance Ministry extends deadline for mandatory minimum deposit in PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi Account till June 30

The Finance Ministry has extended the deadline for mandatory minimum deposit in Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) for 2019-20 by three months up to June 30 in view of the lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak.The relaxation will be applicable for account holders of PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) and Recurring Deposits (RDs).

The Government has taken the decision to safeguard the interests of small savings depositors in view of the lockdown.

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana was launched by the Prime Minister of India on January 22, 2015.

It encourages parents of a girl-child to stock a fund for their education and marriage.

9.LIC allows 30-Day extension for premiums due in March, April

Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has announced an extension of 30 days for payment of premium due in March and April 2020 to mitigate the hardships being faced by policyholders in the wake of COVID-19.LIC said that relaxation is allowed up to April 15 for February premiums, where grace period was expiring after March 22.

It also said that policyholders can pay premiums through LIC’s digital payment options without any service charge.

Premiums can also be paid by downloading mobile app LIC Pay Direct.

LIC Headquarters: Mumbai

Founded: 1 September 1956

10.Karnataka Bank gets RBI nod to reappoint Mahabaleshwara M S as MD and CEO for 3 yrs

Private sector lender Karnataka Bank has received RBI nod for reappointment of Mahabaleshwara M S as MD and CEO for next three years.The regulator has also approved for reappointment of P Jayarama Bhat as part time (non executive) chairman.

The Board of Directors of the Bank have reappointed  P Jayarama Bhat as Part Time (Non Executive) Chairman to hold office upto November 13, 2021 (i.e. upto the upper age limit of 70 years) and Mahabaleshwara M S as Managing Director & CEO of the Bank for a further period of three years with effect from April 15, 2020.

11.Father of Modern Iraqi Architecture Rifat Chadirji Dies of COVID-19

Rifat Chadirji, known as the father of modern Iraqi architecture, died in the United Kingdom after contracting the novel coronavirus.The 93-year-old architect and photographer is credited with designing some of Iraq’s most well-known structures, including the iconic “Freedom Monument” in the now protest hub of Baghdad’s Tahrir Square.

Born in Baghdad in 1926, Chadirji studied in London and returned to Iraq in the 1950s to design his magnum opus, an elegant arch entitled “The Unknown Soldier” as well as the capital’s post office and other public buildings.

Chadirji had been a longtime advocate of preservation, working even under Saddam to halt the demolition of traditional Iraqi architecture in Baghdad.