TNPSC Current Affairs April 27, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs April 27, 2020 (27/04/2020)

 

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

Basava Jayanti

Global Basava Jayanthi – 2020 was observed on 26th April digitally. Basava Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Lord Basavanna, the 12th-century poet-philosopher, and the founding saint of the Lingayat faith.

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Topic: General Administration, Political Systems in India, Profile of States

Autonomous District Councils

The COVID-19 pandemic may earn Governor’s rule for the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) in Assam.

The State’s Governor is the constitutional head of the BTAD that falls under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and is administered by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

Background:

Elections were scheduled to be held for the BTC on April 4 but was deferred indefinitely in view of the pandemic.  The council’s current term expires on April 27.

What are Autonomous District Council?

As per the Sixth Schedule, the four states viz. Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram contain the Tribal Areas which are technically different from the Scheduled Areas.

Though these areas fall within the executive authority of the state, provision has been made for the creation of the District Councils and regional councils for the exercise of the certain legislative and judicial powers.

Each district is an autonomous district and Governor can modify / divide the boundaries of the said Tribal areas by notification.

 

Topic: India and its Neighbouring Countries, International Events

South China Sea dispute

In the middle of the global coronavirus pandemic, China has been busy increasing its presence in the South China Sea.

If the dispute were to aggravate, Asia-Pacific researchers believe it could have serious consequences for diplomatic relations and stability in the region.

What’s the issue now?

The focus this time is on two disputed archipelagos of the Spratly Islands and the Paracel Islands in the middle of the South China Sea waters, between the territory of Vietnam and the Philippines.

Beijing unilaterally renamed 80 islands and other geographical features in the area, drawing criticism from neighbouring countries who have also laid claim to the same territory.

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Topic: International Diary of Events

Saudi Arabia abolishes flogging

Saudi Arabia has abolished flogging as a punishment for crime. Now, with flogging abolished, judges will have to choose between fines, jail sentences and non-custodial alternatives such as jail sentences.

This reform was made in order to “bring the kingdom into line with international human rights norms against corporal punishment”.

In 2018, Saudi had lifted the ban on women drivers. And, women not requiring permission from their male guardians to apply for a passport anymore.

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Topic: Geographical Landmarks

Unified Geologic Map of the Moon

It is the first ever digital, unified, global, geological map of the moon. It was released virtually by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) and the Lunar Planetary Institute on April 22, 2020.

The map is a ‘seamless, globally consistent, 1:5,000,000-scale geologic map’.

It will serve as a blueprint for future human missions and a source of research and analysis for the educators and the general public interested in lunar geology.

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Topic: International Events

Yemen separatists declare self-rule in south

Separatists in southern Yemen have declared self-rule, breaking a peace deal signed in November with the internationally recognised government.

The coalition consists of the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) and the Saudi-backed government forces.

Yemen has been devastated by a civil war between the Houthis and the government-backed coalition.

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Topic: International Events

Pitch Black 2020

Australia’s multilateral air combat training exercise, Pitch Black 2020 has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation. In the last edition of Pitch Black in 2018, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had for the first-time deployed fighter aircraft for the exercise.

The multilateral air combat exercise provides a unique opportunity for exchange of knowledge and experience with forces across the globe in a dynamic warfare environment.

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Topic: Public Awareness and General Administration

Arogyam thittam

The tamilandu State government has started the project called ”Arogyam”. Under this it has started distributing a powder mix of Kabasura Kudineer and Nilavembu Kudineer – a siddha medicine. This is not the treatment process for COVID -19 but only to boost immunity.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

April 26: International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day

Every year on April 26, the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is being observed. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations and was first observed in 2016.

The International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day was first observed on the 30th anniversary of 1986 nuclear disaster. It is being marked to increase awareness about the risks of nuclear energy in general.

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Topic: Geographical Landmarks, Environment and Ecology

Largest hole in the Ozone Layer healed by itself

The C3S (Copernicus Climate Change Service) and CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) confirmed that the hole in the Ozone layer has healed itself.

The hole was 1 million square kilometres wide above the Arctic. The hole was identified by the scientists in March 2020. It was formed due to unusual climatic conditions.

How did the hole close?

The main reason for the hole to heal by itself is the polar vortex. Also, according to the scientists the closure of the hole is not due to the reduced pollution levels due to COVID-19 lock down.

The hole possessed greater threats. It was the largest pole that was found in the history of Ozone layer. If the hole had moved towards south, it would have created catastrophic results in the mid latitudes.

Polar Vortex:

The Polar Vortex is a winter phenomenon. Polar Vortex is cyclonic circular winds that blow in the stratosphere from west to east. Polar Vortex extends from tropopause through the stratosphere and into the mesosphere. When the vorticity is high, values of ozone is minimum and the temperature is at its highest cold. Thus, the hole has closed as the vorticity has decreased.