Philippines becomes 1st country to suspend all financial markets
The Phillipines has become the first country of the world to suspend all financial markets. The financial shutdown was confirmed from the statements from the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Bankers Association of the Philippines. The Philippine Stock Exchange was closed on 17th of March indefinitely, while currency and bond trading were suspended. The decision to suspend the financial markets was taken in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Phillipines authorities cited risks to the safety of traders as the key reason of shutdown.
The decision to suspend the financial markets is expected to be followed by other exchanges amid a broad lockdown in the Philippines.
Top tech giants to jointly fight against COVID-19 misinformation
The top tech giants of the world will jointly fight against the fake news and misinformation related to COVID-19 on their platforms. The top giants which have announced a fight against the fake news includes Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Reddit, Twitter and YouTube. These companies are working closely to have a check on the fake news and misinformation related to COVID-19.
These companies are jointly combating fraud and misinformation about the virus as well as elevating authoritative content on their platforms. They are also focusing on sharing the critical updates in coordination with government healthcare agencies around the world.
Among the above tech giants, Facebook and Instagram have already started banning the ads and commerce listings selling medical face masks on their platforms to stop people from exploiting the emergency caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
Mansukh Mandaviya launches ’Ropax’ ferry service in Maharashtra
Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya was launched ‘Ropax’ passenger ferry service between Mumbai and Mandwa, Maharashtra. The vessel, built in Greece, can carry 200 cars and 1,000 passengers and is capable of plying even during monsoon. The road distance between Mumbai and Mandwa is 110 kilometres. It can reach speeds of 14 knots and will complete the 18-kilometre sea journey in 45 minutes to one hour.
Hirdesh Kumar becomes new Chief Electoral Officer of J&K
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed Hirdesh Kumar as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. He will replace Shailendra Kumar with effect from the date he assumes charge. Hridesh Kumar is a 1999 batch IAS officer & presently serving as Commissioner Secretary in the School Education Department of J&K.
Flipkart ties up with Aegon to sell life insurance policies
Indian E-commerce company Flipkart has tied up with Aegon Life Insurance to sell comprehensive insurance solutions for customers. The tie up targets those customers who are seeking instant digital policies with a sum assured of up to Rs 10 lakh. These life insurance policies do not need medical tests or paperwork as it is an instant life insurance cover, with digital policy as its core value proposition.
The tie-up aims to change the notion of customers regarding life insurance policies as customers think that it is expensive and cumbersome to buy including long and rigid tenures and mis-selling. The tie-up will give a new vision to this by making life insurance available to customers at the click of a button in a convenient and transparent manner.
Arfa Sherwani & Rohini Mohan conferred with Chameli Devi Jain Award
Arfa Khanum Sherwani of “The Wire” and Bengaluru-based freelancer Rohini Mohan have been jointly awarded Chameli Devi Jain Award for outstanding woman journalist. Sherwani was chosen for her reporting from conflict situations in Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh and Mohan’s reportage on the NRC exercise in Assam set a new benchmark for investigative journalism. The jury comprised political scientist Zoya Hasan, journalists Sreenivasan Jain & Manoj Mitta.
The award is an Indian journalistic award which was instituted by the Media Foundation in 1980, named after Chameli Devi Jain, a legendary freedom fighter, community reformer who went to prison during India’s freedom struggle. The annual award recognises social concern, dedication, courage and compassion all over India from the print, broadcast and online media category.
An Extraordinary Life: A biography of Manohar Parrikar
“An Extraordinary Life: A biography of Manohar Parrikar” is a book on the life of the former defence minister and Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar. The book is co-authored by veteran journalists Sadguru Patil and Mayabhushan Nagvenkar. The book titled “An Extraordinary Life: A biography of Manohar Parrikar” will be published by publishing house Penguin Random House India.
Manohar Parrikar served as the Defence Minister of India from 2014 to 2017 and also served four times as the Chief Minister of Goa.
Bollywood actor Imtiaz Khan passes away
Bollywood actor Imtiaz Khan passed away. He starred in movies like Yaadon Ki Baraat, Dharmatama, Dayavan and Noor Jahan among more. He was an actor and director and associated with popular films such as Hulchul, Pyaara Dost, and Procession of Memories. He was the brother of late Bollywood star Amjad Khan’s.
Veteran journalist Patil Puttappa passes away
Veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha member Patil Puttappa passed away. He was a member of Rajyasabha for two terms between 1962 and 1974. He was also the first president of the Kannada Watchdog Committee and was also the founder-president of the Border Advisory Committee. Puttappa was the founder-editor of weekly “Prapancha” and also edited “Navayuga”. He also wrote columns in various dailies.
Veteran poet Puthussery Ramachandran passes away
Veteran poet and Malayalam scholar Puthussery Ramachandran passed away. ‘Onnanthyakkuttam’ was his first poem which was published in 1944. His poetry works were majorly concentrated on an in-depth study of the early and medieval Malayalam language along with the early history of Kerala. He played various roles in his life such as teacher, poet, writer as well as a political activist at one point of time. He is also known for his tireless efforts due to which Malayalam was finally recognised as a Classical Language by the Union Government in 2013.
