Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2020

Notes:
The National Health Authority (NHA) has signed an agreement with the ride-haling app Uber, for providing transport services to healthcare workers involved in treatment of covid-19 patients
Through its UberMedic service, the ride-hailing firm is to provide 150 cars free of cost to support medical facilities in certain cities. This initiative comes at the back-drop of the lock-down, where all forms of public and private transportation have been restricted. Hygiene measures such as roof-to-floor plastic sheeting enclosing the driver’s seat and disinfecting the car are ensured in every ride.

Notes:
A four-year-old female tiger named Nadia from the Bronx Zoo in New York City, has been tested positive for the coronavirus.
This is claimed to be the first known case where transmission of the coronavirus from human to an animal has been confirmed. The tiger is believed to have been infected by an asymptomatic zoo-keeper. Later, six other animals, including lions and tigers, have also been showing symptoms.

Notes:
During the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, Bahrain sponsored its Prime Minister’s imitative to designate 5 April as the ‘International Day of Conscience’.
The Assembly unanimously adopted resolution “Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience” and declared 5 April as the International Day of Conscience (IDC). It is celebrated in 2020 for the first time.

Notes:
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has recently announced that it has completed the construction of 3979 km of highways in the financial year 2019-20.
Its official statement also read that this is the highest ever highway construction achieved in a financial year by NHAI, since its inception in 1995. Though NHAI could not meet the target of 4500 km for the current fiscal, it has seen a steady growth in the construction phase.

Notes:
The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) recently announced that it will provide emergency loans to small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) named ‘SIDBI Assistance to Facilitate Emergency’ -SAFE PLUS.
Working capital of up to Rs 1 Crore will be provided to small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in manufacturing of medical equipment and products related to Covid-19. The SAFE PLUS collateral-free loans will be disbursed within 48 hours at an interest rate of five per cent. The limit of the loans has been enhanced from 50 lakh rupees to two crore rupees.

Notes:
Representatives of SAARC had a discussion on the impact of Covid-19 situation on intra-regional trade through video-conferencing.
The senior trade officials of all SAARC countries except Pakistan, also discussed the impact of travel restrictions. This is the follow-up of the first virtual meeting held on March 15. The eight member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Notes:
England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been recently named the ‘Leading Cricketer in the World’ in the 2020 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. He becomes the first English cricketer to win the award since 2005 after Andrew Flintoff.
Ben Stokes replaced the Indian skipper Virat Kohli who had won the award three straight times till last year’s edition. Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry won the leading woman player in the world award. England’s Jofra Archer, South Africa’s Simon Harmer, Australians Pat Cummins, Marnus Labuschagne and Ellyse Perry were named as the five Wisden Cricketers of the year.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched revised version of Swachhata App to handle queries specific to COVID 19.
The Swachhata-MoHUA Application is a flagship grievance redressal tool of MoHUA, under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). Now using this app, the COVID19-related complaints of the citizens will be redressed by the Urban Local bodies.

Notes:
On April 9th, 1965 a small contingent of CRPF successfully fought and repulsed an attack by a Pakistani Brigade at Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.
That was the first time in the history of military battles, two companies of policemen fought back a whole infantry Brigade. Six CRPF men attained martyrdom during this attack. As a tribute to the martyrs of CRPF, April 9 is celebrated by the CRPF as ‘Valour Day’.

Notes:
The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has partnered with UNICEF to promote a digital campaign on Social Distancing, for Self Help Groups (SHGs).
UNICEF is to provide the necessary support for circulating Digital Multimedia content, Webinars and Social Media campaigns on social distancing, home quarantine, etc. This initiative will reach more than 18,000 participants and will ensure tribal gatherers carry on their work safely.