Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2020

Notes:
Sembcorp Energy India Limited (SEIL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries, announced the completion of its latest 800MW wind power projects.
It has become the first independent power producer to commission the projects awarded in the wind auctions conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Union Power Minister R K Singh has dedicated Sembcorp’s SECI 1, 2 and 3 wind projects to the nation.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban affairs has formed a five-member central team under Smart Cities Director Rahul Kapoor.
The panel will formulate project reports for both the cities, to improve infrastructure and employment opportunities in Ladakh. These cities have been selected in addition to the 100 smart cities in different states. This idea was initially proposed by the Home Affairs Ministry.

Notes:
The Indian Government has imposed safeguard duty on solar cells for one more year till July 2021 to protect domestic manufacturers.
This move will also discourage cheap imports from countries like China. Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), the investigative arm of the Commerce Ministry had recommended to the Department of Revenue for this imposition of duty.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet of India has given approval to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Zimbabwe on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.
The MoU that was originally signed on November 3, 2018, will mutually benefit the two countries in the field of Traditional Medicine including recognition of educational qualifications, provision of scholarships etc.

Notes:
The Union Government has provisionally granted permission for the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 2020 edition to be scheduled in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the IPL governing council had earlier postponed the tournament. It is to be held from September 19 to November 10 across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, after the final clearances from the Indian government.

Notes:
Nokia is set to establish a robotics lab at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru to study about 5G technology.
Nokia Center of Excellence (CoE) for networked robotics lab will be deployed to research on socially-relevant use cases based on 5G and emerging technologies. This will promote cooperation between colleges and industries.

Notes:
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar has virtually launched ‘DD Assam’ channel, jointly with the Chief Minister of Assam.
The 24×7 channel will showcase the rich history of the state with programs like music programmes, travelogues, reality shows and feature films focussing on folk culture and tribal life. Door Darshan has already been running channels in several north eastern states.

Notes:
Former Maharashtra Chief minister Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar passed away at the age of 89, due to prolonged illness.
He had earlier been tested positive for coronavirus disease. Nilangekar was a Congress leader, who was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from June 1985 and March 1986. However, he resigned from the post after an allegation and order of the Bombay High Court.

Notes:
Union MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari has approved the employment generation program proposed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to promote Agarbatti production.
Named the ‘Khadi Agarbatti Atma Nirbhar Mission’, the scheme aims to create employment for the unemployed and migrant workers across the country. KVIC will provide Automatic Agarbatti making machines in subsidised prices.

Notes:
As per the Health Minister of Lebanon, at least 137 people were killed and more than 5000 people were wounded in a massive blast by seized explosives stored at its port.
An estimated 2,750 metric tons of the explosive ammonium nitrate stored at a warehouse in its port allegedly exploded. The government declared the capital of Lebanon, Beirut a ‘disaster city’ and imposed a two-week state of emergency.