Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2020

Notes:
The state of Tamil Nadu is to set up a park exclusively for the electric vehicle manufacturing eco-system. This will be the country’s first such park.
The state is also targeting investments for around Rs 50000 crore and employment for over 1.5 lakh people in the EV sector. Tamil Nadu had announced a detailed EV policy last year with incentives and subsidies for manufacture and purchase. The state has signed MoUs with several companies in this regard.

Notes:
As per the research paper published by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, pathogens named as critical by the World Health Organisation have been found in the river of Yamuna.
The pathogens were named by the WHO in the year 2017. The multidrug-resistant bacteria that are found in Yamuna, were found due to the entry of Sewage into the river. Several major sewer drains and the Yamuna river across New Delhi were studied by the team.

Notes:
IC-IMPACTS is an Annual Research Conference between India and Canada. ‘IMPACTS’ stands for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnership to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability.
The conference for the current year was held on 6th August, in a virtual mode. The conference discussed ways of boosting the cooperation between the two countries higher levels by strengthening existing international links, sharing best practices of two countries, and initiating new collaborations.

Notes:
The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has recently won a landslide re-election victory, as per the country’s central Election Commission.
As per the figures of the votes counted, around 80 per cent of the votes were secured by the President. His main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, won over 9 per cent of the votes. At least one person was killed and dozens were injured in the clashes held during the elections.

Notes:
World Animal Protection, an international animal welfare organisation has released a new report titled “Elephants. Not commodities”.
The third edition of the report reveals that India has the second-highest number of elephants used in tourism in Asia. It also reveals that as many as 225 of the elephants, which is more than 45%, were kept in severely inadequate conditions.

Notes:
The Ammunition Factory Khadki, Pune, has designed and manufactured 40 mm UBGL (Under Barrel Grenade Launcher) Ammunition, by using components procured from Indian Industries.
The first consignment of such indigenously manufactured UBGL was sent to Border Security Force (BSF). Earlier, this ammunition used to be imported by the Indian Army and other Defence units under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Notes:
India has recently announced a financial assistance of USD 500 million assistance for its largest civilian infrastructure project.
Out of the fund, USD 400 million line of credit and USD 100 million grant will be provided for the project that aims to connect the capital city Male with three neighbouring islands Villingili, Gulhifahu and Thilafushi. The 6.7 km Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) will also improve economic activity and employment opportunities.

Notes:
Gujarat-based Zydus Cadila launches the country’s cheapest version of Remdesivir, under the brand name Remdac.
The generic version of the medicine will be used for treating patients suffering from severe symptoms of Covid-19. A 100-mg vial has been priced at Rs 2800 and this the most economical medicine so far. It will be available across the country.

Notes:
“Fit India Freedom Run” has been launched by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju, through an online programme.
A large number of Government organizations and Private organizations will participate in the event. In view of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, the participants can run at their own place and at their own pace between 15th August and 2nd October.

Notes:
Indian cricket icon and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has announced retirement from international cricket.
The 39-year-old star is the only captain in the world who led his team to win all three ICC trophies so far. Under his captaincy, India won the ICC World Twenty20 in 2007, Asia Cups in 2010 and 2016, the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Another Cricketer Suresh Raina also announced his retirement.