Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2020

Notes:
Every year, 10th of August is observed as World Biofuel Day to create awareness on importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to fossil fuels. It is also aimed at highlighting the various initiatives made by the Government in the Biofuel sector.
Since 2015, the World Biofuel Day is being observed by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. A webinar on this occasion was organized by the Petroleum Ministry, with the theme “Biofuels towards Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

Notes:
A set of 10 ventilators were gifted by the Indian Army to the Army of Nepal in order to support Nepal tackle Covid-19. The ventilators were handed over by the Indian Ambassador to Nepal to the Nepal Army Chief.
The ventilators are to be deployed for a broad range of applications and advanced respiratory support. They are compact in size and are portable for using in intensive care. This assistance is a part of the humanitarian assistance and relief operations of the Indian Army.

Notes:
A book titled ‘Connecting, Communicating, Changing’ will be released by the Defence Minister at Delhi. It narrates the third year in Office of Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu. The e-version of the book would be released by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar.
The book highlights the Vice President’s travel in India & abroad, his interaction with foreign nationals, world leaders and various sections of the Indian society including farmers, scientists, administrators, industry leaders and artists, among others.

Notes:
Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has launched Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Academy in New Delhi.
This has been inaugurated as part of the ongoing week-long behaviour change campaign Gandagi Mukt Bharat. This is an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) based free mobile online learning course on ODF Plus. The ODF Plus is an extension of the ODF programme under the Swachch Bharat Mission.

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:
India’s leading private sector bank, HDFC Bank has recently announced the launch of “Shaurya KGC Card” for the armed forces.
This card has been designed based on the Kisan Credit Card guidelines by the Government. More than 45 lakh Indian armed force personnel would get a life cover ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. It also requires simple documentation suited to the job nature of the armed force personnel.

Notes:
Russia and Brazil have decided to cooperate in the production and marketing of Sputnik V, the world’s first registered coronavirus vaccine.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RIDF) announced that it has entered into the agreement with Brazilian State of Parana. RIDF is organising the production of the vaccine and its distribution in Brazil and other American countries.

Notes:
As per the findings published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, a new low-cost nasal swab test named ‘N1-STOP-LAMP’ has been developed.
As per the researchers, the test can accurately diagnose the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19, in just 20 minutes. It is also 100 per cent accurate in diagnosing the samples at high loads. It uses a single tube and involves only one step and so it is very efficient and affordable.

Notes:
Israel has successfully conducted the test of its advanced missile defence system called ARROW 2. It is designed to defend the country from ballistic attacks. The test was conducted jointly with US Missile Defence Agency.
Arrow 2 is a part of multi-layered defence system that Israel has developed to defend short and mid-range rockets as well as long range missiles.

Notes:
A five-month time extension has been given by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) from 25th March 2020 to 24th August 2020 to all the Renewable Energy Projects under implementation.
The implementing agencies have been directed to treat COVID 19 as a “Force Majeure”. This move is followed by the representation from various implementing agencies demanding extension of time due to COVID 19-imposed national lockdown.