Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2020

Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a new initiative named ‘COVAX’, which aims to fast-track the development of vaccine against the coronavirus.
The WHO recently announced that it is renewing its invite to countries to join its facility. WHO is also in talks with the manufacturers of the potential vaccines and is gathering funds to promote the mass-production of vaccine.

Notes:
The Public Enterprises Selection Board has selected Soma Mondal as the next Chairperson of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
She will become the first woman chairperson of the public sector steel giant, if the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approves her appointment. She will also become the first woman to lead a steel company, in the world. The present Chairman Anil Chaudhary is to superannuate this year.

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 National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 chaired by Dr V K Paul, Member NITI Aayog, met for the first time on 12th August. The meeting was co-chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The expert group has been constituted under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It discussed on the parameters required in selecting the COVID-19 vaccine candidates for India and procurement mechanisms for COVID-19 vaccine.

Notes:
China has initiated a new campaign to reduce food waste, called the “Clean Plate Campaign 2.0”.
The campaign has been implemented after the Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted that Covid-19 had created an alarming situation on food waste. The first version of Clean Plate Campaign was launched in 2013 which aimed at restricting excessive official feasts and receptions.

Notes:
As per the recent announcement of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the INOX Group will be the official sponsor of the Indian team for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics.
Due to the prevalent COVID-19 pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics was rescheduled to next year, from July 23 to August 8 in 2021. The Group will also support the team’s promotions through its entertainment company – INOX Leisure Limited that owns a multiplex chain across the country.

Notes:
The state of Assam has proposed to launch a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme named “Arunodoi”.
This scheme will be launched in lines with the flagship DBT scheme Jan Dhan Yojana. This is claimed as the largest DBT scheme of Assam till date. The scheme also called as Orunodoi, seeks to transfer Rs 830 per month to around 19.7 lakh families. The main beneficiaries of the scheme will be women.

Notes:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties. With this, the UAE has become the first Gulf Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
UAE also became the third Arab country to enter into diplomatic ties with Israel. This agreement is a part of the deal to stop the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state. US President Donald Trump announced about the strategic ties.

Notes:
National Geographic has announced to premiere a Documentary Film named “The Next Frontier: India’s Smart Cities”. It is a 44-minute documentary on four cities of India namely Surat, Visakhapatnam, Pune and Varanasi.
The film reveals how the smart cities Mission is forming a strong ground for next cities of tomorrow. It would showcase the journey of 4 lighthouse smart cities along with the national initiatives that has transformed the lives of people residing in these cities.

Notes:
The United Nations Security Council has rejected a resolution made by the United States to extend a ban of Arms on Iran.
Only the Dominican Republic supported the proposal of the United States in the 15-member UN Security Council. Russia and China opposed the proposal while Germany, France, the UK and eight other member countries abstained from voting.