Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2020

Notes:
Gujarat is set to launch the country’s first online mechanism for approval and renewal of fire safety certifications for buildings.
A portal named ‘Fire Safety COP’ will be launched for implementing the process. Under the system, the state will train and empanel private ‘Fire safety officers (FSOs)’ to carry out periodic inspection and maintenance of fire safety systems.

Notes:
Scientists have stated that the strongest meteor shower of the year – “Geminids meteor shower” would be active from December 4 to 20 this year. These meteors originate from 3200 Phaethon Asteroid and its diameter is about 5 Km. This meteor was discovered in the year 1983 and has been named after the Greek myth of Phaethon the son of Sun god Helios.

Notes:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conducts a national level health survey called as the ‘National Family Health Survey’.
So far four editions of the survey have been conducted, with the latest being conducted in 2015-16. The Health Ministry has released the phase 1 results of the Fifth edition of the survey. The Under 5 and infant mortality rate (IMR) has decreased in 18 states and UTs.

Notes:
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a referendum to add the efforts against climate change and the need to protect the environment in the French Constitution.
The President proposed a change in the constitution that requires a parliamentary vote, and then a referendum. Earlier, the EU leaders including Macron agreed to achieve at least 55 per cent compared with 1990 levels, by 2030.

Notes:
The Goa Shipyard Limited has launched the fifth Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) named ICGS Saksham for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
This is the last such Offshore Patrol Vessel being launched by the shipyard for the ICG. The vessel is fitted with 30-mm guns, quick response boats which makes it capable of handling emergencies along the coast, emergencies along the coast and piracy.

Notes:
In a bilateral meeting between India’s Education Minister and Foreign Secretary of UK, the countries agreed to strengthen their engagement in the field of education and research.
They also agreed to set up a joint Task Force consisting of designated higher education organizations from both the countries, for working towards mutual recognition of academic qualifications.

Notes:
22 hatchlings of black softshell turtles that were reared at a temple in Assam have been released into the wetlands of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve recently.
These species of turtles are considered ‘Extinct in the wild’, as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A very few numbers of them are left in some temple ponds, mostly in Assam.

Notes:
The Ministry of External Affairs has recently launched an Economic diplomacy website, to project ‘Brand India’ to global investors.
It is managed by the Economic Diplomacy Division of the Ministry. The website will also showcase India’s economic, regional and state-wise trends, the economic and policy profiles of state/ UTs. It connects the Indian businesses and the interested investors through agencies like APEDA.

Notes:
The World Bank has recently approved four India projects worth over USD 800 million to support development schemes.
The projects include Chhattisgarh Inclusive Rural and Accelerated Agriculture Growth Project (CHIRAAG), Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resources Project in Nagaland and Second Dam Improvement and Rehabilitation Project (DRIP-2) across various states.

Notes:
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has been awarded with the Golden Peacock Environment Management Award for the year 2020 in the Steel Sector.
SAIL has been the winner of this prestigious award for successive two years. Steel Authority of India Limited is an Indian state-owned steel making company based in New Delhi. Various measures of the company to preserve environment have been recognised.