Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2020

Notes:
As per the researchers at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), tiny antibodies, or “nanobodies” from a Llama named ‘Cormac’ works against the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
The researchers suggest that at least one of these nanobodies (called NIH-CoVnb-112) can prevent infections and detect virus particles by grabbing the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.

Notes:
The CEO of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant has virtually launched India’s first digital asset management platform DigiBoxx.
It is a digital file storage, sharing and management Software as a service (SaaS) product. He also became the first user of the platform, which provides a secure way to store all files in one centralised location.

Notes:
Leading Tech company Microsoft along with other tech companies, security firms and non-profits have launched a new group, called the ‘Ransomware Task Force’ (RTF).
The task force, which also includes McAfee, will assess technical solutions to provide protections during a ransomware attack. It will create a comprehensive solution to work together across industries, to tackle ransomware.

Notes:
India has successfully conducted the first Army version test of the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) from a test range off Odisha coast.
This advanced missile has been jointly developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries. The new generation MRSAM can neutralise airborne threats including projectiles.

Notes:
The DGNCC Digital Forum was launched recently in New Delhi. This Forum will provide a platform to National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets across the country to share their experiences of various NCC activities.
Since April 2020, over one lakh NCC Cadets served as the frontline volunteers in the fight against Covid-19 across the country under Exercise NCC Yogdan.

Notes:
The Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched an online learning platform called the Bharatskills, for the students and teachers of Industrial Training Institutes (ITI).
The DGT joined hands with Microsoft and NASSCOM Foundation to provide digital employability skilling program for nearly 1.2 lakh ITI students in around 3000 ITIs across India.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh cabinet has recently approved the Dharma Swatantrya (Religious Freedom) Bill 2020.
This ordinance outlaws the marriages which are done with an aim of religious conversions. Under the new Bill, forcing religious conversion on someone will attract 1-5 years of imprisonment and a minimum Rs 25,000 fine. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh cabinet passed a similar ordinance.

Notes:
The regulators of China have asked Ant Group, which owns China’s largest digital payment platform Alipay, to rectify its business.
The financial giant company is owned by the famous Chinese businessperson Jack Ma. The firm was asked to comply with the country’s regulatory requirement and to continue as a provider of payments services. Earlier, the Alibaba group was asked to curb monopolistic practices.

Notes:
Saudi Arabia has recently announced the discovery of four new oil and gas fields, as announced by the Saudi Energy Minister.
The state-owned Oil company Saudi Aramco has discovered the new Non-conventional oil and gas fields in different locations around the country. In August, the country has announced the discovery of two oil and gas fields.

Notes:
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan recently inaugurated India’s first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine “Pneumosil”.
The vaccine has been developed by the Serum Institute of India Private Limited (SIIPL) in collaboration with partners like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This affordable vaccine has been licensed by Drugs Controller General (India) in the month of July.