Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2020

Notes:
Russia has become the first nation to complete clinical trials of a Covid-19 vaccine on humans, in a major step towards the vaccine.
Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University has successfully completed the clinical trails of the vaccine, produced by the Gamalei Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Russia. As per the WHO, there are as many as 21 vaccines under key trials across the world.

Notes:
Andhra Pradesh state government officials along with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) launched ‘Operation Muskaan’ in the state.
This week-long drive aims to trace the missing children, prevent child labour and bonded labour, and rescue children engaged in domestic works. Hundreds of children are being rescued in the drive and are united with parents or provided with shelters.

Notes:
Election Commissioner of India Ashok Lavasa, has been appointed as the Vice President for Private Sector Operations and Public-Private Partnerships at the Asian Development Bank.
Ashok Lavasa is to replace the incumbent Vice President Diwakar Gupta, whose term is ending on August 31. The retired IAS officer was appointed as the Election commissioner in January 2018 and he was the next senior Election Commissioner, to be appointed as the Chief, after the present CEC Sunil Arora.

Notes:
Cochin Shipyard Limited has signed a contract for construction and supply of two autonomous electric ferries for ASKO Maritime AS, Norway.
This firm is a subsidiary of NorgesGruppen ASA, one of the major players in the Norwegian retail market. The project is partially funded by the Norwegian government and aimed at emission-free transport of goods. The 67-metre-long vessels will be delivered as a full-electric transport ferry, initially. The Ship yard is also building 23 hybrid electric boats for the Kochi Water Metro.

Notes:
Union Shipping Minister has recently flagged off first trial container ship from Kolkata Port to Agartala through the Chattogram port of Bangladesh.
This trial run has been done under the Agreement on using Chattogram and Mongla Ports for movement of India’s transit cargo through Bangladesh. It will provide a shorter route to connect the North East Region of India through Bangladesh.

Notes:
NITI Aayog has recommended that the Government of India should use 25 per cent use of recycled products in large infrastructure projects to promote secondary products across India.
The chief executive officer of Niti Aayog, Amitabh Kant announced that the recycled products including metals, plastics and paper will promote secondary products that are now hardly found in our country. India levies 2.5 per cent customs duty on the scrap while importing.

Notes:
The state Government of Andhra Pradesh has announced the Andhra Pradesh Renewable Energy Export Policy, 2020.
The policy aims to attract private investments in establishing renewable power projects of 120 gigawatts (GWs) in the state. The state Cabinet has recently approved the Export policy, which is to be implemented by NREDCAP (New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of AP Limited).

Notes:
The Regulatory body of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has directed telecom companies to stop free internet services to its subscribers for accessing social media.
This decision has been made as this facility is being used by some people for indulging in criminal activities on the social media. This ban is also expected to curb unhealthy competition between the companies.

Notes:
Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal is set to launch mental health support initiative named ‘Manodarpan’.
The scheme aims to provide psychosocial support to students for their mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is to be implemented under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, as a part of increasing productivity in education sector.

Notes:
England’s star cricketer Ben Stokes has displaced West Indies captain Jason Holder to become the world’s top-ranked Test all-rounder.
Ben Stokes also attained his career-best third position among batsmen in the ICC Test Player Rankings. Recently, he delivered an outstanding performance in the Test match with the West Indies at Old Trafford.