Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2020

Notes:
TransUnion CIBIL in association with Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has launched the MSME Credit Health Index.
The index measures the growth and strength of the MSME sector in India. MSME Credit Health Index is built by TransUnion CIBIL using credit data furnished by lending institutions/ banks.

Notes:
Saudi Arabia has recently announced a new plan to ease foreign workers’ contractual restrictions in the country. This would pave way to improvement of a sponsorship system known as Kafala, which is highly controversial.
The new plan is expected to take effect from March 2021 and would make Saudi Arabia more labour attractive.

Notes:
Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has recently launched a challenge named “Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge”. It aims to develop and implement initiatives that would improve the quality of life of young children, caregivers and families.
It is a 3-year challenge that would be open for 100 Smart Cities, cities with population of more than 5 lakh and State/Union Territory capitals.

Notes:
The Naval Forces of Bangladesh and USA have launched ‘Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh-2020’.
The naval training would be held in an inline manner due to the prevailing COVID pandemic, while the sea phase of the exercise would take place in Bay of Bengal. The events of the training are designed to enhance interoperability between the two navies.

Notes:
The Virtual Global Investor Roundtable (VGIR) is being organised by the Ministry of Finance and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Prime Minister will chair the Investor Roundtable conference, which will provide an opportunity to leading global investors and Indian business houses to discuss with policy makers.

Notes:
As per the Schmidt Ocean Institute, its research vessel ‘Falkor’ has discovered a massive coral reef in Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
The research vessel has been undertaking a 12-month exploration mission of the ocean surrounding Australia. The 500-meter-high reef has been discovered for the first time in 120 years. ‘SuBastian’, the underwater robot of the institute is deployed to explore the new reef.

Notes:
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is set to invest Rs 9,555 crore (USD 1.29 billion) for 2.04 per cent equity stake in Reliance Retail Ventures (RRVL).
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the chairman of PIF. It had previously invested in several giant companies including Facebook, Boeing, and Disney.

Notes:
The apex court of India, the Supreme Court has asked the Government of India to issue directions within a month regarding or regulating the use of disinfection on humans, in disinfection tunnels.
The Supreme Court stated that though the Centre had issued advisory that spraying of disinfectant on human body is not recommended, no steps were not taken in this regard to prevent or regulate it.

Notes:
The Chief of Indian Army, General MM Naravane has been conferred with the Honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army, by the President Bidya Devi Bhandari during a special ceremony.
General KM Cariappa was the first Indian Army chief to be honoured with the title in 1950. Last year, Nepali Army chief General Purna Chandra Thapa was also made the honorary General of the Indian Army.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India has announced a Co-Lending Model (CLM) scheme for priority sector lending. Under the new scheme, Banks can enter into a prior agreement with NBFCs for co lending of Priority Sector Loans.
The CLM is an improvement over the co-origination of loan scheme announced by the RBI in September 2018.