Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2020

Notes:
India’s first convergence project to generate green energy is to be launched in the state of Goa. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and Department of New & Renewable Energy (DNRE), Goa, have signed a MoU regarding the project.
Apart from implementation of decentralized solar energy projects, EESL shall also replace over 6000 agricultural pumps with BEE star rated energy efficient pumps and distribute over 16 Lakh LED bulbs for rural households.

Notes:
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and have signed a strategic defence deal with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.
The deal of ‘Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA)’, envisages to counter China’s growing aggression in the South China Sea and over the Pacific nations. Under the agreement, the troops of both the countries can visit each other’s countries and conduct joint operations.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering has recently launched RuPay card Phase-II, in a virtual mode.
This will allow Bhutanese card holders to access the RuPay network in India. Last year during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Bhutan, Phase-I of the project was launched, by which visitors from India can access ATMs and Point of Sale (PoS) terminals across Bhutan.

Notes:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has recently released the third volume of the selected speeches of President Ram Nath Kovind titled ‘Loktantra Ke Swar’ and ‘The Republican Ethic’.
The book is published by the Publications Division and it is a collection of selected speeches of the President in Hindi and English. Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar released the e-version of the book.

Notes:
A virtual counter-terrorism dialogue was recently held between India and the Belgium-headquartered European Union.
As per the joint statement, both India and the EU condemned terrorism in all forms, including the “Use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism”. The dialogue also called on all countries to ensure no region under their control is used for terrorist attacks on other countries.

Notes:
The Agreement establishing an African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was signed in 2018, in Kigali, Rwanda.
The AfCFTA is expected to become operational on 1 January 2021, which will be the world’s largest free trade area by number of countries. It will also create a single African market for goods and services. Africa Industrialization Day is celebrated on November 20 every year.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit has recently promulgated an ordinance to ban online gaming in the State.
The State government has submitted a proposal to the Governor to promulgate ordinance by amending several related acts. It provides for fine of Rs 5000 and an imprisonment for 6 months, for those found to be engaged in the act. Persons who are betting in cyber space can also be banned.

Notes:
The Indian Navy is participating in the two-day exercise SITMEX-20, along with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Royal Thai Navy (RTN).
The exercise is being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise, in the Andaman Sea, on account of Covid-19. Indian Navy to Host Exercise SIMBEX-20 with Singapore Navy in Andaman Sea.

Notes:
The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, also known as Europol, is the law enforcement agency of the European Union. It is headquartered at the Hague, Netherlands.
Recently, the Europol, Interpol and the Basel Institute on Governance organised the virtual 4th Global Conference on Criminal Finances and Cryptocurrencies. Over 2,000 representatives from 132 countries attended the conference.

Notes:
India International Cherry Blossom Festival is annually celebrated in Meghalaya, which attracts a large number of tourists in its capital city, Shillong.
The pink Cherry flowers have started blooming in Shillong and is expected to bloom till the end of November. This year, the festival has been cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.