Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2020

Notes:
The 59th National Pharmacy Week (NPW) is celebrated throughout the country from November 16-22, 2020.
This year, the theme of the National Pharmacy Week (NPW) is “Pharmacists: Frontline Health Professionals”. The Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) is the national professional body of pharmacists, which leads the celebrations.

Notes:
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin hosted the Leaders’ summit of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2020.
During the Papua New Guinea summit in 2018, APEC leaders did not issue a joint statement for the first time. Last year’s host Chile cancelled the annual summit due to violent domestic protests. This year, the APEC leaders issued a joint statement, pledging to work toward open trade and investment

Notes:
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has recently launched ‘Abhayam’ mobile phone application.
The app has bene launched with an aim to help women and children to raise alarm in case of any emergency, while travelling in taxis and auto-rickshaws. As a pilot project, as many as 1000 auto-rickshaws fitted with Internet-of -Things (IoT)-enabled GPS devices will be launched.

Notes:
The 49-year-old billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has become the world’s second-richest person, after passing Bill Gates.
The CEO of SpaceX recorded a net worth of USD 127.9 billion, by adding USD 100.3 billion to his net worth this year, which is the highest addition by anyone on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His increase in wealth is largely driven by Tesla, whose market value is approaching USD 500 billion.

Notes:
Indian army has successfully test fired the land-attack version of the surface-to-surface supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, in the Andaman and Nicobar.
The range of the new version of the missile has been extended to 400 km from the original 290 km. The Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy will carry out separate test-firing of the new version of the air-launched and naval versions of the missile.

Notes:
Malayalam film Jallikattu, directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, has been selected as India’s official entry for the 93rd Academy Awards, 2021.
It is also the third Malayalam film to be shortlisted for the Oscar Award. This film is based on writer S. Hareesh’s acclaimed story titled ‘Maoist’. As of now, only three Indian films Lagaan, Mother India and Salaam Bombay! have won the coveted award.

Notes:
Several groups of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and other parts of the country, demanding the repeal of the new agriculture reform laws passed by the Union Government, are holding protests under the name of ‘Delhi Chalo’.
The farmers were granted permission to hold peaceful protests at Nirankari Ground in North west Delhi. As per the farmers, the new agriculture laws will dismantle the minimum support price (MSP) system.

Notes:
The Cabinet of Pakistan has approved two anti-rape ordinances which includes chemical castration of rapists, with the consent of the convict.
The ordinance also envisages setting up of Special Courts for rape trials and appointing Special prosecutors. The proposed laws include in-camera trials, witness protection, legal assistance to victims and speedy trials of rape cases. It also prohibits unscientific examination of survivors.

Notes:
The Government of France has decided to re-introduce tax on big Digital firms like Facebook, Amazon, Google etc.
In the early 2020, France suspended the tax on such big digital firms in exchange for a promise by USA to reduce taxation on French products. Since the US administration pulled out of the negotiation, France has decided to reintroduce levy of tax on digital firms.

Notes:
As per International Air Transport Association’s (IATA), recent report, China’s Shanghai has become the world’s most connected city, replacing London from the top spot.
According to the IATA, London has witnessed a 67% fall in air connectivity due to the prevalent COVID 19 pandemic. With Shanghai added to the top list, world’s four most connected cities are now in China.