Current Affairs Quiz-September, 2020

Notes:
The first-ever International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is observed on September 7th, 2020. It aims to raise public awareness on the importance of air quality.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution to hold this day on December 19, 2019. It also invited the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to facilitate the observance of the International Day celebrated for the first time in 2020.

Notes:
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar has recently inaugurated 22 bamboo clusters in 9 States viz. Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Karnataka.
He also unveiled a logo for the National Bamboo Mission, selected through a contest conducted. The yellow-green logo showcases a bamboo culm with half an industrial wheel and half farmers.

Notes:
As per the recent statement of the Fitch Ratings, the annual GDP growth of India is projected to contract more than 10.5 per cent.
Earlier, it had estimated that the GDP Growth would contract by 5 per cent in its June Global Economic Outlook (GEO). In its recent GEO, it has also highlighted that the Global Economy is projected to fall less than projected level.

Notes:
The Indian Civil & Administrative Services (Central) Association has been renamed as “IAS Association” recently.
The new name was unanimously cleared in the body’s Annual General Meeting there by dropping the reference to the ‘colonial-era’ ICS. Also, a new moto “Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam” meaning “Perfection in action is Yogah” has been chosen during the meeting.

Notes:
The Chief Minister of Karnataka B.S. Yediyurappa has recently launched an Integrated Air ambulance service.
Being the first air ambulance from South India, it has German Isolation Pod to transport critical COVID-19 patients. It is developed by ICATT in coordination with an aviation technology firm. The service is expected to serve medical emergencies in spite of heavy road traffic.

Notes:
The first Joint Commission Meeting between India and Angola was held recently.
The meeting was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his counterpart Tete Antonio. During the meeting, the two countries agreed to diversify their trade relationship. The leaders also discussed regarding cooperation in health, pharmaceuticals, defence, agriculture sectors.

Notes:
The Country’s second and South India’s first Kisan Rail service has been recently flagged off.
This would connect Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh to Adarsh Nagar Railway Station in Delhi. The train was flagged off by the Union Minister for Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar. The Kisan Rail scheme was announced in Budget 2020-21 for transport of agricultural products.

Notes:
The Naval Force of Iran has started a three-day exercise in the Sea of Oman named ‘Zolfaghar-99’, in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The Navy is expected to test-fire surface-to-surface and shore-to-sea cruise missiles and rocket-launching systems fitted on warships, submarines, aircraft and drones. The exercise also aims to devise defensive strategies to safeguard the country’s territorial regions.

Notes:
The United States of America (USA) has recently revoked the Visas of more than 1,000 Chinese students and researchers.
The move is under the directions of the US President Donald Trump in May 2020. The proclamation is aimed at Chinese nationals who are suspected to have ties with Chinese military. In this regard, China has accused US of racial discrimination.

Notes:
The Government of India has set up a Panel for assessment of relief to borrowers.
It is a 3-member panel headed by Rajiv Mehrishi, who is the former Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The panel will measure the impact of the pandemic related restrictions on Indian economy and also study the viability of waiving interest on interest on the pandemic-related moratorium.