Current Affairs Quiz-September, 2020

Notes:
The United States has recently announced a USD 150 million (equivalent to Rs 1,100 crore), to invest in training for middle-to-high-skilled H-1B occupations.
The fund will be used to invest in key sectors in the American economy, including Information technology, cyber security, advanced manufacturing and transportation. The H-1B One Workforce grant would also be used to upskill the workforce.

Notes:
The President of Sri Lanka has ordered the termination of a USD 1.5 billion Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, funded by Japan.
The reason for the suspension is said to be the high cost of the project, which was the largest single foreign-funded infrastructure project in Sri Lanka. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) lent 30 billion yen (USD 285 million) to finance the first phase of the project.

Notes:
Every year, the World Pharmacists Day is celebrated on September 25. This day is observed by International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the decision to observe this date was made during the council meet of FIP in 2009 at Istanbul.
The aim of this day is to encourage activities that promote the role of the pharmacist in improving health. The theme for this year is “Transforming global health”.

Notes:
The Medical Council of India (MCI) has been replaced by the National Medical Commission (NMC). NMC will serve as the nation’s apex regulator of medical education and profession.
With the NMC coming into existence, the Board of Governors has been dissolved. Also, the 64-year-old Indian Medical Council Act has been abolished.

Notes:
Activities regarding the “Yoga Break” protocol of Ministry of AYUSH have been resumed, after it was suspended due to Covid-19.
This 5-minute protocol is intended to introduce yoga to people at work and help them to take a break from the work schedule. This protocol was developed by Ministry of AYUSH in association with Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY).

Notes:
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is a strategic forum organised between the United States, Japan, Australia and India.
Recently, the QUAD consultation of the four member countries was held virtually to discuss regional issues of common interest. The last Ministerial engagement was held in September 2019. The Senior officials reaffirmed their commitment for an inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has commenced the production of Pinaka rocket launchers and related equipment.
Pinaka is a light artillery rocket system having a range of 37.5 km. It has been designed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune.

Notes:
The G20 Leaders’ Summit will be organised virtually on November 21-22 by Saudi Arabia, as per the country’s recent announcement.
It also said that the Summit will focus on addressing vulnerabilities resulting from the Covid 19 pandemic. G 20 had contributed over USD 21 billion for the vaccine production and distribution. The bloc also launched a debt suspension initiative for least developed countries.

Notes:
The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has recently launched the final form of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) – 2020.
The Defence Ministry had earlier approved the constitution of the Main Review Committee headed by the Director General (Acquisition) Apurva Chandra. The Committee was entrusted with the work of preparing the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP).

Notes:
The Ministry of Tourism has launched the SAATHI application, along with the Quality Council of India, on the occasion of World Tourism Industry.
The application is expected to assist the hospitality industry, in maintaining the safety standards and operations, which would develop confidence among staff. A film named ‘Pathik’ on Incredible India Tourist Facilitators Certification Programme (IITFC) was also launched.