Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2020

Notes:
After failing to pay the host fee, India lost the hosting rights of 2021 men’s World boxing championship to Serbia, as it is rescheduled to be held in the city of Belgrade in 2021.
As per the recent announcement of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), India failed to pay the host fee, as mentioned in the Host City Agreement terms, AIBA has terminated the contract signed in 2017. India will also have to pay a penalty of USD 500 for cancellation. If the event had not been cancelled, it would have happened for the first time in the country.

Notes:
According to the recent data released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and its partners, seven million unintended pregnancies would occur in the coming months, as nearly 47 million women in low-income countries who would be unable to use modern contraceptives.
It also warned the number of women facing gender-based violence and other harmful practices would increase by several times. UNFPA is a UN organisation headquartered at New York, United States.

Notes:
Nagaland has introduced a scheme to levy COVID-19 cess for diesel, petrol and motor spirit. It has levied a cess of Rs 5 per litre for diesel and Rs 6 for petrol and motor spirit, from the night of April 28.
This decision has been taken with the powers conferred under Nagaland (sales of petroleum and petroleum products including motor spirit and lubricants) Taxation Act, 1967 (as amended). Meghalaya has levied sales tax surcharge at 2 percent on motor spirit including petrol and diesel.

Notes:
World Dance day has been celebrated every year on April 29, to commemorate the birth anniversary of the creator of modern ballet type of dance, Jean-Georges Noverre.
The day was created by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), which is the main partner for the performing arts of UNESCO. Every year, ITI selects an outstanding dance personality to write a message for the day. This year the Message author is Gregory Vuyani MAQOMA, a dancer from South Africa.

Notes:
Bombay High court recently quashed a clause in the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, 2010, which converted permanent posts to term posts of five years. Hereafter, the Principals can serve beyond 5 years and continue to hold their posts till retirement.
Recently, the UGC also released guidelines for examinations and academic calendar for universities, as the regular sessions may be affected amidst the Covid-19 outbreak. As per the guidelines, the academic session for freshers may begin in September and session for enrolled students in August.

Notes:
The Asian Development Bank has recently approved a USD 346 million loan to Indian government to provide reliable power connection in Maharashtra’s rural areas.
The loan will be under ADB’s results-based lending (RBL) modality and also India is the first country in South Asia to receive the loan under this modality. Here fund disbursements are linked to the achievement of programme results rather than expenditures.

Notes:
The popular candy of Tamilnadu, Kovilpatti kadalai mittai has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Deputy Registrar of Geographical Indications announced the news.
The ‘kadalai mittai’ is manufactured using peanuts held together with jaggery syrup in Kovilpatti and adjacent areas of Thoothukudi district. As the candy has a long shelf life, it has a huge export potential and the GI tag will attract many national and international audience.

Notes:
The Centre has recently launched a ‘Project Monitoring Unit’ (PMU) to help obtain various clearances required from the Centre and state government authorities for operationalisation of coal mines, as announced by the Ministry of Coal.
This decision is expected to enable the allocatees of coal mines to obtain timely approvals for operationalising the mines, thereby promoting the ease of doing business in India. This is also expected to improve the production of coal in the country.

Notes:
Partnerships for Affordable Healthcare Access and Longevity (PAHAL) is a collaborative project between the aid agency of US, USAID and New Delhi based company IPE Global.
US announced that it will provide an assistance of $3 million to India, in addition to the earlier assistance of $5.9 million, for tackling the spread of Covid-19. Through the PAHAL project, USAID will support the National Health Authority to assist health facilities enrolled under PMJAY by mobilising resources.

Notes:
The present Additional Secretary in Prime Minister’s Office and 1988 batch IAS officer, Tarun Bajaj recently assumed charge as the next Economic Affairs Secretary.
He is replacing Atanu Chakraborty who superannuated on April 30. Before having appointed in the Prime Minister’s Office, he served as the Joint Secretary in Economic Affairs Department, in charge of multilateral funding agencies division. He had also served as the Director in Department of Financial Services.