ANSWER: B
WHY IN NEWS?
India has approved the ratification of the Kigali Agreement to the Montreal Protocol in order to phase down Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
What it means for India?
India now requires reducing its HFCs usage by 80% by 2047. China and the US have to achieve the same in 2045 and 2034.
About:
Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
It is an international agreement that seeks to gradually reduce consumption and production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). This is a legally binding agreement that has been designed to create rights and obligations in international law.
Background
Montreal Protocol was originally created in order to preserve and restore the ozone layer. Protocol was an agreement in between participating countries in order to do away with ozone depleting gases. Under the agreement, HFCs were used to replace the banned substances as they have zero impact on the ozone. But HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases that contributes towards climate change. Thus, Kigali amendment added HFCs to the list of chemicals that countries are required to phase out.
Which countries have ratified this amendment?
121 states and the European Union have ratified the Kigali Amendment as of July 2021. India is the new entrant to the list. US has not ratified the amendment but pledged in April 2021 to do so.
ANSWER: A
WHY IN NEWS?
Facebook India has launched a new initiative called the “Small Business Loans Initiative” on August 20, 2021.
About:
Aim of the initiative
Facebook launched this initiative with the aim of making business loans more easily accessible to small businesses. It also seeks to reduce the credit gap within India’s MSME sector.
Why this initiative was launched?
As per “Future of Business” survey that was conducted by Facebook in association with OECD & World Bank in 2020, a third of operational SMBs on Facebook in 2020 found cash flow as one of their primary challenges. So, to provide them with loans, this initiative was launched.
Interest on Loan
Through the partnership between Facebook and Indifi, small businesses advertising with Facebook can be given loans at a predefined interest rate of 17-20 per cent per annum. This initiative will also enable small businesses to get loans without collateral by means of a quick online application.
ANSWER: B
WHY IN NEWS?
The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) has approved ZyCoV-D vaccine by Zydus Cadila for Emergency Use Authorization.
About:
Who developed ZyCoV-D?
Zydus Cadila developed this vaccine in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology under Mission COVID Suraksha. It will be implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
About ZyCoV-D
It is a three-dose, DNA plasmid-based COVID-19 vaccine. When it is injected into body, it produces spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and evokes an immune response. It thus, plays a key role in protection from disease and viral clearance.
Can the vaccine deal with mutations?
Plasmid DNA platform of the vaccine is based on plug-and-play technology. It can be easily adapted to deal with mutations among virus.
Efficacy of the vaccine
The Phase-3 Clinical Trials for the vaccine was conducted in over 28 thousand volunteers. Result showed primary efficacy of 66.6 per cent in symptomatic RT-PCR positive cases. This was the largest vaccine trial in India for COVID-19, as of now. Vaccine had already exhibited robust immunogenicity, tolerability and safety profile in adaptive Phase I and 2 clinical trials. Phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials were monitored by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board.
About Zydus Cadila
Zydus Cadila is also known as Cadila Healthcare Limited. It is an Indian multinational pharmaceutical company with its headquarter in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This company is primarily engaged in manufacturing generic drugs. Ramanbhai Patel founded this company in 1952.
ANSWER: C
WHY IN NEWS?
Diksha Shinde, who is a 14-year-old girl in Aurangabad, was selected as a panellist on Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Fellowships Virtual Panel of American Space Agency, NASA.
About:
Background
Initially, she suffered two major setbacks. She had submitted an essay on the title ‘Questioning the existence of God’ in September 2020. But this essay was rejected. She submitted the same research paper in October again which NASA rejected again. Her paper was accepted in third attempt.
What will be her job?
Her job include:
Minority Serving Institute (MSI)
MSI is a descriptive term used for universities and colleges that enroll significant percentage of students coming from minority groups in the higher education system of United States.
ANSWER: A
WHY IN NEWS?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated and laid foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath on August 20.
About:
Shiv Parvati Temple
About Somnath temple
Somnath temple is situated in Veraval (Somnath City), Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat. This temple is believed to be the first of twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The temple is an important pilgrimage and tourist spot of Gujarat. It has been reconstructed multiple times in the past following repeated destruction by Muslim invaders and rulers. Temple in its present form was reconstructed in Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture. Its construction was completed in May 1951. Its construction was started on the orders of Home Minister of India Vallabhbhai Patel. Current chairman of Somnath Mandir trust is Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
About Veraval
Name of the Veraval city was changed to Somnath city on March 30, 2021. It is a municipality and headquarters of Gir Somnath district in Gujarat. This city is the hub of fishing industries in India.
ANSWER: D
WHY IN NEWS?
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) against hostile radar threats.
What is Advanced Chaff Technology?
Who has developed this technology?
Difference between Chaff and Flares:
ANSWER: C
WHY IN NEWS?
A new research paper published in the journal ‘Nature’ has provided some interesting new insight into the linguistic culture of the Indus Valley Civilization.
About Indus Valley Civilization:
What does the research paper have found?
What is the evidence the researchers have found?
ANSWER: D
WHY IN NEWS?
Recently, a team of researchers have discovered a new species of cascade frog in Arunachal Pradesh named Adi Cascade Frog.
About:
Naming:
Cascade Frog
ANSWER: B
WHY IN NEWS?
Recently, a former militant of the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), was killed in a police encounter that has led to a crisis in Meghalaya.
Background:
Present Status of militancy in Meghalaya:
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