Daily Current Affairs - 30 Nov 2020

Daily Current Affairs Capsule

30th November 2020

National

Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare: 30 November

The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare is observed on November 30 every year.

1. The day offers the opportunity to honour and remember those who suffered and died in the wake of chemical warfare.
2. The day also aims to reaffirm the vision of the United Nations to achieve a world free of the threat of chemical weapons in order to promote and support peace and security for all.

China's first domestically made nuclear reactor, the Hualong One, goes online

China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC) has developed its first Hualong One, a third-generation pressurised water nuclear reactor, has started operations and is connected to the grid.

1. Hualong One is designed to have a 60-year lifespan and its reactor core needs refuelling every 18 months.
2. The second Hualong One at Fuqing, Unit 6, is scheduled for completion in 2021.
3. China currently has six overseas Hualong One projects under construction.
4. China has 47 nuclear plants with a total generation capacity of 48.75 million kilowatts — the world’s third highest after the United States and France.

Mission COVID Suraksha launched to accelerate COVID19 vaccine development in India

The Indian government has announced the third stimulus package of Rs. 900 crore for the Mission COVID Suraksha – the Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission.

1. This grant will be provided to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for Research & Development of Indian COVID19 vaccines.
2. Phase-I of the COVID Suraksha Mission has been allotted Rs. 900 crore for a period of 12 months.
3. A total of 10 vaccine candidates have been supported by the department of biotechnology so far at both academia and industry.
4. As on date, 5 vaccine candidates are in human trials including the Russian vaccine Sputnik-V with at least 3 more in advanced stages of preclinical to enter human trials shortly.

PM take part in world famous Dev Deepawali festival in Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit his parliamentary constituency Varanasi and took part in the world famous Dev Deepawali festival.

1. Mr Modi dedicated to the nation the six-lane widening project of the Handia (Prayagraj) - Rajatalab (Varanasi) section of National Highway 19.
2. Dev Deepawali, which has become a world famous festival of light and fervour in Varanasi is celebrated on every Poornima of the Kartik month.
3. The festival started by the Prime Minister by lighting a diya on the Raj Ghat of Varanasi, which was followed by lighting of more than 15 lakh diyas on various ghats on both sides of River Ganges.
4. He also saw the Light and Sound show at the archaeological site of Sarnath, which had been inaugurated by him earlier this month.

Guru Nanak Jayanti being celebrated with traditional fervour across the country & abroad

Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab is being celebrated with religious fervour across India and the world.

1. It marks the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak, who laid the foundation of Sikhism.
2. This year marks the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
3. He was born in Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi present-day Shekhupura District in Pakistan.This place is popularly known as Nanakana Sahib.

Business

YES Bank launches remote payment service ‘SMS Pay’ for merchants

Private lender YES Bank launched an ‘SMS Pay’ functionality on POS terminals, which would allow merchants to accept contactless and remote payments from their customers.

1. Yes Bank has collaborated with French payment services company Worldline to launch the new facility.
2. SMS Pay will facilitate merchants to accept remote payments on their POS machines and enable their customers to transact safely without leaving the comfort of their homes.
3. Through SMS Pay, local merchants & department stores could request payments from their customers by entering their contact details in the POS terminal following which an SMS would be triggered to the customer’s mobile number instantly, with a payment URL link.

IRDAI gives in-principle approval for Bharti AXA-ICICI Lombard deal

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) gave in-principle approval for the merger of Bharti AXA General with ICICI Lombard.

1. Marking a major consolidation move in the insurance space, the proposed deal was announced in August this year.
2. Bharti Enterprises currently owns 51 per cent stake in Bharti AXA General Insurance, while French insurer AXA has 49 per cent.
3. Post demerger, Bharti AXA General Insurance will cease to be a going concern and both Bharti and AXA will be public shareholders.

Appointments

Prof Sangita Srivastava appointed first woman VC of Allahabad University

Professor Sangita Srivastava has been appointed as the new regular vice chancellor of Allahabad University (AU).

1. She is the first woman chosen for this post at AU.
2. Prof Srivastava is a former head of Allahabad University’s home science department.
3. She served as the head of the department till she was appointed as VC of Prof Rajendra Singh University on June 25, 2018 for a period of three years.

Sports

Dutee Chand and K T Irfan to be a part of TOPS Core group

Dutee Chand and K T Irfan included in Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Core group along with some promising young athletes in the Development Group.

1. Eight Track and Field Athletes were included in the core group of the TOPS.
2. Seven Track and Field Athletes were included in the TOPS developmental group.
3. The decision to include athletes in the TOPS core group was based on their performance progression and their qualification or high probability of qualification for the Tokyo Olympics scheduled next year.
4. Dutee Chand is an Indian professional sprinter and current national champion in the women's 100 metres event.
5. Sepoy Irfan Kolothum Thodi is an Indian athlete from Malappuram, Kerala.

Deaths

Actor Dave Prowse, who played Darth Vader in 'Star Wars', passes away

Dave Prowse, the British actor behind the menacing black mask of Star Wars villain Darth Vader has died at the age of 85.

1. Prowse, who was a weightlifter-turned-actor, was selected to portray Darth Vader for his imposing physique of 6-foot-7 inch.
2. Prowse wore the black suit and helmet to play Darth Vader.