Current Affairs Daily Digest – May 09 & 10 2020
1. NSAFE: First antimicrobial and washable Face Mask
The Startup of IIT Delhi has found an antimicrobial face mask that can be washed and reused for 50 times. The Nanosafe Solutions at IIT Delhi has developed the masks to fight against COVID-19.
The NSAFE face mask provides 99.2% of bacterial filtration. This is the first fabric-based face mask that is antimicrobial and washable. The mask complies ASTM standards.
2. IEA Report: Global Energy Review, 2020
The International Energy Agency recently released Global Energy Review in 2020. The report highlights the global energy demand in 2020 and carbon dioxide emissions. According to the report, 15% of the daily electricity demand has been reduced. The decline was mainly due to complete lock down in the countries such as India, Italy, France, UK.
3. May 9: Birth Anniversary of Maharana Pratap Singh I
Maharana Pratap Singh popularly known as “Maharana” was the 13th king of Mewar (the present Rajasthan). He was born on May 9, 1540.The “Siege of Chittorgarh” led to the loss of fertile eastern belt to the Mughals in 1568. Akbar wanted to establish a secure route to Gujarat through Mewar.
4. May 9: World Migratory Bird Day
Every year, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) marks the World Migratory Day on May 9. It is an annual campaign that creates awareness about the need to conserve migratory birds and their habitats. This year the day is being celebrated under the theme –
Theme: Birds Connect our World
5. India, AIIB sign agreement for USD 500 million COVID-19 support
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has signed an agreement with the Indian government to provide funds worth USD 500 million to support India’s “COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project”. The project will help India scale up its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen the nation’s public health preparedness.
6. Cooperative banks come under SARFAESI Act: SC
The Supreme Court held that cooperative banks established under a State law or multi-State level societies come within the ambit of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act of 2002.
The Act prescribes a procedure for faster recovery of dues.
7. UP becomes first state to provide facility of beds with ventilators in each district of state
Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the country to provide the facility of beds with ventilators in hospitals of each and every district of state. Now, all 75 districts of state can provide higher level of care to the patients of COVID-19.
8. Bengaluru launches Pranavayu programme to create awareness on need to self examine respiratory health
In Karnataka, Bengaluru Urban district in Karnataka has 175 confirmed COVID 19 positive cases and six people have died due to the pandemic. Positive side is however that 84 persons have recovered and discharged. There are 21 containment zones in the city where Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is mandated to carry out quarantine and surveillance activities along with identifying persons prone to the deadly corona virus infection.
9. ICMR partners with India Post for delivery of coronavirus COVID-19 testing kits to labs
India Post has entered into a tie-up with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for delivery of its coronavirus COVID-19 testing kits from its 16 regional depots to 200 additional labs designated for coronavirus testing across the country.
10. Volvo Cars To Use LiDAR Technology From Luminar For Safe Self-Driving
Volvo Cars, is partnering with tech firm Luminar to provide their industry-leading LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and perception technology for Volvo’s next generation cars. The partnership will deliver Volvo’s first fully self-driving technology for highways and paves the way for future active safety developments.
