10 PM Current Affairs Quiz: December 13, 2020

Statement 1 is correct. Based at the United Nations, the Better Than Cash Alliance is a partnership of governments, companies and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to responsible digital payments to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
Statement 2 is correct. The Alliance has 75 members, including India, which are committed to digitizing payments in order to boost efficiency, transparency, women’s economic participation and financial inclusion, helping build economies that are digital and inclusive. Members do not want to abolish physical cash – it is legal tender – but rather want to provide responsible digital payment options that are “better than cash”.

The Lebanon Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) is a response plan to help Lebanon address the urgent needs of the population affected by the 4th of August Port of Beirut explosion that killed over 200 people, injured more than 6,500 and destroyed thousands of homes and properties. It provides a costed and prioritized framework of key actions to support the recovery and reconstruction of Beirut.
It has been launched by the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank Group (WBG).

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has projected that numbers of the Malayan Giant Squirrel could decline by 90% in India by 2050 and it could be extinct by then if urgent steps are not taken.
Statement 1 is correct. The black giant squirrel or Malayan giant squirrel is a large tree squirrel in the genus Ratufa native to the Indomalayan zootope. It is found in forests from northern Bangladesh, northeast India, eastern Nepal, Bhutan, southern China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and western Indonesia.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor) is listed as ‘Near threatened’ species in the IUCN Red List.

Statement 1 is correct. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) works by transmitting millions of polarized light particles (photons) over a fiber optic cable from one entity to another. Each photon has a random quantum state, and collectively all the photons create a bit stream of ones and zeros.
Statement 2 is correct. The security of QKD stems from the ability to detect any intrusion on the QKD transmission. Because of the unique and fragile properties of photons, any third party (or eavesdropper) who tries to read or copy the photons in any way will change the photons’ state.
The change will be detected by the endpoints, alerting them that the key has been tampered with and must be discarded. A new key is then transmitted.
# A milestone of this project was achieved recently when DRDO developed Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology underwent trials in Hyderabad between two DRDO labs, DRDL and RCI, to show secure communication.

In late 2016, US diplomats and other employees stationed in Havana reported feeling ill after hearing strange sounds and experiencing odd physical sensations in their hotel rooms or homes. The symptoms included nausea, severe headaches, fatigue, dizziness, sleep problems, and hearing loss, which have since come to be known as “Havana Syndrome”.
This mystery illness suffered by US diplomats in Cuba was most likely caused by directed microwave radiation, a US government report by the National Academies of Sciences has found.

Both statements are incorrect.
The HL-2M Tokamak reactor is China’s largest and most advanced nuclear fusion experimental research device.
Located in southwestern Sichuan province and completed late last year, the reactor is often called an “artificial sun” on account of the enormous heat and power it produces.
Fusion is considered the source of energy and is what powers our sun. It merges atomic nuclei to create massive amounts of energy—the opposite of the fission process used in atomic weapons and nuclear power plants, which splits them into fragments.
Unlike fission, fusion does not create radioactive waste, and carries less risk of accidents or the theft of atomic material.
# International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is an international nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject, which will be the world’s largest magnetic confinement plasma physics experiment. ITER Members: China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United States.

The National Water Development Agency (NWDA), a Registered Society under the then Ministry of Irrigation [now Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD&GR) under Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS)] was set up in the year 1982 to carry out detailed studies, surveys and investigations in respect of Peninsular Component under National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Water Resources Development.
Its functions include:
–To carry out detailed studies about the quantum of water in various Peninsular River systems and Himalayan River systems which can be transferred to other basins/States after meeting the reasonable needs of the basin/States in the foreseeable future.
–To prepare feasibility report of the various components of the scheme relating to Peninsular Rivers development and Himalayan Rivers development.
–To undertake/ construct/repair/renovate/rehabilitate/implement the projects under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY)
–To act as a repository of borrowed funds or money received on deposit or loan given on interest to secure the repayment of any such borrowed funds/money/deposit/loan etc. for the execution of projects.

The Vaccine Task Force, which was constituted by the Union Government in April, 2020, is co-chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Member (Health), NITI Aayog. With technical experts and representatives of relevant ministries as its members, it provides guidance for focused research on Corona vaccines and other related Science and Technology Issues.
The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID- 19 (NEGVAC) has also been formed in last August to aid and provide guidance on i) prioritization of population groups, ii) procurement and inventory management, iii) vaccine selection, and iv) vaccine delivery and tracking mechanism. The NEGVAC is chaired by Dr. V.K.Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog and co-chaired by the Health Secretary.

The Urban Governance Index (UGI)-2020 have been released recently by the Praja Foundation non-profit foundation. The study for the Urban Governance Index 2020 spanned three years (2017-2020) in 40 cities across 28 states as well as the NCT of Delhi.
Odisha has topped the rankings followed by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. The index revealed that Kerala had the most empowered city-elected representatives and legislative structure while Tamil Nadu had the most empowered city administration out of all 29 states.

Booth statements are correct.
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for Atmanirbhar Bharat RojgarYojana (ABRY) to boost employment in formal sector and incentivize creation of new employment opportunities during the Covid recovery phase under Atmanirbhar Bharat Package 3.0.
–Government of India will provide subsidy for two years in respect of new employees engaged on or after 1st October, 2020 and upto 30th June, 2021
–Government will pay both 12% employees’ contribution and 12% employers’ contribution towards EPF in respect of new employees in establishments employing upto 1000 employees for two years; and only employees’ share of EPF contribution in establishments employing more than 1000 employee for two years.
–An employee drawing monthly wage of less than Rs. 15000/- who was not working in any establishment registered with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) before 1st October, 2020 and did not have a Universal Account Number or EPF Member account number prior to 1stOctober 2020 will be eligible for the benefit,
–Any EPF member possessing Universal Account Number (UAN) drawing monthly wage of less than Rs. 15000/- who made exit from employment during Covid pandemic from 01.03.2020 to 30.09.2020 and did not join employment in any EPF covered establishment up to 30.09.2020 will also be eligible to avail benefit,