Current Affairs Quiz- September, 2019

Notes:
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand have recently become the first four countries in the World Health Organization (WHO)’s South-East Asia region to have successfully controlled Hepatitis B. The virus is said to be controlled when the disease occurrenceis reduced to less than 1% among children less than 5 years of age. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.

Notes:
The 24th World Energy Congress (WEC-2019) has started in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aim of the  WEC is to bring together international energy stakeholders, including governments, private and state corporations, academia and media.  The theme of this Congress is ‘Energy for Prosperity’, which also represents the ambitious and dynamic energy transition of the country.

Notes:
Indian Army is participating in the multi-nation war games Exercise TSENTR 2019 along with armies of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan.  The exercise is being conducted by Central Military Commission of Russia between September 9 to 23 at Donguz training ranges in Orenburg. The 2019 exercise consists of two modules. The first module includes counter- terror operations, repelling air strikes, reconnaissance operations and defensive measures, while the second focus on offensive operations.

Notes:
The 7th edition of bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘SLINEX 2019’ between Indian & Sri Lankan Navies has recently started in the Bay of Bengal off the Vizag port (Visakhapatnam) in Andhra Pradesh. The aim of the exercise is to enhance co-operation and to further strengthen mutual trust and interoperability between the two Navies.

Notes:
On 9th September 2019, Lasith Malinga from Sri Lanka became the first bowler to claim 100 wickets in Twenty20 International cricket as he struck 4 times with four balls in the third match against New Zealand. He surpassed Pakistan spinner Shahid Afridi’s tally of 97 scalps to become the leading T20I wicket-taker. Malinga is known for bowling yorkers with his slinging action.

Notes:
The Kerala government has decided to set up India’s first international women’s trade centre (iWTC) in Kozhikode to accelerate women entrepreneurship and secure gender parity. It is in consonance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first phase of iWTC is being executed under the Gender Park’s “Vision 2020”. It is scheduled to be completed by 2021.

Notes:
UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has bestowed the First Class Order of Zayed II award on Indian Ambassador Navdeep Singh Suri. The award is given in recognition of his contribution to the development and strengthening of friendly relations and co-operation between the two countries. It is a rare honour given to any diplomat.

Notes:
Thailand has become first country in Asia to roll out plain cigarette packaging. Here, the health impact is huge and smoking-related illnesses are a leading cause of death. The standardized packaging includes a graphic picture of tobacco’s effects on the body and the logo-free brand name written in plain font. In 2012, Australia became the first country in the world to introduce plain packaging.

Notes:
Vietnam has recently inaugurated Southeast Asia’s largest solar power farm which has the capacity to produce 688 million kWh of electricity annually. The Dau Tieng Solar Power Complex is constructed on the Dau Tieng Reservoir – the largest artificial lake in Vietnam – and is expected to generate 10% of the country’s solar energy to guarantee supply to 320,000 homes.

Notes:
India has recently become a member of the Global Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development (R&D) Hub. The hub was launched during the 71st session of the World Health Assembly in 2018 & is headquartered in Germany. It is aimed at helping countries decide the allocation of resources for R&D on AMR by identifying gaps and overlaps. AMR is a cause of worry in developing nations like India, where the burden of infectious disease is high and healthcare spending is low.