Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2020

Notes:
As per the recently published study by the scientists from Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Lithium (Li) is produced in the Universe, by Sun like stars in their later life.
IIA, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, has published the study in Nature Astronomy. Low mass stars like Sun produce Lithium during their Helium core burning phase, as per the scientists. This is the first time that a clear observational evidence has been provided.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet has granted its approval for developing Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (AHRCs) for urban migrants and poor as a sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U).
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has initiated an Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) sub scheme in May 2020. Nearly three lakh beneficiaries will be covered initially under the ARHC scheme.

Notes:
The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) was established by the Union Government in the year 2000. It works under the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy (AYUSH).
Recently, NMPB has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, NBPGR, to conserve Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Genetic Resources. The resources would be conserved in the National Gene bank and or at Regional Stations.

Notes:
China has successfully completed its maiden flight of aircraft fitted with its own high-speed satellite internet system.
The internet system was tested on Qingdao Airlines aircraft and during its flight, passengers could access internet services at speeds higher than 100 MB at a height above 10,000 meters. China also conducted its first ever live broadcast during flight.

Notes:
The IIT Alumni Council is setting up the world’s largest molecular diagnostic lab in Mumbai, Maharashtra named ‘MegaLab Mumbai’.
Recently, the council has partnered with a CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), to conduct research on spread of COVID-19 and patient data analysis. The IIT Alumni Council is the largest association of alumni, students and teachers from all the 23 IITs and partnering technical institutes.

Notes:
Indian Army has directed its personnel to delete 89 applications from their smartphones including Facebook, TikTok, Tinder, PUBG, and Instagram.
This decision has been taken to curb leakage of information, as per the Indian Army sources. Several applications including Snapchat and UC Browser that are in the order, were also in the list of applications banned by the Indian Government earlier.

Notes:
The first international cricket match, after the occurrence of Covid-19, commenced between England and West Indies.
The test match started at Ageas Bowl in London. After the delay of 117 days caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the international cricket match has begun. England team is lead by Ben Stokes while the West Indies team is led by Jason Holder.

Notes:
The Asia Cup is a popular cricket tournament organised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). It was established in 1983 and includes men’s One Day International and Twenty20 International cricket tournament.
Recently, the Asian Cricket Council announced that the tournament that was scheduled to be held in September this year in Sri Lanka, has been postponed till June 2021.

Notes:
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has recently launched a report on “Cancer preparedness in Asia-Pacific: Progress towards universal cancer control”.
As per the report, India has been ranked eighth for cancer preparedness among 10 Asia-Pacific countries including Australia, China, Japan among others. Australia tops the Asia-Pacific region, followed by South Korea and Malaysia.

Notes:
Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), an autonomous organization under the Department of Science & Technology has prepared a white paper on “Focused Interventions for ‘Make in India’: Post COVID 19” and “Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients: Status, Issues, Technology Readiness and Challenges”.
Union Minister Harsh Vardhan released the white papers prepared by TIFAC, during a virtual event. The paper highlights high priority sectors, technologies and strategies to accelerate growth in the time of COVID-19.