Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2020

Notes:
The World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA) has released the Global Direct Selling –2019 Retail Sales report.
As per the latest edition of the report, India’s direct selling industry has recorded sales of USD 2.47 billion in 2019, reporting a growth of 12.1 per cent. Due to the growth in sales, India has been ranked 15th in the report, from its previous year rank of 19. The list is topped by the US. In terms of the number of direct sellers, India is at 6th rank.

Notes:
The Delhi Cabinet has approved the doorstep delivery of ration products to eligible beneficiaries across the Union Territory.
As per the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the scheme will be called ‘Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojna’. The programme is expected to be functional in the next six to seven months, after completion of tenders and other requirements.

Notes:
England’s star cricketer Ben Stokes has displaced West Indies captain Jason Holder to become the world’s top-ranked Test all-rounder.
Ben Stokes also attained his career-best third position among batsmen in the ICC Test Player Rankings. Recently, he delivered an outstanding performance in the Test match with the West Indies at Old Trafford.

Notes:
European Union leaders have approved 1.82 trillion-euro (approximately 2.1 trillion) budget after discussions of four days at a Summit held in Brussels.
The EU also finalised a 750-billion-euro coronavirus recovery fund, which is sent to be provided as loans and grants to the member countries that are hardly hit by the coronavirus. The grants were finalised at a total of 390 billion euros.

Notes:
India and Russia are set to sign a Defence logistics sharing pact by the end of this year. Under the pact, both the countries can have seamless access to each other’s military bases and support facilities.
An annual summit is expected to be held for signing this agreement. As Russia continues to be a leading arms supplier to India, this agreement will enhance more interoperability and support to military platforms like warships and aircraft.

Notes:
The Union Government has recently announced that the Work-from-home exemption for IT and IT-enabled services companies is extended till December 31, 2020.
In March, the Department of Telecommunication had relaxed the norms till April to facilitate work from home amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which was then extended till July 31 and now to December 31. At present, more than 90% of the IT workforce are working remotely.

Notes:
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has extended the suspension of the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) by another six months.
The reason for the current extension is due to non-conformation to international standards. The WADA had initially suspended NDTL in August 2019 for six months. After being suspended, the lab cannot carry out any anti-doping activities, including all analyses of urine and blood samples.

Notes:
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved acquisition of Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd.
Along with the equity shareholding, the management control of the total share capital of Krishnapatnam Port company will be acquired, as per the statement of CCI. Krishnapatnam Port Company is the developer and operator of the deep-water port at Krishnapatnam.

Notes:
The Union Government has issued a certificate of Geographical Indication (GI) registration for Saffron grown in the Union Territory of Jammu &Kashmir.
The GI tag would ensure better remunerative price to the farmers growing Saffron in Kashmir Valley. This would also increase export of the unique Kashmir saffron and curb the fake products being sold. The UT is also inaugurating a Spice Park next month.

Notes:
One of the oldest flying clubs in India, the Bombay Flying Club has become the first drone training school approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
DGCA has approved the application of the club for conducting remote pilot training for remotely piloted aircraft systems. All drones should be registered with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and should receive Drone acknowledgement numbers (DANs).