Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2021

Notes:
The Prime Minister-designate of Lebanon Saad Hariri has stepped down from the post since he has failed to form a responsible government in the country for the last 8 months.
He resigned from the position, after meeting the country’s President Michel Aoun. It is said that the PM refused to accept the amendments proposed by President Michel Aoun on the latest cabinet lines proposed by the PM.

Notes:
The Union Minister for Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar has launched a digital portal named “Kisan Sarathi”. Using this platform, farmers can get the right information at the right time, in the language of their choice.
Using the portal, farmers can avail personalised advisories from respective scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs).

Notes:
A heavy monsoon has led to flash floods in Bhagsunag area and lower Dharamsala regions of Himachal Pradesh. A massive landslide has been reported in Boh valley located about 30 kms from Dharmsala.
Additionally, an earthquake of 3.6 magnitude has also occurred near Shimla of the state at a depth of 10 km from the mean sea level.

Notes:
As per a new genetic research, the Cannabis is said to have originated in the present northwest China, where local strains are most like the original strain of cannabis cultivated more than 12,000 years ago.
The study shows that cannabis was possibly first domesticated in early Neolithic times in the region of China near its borders with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The study also added 82 genomes to the 28 that were already sequenced.

Notes:
The United States of America, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have in principle agreed to form a quadrilateral tie (QUAD), to boost their diplomatic relationship among the countries.
The tie is aimed to establish a long-term peace in Afghanistan leading to financial and political stability. The parties have proposed to expand the trade relationship among them.

Notes:
Russia has invited India for the first time to the Russia-US-China Troika Plus meet on Afghanistan. The meeting aims to discuss the role of Taliban and the future of the landlocked country, among other issues.
As per media reports, Iran has also been invited for the meeting. Pakistan and representatives from Afghanistan are also expected to take part in the meeting.

Notes:
A 11-year-old boy from Haryana died at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), after he was infected with the H5N1 virus.
The virus is also called ‘Avian influenza’ or ‘bird flu’. This is believed to be the first case of H5N1 among humans in India, and the first bird flu death this year. According to the World Health Organization, ‘avian influenza’, or ‘bird flu’, is a type of influenza virus that causes a highly infectious, severe respiratory disease in birds.

Notes:
Government has permitted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route for renewable energy projects, including offshore wind energy projects.
Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh recently replied in Lok Sabha that Government notified the ‘National Offshore Wind Energy Policy’ in 2015, to provide basic framework for developing offshore wind sector. The Government also enabled private investors to carryout offshore wind resource assessment.

Notes:
The Energy and environment ministers meeting of the G20 countries, hosted by Italy was held at Naples. This meeting has assumed significant importance since it has been convened 100 days ahead of the UN Climate conference – COP 26 at Glasgow.
But this meeting has been criticized since the member nations have failed to agree on the wording of key climate change commitments in their final communique.

Notes:
India’s ace weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has clinched the silver medal in the 49kg category and has opened the country’s medal account at the Tokyo Olympics 2021.
She is the second India woman to bag a silver medal at the Olympics after PV Sindhu. Also, she became the first Indian woman weight lifter to win a silver at the Olympics.