Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2024

Notes:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched two initiatives: Virtual NQAS Assessment for Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) and Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHL), ensuring compliance with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). The Spot Food License Initiative uses the Food safety and compliance system (FoSCoS) platform for instant licensing and registration across India, aiming to streamline processes. These initiatives support “Healthcare for All” by enhancing real-time monitoring of health facilities and simplifying food safety compliance.

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The Meghalaya Lokayukta has notified former officials of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) over alleged irregularities in implementing the Saubhagya scheme. Launched in October 2017, Saubhagya aims for universal household electrification nationwide, providing free LED bulbs and essential electrical items to BPL families. It emphasizes last-mile connectivity in rural areas and Solar Photovoltaic systems for remote villages. Urban connections target economically poor households, excluding non-poor urban dwellings from benefits.

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Researchers at Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala developed a method to produce activated carbon from coconut husks for supercapacitors. This sustainable, efficient solution leverages the high surface area of activated carbon, making it ideal for high-performance supercapacitors. These devices store and deliver charge through reversible adsorption and desorption of ions, enhancing electrochemical energy storage.

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Environmental organizations recently urged the Forest department to maintain transparency in a project to extract Senna spectabilis from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Senna spectabilis, a legume family tree native to South and Central America, is invasive in India. Known for its bright yellow flowers and resilience, it was introduced for shade and fuelwood but now threatens native species due to its dense foliage. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

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India successfully test-fired the Rudram-1, its first indigenous anti-radiation missile developed by DRDO for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Key features include a launch platform on Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, INS-GPS navigation, and a Passive Homing Head. It has a range of 100-250 km and speeds up to Mach 2. Rudram-1 enhances the IAF’s Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) capability, acts as a force multiplier, and marks a significant step towards self-reliance in defense technology.

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International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed on July 3 to encourage avoiding single-use plastics and combat plastic pollution. Established by Bag Free World, the day saw its first observance in 2008, initiated by Rezero, a member of Zero Waste Europe. In 2015, the EU passed directives to reduce single-use plastic bags. Bangladesh was the first country to ban these bags in 2022, followed by India and others.

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Using AI, researchers discovered potential cancer drivers in ‘junk’ DNA regions, which are noncoding sections of DNA. While DNA codes for proteins, not all sequences serve this function. Some noncoding DNA produces RNA components, but others have unknown functions and are termed junk DNA. In humans, 98% of DNA is noncoding, compared to 2% in bacteria. Evidence suggests junk DNA might have functional roles through exaptation, gaining functions beyond natural selection.

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The Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, led by the Ministry of Defence and executed by DRDO under ‘Make in India’, promotes self-reliance in defence. It provides grants to Indian industries, MSMEs, start-ups, and academic institutions to develop defence and dual-use technologies not currently available domestically. The scheme fosters a culture of military technology design and development among private sectors, focusing on pioneering niche technologies and fostering collaboration among Armed Forces, research bodies, academia, and private entities.

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Hemant Soren of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) was sworn in as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister for the third time by Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan. Previously CM from 2013-2014 and 2019-2024, Soren resigned in January 2024 before his arrest in a money laundering case. Granted bail in June 2024, he leads the Mahagathbandhan alliance, which includes JMM, Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and left parties.

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Sir Keir Starmer has been appointed as the UK’s 58th Prime Minister by King Charles III on 5 July 2024. His Labour Party won a landslide victory, securing 412 out of 650 House of Commons seats. He replaces Conservative leader Rishi Sunak, whose party won only 119 seats. Starmer will reside at 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the UK Prime Minister.