Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2023

Notes:
In 2017, a new technique utilizing tooth enamel analysis was employed to determine the gender of ancient skeletal remains.
This method has now revealed that a 5,000-year-old skeleton, originally presumed to belong to a man, discovered in a tomb near Seville, Spain, in 2008, actually belonged to a highly respected woman of that era.

Notes:
The National Statistical Commission (NSC) has formed five expert committees to examine methods for enhancing the survey process and improving the quality of data in India.
These committees will provide recommendations to the NSC on various aspects, such as integrating technology in surveys, sampling techniques, data collection procedures, and statistical methods.

Notes:
The government has updated the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to include the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) among the entities obligated to share information with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
As the 26th entity on the list, the GSTN will be required to provide relevant information to these agencies when investigations fall under their jurisdiction or when the agencies request information for their probes.

Notes:
India’s drug regulatory authority has planned to issue a warning about the potential risks associated with Pholcodine-containing cough and cold remedies due to concerns of life-threatening allergic reactions.
Pholcodine, an opioid cough suppressant found in certain cough medications, has sedative effects and is used to alleviate dry coughs.

Notes:
Recently, researchers have established a connection between periodontal (gum) disease and the development of amyloid plaque, a defining characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
The research suggests that gum disease can induce alterations in microglial cells, which play a crucial role in safeguarding the brain against amyloid plaque, a protein linked to cellular demise.

Notes:
With an aim to ensure affordable electricity for the residents of Uttar Pradesh, the government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given its approval for two ‘Obra D’ thermal power projects.
These power plants, with a capacity of 800MW each, will be constructed in Obra, Sonbhadra at an estimated cost of Rs 18,000 crore.

Notes:
United Nations has said that India has registered remarkable reduction in poverty with 41.5 crore people coming out of it in just 15 years.
The UN said, 25 countries, including India, successfully halved their global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) values within 15 years. These 25 countries include Cambodia, China, Congo, Honduras, Indonesia, Morocco, Serbia, and Vietnam besides India.

Notes:
The Athletics Federation of India has been adjudged as the best member federation in Asia by the Asian Athletics Association.
Olympian Adille Sumariwalla, the AFI president, received the award at the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Asian Athletics Association in Bangkok. It is the national governing body for Athletics sport in India, and is responsible for conducting competitions in the country. It was formed in 1943.

Notes:
Over 130 online gaming companies and industry associations have approached the Centre urging it reconsider the 28 per cent GST on the full-face value for online gaming.
The GST Council imposed a 28 per cent tax on online gaming, horse racing and casinos. The effective date for the 28 per cent GST levy on online gaming will be announced after amendments to GST law.

Notes:
‘Block 20’, previously referred to as Block 8, is a substantial land-based exploration block located in Iraq’s Western Desert, covering an area of 10,500 square kilometers.
Centre is looking at resuming operations of state-run ONGC Videsh Ltd’s (OVL) hydrocarbon exploration block in Iraq, which has been under force majeure since 2003.