Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2021

Notes:
The Chandra X-ray Observatory, previously known as the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility, was launched by NASA, aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia.
Recently, an image from this observatory was released by NASA. It shows threads of superheated gas and magnetic fields weaving around each other, at the center of our Mily Way Galaxy. These new observations stretch above and below our galaxy’s plane, where most of the stars are found.

Notes:
Aspergillosis is an infection, allergic reaction, or fungal growth caused by the Aspergillus fungus. Recently, after a sharp rise in black and white fungus cases in India, cases of aspergillosis infections have been reported.
Those with weakened immune systems or lung diseases, which is common in COVID-19 patients, are said to be at high risk of infection.

Notes:
The Chief Minister of Karnataka B S Yediyurappa has launched a portal named Akanksha, which would provide details on all the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in Karnataka.
This comprehensive portal would help the state Government officials, corporates and donors. It seeks to improve transparency in utilisation of CSR funds by the Government.

Notes:
As a measure to mitigate the distress caused due to COVID 19 pandemic, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in India have announced to provide financial assistance to individuals in the form of unsecured loans up to a limit of Rs 5 lakh.
This is a part of the three new loan products introduced by the PSBs to provide financial support to vaccine manufacturers, hospitals/dispensaries, pathology labs etc.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has announced additional benefits for workers enrolled under ESIC and EPFO schemes, to remove fear and anxiety about the well-being of their family.
As per the new benefit, in case of an employee’s death due to COVID, all dependent family members of the insured person would be entitled to receive the same benefits as in the case of death resulting from employment injury.

Notes:
As per the data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), India’s fiscal deficit for 2020-21 stood at 9.3% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the financial year 2020-21. This is lower than the Finance Ministry’s Budget estimates of 9.5%.
As per the CGA data, the revenue deficit stood at 7.42% during 2020-21.

Notes:
The Gujarat government has decided to grant Centre of Excellence (CoE) status to seven private universities in the state.
The Chief Minister Vijay Rupani gave in-principle approval to grant CoE status to seven universities including Nirma University, CEPT University, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, DAIICT, Ahmedabad University, Charotar University of Science and Technology and Marwadi University.

Notes:
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has set up an Export Promotion Forum (EPF) to promote exports of dairy products.
It also aims to address various issues in the sector. The authority has recognized two clusters: Mathura in Uttar Pradesh and Banaskantha in Gujarat, to develop dairy merchandise. Farmers and small dairy owners in these clusters shall be given coaching and aid in capability building in exports.

Notes:
The rate of global unemployment in the year 2022 is estimated to be 5.7% by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
ILO has estimated that nearly 205 million unemployed people would exist around the world, which is higher than the 2019 level of 187 million. Further the ILO has stated that 108 million more number of workers have been categorized as poor or extremely poor.

Notes:
The Singapore based vessel MV X-Press Pearl carrying chemicals sank off the coast of Sri Lanka recently. The 12-day long efforts to put of the ship’s fire and tow it into deep waters went vain after the ship’s stern became submerged and rested on the seabed.
This has posed a great environmental threat to the coast of Sri Lanka.