NATIONAL:
1. Azadi ki Rail Gadi aur Stations
Why in news - Indian Railways is celebrating the iconic week of “Azadi ki Rail Gadi aur Stations" at 75 stations and 27 trains from 18 to 23 July.
Key Points –
• They mark important places and events which are associated with the glorious history of India’s struggle for freedom.
• Stations – Porbandar, Sabarmati, Navsari, Bardoli etc.
• Trains - Lokshakti Express, Ashram Express, Sabarmati Express, Ahimsa Express, Gujarat Mail etc.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Italy's Oldest Student Graduates Again
Why in news - Giuseppe Paterno (age -98) has become Italy's oldest graduate again. He has added a masters in history and philosophy from the University of Palermo to an initial degree in the same subjects he earned two years ago.
ECONOMY:
1. Rupee hits all-time low of 80
Why in news - The Indian Rupee on July 19, sunk to a record low of 80 per US Dollar in early trade.
Key Points –
• The Indian rupee against the dollar has fallen by Rs 16.08 (25.39%) in the last 8 years.
• Major reasons - Russia-Ukraine conflict, soaring crude oil prices and tightening of global financial conditions.
• Indian rupee has strengthened against British pound, the Japanese yen and the euro in 2022.
• Effect - FPIs have pulled out Rs 2.37 lakh crore since January, forex reserves reduced by $62 billion from $ 642.4 billion, CPI has been over 6% for two straight quarters etc.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. Travel Plus Leisure Magazine
Why in news - The magazine has included 2 cities of Rajasthan in the list of 10 best cities in the world.
Key Points –
• From India - Jaipur (8th), Udaipur (10th).
• Jaipur has been ranked 3rd and Udaipur 5th in the list of top 15 best cities in Asia.
• Top 5 - Oaxaca, Mexico (1st), San Miguel de Allende, Mexico (2nd), Ubud Indonesia (3rd), Florence, Italy (4th) and Istanbul, Turkey (5th).
2. Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA)
Why in news – Facebook-owner Meta released its first human rights report.
Key Points –
• The HRIA in the context of India was carried out by law firm Foley Hoag.
• The report found that Facebook services were likely used for human rights abuses such as, “advocacy of hatred that incites hostility, discrimination and violence” etc.
SECURITY:
1. First Mountain-warfare Training School in NE
Why in news – The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has created its first mountain-warfare training centre in northeast India to skill its troops in high-altitude combat and survival tactics.
Key Points –
• Location – Dombang, Sikkim.
• The first such school was established in Uttarakhand in 1973-74.
AGREEMENTS:
1. Telangana and UNDP
Why in news – Telangana govt announced DiCRA in partnership with UNDP.
Key Points –
• DiCRA - Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture.
• DiCRA is able to identify farms that are resilient to climate change and those that are highly vulnerable to improve food security.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Chess Day 2022
Why in news – It is celebrated annually on July 20 globally.
Key Points –
• The day marks the date of the establishment of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in Paris in 1924.
• It is believed that the game of chess, once known as “Chaturanga”, dates back almost 1500 years and originated in India.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. La Ganesan
Why in news - Manipur governor La Ganesan gets additional charge as West Bengal governor following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who has been nominated by NDA as its vice-presidential candidate.
2.Manoj Kumar
Why in news - Manoj Kumar assumed charge as KVIC’s new chairman. His predecessor Vinai Kumar Saxena was appointed the Lt Governor of Delhi on May 23.
FESTIVAL:
1. Ramayana Masam
Why in news - In Kerala, the month-long Ramayana Masam or Ramayana Month began. It marks the beginning of the month of Karkkidakam, the last month according to the Malayalam calendar.
SPORTS:
1. Summer Olympics 2028
Why in news - The 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games will be hosted in Los Angeles, United States from July 14 – 30, 2028.
Key Points –
• Los Angeles has previously hosted the Olympics in 1932 and1984.
• Summer Olympic 2024 - Paris, France.
2. ISSF World Cup
Why in news - Veteran Indian shooter Mairaj Ahmed Khan made history by becoming the first person to ever win a men’s skeet gold medal at an ISSF World Cup.
3. Lleyton Hewitt
Why in news - Former Australian star Lleyton Hewitt inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Hewitt held the top spot for as long as 80 weeks.
OBITUARIES:
1. Achuthan Kudallur
Why in news - Indian Asian modern and contemporary painter Achuthan Kudallur has passed away recently at the age of 77.
STATES/ UTs:
1. New Delhi SAH-BHAGITA’ Scheme
Why in news - The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Vinay Kumar Saxena has launched the 'New Delhi Sahabhagita' scheme to make Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) partners in tax collection and waste management ecosystem in Delhi.
2. CM Institutional Plantation Programme
Why in news - Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Chief Minister’s Institutional Plantation Programme on July 17 at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati.
Key Points –
• Aim - to plant saplings in 80,000 government offices premises from July 17 to August 15.
3. Digital Lok Adalat
Why in news - The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Chairman Uday Umesh Lalit launched India’s first AI-powered digital Lok Adalat in Rajasthan on July 17, 2022.
Key Points –
• It would be run by Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RSLSA).
• It has been designed and developed by Jupitice Justice Technologies.
BIHAR:
1. Cabinet Meeting
Why in news – A cabinet meeting was held on July 19 under the chairmanship of hon CM Nitish Kumar.
Key Points –
Imp decisions –
• To offer up to 80% discount (20-80%) on leased plots of the Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA).
• Released ₹29.95 crores from the state contingency fund for diesel subsidy to the farmers. The government gives irrigation subsidy of ₹60/litre diesel to the farmers
• 35% subsidy on food processing units under PM micro food processing enterprise scheme.
• Sanctioned ₹469 crores as the state share for the scheme to be implemented till the fiscal of 2024-25.
2. Residential School for Backward Classes
Why in news – Hon CM Nitish Kumar inaugurated various schemes worth Rs 414.84 crore on July 19, 2022.
Key Points –
• Foundation stone laid for construction of 9 OBC girls residential plus two high school at a cost of 341.03 crores.
• Foundation stone laid for construction of 9 OBC welfare hostels at a cost of 59.87 crores.
• Inaugurated 3 newly constructed Jannayak Karpoori Thakur hostel buildings at a cost of Rs. 13.94 crore.
• Released Vikas Patrika.
3. Bihar Election Watch and ADR Report
Why in news – The report was released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Election Watch on July 19, 2022.
Key Points –
• Out of 60 MLCs analysed, 38 (about 63%) MLCs have criminal cases pending against them.
• Party-wise, RJD - 10 MLCs (71%), BJP - 11 (69%), JDU – 8 (47%).
• The average assets of MLCs are Rs. 33.87 crores.
• Party-wise, BJP - Rs 25.10 crores (average assets), RJD - Rs 15.64 crores, JD(U) - Rs 11.40 crores and Congress - Rs. 7.79 crore. RLJP - Rs. 43.82 crore.
• Average assets 5 Independent MLCs - Rs. 227.05 crore. Wealthiest - Sachchidanand Rai (Rs 1,108 crore). Least - Munni Devi (Rs 29 lakh).
4. Tourism Police
Why in news – In Rajgir and Bodh Gaya, tourism police will be seen in blue jackets from September.
AWARDS:
1. Author Murli Manohar Srivastava
Why in news – He has been awarded the India Book of Records-2022 for his long work on 'Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan' and for writing a research-oriented Hindi book.
Key Points -
• The book was published in 2008 by Prabhat Prakashan Delhi.
• It was launched by hon CM Nitish Kumar on November 15, 2009.
• He has been nominated for an honorary doctorate in the United Kingdom.
• He belongs to Dumraon in Buxar district of Bihar.
PLACES IN NEWS:
1. Ruins of Nalanda
Why in news – An ancient wall found during excavation of pond near ruins of Nalanda.
Key Points -
• Length - 150 feet long.
• Only 10% of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara has been excavated.
• The door of the ancient Nalanda University could not be discovered to date. It is said that it was spread over 16 km.
POINTERS:
• Recently, 13th Petersberg climate talks started in which city on July 18, 2022 – Berlin.
• What is the rank of Gautam Adani in the list of world's richest people list released Forbes in July 2022 – 4th.
• Recently, which port became the first major port in the country to become 100% Landlord Port – Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
• Which union minister has launched Repos Pay - a 'mobile electric charging' platform - Narayan Rane.
• Which country has won the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup – Netherlands.
• Which international cricketer has announced his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket on July 8, 2022 – Ben Stokes.
• Which scheme has been prepared by the central government for the cleaning of sewer and septic tank - NAMASTE scheme.
• Which country has emerged as the top lender to Sri Lanka in the first 4 months of 2022 – India.
• Which company has partnered with Indian Oil Corporation to form a Joint Venture (JV) company for Renewable Energy – NTPC Limited.
• Who has developed AI technology to treat water at its sewage treatment plants – Delhi Jal Board.