NATIONAL:
1. Presidential Election 2022
Why in news - NDA Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu was elected the country’s 15th President on July, 2022.
Key Points –
• She secured 64.03% of the total votes polled and defeated Yashwant Sinha.
• She is the first Adivasi and second woman (1st - Pratibha Devi Singh Patil) to become the nation’s First Citizen.
• She was elected to two terms in the Odisha Assembly in 2000 and 2004.
• She was the first woman Governor of Jharkhand in 2015.
About Droupadi Murmu –
• Born on June 20, 1958 in Baidposi village of Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
• Belongs to Santhal tribe.
• In 1997, she was elected councilor of the Rairangpur district of Odisha.
• She was awarded the Neelkanth award as the best MLA by the Odisha Legislative Assembly in the year 2007.
2. The Kali Bein (Black Rivulet)
Why in news - Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann was admitted to hospital, days after drinking a glass of water directly from the Kali Bein
Key Points –
• It is a 165 km long holy rivulet in Punjab.
• It starts from Hoshiarpur and meets the confluence of the rivers Beas and Sutlej in Kapurthala.
• The cleaning project had started on July 16, 2000.
Significance to Sikh Religion –
• Guru Nanak Dev is said to have got enlightenment here.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)
Why in news - World Bank had granted a loan of USD $1 billion to fund India’s flagship PM-ABHIM.
Key Points –
• Funds will be utilized for
A. India’s Enhanced Health Service Delivery Program
B. Public Health Systems for Pandemic Preparedness Program (PHSPP).
2. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
Why in news - The M/o Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing Nasha mukt Bharat abhiyan in the 272 most susceptible districts since August 2020.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. 94 YouTube Channels Blocked
Why in news - The government has blocked 94 YouTube channels, 19 social media accounts and 747 uniform resource locators (URLs) in 2021-22 for spreading fake news.
Key Points –
• Actions had been taken under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
• To check the spread of Covid-19-related fake news, a dedicated cell of the fact-checking unit was created on March 31, 2020.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. “An An Panda”
Why in news - The world's oldest male giant panda died at age 35 in Ocean Park, Hong Kong.
Key Points –
• An An and Jia Jia (the world’s oldest female giant panda) were gifts from the Chinese government in 1999.
• Ocean Park, which displays animals including walruses, penguins and dolphins has become an important base for panda conservation.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. India Innovation Index 2021
Why in news - NITI Aayog released the third edition of India Innovation Index.
Key Points –
• Karnataka, Manipur and Chandigarh have topped in their respective categories.
• The number of indicators has increased from 36 (in 2020) to 66 (in 2021).
Category Wise Ranking:
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Brain Day
Why in news – It is observed on July 22 focusing on a good brain health.
Key Points –
• Theme 2022 - Brain Health for all.
• World Federation of Neurology Hq - London, UK
AGREEMENTS:
1. India and Namibia
Why in news – An MoU was signed with Namibia to bring back cheetahs to India.
Key Points –
• The MoU focuses on wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity utilisation between the two countries.
• The Kuno National Park, where the cheetahs will be kept, has the capacity to house 21 to 36 cheetahs.
• The Asiatic cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952.
SPORTS:
1. ISSF Shooting World Cup 2022
Why in news – The event was organized in Changwon, South Korea from July 9 to July 21, 2022.
Key Points –
• India finished in the top spot on the table (15 medals) with 5 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze medals.
• Top 3 – India (15 medals), South Korea (12), Czech Republic.
• This is the second time this year that the Indian shooters had topped the ISSF World Cup medals table. (1st - ISSF World Cup in Cairo).
BIHAR:
1. Beautification of Bramheshwar Nath Temple
Why in news – Hon CM Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone for the beautification work (Rs 8.75 crores) of Baba Brahmeshwar Nath Temple on July 21, 2022.
Key Points –
• The temple is located at Brahmpur, Buxar.
• The construction of a boundary wall of a more than 60 years old temple which is associated with the religious trust council started in 2016. Completed in 295 temples.
• Proposal to be sent to Union government to rename Raghunathpur station Baba Brahmeshwar Nath railway station.
2. Water to Every Farm by 2025
Why in news – Hon CM held a review meeting of “Har Khet tak Sinchai ka Pani” under Saat Nischay-2.
Key Points –
• He instructed the officials that by the year 2025, irrigation water should be provided to every field of the state.
• CM directed to build check dams in districts like Banka, Jamui, Bhagalpur, Aurangabad and Kaimur.
POINTERS:
• What is the name of India's first manned-carrying drone unveiled during the Swavalamban seminar - Varuna.
• Which country will become new member of the SCO at the Samarkand summit in September – Iran.
• Which data leak showed that Uber allegedly deployed kill switches to destroy sensitive data - Uber Files.
• Government approved how many electric vehicle charging stations in 68 cities across 25 states and union territories – 2877.
• Which ministry notified new rules for work from home in Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006 for all SEZs – M/o Commerce.
• Which country launched 'Aviation Passenger Charter' to help passengers know their rights - United Kingdom.
• Dinesh Ramdin and Lendl Simmons belongs to which country who have announced their retirement recently - West Indies.
• Which telecom company has recently successfully tested India's first 5G private network - Bharti Airtel.
• Jeddah summit has been organized in which country for security and development - Saudi Arabia.
• Recently, Army Chief General Manoj Pandey is on a 3-day visit to which country – Bangladesh.