NATIONAL:
1. Viva Engage App
Why in news - Tech giant Microsoft has introduced Viva Engage app that helps build community and connection.
Key Points –
• In June 2022, Microsoft introduced “Microsoft Viva Sales”.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Panama Papers Leak
Why in news - The anonymous whistleblower who leaked the Panama Papers came forward for the first time in an interview.
Key Points –
About Panama Papers –
• It showed how rich and powerful park and move their money in and out of secret tax havens, launder money, dodge sanctions and avoid tax.
• Leaked from a Panamanian law firm called Mossack Fonseca.
• The documents were released on April 3, 2016 by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ).
• It exposed alleged illegal properties worth around Rs 20,078 crore of 500 Indians.
• Indians in Panama Papers - Vinod Adani (Gautam Adani’s brother), Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ajay Devgn.
• Other similar leaks - Paradise Papers, Pandora Papers.
2. Grain Export Deal
Why in news - Russia and Ukraine signed separate agreements for exporting millions of tons of grain and fertilizer, ending a wartime standoff.
Key Points –
• Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil.
• It would establish a control center in Istanbul.
3. Dinesh Gunawardena
Why in news - Dinesh Gunawardena has been appointed as Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister on July 22, 2022.
ECONOMY:
1. 4-Tier Regulatory Structure
Why in news - The RBI has decided to create a 4-tiered regulatory framework to improve the financial soundness of Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs).
Key Points –
• It was recommended by N S Vishwanathan panel on improving UCBs.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. 68th National Film Awards
Why in news - Anurag Thakur announced the winners of the 68th National Film awards on July 22, 2022 in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• The event was organized by the Directorate of Film Festivals, M/o Information and Broadcasting.
• The award was established in 1954.
Winners List –
• Best Feature Film: Soorarai Pottru
• Best Director: Sachy, Ayyappanum Koshiyum
• Best Actor: Suriya for Soorarai Pottru and Ajay Devgn for Tanhaji
• Best Actress: Aparna Balamurali, Soorarai Pottru
• Best Hindi Film: Toolsidas Junior
• Best Film on Social Issue: Funeral.
2. JC Daniel Award 2022
Why in news - Malayalam filmmaker KP Kumaran has been honoured with Kerala’s highest film award, the JC Daniel Award.
Key Points –
• He made his directorial debut with Athithi in 1975.
• JC Daniel Award is Kerala’s highest award in Malayalam cinema.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Human Spaceflight Expo
Why in news - ISRO Chairman S Somnath inaugurated the Human Space Flight Expo at Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru.
Key Points –
• “The Indian Space Odyssey – Sounding rockets to Gaganyaan” movie was also screened.
• The Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota held a 3-day “Space on Wheels” mobile exhibition.
• Future ISRO missions – Gaganyaan (human space flight), Chandrayaan-3 (Moon), Aditya L1 (Sun) and Shukrayaan-1 (Venus).
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. National Flag Day 2022
Why in news – India celebrates the National Flag day every year on July 22, 2022.
Key Points –
• On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the National Flag.
• The resolution about the Flag was moved by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
• It was designed by Pingali Venkayya.
• The Tricolour was hoisted for the first-ever time on April 13, 1923 during a procession in Nagpur.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al Salem
Why in news – He has been appointed the new Prime Minister of Kuwait.
SPORTS:
1. Asia Cup 2022
Why in news – BCCI President Sourav Ganguly informed that the Asia Cup 2022 will be played in UAE. (Earlier veneue - Sri Lanka).
2. Fencing Women’s League
Why in news – The 1st Khelo India Fencing Women’s League is scheduled to start on July 25 at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Bhavani Devi will be a participant in the league in the Senior category Sabre event.
• It will be held across three phases. Phase 1 and 2 - New Delhi, 3rd phase – Patiala.
STATES/UTs:
1. Swanirbhar Naari Scheme
Why in news – Assam government has launched “Swanirbhar Naari” scheme to empower indigenous weavers.
BIHAR:
1. Supply Chain Operations Academy (SCOA) Projects
Why in news – Flipkart has signed an MoU with the Bihar State Skill Development Mission to start SCOA projects in the state.
Key Points –
• The successful candidates would receive a stipend of Rs 17,500 for completing the program including 45 days of on-the-job training.
• The Flipkart team devised and developed the training curriculum for SCOA.
2. Ancient Structures Damaged
Why in news – Ancient structures have been damaged during the excavation of the historic Badgaon Pond in the forbidden part of the World Heritage Nalanda University.
Key Points –
• The remains of Pala period bricks and ancient utensils have been found here.
• The pond has been mentioned in the archaeological survey from 1862 to 65 by Alexander Cunningham.
3. Lightning Conductor (Tadit Chalak)
Why in news – Bihar government has decided to install lightning conductors on all government buildings to avoid thunderbolts.
Key Points –
• There is a provision to give an ex-gratia grant of Rs 4 lakh for death caused due thunderbolts.
• Thunderbolts deaths - 459 people (2020), 280 (2021), 161 (in 2022 till July 22, 2022).
POINTERS:
• ADB slashed India's growth forecast for FY2023 to what percent - 7.2%.
• Which telescope has detected water in the atmosphere of a distant planet - NASA's James Webb.
• The cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding between India and which country in the field of judicial cooperation – Maldives.
• As per India Bio-economy Report 2022, India's bio-economy will cross what amount by 2025 - USD 150 billion.
• Who has launched Repos Pay and Phy-gital for MSMEs - Narayan Rane.
• Which India-origin person made it to the final round to replace Boris Johnson as the Prime Minister of Britain - Rishi Sunak.
• Scientists have agreed to develop effective antivenom to neutralize the venom of which snake - Green pit viper.
• Who has received ICAR's Sardar Patel Award - National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM).
• ISRO has sent how many satellites from foreign countries into space through the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle since 1999 – 345.
• US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service approved irradiation treatment facility in which state – Gujarat.