NATIONAL:
1. Rs 1.64 Lakh Crore for BSNL
Why in news - The Union Cabinet cleared a Rs 1.64-lakh crore package for the revival of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL).
Key Points –
• It is a 4-year revival strategy.
• The Telecom department has proposed the merger of Bharat Broadband Nigam Ltd (BBNL) with BSNL.
• In 2019, booster, the government gave a Rs 70,000 crore package to cover a voluntary retirement scheme for BSNL employees.
2. Suspension of MPs
Why in news - Over this week, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have suspended 4 and 23 MPs respectively under Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
Key Points –
• The presiding officers can direct an MP to withdraw from the House for any disorderly conduct.
• After that, the House (both) can move a motion to suspend the MP until the end of the session.
• In 2001, Speaker was given more powers. The Speaker can “name” an MP, who shall then automatically stand suspended for five days.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. “Every Woman's Body is a Beach Body”
Why in news - Spain launched the summer campaign encouraging women to reject “stereotypes” and “aesthetical violence”.
Key Points –
• Slogan - “Summer belongs to us, too.”
• To reject social pressure about ages, sizes and skin colour.
2. Chess Olympiad 2022
Why in news - Pakistan has withdrawn from the 44th Chess Olympiad which began in Chennai on July 28, 2022.
Key Points –
• Rason - India’s torch relay through Kashmir on July 21.
• The event is being hosted by India for the first time.
3. Manisha Ropeta
Why in news - Manisha Ropeta became the first woman from the minority Hindu community in Pakistan to become a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
AGREEMENTS:
1. Women's Financial Institution
Why in news - The first all-women-run financial institution in the cooperative sector to come up in Rajasthan.
Key Points -
• Rajasthan Rural Livelihood Development Council and Streenidhi Telangana signed an MoU for this.
• It will be Rajasthan’s first and the country's third “Women's Financial Institution”.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. International Ranger Award 2022
Why in news - Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve (ONPTR) in the Darrang district (AS) has been honoured with the award.
Key Points -
• The award was given by IUCN and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).
• ONPTR is the only winner in the country and among 12 winners in the four continents of the world.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Nature Conservation Day 2022
Why in news – It is celebrated on 28 July every year to safeguard our natural resources.
Key Points –
• Theme - “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”.
• As per, Forest and Trees: At the heart of land degradation neutrality report (by UNCCD), indigenous communities are the custodians of around 40% of protected and ecologically intact landscapes.
• Indigenous communities (India) – Bishnoi, Khasi, Van Gujjars, Idu Mishmis, Apatanis etc.
2. International Tiger Day 2022
Why in news – It is observed globally on July 29 every year.
Key Points –
• Theme - “India launches Project Tiger to revive the tiger population”.
• Conservation status –
A. Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 - Schedule I
B. IUCN – Endangered
C. CITES - Appendix I.
• As per the 4th round of the national assessment of tiger numbers done in 2018, India has 2,967 tigers.
• According to a government report, India lost 329 tigers in the last 3 years due to poaching, natural and unnatural causes.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. Three Books on President Kovind
Why in news – Union minister Anurag Thakur has released 3 books showcasing photographs of outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind and his predecessors.
Key Points –
• The books are –
A. Moods, Moments and Memories.
B. The First Citizen.
C. Interpreting Geometries – Flooring of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
FESTIVALS:
1. Hareli Festival
Why in news – Chhattisgarh (CH) celebrated “Hareli Tihar” on July 28, 2022.
Key Points-
• CH has launched Godhan Nyay Yojana in the year 2020 on the occasion of Hareli.
SPORTS:
1. World Athletics Championships 2022
Why in news – The 18th edition of the championship concluded in Eugene and Oregon, United States.
Key Points –
• Winners’ list –
• Algeria, Burkina Faso, Croatia, Greece, and South Korea have tied with India in 33rd position.
• India ranked 4th in Asia behind China, Japan and Kazakhstan.
• Mascot – Legend the Bigfoot.
2. New Members of ICC
Why in news – The International Cricket Council (ICC) granted membership to 3 new countries — Cambodia and Uzbekistan from Asia, and Cote D’Ivoire from Africa.
Key Points –
• The number of ICC’s total members increased to 108 countries. (Asia – 25, Africa - 21).
OBITUARIES:
1. Sushovan Bandyopadhyay
Why in news - Sushovan Bandyopadhyay famous as Bengal’s ‘one rupee doctor’ passed away in Kolkata.
Key Points –
• He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2020.
• In 2020, his name was recorded in the Guinness World Records for treating the maximum number of patients.
STATES/UTs:
1. Mukhyamantri Sarathi Yojana
Why in news – Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren has announced the launch of 'Mukhyamantri Sarathi Yojana'.
Key Points –
• The state government will bear the cost of coaching for the preparation of UPSC, JPSC and other competitive examinations.
BIHAR:
1. Tigers in Bihar
Why in news – The number of tigers in the state has increased to 67.
Key Points –
• Location –
A. Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) (56)
B. Patna zoo (9)
C. Rajgir zoo safari (2).
• Tigers in VTR (as per Tiger census) –
A. 2006-10 – 10
B. 2010-14 – 22
C. 2014-18 – 33
D. 2018-22 – 50 (expected)
2. Biomedical Sensor
Why in news – Dr. Sudip Shekhar has created a biomedical sensor which can make medical examination faster, easier and cheaper.
Key Points –
• He has received the Global Schmidt Science Polymaths 2022 award for this invention.
• He is the first Canadian professor of Indian origin to receive this prestigious award.
• He used to be a Kankarbagh (Patna) resident.
3. Headman (Mukhiya) Accountable for Child Marriage
Why in news – The government has taken a new initiative to prohibit child marriage and dowry system in Bihar.
Key Points –
• The headman will now be directly held responsible for child marriage in rural areas.
• Under the Bihar Panchayat Raj Act, the headman has been marked as a medium to receive and forward the information of child marriage.
• SDO and BDO have been marked as Child Marriage Prohibition Officer.
• In the Bihar Marriage Registration Rules, 2006, the headman has been given the responsibility of registering the marriage.
POINTERS:
• England's Leicester Cricket Ground named after which Indian cricketer - Sunil Gavaskar.
• As per Science magazine, which place is the “epicenter” of Covid-19 - Huanan seafood market,Wuhan.
• Who has been awarded with the UK's Churchill Leadership award - Volodymyr Zelensky.
• BCCI introduced a new A+ category for – Umpires.
• Government approved signing of guarantee to host which event in India - FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022.
• Who launched a program called “Nirman” - IIT Kanpur.
• Who has been appointed as CEO of Paytm Payments Services Limited - Nakul Jain.
• Which bank has launched its mobile app named "Canara AI1" - Canara Bank.
• Who has chaired a seminar on safe use of chemicals at workplace in New Delhi - Mansukh Mandaviya.
• The Union Cabinet has approved a project for saturation of 4G mobile services in unserved villages with a total cost of - Rs 26,316 crore.