NATIONAL:
1. Manipur Landslide 2022
Why in news - A large landslide occurred at the Tupul railway construction site late on June 29 in Manipur’s Noney district.
Key points –
• The disaster has so far claimed 42 lives — 27 Territorial Army personnel and 15 civilians.
• The railway station being constructed was part of the Imphal-Jiribam (111 km-long) Railway project.
• The proposed railway station is located on the banks of the Ijei river.
2. Kai Chutney
Why in news – Odisha is set to make a presentation for the Geographical Indications (GI) registry of Kai chutney under food category.
Key points –
• In Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, red weaver ants are used to make the Kai chutney.
• Larval and adult stages of ants are preferred and are either eaten raw or turned into ‘chutney’ by mixing them with spicy ingredients.
• It is rich in proteins, calcium, zinc, vitamin B¬12, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, fibre and 18 amino acids.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Frozen Baby Mammoth
Why in news – Gold miner Travis Mudry discoverd a mummified baby woolly mammoth in Canada.
Key points –
• Location - In the Klondike gold fields of the Yukon in Canada.
• It was, encased in the frozen layer of ground (permafrost) during the ice age more than 30,000 years ago.
• Earlier, Lyuba, a female woolly mammoth calf found in Siberia in 2017.
2. Typhoon Chaba
Why in news – Chaba (in South China Sea)made landfall in the coastal area of Maoming City in south China’s Guangdong Province.
LAWS & AMENDMENTS:
1. Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)
Why in news - The Union Home Ministry has amended certain rules related to FCRA 2010.
Key points –
• Now, Indians can receive up to ₹10 lakh a year from relatives staying abroad without informing the authorities. (earlier - ₹1 lakh).
• If the amount exceeds it, the individuals will now have 90 days to inform the government. (earlier - 30 days).
2. Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
Why in news - The Union Cabinet has approved categorizing CDRI as an ‘International Organization’.
Key points –
• It also approved the signing of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) with CDRI for granting it the exemptions, immunities and privileges under the United Nations
(Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947.
About CDRI –
• CDRI is an international coalition of national governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks among others.
• CDRI Secretariat - New Delhi, India.
• It was launched in 2019, at UN Climate Action Summit in New York.
• 31 countries, 6 international organizations and 2 private sector organizations have joined CDRI as members.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Largest Floating Solar Plant
Why in news - India’s largest floating solar plant is now fully operational at Ramagundam in Telangana’s Peddapalli district from July 1.
Key points –
• The 100 MW project (pread over 500 acres) was commissioned by the National Thermal Power Corporation.
• The total commercial operation of floating solar capacity in the southern region has risen to 217 MW.
• It is built at a cost of Rs 423 crores through Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited on an EPC contract.
• The NTPC has set a target of producing 60 GW capacity through renewable energy sources by 2032.
• Approximately 32.5 lakh cubic meters per year water evaporation can be avoided.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. Asia Pacific Sustainability Index 2021
Why in news - Global property consultant, Knight Frank’s APAC Sustainably index has been released which ranked 36 cities.
Key points –
• Top five – Singapore (1st), Sydney (2nd), Wellington (3rd), Perth (4th) and Melbourne (5th).
• Indian cities in top 20 - Bengaluru (14th), Delhi (17th), Hyderabad (18th) and Mumbai (20th).
• The report noted that India’s Green bonds issuance increased from USD 1.1 billion in 2020 to USD 6.8 billion in 2021.
2. World Cities Report 2022
Why in news - UN-Habitat released its report titled ‘Habitat World Cities Report 2022’.
Key points –
• India‘s urban population is expected to reach 675 million (43.2%) in 2035 after China‘s 1.05 billion urban people.
• World’s urban population to increase by another 2.2 billion people by the year 2050.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. International Plastic Bag Free Day 2022
Why in news – It is observed on July 3 around the world to spread awareness about a plastic bag free world.
Key points –
• It was initiated by Rezero, a member of Zero Waste Europe (ZWE), on July 3, 2008.
2. US Independence Day 2022
Why in news – July 4 marks the 246th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Key points –
• 13 American colonies were freed from the shackles of the Britishers.
• On July 4, 1776, the final words of the Declaration of Independence were approved by the Continental Congress.
• The British Empire made its first permanent American colony in 1607 at Virginia’s Jamestown.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Yair Lapid
Why in news – Yair Lapid became the 14th Prime Minister of Israel. He took over as a caretaker PM ahead of Israel's election on Nov 1, 2022.
2. T. Raja Kumar
Why in news – T. Raja Kumar of Singapore has been appointed as the president of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). He replaced Marcus Pleyer. replaced Marcus Player.
3. Rahul Narvekar
Why in news – Rahul Narvekar of the BJP was elected Speaker of the Maharashtra assembly.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. Gandhi and the Champaran Satyagraha: Select Readings
Why in news - The book edited by Jadavpur University Vice--Chancellor Suranjan Das, was released.
BIHAR:
1. ‘SonChiraiya’ Brand
Why in news - Products made under ‘SonChiraiya’ brand are being sold on Flipkart and Amazon.
Key points –
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the brand to market the products of urban self-help groups (SHGs).
• In Bihar, 27,000 urban female poor and 2,70,000 urban female poor of SHGs have been connected.
• SHG made products are submitted in Sitamarhi, Bhagalpur, Purnea, Bettiah, Madhepura, Gaya and Patna.
• ‘SonChiraiya’ brand counters have been opened in Patna and Bhagalpur.
• Products identified –
A. Sitamarhi – Cherry, Lahathi, Makahana’s lava, Besan, Sattu, Spices.
B. Bihar sharif – Sattu, Besan.
C. Madhepura – Bari, Papad, Pickles.
D. Gaya – Lehanaga, Kapde, Tilkut, Anarsa, Lai, Lungi, Adauri, Masala.
E. Bhagalpur – Tasar silk saree, Dupatta, Chadar, clothes of Pant-shirt, Handicraft, Dalia, Bamboo products.
F. Patna – Mouri, Douri, Soil made toys of elephants & horses, Pot, Basket, Fan, Pickle, Papad.
2. Dr. Sheil Avneesh
Why in news - Dr. Sheil Avneesh of IGIMS to be honoured by the Health department for doing the most number of heart surgeries under the Ayushman scheme.
Key points –
• Also, on July 1 (Doctors’ day), Bihar Industrial Association and IMA has honoured him with the excellence award.
3. Graphene Extraction
Why in news – IIT Patna in its ‘Plasma spray coating lab’ has developed a new technology for extracting graphene from graphite.
Key points –
• Cost of extraction with new technology – Rs 88 per gram.
• Graphene is currently produced in Kerala and Jharkhand (Jamshedpur).
POINTERS:
• The central government has imposed a tax of how much rupees per liter on the export of petrol and aviation turbine fuel - Rs.6 per litre.
• Who has been conferred with the CII Quality Ratna Award 2021 - Ashok Suta.
• Which organization has conducted the first flight of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator - DRDO.
• ISRO has recently successfully launched PSLV-C53 mission from which state - Sri Harikota Andhra Pradesh.
• The central government has increased the import duty on gold from 10.75% to what percent – 15%.
• Which organization has successfully test-fired a High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) exercise recently - DRDO.
• Who has recently taken over as the MD of SBI – Alok Kumar Choudhary.
• Which state government has launched the crop insurance portal of ‘Mukhyamantri Bagwani Bima Yojana’ – Haryana.
• Which department has launched ‘Gatishakti Sanchar’ portal for the right of centralized route – Department of Telecommunications.
• Which ministry has recently launched ‘Yuktadhara’ portal – Ministry of Science and Technology
Click here to download Current Affairs English PDF
Click here to download Current Affairs Hindi PDF