NATIONAL:
1. Critical Minerals
Why in news - Australia’s Critical Minerals Facilitation Office (CMFO) and KABIL had recently signed an MoU aimed at ensuring reliable supply of critical minerals to India.
Key Points –
• Australia confirmed that it would ‘commit A$5.8 million to the 3-year India-Australia Critical Minerals Investment Partnership’.
• China is the world’s largest producer of 16 critical minerals.
• 70% of cobalt is sourced from Democratic Republic of Congo (controlled by China).
• India has set up KABIL (in 2019) or the Khanij Bidesh India Limited to ensure a consistent supply of critical and strategic minerals to the Indian domestic market.
About Critical Minerals –
• They are the building blocks of essential modern-day technologies and are at risk of supply chain disruptions.
• Used in - Mobile phones, computers, batteries, electric vehicles and green technologies like solar panels and wind turbines.
• Examples - Graphite, lithium, cobalt, rare earth minerals and silicon.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Varroa Mite
Why in news - Australia has exterminated millions of honeybees to prevent a devastating parasitic plague caused by the outbreak of the deadly varroa mite.
Key Points –
• Varroa mite is a parasite that was first spotted at Port of Newcastle near Sydney.
• Varroa mite-induced plagues is known to be the biggest threat to bees worldwide.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. Education Summit
Why in news - PM Narendra Modi inaugurated a 3-day (July 7-9) education summit in Varanasi on July 7, 2022.
Key Points –
• Aim - to discuss the implementation of national education policy (NEP) 2020 in the higher education sector.
• Key highlight - adoption of the ‘Varanasi Declaration on Higher Education’.
• The event was organised by the Ministry of Education, University Grants Commission (UGC) and Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
RANKS & INDICES:
1. Global Liveability Index 2022
Why in news - The European Intelligence Unit released the Global Liveability Index 2022. It ranked 173 cities on the basis of five factors - stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
Key Points –
Indian Position –
• The list included 5 Indian cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore.
|
City |
Rank |
|
Delhi |
140 |
|
Mumbai |
141 |
|
Chennai |
142 |
|
Ahmedabad |
143 |
|
Bangalore |
146 |
• Bangalore topped the ‘Ease of Living Index 2020’ which was released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Lt. Gen Mohan Subramanian
Why in news - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Indian Army’s Lt Gen Mohan Subramanian as the new Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). He succeeded Lt Gen Shailesh Tinaikar.
APPS & PORTALS:
1.'Startup School India’ Initiative
Why in news - Google announced the launch of Startup School India (SSI) as part of the Google for Startups initiative.
Key Points –
• Google aims to reach out to at least 10,000 startups with this program.
• It is a nine-week program.
• India is the 3rd largest (close to 70,000 startups) birthing ground for startups in the world.
AGREEMENTS:
1. Defence Salary Package (DSP)
Why in news – An MoU between State Bank of India (SBI) and the Indian Air Force for the Defence Salary Package (DSP) plan has been extended.
2. Solar Manufacturing Facility
Why in news – Tata Power made a deal with the Tamil Nadu Govt to invest Rs. 3000 crore in construction of a new solar cell and module manufacturing facility in Tirunelveli.
3. Digital Payment Collection
Why in news – The South Indian Bank has signed an agreement with Kerala’s Forest and Wildlife Department to enable digital collection of payments at eco-tourism centres, Vanasree shops, mobile Vanasree units and eco-shops across the State.
4. Kundankulam Nuclear Power Plant
Why in news – Rosatom State Corporation has signed an agreement to supply thermocouples for four power units of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu.
SPORTS:
1. Elorda Cup 2022
Why in news - Indian women boxers Alfia Pathan and Gitika have won gold medals at the event in Nursultan, Kazakhstan. Kalaivani Srinivasan and Jamuna Boro got silver medals.
STATES/UTs:
1.‘Indigenous’ Status to Muslims
Why in news - The Assam Cabinet approved the identification of five Assamese Muslim sub-groups — Goriyas, Moriyas, Julhas, Deshis and Syeds — as ‘indigenous’ Assamese Muslim communities.
2. Delhi Shopping Festival
Why in news - Delhi to host India’s largest shopping festival from January 28 to February 26, 2022 with an outlay of Rs 250 crores.
BIHAR:
1. Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana
Why in news – The government has removed 48 trades out of 102. Now only 54 trades would be given assistance from the government.
Key Points –
About the Scheme –
• Start date – April 19, 2021.
• Beneficiaries - SC and ST people of Bihar.
• Aim - to promote industry in the state.
• Incentive - Rs 10 lakh. (Rs 5 lakh - interest free loan and Rs 5 lakh - grant).
• Budget - 102 crore.
2. Ornamental Fisheries
Why in news – Animal and Fisheries Resources department has approved ‘Integrated Ornamental Fisheries scheme’.
Key Points –
• 40 types of fishes to be reared.
• To be implemented in all 38 districts.
• Grant – Backward classes (70%), Others (50%).
• Marketing unit to be established in each division (pramandal) at the cost of 12.26 lakh.
• 159 private units to be established in FY 2020-23.
3. Dial 112 Service
Why in news – Hon’ CM Nitish Kumar inaugurated ‘Dial 112 service’ for emergency help of ambulance, fire brigade and police.
Key Points –
• Headquarters of Command and Control Center of the Emergency Response Support System - Rajvanshinagar.
POINTERS:
• P. Gopinathan Nair passed away at the age of 100. Who was he - Freedom Fighter.
• Finland and which other country has signed the Accession Protocol with NATO – Sweden.
• Who has unveiled 30 feet tall statue of freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju – PM Narendra Modi.
• Who has inaugurated the 50th anniversary celebrations of the newspapers ‘Agradoot group’ - PM Narendra Modi.
• Which day is celebrated all over the world on July 7, 2022 - World Chocolate Day.
• INS Satpura and P8i of the Indian Navy have participated in which edition of the RIMPAC Harbor Phase - 28th edition.
• Which Union Minister has announced to constitute ‘Dr. Rajendra Prasad Memorial award in Public Administration’ in the field of academic excellence - Dr. Jitendra Singh.
• Who has recently become the new CEO & MD of Aviva India - Asit Rath.
• NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL) has signed MoU with which state government – Rajasthan.
• Which country's professor of Mathematics, Maryina Wiazowska has recently won the prestigious Fields Medal 2022 – Ukraine.