NATIONAL:
1. Northern Zonal Council Meeting
Why in news – Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah presided over the 30th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council in Jaipur on July 9, 2022.
Key Points –
• It resolved 35 out of 47 issues discussed in the meeting.
• Northern Zonal Council (Hq – New Delhi) members - Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
• 29th meeting held in Chandigarh in 2019.
About Zonal Councils –
• Zonal Councils aim to promote collaboration and coordination among states, UTs, and the Union.
• The States Reorganization Act of 1956 established these statutory entities.
• The country was divided into 5 zones – Northern, Central, Eastern, Western and Southern.
• North-Eastern Council Act of 1971, established a North-Eastern Council. Members - Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Sikkim.
2. Monuments of National Importance
Why in news – The National Monuments Authority (NMA) has recommended two sites associated with B R Ambedkar to be declared as monuments of national importance.
Key Points –
• The sites are –
A. Sankalp Bhumi banyan tree campus (Vadodara, Gujarat) - Dr. Ambedkar had taken a resolve to eradicate untouchability on September 23, 1917.
B. Pratap Rao Bhosle High School (Satara, Maharashtra) – Dr. Ambedkar had received his primary education.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Digital Nomad Visas
Why in news - Indonesia has announced ‘Digital Nomad Visas’ for travellers to attract more foreign tourists.
Key Points –
• Digital Nomads are people who work remotely while travelling to different places and spending their earned income in the country.
• This visa would allow remote workers to stay in Indonesia, including Bali, tax-free to boost tourism.
• Other countries offering nomad visas are Croatia, Costa Rica, Georgia, Hungary, Iceland, Mauritius, Norway, Spain Italy Antigua and Barbuda.
2. Sri Lankan Crisis
Why in news - A number of demonstrators stormed the President’s official residence and his secretariat in commercial capital Colombo on July 9 over the country’s worst economic crisis.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Air-quality Sensors
Why in news – IIT Kanpur is embarking on a $2.5¬million project to install nearly 1,400 sensors in the rural blocks of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Key Points –
• It is a 3 year pilot project.
• Aim - To improve measurement of air pollution in rural India.
• In 2019, the government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to reduce particulate matter air pollution by 20¬30% by 2024 in 122 cities.
2. Singalila National Park
Why in news – The park will soon get 20 wild red pandas (IUCN - endangered).
Key Points –
• In Singalila and Neora Valley National Parks, the mammal is found in the wild in West Bengal.
• Red panda is an indicator species for ecological change.
About the Park –
• It is the highest protected area in West Bengal in the Darjeeling district.
• It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1986 and was made a National park in 1992.
• It is a part of the Eastern Himalayas.
• Rammam river and Srikhola River flow through the park.
• The two highest peaks of West Bengal, Sandakphu (3630 m) and Phalut (3600 m), are located on the ridge and inside the park.
SECURITY:
1. Sea Guardians-2
Why in news - China and Pakistan kicked off their ‘Sea Guardians-2’ drills off the Shanghai coast to jointly deal with maritime security threats.
Key Points –
• Pakistan Navy’s frigate Taimur joined the exercise.
• From China – Xiangtan, Shuozhou, Qiandaohu.
• Theme - Jointly dealing with maritime security threats.
• ‘Sea Guardians-1’ - Held in January 2020 in the North Arabian Sea off Karachi.
• Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean – Military base in Djibouti, Gwadar port (Pakistan), Hambantota port (Sri Lanka), Sonadia Islands (Bangladesh), Kyaukphyu (Myanmar).
ECONOMY:
1. Musk Twitter Deal Pull Out
Why in news – Elon Musk said that he wanted to terminate the deal because Twitter was in ‘material breach’ of their agreement.
Key Points –
• Musk claimed Twitter has not provided him with necessary information on the prevalence of fake or spam accounts on its platform.
• On April 14, Musk made his offer to buy Twitter for $44 billion.
• Twitter board adopted a ‘poison pill’ strategy to thwart any attempts of a hostile takeover of the company.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Population Day 2022
Why in news – It is observed every year on July 11 to draw attention to the problems of overpopulation.
Key Points –
• Theme - 'A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all - Harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all'.
• According to the United Nations Population Fund, the world population will hit the 8 billion mark in 2022. (7 billion- 2011).
• Top 10 (population) - China, India, United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Russia and Mexico.
• On July 11, 1990, the day was first observed.
SPORTS:
1. Wimbledon 2022
Why in news – The Wimbledon Championships 2022, a Grand Slam tennis tournament, held at Wimbledon, London (UK) from rom 27th June to 10th July 2022.
Key Points –
• Serbian Novak Djokovic won a 7th Wimbledon men’s title and 21st Grand Slam crown with a four-set triumph over Nick Kyrgios.
• Elena Rybakina become the first player from Kazakhstan and Asia to win the Wimbledon title.
• Winners’ list –
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Mrs. Universe Divine 2022
Why in news – India's (Kanpur, UP) Pallavi Singh has won the Mrs. Universe Divine title at the finals held at Yeosu City, South Korea.
Key Points –
• She won the title of Mrs. India held in Jaipur in 2020.
• She won the title of Mrs. Indo-Asia Universe in the Asia-level competition held in Delhi in October 2021.
• In 2021, she was awarded the women in Insurance award at the Indian Business Women Summit 2021.
AGREEMENTS:
1. 'GigaMesh Network Solution' Project
Why in news – Astrome has signed a contract with the Department of Telecommunication to start the pilot project in 15 villages in India.
Key Points –
• GigaMesh will address congestion issues in rural 4G infrastructure and provide high-tech and affordable internet connectivity.
• The solution has been developed by Astrome.
• It is the world's first multi-beam E-band Radio.
RESIGNATIONS:
1. Ranil Wickremesinghe
Why in news – Ranil Wickremesinghe has resigned as Sri Lankan prime minister on July 9, 2022 to make way for an all-party government to take over. It has been approved by AICTE.
BIHAR:
1. 'Nairobi fly' Alerts in Bihar
Why in news – The Health department has alerted about the 'Nairobi fly' which is ikely to enter Bihar via West Bengal.
Key Points –
About Nairobi fly (Kenyan flies or dragon bugs) –
• It's a species of insect native to East Africa.
• Two species - Paederus Eximius and Paederus sabaeus.
• They do not bite. They release a potent acidic substance (Pederin) that can cause burn on human skin.
2. Food Processing and Preservation Course
Why in news – Food processing and preservation course would be taught in Government women's polytechnic colleges.
POINTERS:
• Recently, who has become the first captain to win 13 consecutive T20 matches - Rohit Sharma.
• Who has addressed the ‘Natural Farming Conference’ recently - PM Narendra Modi.
• Which state will invest Rs 300 crore in ‘Early childhood education programmes’ – Meghalaya.
• India's defense export has reached the highest level of how much rupees in 2021-22 – Rs 13,000 crore.
• Recently, Sikkim and which state government have signed an agreement for easy travel for tourists - West Bengal.
• Who has become the first Arab woman to reach the semifinals of the Wimbledon Grand Slam - Ons Jabeur.
• Who has become the first state in the country to build 13 expressways recently – Uttar Pradesh.
• Who has been appointed as Deputy Election Commissioner – RK Gupta.
• Researchers of which institution have recently developed a prototype of an analog chipset named ‘Aryabhata-1’ - IISc Bangalore.
• Where will the 36th National Games be held – Gujarat.