NATIONAL:
1. National Emblem ‘distorted’
Why in news - A controversy broke out over the National Emblem cast atop the new Parliament building with the Opposition saying it’s ‘aggressive look’ deviated from the Lion Capital at Sarnath.
About the Emblem –
• It was adopted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar (based in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh).
• It was adopted on January 26, 1950.
• Motto - ‘Satyamev Jayate’ or ‘Truth Alone Triumphs.’
• The slogan ‘Satyameva Jayate’ is a quote from the Mundaka Upanishad.
• Four different animals – Asiatic Lion, Elephant, Bull and Horse.
• Ashoka Chakra - It is a symbol of Buddhist Dharmachakra, represented with 24 spokes.
2. Longest Double-Decker Bridge
Why in news - The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Maharashtra Metro achieved the world record for constructing the longest double-decker viaduct with a length of 3.14 km in Nagpur.
3. New logo of Prasar Bharti
Why in news - India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati unveiled its new logo on July 11, 2022. The new logo of Prasar Bharati is defined as a blend of both AIR and Doordarshan.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Robot Fish
Why in news - Chinese scientists from Sichuan University in southwest China have created 1.3 centimetres (0.5 inch) in size robot fish.
Key Points –
• Purpose - to ‘eat’ microplastics in the Oceans.
• The fish is able to absorb pollutants and recover itself even when it is damaged.
2. Islamic State Syria Chief Killed
Why in news – Pentagon said Maher al ¬Agal was killed near Jindires in northern Syria and one of his top aides was seriously injured in the attack.
3. Intermodal Partnership
Why in news – Deutsche Bahn (DB) will be the world’s first Intermodal Partner of Star Alliance. Star Alliance’s Intermodal Partnership model intelligently combines airlines with railway, bus, ferry or any other transport ecosystem.
4. Interpol’s Child Sexual Abuse Database
Why in news – India becomes 68th country to join Interpol’s international child sexual exploitation (ICSE) database. CBI is India’s nodal agency for Interpol matters.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. James Webb Space Telescope Images
Why in news - NASA said in a release July 11 that its James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has produced the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe.
Key Points –
• The images were taken by Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam).
• The image showed the galaxy cluster called SMACS 0723, as it appeared 4.6 billion years ago.
• NASA then revealed images of the following targets - Carina Nebula, WASP-96 b (spectrum data), Southern Ring Nebula and Stephen’s Quintet.
• The Carina Nebula is a stellar nursery where stars are born.
• The ‘Cosmic Cliffs’ reveals previously hidden baby stars.
• The Southern Ring Nebula (or the ‘Eight-Burst’) includes an expanding cloud of gas around a dying star.
About JWST –
• It is an infrared observatory launched by an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, on December 25, 2021.
• It is the world’s most powerful ‘telescope’.
• It was the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope.
• Purpose - To study every phase in the history of the Universe.
• It is an international collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
• The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is managing the development effort.
• Location in space - Orbiting the Sun around the second Lagrange point (L2).
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. World Peace Forum 2022
Why in news – The 10th edition of the World Peace Forum 2022 is being organised by Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Key Points –
• Theme – ‘Preserving International Stability: Commonality Comprehensiveness and Cooperation’.
• A panel discussion on ‘BRICS Cooperation: Opportunities and Challenges’ was held as a part of the World Peace Forum.
• India’s Ambassador to China, Pradeep Kumar Rawat attended the panel discussion.
2. National Conclave on Mines and Minerals
Why in news – The Ministry of Mines organized the 6th edition of the Conclave on July 12, 2022 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah was the chief guest.
• Union Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the conclave.
REPORT & INDICES:
1. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2022
Why in news – FAO, International Fund for Agriculture Development, UNICEF, UN world food Programme and WHO have jointly released the SOFI report 2022.
Key Points –
At global level –
• Global hunger has increased - Over 8% will still face hunger by 2030. (SDG 2: No Hunger).
• Gender gap in food insecurity - 31.9% of women were insecure compared to 27.6% of men.
India specific –
• High undernourishment (about 16%) - Wasting (about 17%), stunting (about 31%) and low exclusive breastfeeding practice (only 58%).
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. International Malala Day 2022
Why in news - The day is celebrated on July 12 on the occasion of young activist Malala Yousafzai’s birthday to honour the young woman who has been advocating for female education.
About Yousafzai –
• She is the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (2014) at the age of 17 years.
• In 2015, an asteroid was named in honour of Yousufzai.
• She was designated as a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2017.
2. World Paper Bag Day 2022
Why in news – It is observed on July 12 to raise awareness of the importance of using paper bags instead of plastic bags.
Key Points –
• Theme – ‘If You’re ‘fantastic’, Do Something ‘dramatic’ To Cut The ‘Plastic’, Use ‘Paper Bags’.
• Margaret E. Knight is known as ‘The mother of the grocery bag’.
AWARDS:
1. 'Order of the Rising Sun' Award
Why in news - Japan has conferred the 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star' Narayanan Kumar in recognition of his contribution toward strengthening economic relations between Japan and India. He heads Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
SPORTS:
1. World Masters Athletics Championships
Why in news – The event was held in Tampere, Finland from 29 June to 10 July.
Key Points –
• A 94-year-old sprinter from India, Bhagwani Devi Dagar, won the gold medal in the 100-metre sprint (24.74 seconds).
• She also bagged a bronze medal in shot-put.
• It is an event organised in athletics (track and field) for athletes aged 35 years and older.
2. Gijon Chess Masters
Why in news – India’s D. Gukesh won the Gijon Chess Masters, with eight points out of nine rounds at Gijon, Spain. He drew with Cuban GM Martinez Duany in his final round match to seal the title.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. Swadhinta Sangram Na Surviro
Why in news – Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi has launched the book commemorating the contributions of freedom fighters. It celebrates 75 freedom fighters.
OBITUARIES:
1. Enamul Haque
Why in news - Eminent archaeologist, historian and former Director-General of the Bangladesh National Museum Dr. Enamul Haque passed away in Dhaka.
Key Points –
• He was conferred with Padma Shri in 2020 for his work on Bengal’s Iconography and terracotta art.
• He was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2016 and the highest civilian award of Bangladesh Swadhinta Padak in 2020.
BIHAR:
1. PM Modi in Bihar
Why in news - PM Narendra Modi visited Patna to participate in the centenary program of Bihar Legislative Assembly.
Key Points –
• For the first time, a Prime Minister arrived in the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
• He inaugurated 40 feet high ‘Shatabdi Smriti Stambh’ installed in the assembly premises.
• This memorial pillar is made up of bronze weighing 2.5 tonnes at a cost of about 3 crores.
• He also inaugurated the Centenary Memorial Garden (planted Kalpataru sapling). Also, laid the foundation stone of the museum and guest house of the assembly.
• Features of ‘Shatabdi Smriti Stambh’ –
A. Height - 40 feet. 25 feet from the bottom are made of sand stone in 6 levels.
B. Above is the symbol of the Bodhi tree of 15 feet.
C. Big leaves symbolise 243 MLAs and small leaves 75 MLCs.
D. 9 branches symbolize 9 divisions and 38 stems districts of Bihar.
• On 7 February 1921, first meeting held in the newly constructed building of the Legislative Assembly.
2. Karpoori Thakur
Why in news - RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav raised the demand of giving Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur at the centenary celebration program of Bihar Legislative Assembly.
About Karpoori Thakur –
• He was born in 1924 in Pitonjhia village (Present name - Karpoorigram) of Samastipur district.
• He won the assembly elections for the first time in 1952 and never lost after that.
• He was the CM of Bihar twice.
• He became the first non-Congress CM of Bihar.
• He died on February 17, 1988.
3. Batch Flow Photo Reactor
Why in news - NIT Patna completed research on ‘Batch Flow Photo Reactor’ which accelerate chemical reaction required for production of medicines and fertilizers.
Key Points –
• Through this, the process which took 22-24 hours will now be completed in 15-20 minutes.
• IIT Kanpur has helped to prepare a special type of experimental glass structure.
• The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hajipur has also collaborated in the analysis of the research.
4. African Swine Flu
Why in news - After confirmation of African Swine Flu, an order has been issued to kill the pigs in in Raxaul.
POINTERS:
• Who has been appointed as the new chief of Goa Shipyard - Brajesh Kumar.
• Where has AI Center for Excellence been launched by IAF recently– New Delhi.
• In which two places internet exchange points have been inaugurated in West Bengal – Durgapur and Bardhaman.
• Who has become the bowler to bowl 500 dot balls in T20 history - Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India).
• Which state government has decided to restart the schemes to bring back the school dropouts – Tripura.
• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Maharashtra Metro have achieved the world record for the construction of the longest double-decker viaduct in Nagpur with a length of how many km - 3.14 kms.
• In which state has PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth more than Rs 16,000 crore - Jharkhand.
• Which medal has been won by Arjun Babuta of India in the ISSF World Cup - Gold Medal.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and which one have signed an agreement - Saffron Helicopter Engines.
• Which state has been ranked first in the Delta rating of Rurban Mission - Jharkhand.