Current Affairs Quiz - February 2022

Notes:
According to World Steel Association, India’s crude steel production rose by 18 per cent to 118 million tonne (MT) in 2021.
India is the second largest steel producing nation, as it manufactured 100.3 MT steel in 2020 and China produced 1 064.7 MT of steel in the same year. China recorded a 3 per cent decline to 1 032.8 MT in 2021.

Notes:
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based chest X-ray diagnosis technique using X-Ray that can detect COVID-19.
The AI-based solution can be an alternative to the regular RT PCR tests conducted across the world. The Researchers from the institute proposed a deep learning-based algorithm, COMiT-Net, which can differentiate between a COVID-19 affected lung and a non-COVID affected lung.

Notes:
Manipur got its first-ever good freight train connectivity post independence, as the first freight train arrived at the Rani Gaidinliu station of the north-eastern state.
Earlier, a passenger train from Silchar in Assam reached the Bongaichungpao railway station in Manipur. This is a part of the 111 km long Jiribam-Imphal new line project, which will connect Imphal with Guwahati.

Notes:
The Hoysala Temples of Belur, Halebid and Somnathapura in Karnataka have been finalised as India’s nomination for World Heritage List for the year 2022-2023.
This was announced by the Union Culture Ministry. The ‘Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala’ are on UNESCO’s Tentative list since 2014.

Notes:
Union Budget announced a scheme, under which the government will promote chemical-free natural farming throughout the country.
It is to be implemented with a focus on farmers’ land in 5 km wide corridors along the river Ganga, in the first stage. The Budget also announced that two lakh anganwadis will be upgraded and a national tele mental health programme will also be launched.

Notes:
A new study has been done at an altitude of 3106 meters at the top of the mountain “Hoher Sonnenblick” in the “Hohe Tauern” National Park in Austria
The study is investigating the amount of plastic trickling down on us from the atmosphere. According to the study. About 30% of the nanoplastic particles measured on the mountain top originate from a radius of 200 kilometers, from cities. Around 10% of the particles measured in the study were blown onto the mountain by wind and weather over 2000 kilometers.

Notes:
Scientists have discovered an alien hammerhead flatworm species that looks like a miniature king cobra. The researchers found the creatures hunting snails in France and Italy.
The flatworm has been named after the COVID-19 pandemic as Humbertium covidum’. These new hammerhead flatworms are also among two newly described species found in countries that are not part of their native range so they were very likely introduced there by humans.

Notes:
The Union Budget has reduced the Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT) to be paid by Cooperative societies to 15 per cent.
At present, cooperative societies are required to pay AMT at the rate of 18.5 per cent, while companies pay the same at 15 per cent. The Budget proposed to reduce the surcharge from the 12 per cent to 7 per cent, for cooperatives with total income of Rs 1 crore up to Rs 10 crore.

Notes:
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma recently inaugurated the ‘Shillong Technology Park’. Several companies have submitted their assent to open their branches.
At present, Meghalaya has 70% population below the age of 35 years. The first phase building of the Technology Park will create employment for more than 1,500 people directly, will generate more jobs indirectly.

Notes:
“Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram” has been extended over the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26) at an outlay of Rs 2,710.65 Crore.
The RYSK Scheme is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. The Scheme beneficiaries are the youth in the age-group of 15-29 years. Its objective is to motivate youth to strive for excellence in their respective fields and use their energy for national building.