Current Affairs Quiz - July 2022

Notes:
The government allowed firms like ONGC and Vedanta to sell locally produced crude oil to any Indian refinery for turning it into fuel, such as petrol and diesel.
The deregulation of locally produced oil is one of the last few areas that were still under its control. The government was fixing buyers for crude produced from older fields. From October 1, the companies will have the freedom to sell crude oil in the domestic market.

Notes:
NATO member Turkey has agreed to support Sweden and Finland’s membership of the alliance. It had initially opposed the bids of the Nordic countries to join.
A trilateral deal was reached at a meeting between Turkey’s President, Finland’s President and the Swedish Prime Minister in the Spanish capital, Madrid. Foreign Ministers from the three countries signed a joint security pact that addressed Turkey’s concerns.

Notes:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) is the United Nations programme for human settlements and sustainable urban development. It was established in 1978 with its headquarters at Nairobi, Kenya.
It has recently released a report World Cities Report 2022, to coincide with the Eleventh Session of the World Urban Forum held at Poland. The report says urban areas are responsible for 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Notes:
Shiv Sena rebel leader Eknath Shinde sworn in as Maharashtra CM while BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister.
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered the oath of office and secrecy to the leaders. This was preceded by the resignation of the former CM Uddhav Thakarey amidst an internal party rebellion.

Notes:
The NITI Aayog released its report titled ‘Harnessing Green Hydrogen — Opportunities for Deep Decarbonisation in India’.
It has recommended tax breaks like reduction or exemption of GST and custom duties on green hydrogen production. It has also proposed setting up green hydrogen corridors and offering grants to start-ups working on green hydrogen solutions.

Notes:
World Asteroid Day 2022 is marked and celebrated globally on June 30 every year, in order to raise public awareness about asteroid’s hazardous effect.
In December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution that declared 30 June as International Asteroid Day. It observes the anniversary of the Tunguska impact over Siberia, Russian Federation on the same day in 1908.

Notes:
IRDAI and National Health Authority (NHA) are set to develop a National Health Claims Exchange as a digital platform to settle health claims.
Based on a presentation from NHA, Chairman of IRDAI Debasish Panda, has proposed to create a working group with representation from the industry. It will decide how to make the largest segment of general insurance in India attract more people to buy health insurance.

Notes:
The UN Ocean Conference 2022 concluded with the unanimous adoption of the Lisbon Declaration “Our Ocean, our future, our responsibility.”
More than 150 countries agreed to scale up science-based and innovative actions to address the ocean emergency. The Lisbon Declaration takes into account the capacity challenges being faced by the developing countries, mainly the Small Island Developing States and Least Developing Countries.

Notes:
The Central Government has levied windfall tax on domestic crude oil producers. Domestic producers sell crude oil to domestic refineries at international parity prices, thus making windfall gains.
The Government also hiked the import duty on gold and imposed export duties on petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). These are the initiatives to reduce pressure on the rupee, reduce the current account deficit (CAD), and increase the domestic supply of petroleum products. Special additional excise duties of Rs 6 and Rs 13 per litre on export of petrol and diesel were announced.

Notes:
The Union Environment Ministry directed to constitute a ‘Project screening committee’ in each state/UT with five members.
According to the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022, will meet at least twice every month and will advise the state governments on projects in a time bound manner, the rules state. The Committee is to be formed for an initial review of proposals involving diversion of forest land.