Current Affairs Quiz - July 2022

Notes:
The Supreme Court has accepted the report of the Banthia Commission and directed the Maharashtra State Election Commission to hold elections as per the report.
It paves way for political reservation for candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes in the Local Bodies’ Elections in the state. The candidates will get 27 percent political reservation in local self-government elections in the state.

Notes:
The World Bank has approved a loan of USD one billion to provide support to India’s flagship PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
The loan includes two complementary loans of USD 500 million each namely for ‘Transforming India’s Public Health Systems for Pandemic Preparedness Program (PHSPP)’ and ‘India’s Enhanced Health Service Delivery Program (EHSDP)’.

Notes:
India and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Recognition of Educational Qualifications including maritime education and a Framework agreement on the health care workforce.
India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations are expected to be concluded by 31st August, 2022.

Notes:
The United States has reported its first case of polio in nearly a decade after a patient had tested positive for the disease in the state of New York.
As per studies, the case of the highly contagious polio virus may have originated outside of the US. Healthcare providers are asked to be on alert for more cases and people in the area are asked to get vaccinated.

Notes:
Political veteran Dinesh Gunawardena, an ally of Rajapaksa family was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka a day after Ranil Wickremesinghe was elevated to the President’s post.
The 73-year-old leader has previously held multiple Cabinet posts. Wickremesinghe replaced former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, after an unprecedented economic and political crisis.

Notes:
A Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) was conducted between Japan Maritime Self-Defencee Force and the Indian Navy in the Andaman Sea.
India’s INS Sukanya, an offshore patrol vessel and Japan’s destroyer JS Samidare undertook several exercises including seamanship activities, aircraft operations and manoeuvres as part of the exercise.

Notes:
The 1st Khelo India Fencing Women’s League recently commenced at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
This is the first of its kind national fencing competition for women. Over 300 women across 20 States are participating in the event. Tokyo Olympian and Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) athlete Bhavani Devi is also a participant.

Notes:
Myanmar’s military launched a campaign in Rakhine state in 2017 after an attack by a Rohingya insurgent group. More than 700,000 Rohingya fled into neighbouring Bangladesh.
Gambia filed the case with International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging breach of Genocide Convention by Myanmar. Recently, Judges at the UN’s highest court have dismissed preliminary objections by Myanmar to the case against Myanmar for its genocide against the Rohingya ethnic minority.

Notes:
The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019 has been listed for consideration and passing. It is associated with the Ministry of External Affairs.
After it is enacted, the bill will bring the ‘UN Convention on the Law of the Sea’ (UNCLOS) into domestic law and enable Indian authorities to take action against piracy on the high seas. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2019, and the Standing Committee on External Affairs presented its report in February 2021.

Notes:
The Andaman and Nicobar Command handed over the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island to Andaman and Nicobar Administration for development of tourism and infrastructure growth.
The island, erstwhile known as Ross Island, is situated three kilometers away from Port Blair. It also houses India’s first solar lighthouse. NITI Ayog and Island Development Agency has taken several initiatives to develop these Islands under Act East Policy.