Current Affairs Quiz - July 2022

Notes:
Tardigrades are a group of microscopic invertebrates that are known for their ability to survive extreme conditions. It was first discovered in 1773.
It is also known as ‘water bears or moss piglets’ and they can live for up to 60 years, and grow to a maximum size of 0.5 mm. Recently a species named ‘Cornechiniscus mystacinus’ was founded in Kyrgyztan.  The species is yellow to dark orange in color, has a large body, , round, black crystalline eyes, long peribuccal cirri, and smooth claws.

Notes:
NHPC has recently signed two agreements to develop green hydrogen technology in Leh, Kargil districts.
As per the agreement signed for Leh district, NHPC will develop a Pilot Green Hydrogen fuel cell-based Microgrid, including hydrogen production, to meet its power requirement. The hydrogen generated in Kargil will be used in fuel cells, to run buses in the local area.

Notes:
National Legal Services Authority Chairman Uday Umesh Lalit launched the country’s first AI-powered digital Lok Adalat during the 18th All India Legal Services Authorities’ meet in Rajasthan.
The Digital Lok Adalat of Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RSLSA) was launched amid the recent headlines of India’s growing case pendency.

Notes:
The British government launched an ‘Aviation Passenger Charter’ to help passengers know their rights when faced with problems at airports.
Long queues and cancelled flights caused by staff shortages have caused chaos, prompting airlines to cut back their schedules. The new charter helps passengers know what to do if they are confronted by cancellations, delays or missing baggage.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to adopt a simple four-tiered regulatory framework for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs).
The framework will be based on size of deposits, with an aim to strengthen their financial soundness. An expert committee, headed by former RBI deputy governor N S Vishwanathan, made a host of recommendations for strengthening the UCBs.

Notes:
Former Supreme Court judge Vineet Saran has taken over as the BCCI’s ethics officer and ombudsman, filling the dual posts which were lying vacant for a year.
Vineet Saran has succeeded Justice (Retd) D K Jain, whose term ended in June last year. He is a former Chief Justice of Odisha High Court, and also served as a judge in Karnataka and Allahabad High Court.

Notes:
The Government has prohibited import of human embryos in line with the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 and The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.
This was announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Earlier, imports were prohibited except for research purposes based on the guidelines of the Department of Health Research. Surrogacy is a practice where a woman gives birth to a child for an intending couple with the intention to hand over the child after the birth to the couple.

Notes:
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has confirmed that the postponed Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8 in 2023.
The Asian Games were scheduled to be held in September 2022 but the OCA announced the postponement until 2023 due to rise in Covid-19 cases in China earlier this year.

Notes:
Government of India is to provide a financing facility worth about Rs. 1600 Crore through the World Bank for the “Himachal Pradesh Power Sector Development Program”.
The total program cost will be approximately Rs. 2000 Crore, along with the state equity. The Program duration is five years from year 2023 to 2028. It aims to undertake holistic power sector reforms to allow for improvements in the renewable energy capacity in the state.

Notes:
Karnataka health minister K Sudhakar recently inaugurated India’s first brain collaborative health clinic in Bengaluru.
The Clinic at Jayanagar General Hospital, Bengaluru has been established by the state health dept under the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative (KaBHI) in association with NIMHANS.