Current Affairs Quiz - June 2022

Notes:
A US medical team have reconstructed a human ear using the patient’s own tissue to create a 3D bio-implant.
This procedure can be used to treat people with a rare birth defect. The surgery was performed as an early-stage clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the implant for people with microtia, in which the external ear is small and not formed properly.

Notes:
The Ministry of Tourism launched the National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism in association with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI). UNEP is the UN agency that works on environmental protection and sustainable development. The initiative was introduced to promote responsible tourism practices and support environmentally sustainable destinations in India. Therefore, the correct answer is UNEP.

Notes:
The Government has approved 8.1 per cent rate of interest on employees’ provident fund (EPF) deposits for the year 2021-22, from 8.5 per cent provided in the previous year.
The 8.1 per cent EPF rate of interest is the lowest since 1977-78, when it stood at 8 per cent. The interest rate on EPF deposits was decided by the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) and was ratified by the finance ministry 2021.

Notes:
NATO launched the two-week United States-led naval exercise on the Baltic Sea with more than 7,000 sailors, airmen and marines from 16 nations.
Finland and Sweden, who have applied to join the military alliance, also participated in the event. The annual BALTOPS naval exercise was initiated in the year 1972.

Notes:
People in India’s north-eastern state of Assam celebrate a spring festival named ‘Baikho festival’.
It is predominantly observed by the people of Assam every year in June. The festival is meant to bring an auspicious harvest season with abundant crops and good health.

Notes:
The Chief Minister of Goa ‘Pramod Sawant’ recently launched the ‘Beach Vigil App’, for holistic management of the beaches.
The application aims to benefit both the travellers as well as those working in the tourism sector. People can file a complaint regarding any illegal activity or violation via the app. It can also be used by Drishti workers, police and other stakeholders to safeguard the interest of the travellers.

Notes:
Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to hike the Policy Repo Rate by 50 basis points to 4.9 per cent in its June 2022 meeting.
The MPC members voted unanimously to hike rates and to continue the withdrawal of the accommodative stance. RBI’s MPC last month raised the repo rate by 40 basis points. Real GDP forecast for FY23 has been retained at 7.2% while inflation projection was revised for FY23 to 6.7 %.

Notes:
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) created the Guinness World Record for completing the construction of 75 km continuous bituminous concrete in a single lane on NH 53 between Amravati and Akola in Maharashtra.
The lane was laid in 105 hours and 33 minutes (under 5 days), breaking Qatar’s record. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari congratulated the team of 720 workers including a team of independent consultants.

Notes:
Australia’s highest court has made a landmark ruling that will curtail the Government’s citizenship Powers and how governments can deal with extremists.
The High Court restored Delil Alexander’s Australian citizenship that was illegally cancelled in July last year by the then-Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews. Delil Alexander was suspected to be Islamic State group fighter.

Notes:
Cambodia has partnered with China for modernisation of ‘Ream Naval Base’. It would be able to accommodate ships of up to 5,000 tons displacement.
Cambodia denied that it will allow any Chinese military presence at a port. United States and other countries have expressed concern that it will be used by China as a naval outpost on the Gulf of Thailand. China also recently signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands.