Current Affairs Quiz - June 2022

Notes:
The annual World Competitiveness Index compiled by the Institute for Management Development was recently released.
India has registered the sharpest rise among the Asian economies, with a six-place jump from 43rd to 37th rank on the index due to gains in economic performance. Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China were the top-performing Asian economies. Denmark was placed on top, while Switzerland slipped from the top to the second position.

Notes:
The Ministry of Education (MoE) announced the launch of a special three-year skill based bachelor degree programme for ‘Agniveers’.
The degree programme offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will be recognised both in India and abroad for employment and education. Agniveers are the defence personnel to be recruited under the newly launched ‘Agnipath’ scheme.

Notes:
India hosted the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS) Meeting in its capacity as chair of the SCO-RATS.
The meeting aims to deliberate on security challenges, including threats of terrorism. Delegations from China, Pakistan and other member nations of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) attended the meeting in New Delhi. India hosted a meeting of counter-terror experts from the SCO countries in May 2022.

Notes:
U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed at protecting L.G.B.T.Q. people from laws of conservative states that increasingly targets the rights of gays, lesbians, transgender youth and others.
The order seeks to use the force of the federal government to prevent inhumane practices of conversion therapy. It will also seek to expand access to suicide prevention and mental health resources for L.G.B.T.Q. people.

Notes:
India launched one of its longest running coastal clean-up campaigns recently, in which 75 beaches of the country to be cleaned up to commemorate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
The coastal clean-up drive will be carried out in the country for 75 days from 3rd of July to 17th of September 2022, which is also the International Coastal Clean-up Day. The drive is aims to remove one thousand 500 tonnes of garbage from the sea coasts.

Notes:
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the data bank of Expatriate Malayalees will be expanded by conducting the Kerala Migration Survey.
A ‘Pravasi data portal’ will be prepared for the survey while the state will conduct an extensive global registration campaign. The Chief Minister addressed online the valedictory meeting of the third edition of the Loka Kerala Sabha.

Notes:
Red Bull racing driver Max Verstappen claimed his fifth win at the 2022 Canadian Grand Prix as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton took his second podium of the season finishing the race in the third position.
Verstappen claimed his sixth victory of the season, and his 26th overall title. Spanish driver Carlos Sainz of Ferrari clinched the second position. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time champion completed the podium, since the Bahrain season opener.

Notes:
The ‘Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)’ functions under the aegis of Ministry of Labour and Employment.
ESIC has announced that its Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme will be implemented throughout the country by the end of 2022. The health insurance scheme is fully implemented in 443 districts and partially implemented in 153 districts. As many as 148 districts are not covered under the ESI Scheme at present.

Notes:
Sri Lankan cabinet passed the 21st Amendment to the Constitution to empower Parliament over the executive president.
The 21st Amendment is expected to dissolve the section, which gives unfettered powers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after abolishing the 19th Amendment that will strengthen Parliament. It also includes reforms including barring dual citizens from contesting elections to hold public office.

Notes:
The General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice.
It aims to celebrate the unity of cultural heritage and traditions, as well as to strengthen ties among people. The seasonal movement of the Sun’s daily path appears to stand still at a northern or southern limit before reversing direction. There are two solstices that occur annually namely the Summer Solstice around June 21 and Winter Solstice around December 21.