Current Affairs Quiz - May 2022

Notes:
Maharashtra has announced to set up a ‘Gene bank project’, to conserve native and endangered animals, crops, marine and biological species. It will be implemented by the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB) and Rs 172.39 crore has been allocated for the next five years.
The project will work on seven themes — marine, crop, veterinary, freshwater, grassland biodiversity, protection and management of forest right areas, and regeneration of forests. The project will focus on mitigating the impact on the food chain due to climate change.

Notes:
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Semicon India Conference-2022 in Bengaluru.  The consumption of semiconductors is expected to cross USD 110 billion by 2030 and India has the world’s fastest growing start-up ecosystem.
The Government of India recently launched ‘Production Linked Incentives’ (PLI) schemes that offer incentives of over 26 Billion Dollars in 14 key sectors.

Notes:
Atal New India Challenge is a flagship program of Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. The program aims to seek and support technology-based innovations that solve sectoral challenges of national importance and social relevance.
Atal Innovation Mission recently launched the phase 1 of the 2nd edition of the Atal New India Challenge (ANIC 2.0) for 18 challenges from 7 sectors.. The program works in collaboration with NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, ISRO and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Notes:
The US Food and Drug Administration issued a proposal to ban menthol cigarettes and flavoured cigars.
It aims to reduce smoking in the American population as well as to reducing tobacco-related health disparities. As per a US government survey 85 per cent of African Americans smoke menthol cigarettes. The proposed ban does not cover electronic cigarettes.

Notes:
Former Honorary Consul of Peru in Mumbai Ardeshir B.K. Dubash, received the Order of “Merit in the Diplomatic Service of Peru José Gregorio Paz Soldán”.
It is the highest distinction conferred by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru. He was designated as Honorary Consul of Peru in the year 1973 and his career as Honorary Consul spanned for almost half a century.

Notes:
Indian Bank launched the digital transformation initiative – World of Advance Virtual Experience ‘WAVE’.
The bank has recently launched its first digital product “Pre-Approved Personal Loan (PAPL)” that aims to provide customers with instant loan disbursements, serviced through digital channels only. PAPL loan product can be availed through mobile application, website and internet banking facility.

Notes:
India is on its path to becoming one of the largest Electric Vehicles markets by 2030. However there are several fire incidents involving the EVs in India.
Lithium-ion Batteries are predominantly used in Electric Vehicles (EVs) and the primary causes of a fire are: Cell quality, battery design and issues with battery management system (BMS). The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has ordered a probe into the vehicles catching fire.

Notes:
The International Dark Sky Week is an annual event hosted by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). This year, astronomers and sky enthusiasts marked the 2022 International Dark Sky Week from April 22-30.
Hundreds of events were conducted across the globe where participants learn astrophotography, take night walks, and observe night sky without light pollution and learn how it negatively impacts our ecosystem.

Notes:
India’s ace shuttler P V Sindhu won her second Asian Championships bronze medal as she lost the women’s singles semifinal to Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi.
She faced a three-game loss to top-seed and defending champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan though Sindhu clinched the opening game 21-13. Lee Zii Jia defeated Jonatan Christie for title to win Men’s title while Wang Zhi Yi defeated Akane Yamaguchi in Women’s singles.

Notes:
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched a scheme titled ‘Mukhyamantri Mitaan Yojna’ (Mitaan stands for friend), which will be implemented as a pilot project in 14 civic bodies, including the state capital Raipur
Under the scheme, Residents of the 14 municipal corporations can avail around 100 public services, including delivery of birth, caste, income and marriage certificates, at their doorstep.