13th July 2022 Current Affairs Updates in English

Current Affairs in English

Important Days

World Malala Day 2022 celebrates on the 12th of July 

International Malala Day is celebrated every year on July 12 on the occasion of young activist Malala Yousafzai’s birthday.

The United Nations (UN) designated this date to be marked as Malala Day to honor the young woman who has been advocating for female education. The day is used as an opportunity to appeal to world leaders to ensure compulsory and free education for every child.

In 2014, at age 17, She became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her efforts for children’s rights which had begun even before she was shot.

National

India becomes 68th country to join Interpol’s child sexual abuse database 

India has joined Interpol’s international child sexual exploitation (ICSE) database which will allow it to draw links between victims, abusers, and crime scenes using audio-visual data.

The CBI, which is India’s nodal agency for Interpol matters, joined the database making India the 68th country to connect to it, according to a statement from Interpol.

An intelligence and investigative tool, the database allows specialized investigators to share information on cases of child sexual abuse.

Through the image and video comparison software, the investigators can nail down the criminals by identifying victims and places of crime.

Useful Notes For All Competitive Exams:

  • Interpol Headquarters: Lyon, France;
  • Interpol President: Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi;
  • Interpol Founded: 7 September 1923, Vienna, Austria.

PM Narendra Modi unveils National Emblem on the roof of the New Parliament Building

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the National Emblem cast on the roof of the New Parliament Building.

He also interacted with the Shramjeevis involved in the construction work of the new Parliament.  It has been cast at the top of the Central Foyer of the New Parliament Building.

The National Emblem is made of bronze with a total weight of 9500 kilograms and is 6.5 meters in height.

A supporting structure of steel weighing around 6500 kilograms has also been constructed to support the Emblem.

UN: India is anticipated to overtake China as the world’s most populated nation next year

According to a report released by the UN on World Population DayIndia is expected to overtake China as the world’s most populous nation next year.

The world’s population is anticipated to exceed eight billion people on November 15, 2022, according to research by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division.

According to the United Nations’ most recent estimates, the world’s population may reach 8.5 billion people in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.4 billion in 2100.

Meghalaya to invest 300 crores in Childhood education programs 

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma has announced Government that the government has earmarked Rs 300 crore from the externally aided projects to make investments in early childhood education programs.

An estimated amount of Rs 8.33 crore has been spent on the construction of the DERT. The state has come up with a road map to invest in early childhood education programs.

Useful Notes For All Competitive Exams:

  • Meghalaya Capital: Shillong;
  • Meghalaya Chief Minister: Conrad Kongkal Sangma;
  • Meghalaya Governor: Satya Pal Malik.

Akash Air gets Air Operator Certificate from DCGA to take off 

Billionaire investor Rakesh Juhunjhunwala-owned, Akasa Air has been cleared for take-off. The no-frills airline received its air operator certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The airline will start its operations at the end of July. The grant of the AOC is the final step of a comprehensive process laid down by the DGCA. The airline inducted its first Boeing 737 Max aircraft on June 21.

Useful Notes For All Competitive Exams:

  • Akasa Air Founded: December 2021;
  • Akasa Air Headquarters: Mumbai.

India sets world record for building longest double-decker bridge in Nagpur 

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Maharashtra Metro achieved the world record for constructing the longest double-decker viaduct with a length of 3.14 km in Nagpur.

The longest viaduct with highway flyover and metro rail supported on single column piers. The maximum metro stations constructed on a double-decker viaduct are recognized by the Asia Book of Records & India Book of Records.

The development is the fulfillment of the promise by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Government on building world-class infrastructure in New India.

International

Deutsche Bahn to be the world’s first intermodal partner of Star Alliance 

Deutsche Bahn (DB) will be the world’s first Intermodal Partner of Star Alliance. With this, DB and the aviation industry are sending another strong signal for the environment-friendly evolution of the travel industry.

Under the new cooperation, DB customers and passengers of Star Alliance member airlines will be able to start or end their long-distance journey comfortably on the climate-friendly train. Germany is the first market and DB is the world’s first partner in the new Star Alliance initiative.

Useful Notes For All Competitive Exams:

  • Deutsche Bahn CEO: Richard Lutz;
  • Deutsche Bahn Headquarters: Berlin, Germany;
  • Deutsche Bahn Founded: January 1994.

The ruling party in Japan records a significant victory in the legislative vote 

In a parliamentary election in Japan, the ruling party and its coalition partner achieved a significant victory. In the 248-seat chamber, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its minor coalition partner Komeito increased their combined share to 146, well exceeding the majority in the elections for half of the upper house seats.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio expressed his gratitude for the decision. He pledged to handle the nation’s most pressing problems, such as the pandemic, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the rising cost of living.

Useful Notes For All Competitive Exams:

  • Prime Minister of Japan: Kishida Fumio
  • Capital of Japan: Tokyo
  • Currency of Japan: Japanese Yen

Tesla CEO Elon Musk terminates deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion 

Twitter has hired a top law firm to charge legal action against Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on his decision to terminate the $44 billion takeover deal. Musk decided to suspend the deal due to multiple breaches of the purchase agreement.

The two parties are likely set for a protracted court battle, according to lawyers. Musk could also be faced with paying a $1 billion breakup fee for walking away.

Useful Notes For All Competitive Exams:

  • Twitter CEO: Parag Agrawal;
  • Twitter formed: 21 March 2006;
  • Headquarters of Twitter: San Francisco, California, United States.

Awards

Pallavi Singh wins the Mrs. Universe Divine Crown in South Korea 

India’s Pallavi Singh has won the Mrs. Universe Divine Title at the finals held at Yeosu City, South Korea. She hails from Kanpur, India, and has made her country proud in this contest that saw participation from 110 countries.

This is a proud moment for India. Pallavi Singh was the contestant from the Asia in the Mrs Universe contest and has demonstrated the strong will and commitment of Indian women to excel in all walks of life.

Defense

First-ever exhibition and seminar on “AI in Defense” organized 

The Department of Defense Production, Ministry of Defense, will host the first-ever Artificial Intelligence in Defence symposium and exhibition in New Delhi, which will be officially inaugurated by Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.

The event will include a demonstration of the most innovative AI-enabled products that have been created by services, research organizations, industry, start-ups, and entrepreneurs.

Useful Notes For All Competitive Exams:

  • Union Defence Minister, GoI: Shri Rajnath Singh
  • Defence Secretary: Dr. Ajay Kumar
  • Additional Secretary:  Sanjay Jaju

Sports

India’s GM D. Gukesh wins Gijon Chess Masters

India’s D. Gukesh won the Gijon Chess Masters, with eight points out of nine rounds. GM Alexandr Fier of Brazil finished second with 6.5 points while International Master Pedro Antonio Gines of Spain came third scoring six points.

With the win, Gukesh took his FIDE rating to 2693. If he crosses the Elo rating of 2700, Gukesh could well become the sixth Indian to do so after Viswanathan Anand, Krishnan Sasikiran, P. Harikrishna, Vidit Gujarati, and B. Adhiban.

ISSF World Cup, South Korea: India’s Arjun Babuta wins first gold medal 

Arjun Babuta of India earned his first gold medal in shooting at the Changwon, South Korea, International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup stage. Finally saw him overcome silver medalist for Tokyo 2020 Lucas Kozeniesky of the USA 17-9.

Arjun Babuta had previously outperformed Lucas Kozeniesky in the eight-men ranking round with a score of 261.1 to 260.4. Sergey Richter of Israel finished third with a score of 259.9, and Paarth Makhija of India came in fourth with a score of 258.1.

Books and Authors

Meenakshi Lekhi launched ‘Swadhinta Sangram Na Surviro’ book 

Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi has launched a book in Gujarati commemorating the contributions of freedom fighters at a function.

The book, ‘Swadhinata Sangram Na Surviro’, celebrates 75 freedom fighters and shares the stories of the sacrifices made by them for the country.

The book is a part of the “Swadhinta Ka Amrit Mahotsav” to mark the 75th year of the country’s Independence. The book commemorates the contribution of our freedom fighters who battled imperialism & dedicated their lives to Maa Bharati.

Obituary

Former Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos passes away 

Former President of Angolan, Jose Eduardo dos Santos passed away at the age of 79. He was one of Africa’s longest-serving heads of state, who ruled for almost four decades as president of Angola.

He stepped down from the president’s post in 2017. He had also fought for the continent’s longest civil war and turned his country into a major oil producer.

Useful Notes For All Competitive Exams:

  • Angola Capital: Luanda;
  • Angola Currency: Kwanza.