1) World Population Day 2022 observed globally on 11 July
•World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 to raise awareness about global population issues. The major purpose of this day is to raise awareness of all the negative impacts that population growth has had on the steady development of nature. Globally, this day is celebrated by organising seminars, discussions, educational sessions, public contests, slogans, workshops, debates, songs, etc.
World Population Day 2022: Theme
•The theme for this year is “A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all – Harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all”. As the theme suggests, there are 8 billion people living today but not all of them have equal rights and opportunities.
2) President of India attends the Yuva Sammelan hosted by “My Home India”
•The Yuva Sammelan, which was hosted by “My Home India” in New Delhi, was attended by Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India. The President stated that youth are a nation’s present and future when speaking at the event. Their skills have a distinct impact on elevating a nation. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that today’s youth will write tomorrow’s history. According to the President, there are more adolescents and young people in India than anywhere else in the world. This phenomenon, known as the “Demographic Dividend,” presents an opportunity for our nation.
3) Union Minister Jitendra Singh to launch the IS4OM for Safe & Sustainable Space Environment
•With the help of the ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operation and Management (IS4OM), India has increased its ability to protect its space assets on its own. Mr. S Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, are slated to officially launch the IS4OM in the presence of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology, Earth Sciences.
4) Union Bank launched Open Banking Sandbox and Metaverse Virtual Lounge
•Union Bank of India (UBI) has introduced a Metaverse Virtual Lounge – Uni-verse, & Open Banking Sandbox environment in collaboration with Tech Mahindra in an effort to elevate consumers’ banking experiences. In the beginning, movies and information on the bank’s deposits, loans, government assistance programmes, digital initiatives, etc. will be hosted by Uni-verse. Customers will receive a special banking experience thanks to it.
5) Alvaro Lario named as new President of IFAD
•The governing council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has been appointed as Spain’s Alvaro Lario new President. Lario will take office on 1 October 2022 and serve a four-year term. He will succeed Gilbert Houngbo who has led the organisation since 2017.
6) Sri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe announces resignation
•Ranil Wickremesinghe has resigned as Sri Lankan prime minister to make way for an all-party government to take over. He will resign after an all-party government is established and the majority is secured in Parliament. Wickremesinghe will continue as Prime Minister until then. Meanwhile, 16 MPs of President Rajapaksa’s Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party in a letter requested him to resign immediately and make way for a leader who could command the majority in Parliament to lead the country.
•In the wake of the island nation’s worst economic crisis since it gained independence in 1948, people have been protesting against President Rajapaksa and his government, asking him to step down. The island nation of 22 million people has witnessed its foreign exchange reserves shrink due to economic mismanagement and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
7) Rajendra Prasad take charge as MD of National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited
•Rajendra Prasad has been appointed as the Managing Director of National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) after the government dismissed Satish Agnihotri over corruption allegations. He is working as Director of Project with NHSRCL since November 2017 and is overall in charge of civil engineering works of the Mumbai Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project, popularly known as the Bullet Train Project.
8) Coffee Board to collaborate with ISRO to develop climate-resistant varieties
•State-run Coffee Board is planning to focus on developing new varieties that will be resistant to the changing climatic patterns. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Coffee Board and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was signed with regard to breeding climate-resilient varieties and assessing the carbon sequestration potential in coffee among others.
•The Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka conducts plant-related research activities under the Board in the areas of plant breeding, agronomy, agriculture chemistry and soil science, plant physiology, pathology, entomology, and post-harvest technology, among others. In recent years, coffee growers in the country have borne the brunt of changing climatic patterns. The number of extreme weather events affecting growers, such as excessive rain in a short period or deficit rainfall, is increasing.
9) Wimbledon 2022: Novak Djokovic wins seventh title
•Serbia Novak Djokovic won a seventh Wimbledon men’s title and 21st Grand Slam crown with a four-set triumph over Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios gave his best to challenge the more experienced rival in his first Major final, but he could take only one set, propelling Djokovic toward the 21st Major crown.
