Current Affairs Quiz - January 2022

Notes:
A new strain of coronavirus that combines Delta and Omicron has been detected in Cyprus. The new strain has been named ‘Deltacron’ due to the identification of Omicron-like genetic signatures within the Delta genomes.
There has been a constant spike in the cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19 across the globe. A detailed study is yet to be done on how the new Deltacron variant will impact the world.

Notes:
Red Sanders (Red Sandalwood) is a tree species endemic to the Eastern Ghats mountain range of South India.
The tree (Pterocarpus santalinus) has recently classified back into the ‘endangered’ category in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List. The species found in Chittoor, Kadapa, Nandhyal, Nellore, Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh has been assessed as ‘endangered’.

Notes:
The 16th edition of India Digital Summit 2022 was organised by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).
The report, titled ‘Creating 10 million Digitally Enabled Micro-entrepreneurs’ was also released during the summit. The report noted that micro-entrepreneurs are a crucial part of Indian economy, both for job creation and contribution to GDP.

Notes:
The UN and partners launched their largest ever country-specific appeal for Afghanistan, at a special session, where the UN launched the $5 billion appeal.
The appeal aimed to rescue the collapsing basic services in Afghanistan, which have left 22 million in need of assistance inside the country. The UN also announced that 5.7 million people require help beyond its borders.

Notes:
Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated the process for a “comprehensive review” of India’s criminal laws.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah sought suggestions from within the judiciary, including the Chief Justice of India, MPs and Chief Ministers for amendments to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act. Suggestions were invited from Chief Justices of High Courts, Administrators of Union Territories, Bar Councils and law universities.

Notes:
A meteorite called (ALH) 84001 landed on the Earth from Mars in 1984. For more than four decades scientists have debated if the organic compounds found on the surface of the meteorite were proof of ancient life on Mars.
A new study published offers an explanation for the existence of these organic compounds. It also established that the compounds were left by some form of life that existed on the Mars, billions of years ago.

Notes:
The Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020 was passed to provide 75 per cent reservation in private sector to candidates from the state.
The Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020, applies to jobs offering a maximum gross monthly salary or wages of Rs 30,000 and it came into effect on January 15, 2022. A dedicated portal and a helpline number were also launched to monitor the implementation of the scheme.

Notes:
World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) is the flagship publication of United Nations. Recently the 2022 edition was launched.
As per the report, the global output is projected to grow by only 4 per cent in 2022 and 3.5 per cent in 2023. It also highlighted the robust recovery of 5.5 per cent in 2021.

Notes:
The ‘UV-C technology’ was developed by the Ministry of Science and Technology through CSIR-CSIO (Central Scientific Instruments Organisation).
The system is found to be totally effective for mitigation of airborne transmission of SARS-COV-2 and the disinfection technology is installed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in railway coaches, AC buses, closed spaces etc. It is now open for general roll-out for use by common public.

Notes:
Pench Tiger Reserve is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It was seen in the news, as its most famous tigress named ‘Collarwali’ recently passed away.
The tigress (T-15) was born on September 22, 2005. She is also fondly called as ‘Supermom’ as held the distinguished record of giving birth to five cubs in a litter. She also birthed 29 cubs totally and successfully raised 25 of them.