Current Affairs PDF

Current Affairs 11 & 12 December 2022

AffairsCloud YouTube Channel - Click Here

AffairsCloud APP Click Here

Current Affairs 11 & 12 December 2022 EnglishWe are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 11 & 12 December 2022, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2022 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

Our Current Affairs December 2022 events will help you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, CLAT and all State Government Exams. Also, try our Latest Current Affairs Quiz and Monthly Current Affairs 2022 PDF which will be a pedestrian to crack your exams.

Read Current Affairs in CareersCloud APP, Course Name – Learn Current Affairs – Free Course – Click Here to Download the APP
We are Hiring – Subject Matter Expert | CA Video Creator | Content Developers(Pondicherry)

Click here for Current Affairs 10 December 2022

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India to add 145 GW of RE capacity by 2027: IEA ReportIndia to add 145 GW of RE capacity by 2027i.The International Energy Agency (IEA) in its latest report states that India is expected to add 145 Gigawatts (GW) of Renewable Energy (RE) capacity in the next five years (2022–27) with solar energy accounting for 75%.
ii.This addition is aided by consistent policy support and competitive auctions implemented to achieve the ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
iii.Solar Photovoltaic (PV) accounts for three-quarters of this growth, followed by onshore wind with 15%, and hydropower providing almost all the rest.
iv.RE will comprise 90% of global electricity capacity expansion by 2027 and much of it will be in India, China, the European Union (EU) and the United States (US).
About International Energy Agency (IEA):
Executive Director– Dr Fatih Birol
Headquarter– Paris, France
>> Read Full News

WHO GLASS Report (5th Edition) 2022: Over 50% Of Life-Threatening Bacterial Infections Are Becoming Resistant to Treatment Over half of life-threatening bacterial infections are becoming resistant to treatmentThe World Health Organization (WHO) released the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) report 2022 (5th edition), which states that over 50% of life-threatening bacterial infections are becoming resistant to treatment.

  • This implies that the possibility of an untreatable sickness brought on by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that will devastate mankind is becoming closer.

Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System Report (5th Edition)
The 5th Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) report, prepared in association with Member States, summarizes 2020 data on AMR rates in common bacteria from countries, territories, and areas.

  • The report provides 2020 data on antimicrobial consumption (AMC) at the national level, for the first time, as reported by 87 countries.
  • It also presents assessments of AMR rates in relation to national testing coverage, AMR trends since 2017, and data on AMC in humans in 27 countries for the first time.

Key Observations from The Report:
i.According to the report, bacteria that frequently causing bloodstream infections in hospitals, like Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter spp., have high levels (over 50%) of resistance.

  • These life-threatening infections necessitate the use of last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems.
  • However, 8% of Klebsiella pneumoniae-related bloodstream infections were found to be resistant to carbapenems, which raised the risk of death.

ii.More than 60% of Neisseria gonorrhoea isolates, a prominent sexually transmitted disease (STD), were resistant to ciprofloxacin, one of the most commonly used oral antibacterials.
iii.The most prevalent pathogen for urinary tract infections (UTI), Escherichia coli (E. coli), had a resistance to both first-line medications (ampicillin & co-trimoxazole) and second-line therapies (fluoroquinolones) in over 20% of isolates.
iv.Compared to rates in 2017, bloodstream infections caused by resistant E. coli, Salmonella spp., and gonorrhoea infections increased by at least 15%.

BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI issues Framework for AIFs to Raise Money from FPIsSEBI gives nod to AIFs to raise money from FPIsOn December 9, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a framework in terms of Regulation 10(a) of SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012, enabling Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) in India to raise money from Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) by issuing units, with immediate effect, by ensuring the following:
i.The FPIs are residents of a country, the securities market regulator of which is a signatory to the International Organisation of Securities Commission’s (IOSCO) Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), or a signatory to a bilateral MoU with SEBI.
ii.Investors contributing 25% or more in the funds should not belongs to the following:

  • Named in the Sanctions List notified by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
  • Resident in a country identified in the public statement of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
  • Resident country that has not made sufficient progress in addressing the deficiencies, or has not committed to an action plan developed with FATF to address such deficiencies.

What if an investor, who has been onboarded already, does not meet the specified conditions?
In this case, AIF will bare any further capital contribution from such investors, until the investor again meets the conditions.
The information for the same is provided by SEBI  in  exercise  of  powers  conferred  under  Section  11(1)  of  the Securities  and  Exchange  Board  of  India  Act,  1992  to  protect  the  interests  of investors  in  securities  and  to  promote  the  development  of,  and  to  regulate  the securities market.
Click Here for Official Notification
About Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
Chairperson– Madhabi Puri Buch
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Establishment– 1992

PNB HFC launched Home Loan Scheme Roshni for Tier 1 & Tier 2 citiesPNB HFC debuts affordable home loan scheme Roshni for Tier 1 & Tier 2 citiesThe PNB Housing Finance Limited (PNB Housing), a Housing Finance Company(HFC) introduced a low-cost home loan programme namely ‘Roshni’ enabling individuals from Tier 1 & Tier 2 cities to apply for loan ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 30 lakh.

  • Through this scheme PNB HFC is committed towards the ‘Housing for All’ mission of the Central Government.

Key Points:
i.This launch is in line with PNB HFC’s long-term goal of enabling and assisting an individual to purchase a home.
ii.Recently, the Company opened branch offices focused on Roshni in the following cities:

  • Chennai, Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad (Telangana), Indore/Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), Rajkot (Gujarat), and Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune in Maharashtra.

iii.The program offers a variety of loans for self-building, home expansions and renovations, plot purchases combined with construction, loans against property, and the purchase of property investment.
iv.Loan applicants eligible for this are first-time credit borrowers, self-employed without a professional role and salaried from a low-income group with a family income as low as Rs. 10,000 to middle-income group category.
About PNB Housing Finance (HFC):
It is a registered housing finance company with the National Housing Bank (NHB)
MD and CEO– Girish Kousgi

ADB approves $250 mn policy-based loan to Strengthen Logistics Sector in IndiaADB approves $250 mn policy-based loan to strengthen logistics sectorOn December 8, 2022, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $250 million policy-based loan to strengthen the Logistics Sector in India. This funding will support the Indian Government’s reforms to strengthen and modernize it’s logistics infrastructure, improve efficiency, reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission, and lowering cost in the logistics sector.
Key Points:
i.The loan will finance the first subprogram of the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE), which supports the Indian government’s efforts to create a comprehensive policy, planning, and institutional framework at the federal, state, and city levels for multimodal logistics projects (MMLPs).
ii.It will also strengthen supply chains by simplifying external trade logistics and domestic cargo movements, modernizing warehouses, improving business processes with integrated digital platforms, and private investments.
iii.The subprogram also supports the India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s initiatives to issue standards for warehousing, which would encourage operational efficiency and private sector investment
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
President– Masatsugu Asakawa
Headquarters– Manila, Philippines
Establishment– 1966

Tamilnad Mercantile Bank signs pact with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance for bancassurance

Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) signed a pact with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance to form a strategic alliance to sell the private life insurer’s term, annuity, and other value-packed products across its 500 branches.

  • An agreement to that effect was signed on December 9, 2022, by the bank’s Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) S.Krishnan and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance MD & CEO Tarun Chugh.
  • TMB’s new and existing customers can now choose from Bajaj Allianz Life’s retail products, which include term, savings, retirement, and investment products, as a result of this partnership.
  • The headquarters of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank(TMB) is Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Nomura: India’s GDP Expected to Grow At 5.1% In FY24India's GDP expected to grow at 5.1% in FY24According to Nomura, a global financial services firm, India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth could drop to 5.1 % in fiscal year 2023-24 (FY24), forcing the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to decrease the key repo rate by 75 basis points (bps) in the second half (H2) of 2023.

  • The RBI forecasts 6.5% growth in FY24, which is higher than Nomura’s growth projection for FY24.

Key Points:
i.According to Nomura, the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will implement a “shallow easing cycle” by decreasing the policy rate by 25 bps in August, October, and December 2023, resulting in a repo rate of 5.75% at the end of 2023.

  • Nomura’s projection comes as the RBI hiked the repo rate to 6.25 %, up from 5.9% on December 7, 2022, for the fifth time in eight months.

ii.Additionally, the RBI lowered its estimate of GDP growth for 2022–2023 (FY23) by 20 bps to 6.8% from 7%, which is 20 bps higher than Nomura’s prediction of 6.6 %.
CPI Inflation
i.Nomura forecasts that India’s headline Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation, also known as retail inflation, will decline from 6.8% in FY23 to 5% in FY24, and 4.9% in the fiscal year 2024–2025 (FY25).
ii.The RBI retained its CPI inflation projection of 6.7% for FY23, but increased average inflation by 10 bps for the second half of fiscal year 2022-23 (H2FY23).
iii.According to the RBI, CPI inflation will be on average 6.6 % in October-December 2022, 5.9 % in January-March 2023, 5.0 % in April-June 2023, and 5.4 % in July-September 2023.
Note: The change in the value of all goods in the basket is referred to as headline inflation, whereas core inflation excludes food and fuel from headline inflation.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS     

2022 Hurun Global 500: India ranked 5th position with 20 Indian Firms

20 Indian firms in 500 most valuable globally, Reliance topAccording to the “2022 Hurun Global 500,” a ranking of the 500 most valuable non-state-controlled companies in the world, 20 Indian companies are among the 500 most valuable in the world. India moved to 5th place in 2022 list whereas it ranked 9th position in 2021 with with 8 companies.The “2022 Hurun Global 500” was published by the Hurun Research Institute in collaboration with Jiaxing City in East China.

  • Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) was topped among the Indian firms on the list and the 34th biggest company globally, with a valuation of USD 202 billion.It was followed by Tata Consultancy Services (USD 139 billion) and HDFC Bank (USD 97 billion).

2022 Hurun Global 500
i.With 29 nations represented in the 2022 Hurun Global 500, an increase of 1, the United States (US) continued to lead, followed by China, Japan, and the United Kingdom (UK).
ii.The most valuable company in India is Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) (USD 202 billion), followed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (USD 139 billion) and HDFC Bank (USD 97 billion).
About Reliance Industries Limited (RIL):
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) – Mukesh Ambani
Founder Chairman – Dhirubhai Ambani
Establishment – 1973
>> Read Full News

 Meghalaya received Award for Best Practice in Tuberculosis ACSMMeghalaya awarded for TB control programmeMeghalaya received an award for  ‘Best Practice in Tuberculosis (TB) Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization(ACSM)’ at the National Workshop on ACSM to end TB in India, held in New Delhi, Delhi from 7th to 8th December 2022.

  • The award was given to recognise the effort by the Meghalaya Government for initiating ‘Jan Andolan’ (people’s movement) or ‘TB Mukt Bharat campaign’ against Tuberculosis.
  • The award was presented to representatives of the State Health Department.

Note: TB affects about 2.6 million people in India every year.
Key Points:
i. According to TB reports from the pre-epidemic phase, Meghalaya had the highest number of TB cases in 2021, with 4,189.

  • In the first quarter of 2022, 1,075 patients were admitted for treatment against the disease.

ii. A National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination (2017-2025) has also been launched reorienting the programme’s focus to ensure greater community engagement.
iii. ‘Jan Andolan’ aims to raise awareness, eliminate stigma, and enhance demand for services across Meghalaya.
About Meghalaya:
Chief Minister- Conrad K Sangma
Governor- Brigadier (Dr.) B. D. Mishra (Retd)
Capital- Shillong
Wildlife Sanctuary- Baghmara Pitcher Plant Wildlife Sanctuary; Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary

India’s Manisha Ramadass wins BWF Female Para-Badminton Player of the Year 2022

On 6th December 2022, Indian shuttler Manisha Ramadass(17 years old) won the BWF Female Para-Badminton Player of the Year 2022 of the BWF’s annual player of the Year Awards.  The awards were presented at the Gala Awards Night hosted by BWF in Bangkok, Thailand.

  • Manisha Ramadass won the gold medal in the women’s singles SU5 category at the 2022 BWF Para-Badminton World Championships held in November 2022 and was nominated for the award along with two other Indians, Manasi Joshi and Nithya Sre.
  • She has won 11 gold medals and 5 bronze in 2022.

Other BWF Player of the Year 2022 Awards:

  • Best Male Player of the Year – Viktor Axelsen (Denmark)
  • Best Female Player of the Year – Akane Yamaguchi (Japan)
  • Best pair of the Year – Zheng Si Wei/Huang Ya Qiong (China)
  • Best Para Badminton Pair of the Year – Thomas Wandschneider and Rick Cornell Hellman (Germany)
  • Best Male Para Badminton Player of the Year – Daiki Kajiwara (Japan)
  • Eddy Choong Most Promising Player of the Year – Kodai Naraoka (Japan)
  • Most Improved Player of the Year –  Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto (Indonesia)   

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS    

Indian-origin Nihar Malaviya named interim CEO of publishing giant Penguin Random House

Nihar Malaviya, an Indian-origin publishing executive, has been named Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of New York-based international publishing group Penguin Random House after Markus Dohle, current CEO, announced his resignation.

  • Nihar Malaviya will assume the role of interim CEO from 1st January 2023
  • He will join Bertelsmann’s Group Management Committee (GMC), and continue to be a member of the Penguin Random House Global Executive Committee.

About Nihar Malaviya:
i. Nihar Malaviya began his career at Bertelsmann in 2001 as a participant in the Bertelsmann Entrepreneurs Programme.
ii. In 2003, he transferred within the group to Random House, where he successfully held a number of leadership positions.
iii. He has been in charge of all publishing operations in the United States since 2014, from supply chain to technology, data, and client services.
iv. He has been the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the publisher’s American division, Penguin Random House United States (US) since 2019 to present.
v. He is a two-time recipient of the Bertelsmann Entrepreneur Award for Strategy Execution and serves on the Bertelsmann Technology and Data Advisory Board.
Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle Stepped Down
Markus Dohle, CEO of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade publisher, is stepping down, which is an effect from the end of 2022.

  • Markus Dohle’s decision comes just weeks after a federal judge denied the company’s bid to acquire rival Simon & Schuster, Inc, an American publishing company and a subsidiary of Paramount Global.
  • Markus Dohle, who will remain with the company as an advisor, had a 5-year contract that was set to expire in December 2025.

About Markus Dohle:
i. Markus Dohle was the chief executive officer of Penguin Random House from July 2013
ii. During his tenure, Penguin Random House US was rated #1 on Forbes’ List of America’s Best Midsize Employers in 2018.       

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS  

Sony Entertainment Television to be the Official Satellite Partner of DPIFF Awards 2023

Sony Entertainment television is set to be the official satellite partner of the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) Awards 2023. DPIFF Awards 2023, the annual event to pay tribute to India’s entertainment and film industry stalwarts, is set to broadcast on Sony Entertainment Television.

  • DPIFF Awards 2023 under the support of Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya to be held on 20th February 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
  • DPIFF aims to honour artists from the film and television industries who have worked hard and demonstrated true promise and the determination to succeed.

Click here to know the DPIFF Awards       

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NCPCR developed & launched GHAR Portal for the Restoration and Repatriation of Children

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has developed and launched a designated portal for the Restoration and Repatriation of children – GHAR – GO Home and Re-Unite. It has been developed to digitally monitor and track the restoration and repatriation of children according to the protocol.
GHAR-GO Home and Re-Unite Portal:
It addresses the changing roles of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and District Child Protection (DCPO) for children in need of care and protection.
Note: The portal was released on the occasion of World Children’s Day(20th November 2022). A detailed protocol for “restoration and repatriation of children” and training modules for the child welfare committees (CWCs) was also released on the occasion.
Features of GHAR: 

  • Digital tracking of the Children in the Juvenile Justice system who must be repatriated to another country/state/district Digital transfer of cases to the concerned state’s Juvenile Justice Board/Child Welfare Committee and aid in the prompt return of children.
  • A list of government-implemented schemes will be provided that help CWC connect the child with the schemes that would strengthen the family and ensure that the child stays with his or her family.

Key Points:
i. The Ministry of Women and Child Development administers the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act, 2015)(as amended in 2021) and Rules thereunder to ensure children’s safety, security, dignity, and well-being.
ii. The JJ Act of 2015 protects children in need of care and protection, and those in conflict with the law, by meeting their basic needs through care, protection, development, treatment, and social reintegration.
iii. District Magistrates (DMs)have been appointed as the heads of District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) to ensure effective coordination in child safety, protection, and development.
iv. DMs have been given the authority to conduct regular reviews of the functions of DCPUs and CWCs to ensure that timely decisions are made in accordance with the provisions of the JJ Act and Rules, with the best interests of children in mind.

ISRO Successfully Completes Joint ‘Hypersonic Vehicle Trials’ & Conducted Hot Test of Scramjet Engine in TN

ISRO successfully completes joint 'hypersonic vehicle trials'On 9th December 2022, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted a joint hypersonic vehicle trial along with the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS).

  • The trial matched the predetermined targets and achieved all required parameters and demonstrated hypersonic vehicle capability.

Hypersonic Vehicle:
i.A hypersonic vehicle can be an airplane, missile, or spacecraft that has the ability to travel five times faster than the speed of sound, or greater than Mach 5.
ii.It is regarded as cutting-edge technology, and countries like China, India, Russia, and the United States of America(USA) have been trying to further enhance the ability of their hypersonic weapons.
iii.ISRO has been developing hypersonic missiles in collaboration with Russia.
ISRO Successfully Conducted Hot Test of Scramjet Engine
ISRO successfully conducted the 11 second long hot test of the scramjet engine (supersonic combustion ramjet) at ISRO’s Propulsion Research Complex at Mahendragiri in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.

  • The test was conducted as a part of ISRO’s quest to fabricate credible next-generation air-breathing scramjet engines to launch satellites in a predetermined orbit at a low cost.
  • A scramjet is a variant of a ramjet airbreathing jet engine in which combustion takes place in supersonic airflow.
  • The test was conducted in the presence of ISRO chairman S. Somanath.
  • During this test, the speed of Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) equipped with scramjet engine was measured at 7500 km per hour.

Key Points:
i.Scramjet is a more advanced version of the ramjet engine that can operate efficiently at hypersonic speeds.
ii.This allows supersonic combustion by breathing oxygen from the atmosphere during flight. It allows the oxygen to mix with hydrogen already stored in the vehicle to trigger combustion, and produce the desired thrust to lift the satellite to its designated orbit

  • Enabling the launch vehicle to breathe oxygen from the atmosphere will reduce around 70% of the propellant that has to be carried in the vehicle.

Lisu wren babbler: New species of wren babblers found in Arunachal Pradesh

A team of birdwatchers from Bengaluru(Karnataka), Chennai(Tamil Nadu), and Thiruvananthapuram(Kerala) and two guides from Arunachal Pradesh discovered a new species of elusive wren babblers named “Lisu wren babbler” in March 2022 at Mugaphi Peak in Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh.

  • The new species is named after the Lisu community of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The findings of the team were published by “Indian BIRDS”, a peer-reviewed journal of south Asian ornithology.

Previous sighting of wren babblers:
i.Previously, There was only one reported sighting of this bird in India back in 1988 on the same mountain.
ii.2 photos were then collected and one of them is in the Smithsonian Museum, United States of America(USA) after being identified by ornithologist Pamela Rasmussen.
iii.The rare and elusive grey-bellied wren babblers are mostly found in Myanmar and in smaller numbers in China and Thailand
Significant features of Lisu wren babbler:
i.As the name suggests, the grey-bellied wren babblers have grey-coloured belly while the new species “Lisu wren babbler” found in Mugaphi had a whitish belly. 
ii.The new species also have a sweet song similar to the songs of the Naga wren babbler unlike the trilling song of the grey-bellied wren babbler.

  • The genetic material from the bird that was found will be compared with other Wren Babbler species to scientifically establish that a new species or subspecies have been found.

IISc opens India’s 1st Centre of Excellence for 3D bioprinting

On 9th December 2022, CELLINK, the global leader in developing 3D bioprinters and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) inaugurated India’s 1st 3D bioprinting Centre of Excellence (CoE) in the Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering (BSSE) at IISc’s Bengaluru campus, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

  • The CoE was inaugurated by Dr Ashwath Narayan C N, Minister of Electronics, Information Technology-Biotechnology, Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka; Prof Govindan Rangarajan, the Director of IISc; and Tomoko Bylund, CELLINK’s Head of Sales – Asia-Pacific (APAC).
  • The CoE will provide researchers with access to 3D bioprinting systems, allowing them to accelerate their work across critical applications and ultimately improve health outcomes.
  • It will store several cutting-edge CELLINK 3D bioprinters
  • CoE will also contribute towards exploring new pathways in 3D bioprinting research and technology development.

ENVIRONMENT

Meizotropis pellita, Fritilloria cirrhosa & Dactylorhiza hatagirea – 3 Himalayan Medicinal Plants Made into IUCN Red ListThree Himalayan medicinal plants enter IUCN Red ListFollowing a recent assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 3 Himalayan medicinal plants, Meizotropis pellita commonly known as “Patwa”,  Fritillaria cirrhosa known as “Yellow Himalayan fritillary”, Dactylorhiza hatagirea known as “Salampanja” are added to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

  • The assessment was done by Harsh Kumar Chauhan, a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, Medicinal Plant Specialist Group.

Status of the 3 Himalayan medicinal plants: 

  • Meizotropis pellita – Critically Endangered under criteria B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v).
  • Fritillaria cirrhosa –  Vulnerable under criteria A2cd.
  • Dactylorhiza hatagirea – Endangered under criteria A2bd.

Details:
Meizotropis pellita:
It is a woody perennial rootstock shrub with restricted distribution endemic to Uttarakhand.
It was listed as Critically Endangered due to its limited area of occupancy (less than 10 sq. km).

  • Threat: Deforestation, Habitat Fragmentation and Forest Fires.
  • Use: The essential oil extracted from the leaves of this plant have strong antioxidants which can be used as a natural substitute for synthetic antioxidants in pharmaceutical industries.

Fritillaria cirrhosa:
It is a perennial bulbous herb near-endemic to the Himalayas and distributed across Bhutan; China; India (Jammu-Kashmir, Uttaranchal); Myanmar; Nepal; and Pakistan.
It was listed as “vulnerable” due to a decline of at least 30% of its population over the assessment period of 22 to 26 years.

  • Threat: poor germination potential, high trade value, extensive harvesting pressure and illegal trade.
  • Use: Used for the treatment of bronchial disorders and pneumonia in China. It is also a strong cough suppressant and source of expectorant drugs in traditional Chinese medicine.

Dactylorhiza hatagirea:
It is a perennial tuberous species endemic to the Hindu Kush and Himalayan ranges of Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.

  • Threat: habitat loss, livestock grazing, deforestation, and climate change.
  • Use: This is used in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and other alternative systems of medicine to cure dysentery, gastritis, chronic fever, cough and stomach aches.

Additional info:

  • Dr. Chauhan previously assessed 6 species (medicial species) including Himalayan  Trillium govanianum (Himalayan Trillium) and  Trillium tschonoskii (Keun-yeon-yeong-cho) which were marked as endangered.
  • A 1998 study states that around 1748 medical plants are there in this region.

SPORTS

Cricket : India’s Ishan Kishan Becomes Fastest Double Centurion in Men’s ODIs

Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan became the fastest double-centurion in One Day International (ODI) breaking the world record held by West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle.

  • He is 4th Indian after Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma to achieve this feat. Kishan’s 150 off 103 balls is the fastest 150 in men’s ODIs for India.
  • Kishan (24 years and 145 days) is the youngest cricketer and 7th cricketer to reach the 200-run mark in ODI. Others apart from the Indians are New Zealand’s Martin Guptill, West Indies’ Chris Gayle and Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman.
  • He scored 23 fours and 9 sixes to reach the 200-run mark in just 126 deliveries during India’s 3rd ODI against Bangladesh at Chattogram, Bangladesh.  He scored 210 runs off 131 balls. He completed his century in 85 balls.
  • Gayle took 138 deliveries to score his double centuries against Zimbabwe in the 2015 International Cricket Council(ICC) World Cup.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Human Rights Day 2022 – 10th December 12The United Nations(UN)’s Human Rights Day(International Human Rights Day or World Human Rights Day) is annually observed across the globe on 10th December to create awareness and mobilize political will to promote respect for rights and freedoms.

  • The observance commemorates the anniversary of the day on which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted in 1948. The UDHR enshrines the rights of all human beings.

The theme of Human Rights Day 2022 is “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All”.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/423 (V) on 4th December 1950 proclaiming the 10th December of every year as Human Rights Day.
ii.The formal inception of Human Rights Day dates from 1950. The first UN Human Rights Day was observed on 10th December 1950.
About the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights– Volker Türk
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
>> Read Full News

*******

List of Current Governors in India – AUGUST 2022

List of Current Chief Ministers in India – AUGUST 2022

*******

List of Less Important News – Click Here

*****Click Here View – AC Excluded News*****

Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)

S.noCurrent Affairs 11 & 12 December 2022
1India to add 145 GW of RE capacity by 2027: IEA Report
2WHO GLASS Report (5th Edition) 2022: Over 50% Of Life-Threatening Bacterial Infections Are Becoming Resistant to Treatment
3SEBI issues Framework for AIFs to Raise Money from FPIs
4PNB HFC launched Home Loan Scheme Roshni for Tier 1 & Tier 2 cities
5ADB approves $250 mn policy-based loan to Strengthen Logistics Sector in India
6Tamilnad Mercantile Bank signs pact with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance
7Nomura: India’s GDP Expected to Grow At 5.1% In FY24
82022 Hurun Global 500: 20 Indian Firms In 500 Most Valuable Globally, Reliance Tops
9 Meghalaya received Award for Best Practice in Tuberculosis ACSM
10India’s Manisha Ramadass wins BWF Female Para-Badminton Player of the Year 2022
11Indian-origin Nihar Malaviya named interim CEO of publishing giant Penguin Random House
12Sony Entertainment Television to be the Official Satellite Partner of DPIFF Awards 2023
13NCPCR developed & launched GHAR Portal for the Restoration and Repatriation of Children
14ISRO Successfully Completes Joint ‘Hypersonic Vehicle Trials’
15Lisu wren babbler: New species of wren babblers found in Arunachal Pradesh
16IISc opens India’s 1st Centre of Excellence for 3D bioprinting
17Meizotropis pellita, Fritilloria cirrhosa & Dactylorhiza hatagirea – 3 Himalayan Medicinal Plants Made into IUCN Red List
18India’s Ishan Kishan Becomes Fastest Double Centurion in ODIs; Breaks Chris Gayle’s World Record
19Human Rights Day 2022 – 10th December