NATIONAL:
1. Centre bans PFI
Why in news - The Ministry of Home Affairs has banned the PFI and its affiliates for five years.
Key Points –
• The ban left out the SDPI, the political arm of the PFI.
• With this, the PFI has been added to the list of 42 banned terrorist organizations under Section 35 of the UAPA.
• Operation Octopus - NIA's pan-India crackdown on PFI code-named.
2. Ajanta-Era Buddhist Caves
Why in news - ASI has reported 26 Buddhist caves in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (MP).
Key Points –
• Caves date - 2nd - 5th century BC.
• They pertain to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.
• Also, found a Buddhist pillar fragment containing miniature stupa carvings (2nd-3rd century AD).
• In all, 24 Brahmi inscriptions, dating 2nd-5th century AD, have been reported.
3. Encyclopedia of Tribes
Why in news – Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik unveiled “Encyclopedia of Tribes in Odisha”.
Key Points –
• Odisha became the 1st state in the country to start an encyclopaedia on tribal communities.
• It was published by SCs and STs Research and Training Institute and Odisha State Tribal Museum.
• Odisha has the most diverse tribal communities (62 tribes) found in the country.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Ending US hunger by 2030
Why in news - Joe Biden plans to end US hunger and reduce diet-related disease by 2030.
Key Points –
• He plans to commit more than $8 billion in private and public sector funding as part of its plan.
• USA also aims to expand access to healthy, free school meals for 9 million more children by 2032.
• He hosted a conference on hunger, nutrition and health in Washington.
• It is the first by the White House since 1969.
2. Mohammed Bin Salman named PM
Why in news - Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was named Saudi Arabia’s prime minister.
Key Points –
• Mohammed bin Salman is a leading figure in the kingdom’s “Vision 2030” plans to transform the country’s economy.
• Mohammed bin Salman is the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia.
• Saudi king - King Salman bin Abdul Aziz.
3. Hurricane Ian
Why in news - Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Florida coast (USA).
Key Points –
• It is a category 4 storm with winds going at the speed of 241 kmph.
• Origin – Atlantic Ocean.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
Why in news - The Union government has extended PMGKAY for another 3 months from Oct 1, 2022.
Key Points –
• Beneficiaries under NFSA 2013 are to continue to get 5 kg of food grains per person per month till Dec 31, 2022.
• It has been in operation since April 2020.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Kadma Biodiversity Park
Why in news - Tata Steel inaugurated the Kadma Biodiversity Park in Jamshedpur (JH).
Key Points –
• In 2016, Tata Steel launched a Biodiversity Policy which aims at 'No Net Loss of Biodiversity'.
• Since 2019, Tata Steel at Jamshedpur has achieved more than 33 acres of additional green cover.
SECURITY:
1. Operation Southern Readiness
Why in news - INS Sunayna participated in the Operation Southern Readiness of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
Key Points –
• It is being held in Seychelles.
• The CMF is commanded by the Vice Admiral of the US Navy.
• 34 countries are members of the CMF. (India - associate partner).
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Lt Gen Anil Chauhan
Why in news - The Government appointed Lt General Anil Chauhan (retired) as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Key Points –
• He shall also function as Secretary to GoI, Department of Military Affairs.
• He retired in May 2021.
• Eligibility for Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) - Under the age of 62.
• Gen Rawat, the first CDS, died in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu on December 8, 2021.
2. R Venkataramani
Why in news - R Venkataramani has been appointed as the 16th Attorney General for India.
Key Points –
• He has been appointed for a period of 3 years.
• He would succeed K K Venugopal.
• He was designated as Senior Advocate in 1997.
STATES/UTs:
1. Ranipur Tiger Reserve
Why in news - UP government gives nod to Bundelkhand’s first tiger reserve under WPA 1972.
Key Points –
• It is a part of Ranipur wildlife sanctuary in Chitrakoot district.
• Fauna - Tiger, leopard, bear, spotted deer, sambhar, chinkara, reptiles.
• It would be UP’s fourth tiger reserve after Dudhwa, Pilibhit and Amangarh.
• UP had 173 tigers, with 107 in Dudhwa National Park and 65 in Pilibhit.
POINTERS:
• Which Union Minister has recently launched indigenously developed AVGAS 100 LL, a special aviation fuel for piston engine aircraft and UAVs - Hardeep Singh Puri.
• Which Indian Naval Ship (INS) has made a port call at Port Gentil, (Gabon) as part of the ongoing deployment in the Gulf of Guinea for anti-piracy patrols recently - INS Tarkash.
• Recently, which campaign has been announced by Jitendra Singh to showcase technological breakthroughs and innovations - One Week One Lab.
• Who has been re-appointed as the MD and CEO of the National Payments Corporation of India recently - Dilip Asbe.
• Which international airport has been awarded the Airport Service Quality Award 2022 by the Airports Council International - Cochin International Airport.
• Recently, Russia has granted Russian citizenship to Edward Snowden, the former security contractor of which country – America.
• Who has been appointed as the new Director General of ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) - Rajiv Bahal.
• Who has received National Humanities Medal from Joe Biden for work done by Elton John AIDS Foundation - Singer Elton John.
• India installed its first avalanche-monitoring radar in which state – Sikkim.
• Recently, BPCL has tied up with which country's company “Petrobras” – Brazil.