NATIONAL:
1. Monkeypox Disease Renamed
Why in news - World Health Organisation has changed the name of the disease Monkeypox to Mpox.
Key Points –
• The name "mpox" was submitted by Samuel Miriello, director of the REZO men's health organization.
• Monkeypox was given its name in 1970 (after the virus that causes the disease was discovered in captive monkeys in 1958).
• The naming of viruses is the responsibility of the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).
2. Ni-Kshay Mitra
Why in news - Deepa Malik became Ni-Kshay Mitra and national ambassador for TB Mukt Bharat Campaign.
Key Points –
• Ni-Kshay Mitra - to provide aid to TB-afflicted patients at three levels – nutritional, additional diagnostic and vocational support.
• She is India’s First Woman Paralympic Medalist and President of the Paralympic Committee of India.
• TB Mukt Bharat campaign was launched by PM Modi in March 2018.
• India aims to be TB Free by 2025.
3. Himalayan Yak
Why in news - The Himalayan Yak has been accepted as food animal by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).
Key Points –
• It belongs to the Bovini tribe (e.g., bison, buffaloes, and cattle).
• Yak-rearing states - Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
• According to a census in 2019, India has some 58,000 yaks.
• Protection –
A. IUCN – Vulnerable
B. CITES - Appendix I
C. WPA 1972 - Schedule I.
4. Animal Quarantine Certification Services (AQCS)
Why in news - As part of the National Milk Day celebrations, AQCS was organized in Bengaluru.
Key Points –
• AQCS, Bangalore was initiated in August 2009.
5. Ravish Kumar Resigned
Why in news - Senior journalist Ravish Kumar resigned from NDTV amid Adani takeover.
Key Points –
• He has been conferred with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay award and Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award.
• This came after the Adani Group acquired over 29.18% stake in NDTV by acquiring 99.5% in RRPR, the promoter firm of NDTV Ltd.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Mauna Loa Volcano
Why in news - Mauna Loa on Hawaii’s Big Island erupted after 38 years (last eruption - 1984) on Nov 27, 2022.
Key Points –
• It is the world’s largest active volcano.
• Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) - To measure the explosivity of a volcano. It has a range of 1 to 8 (Higher VEI indicates more explosivity).
• Mauna Loa rises 13,679 ft above the Pacific Ocean, part of the chain of volcanoes that formed the islands of Hawaii.
2. Mahatma Gandhi’s Bust
Why in news – A bust of Mahatma Gandhi would be inaugurated at the United Nations in Jan 2023.
Key Points –
• The bust was made by Padma Shree awardee Ram Sutar.
• The bust would be the 1st Gandhi sculpture to be installed in the UN headquarters.
3. Gaslighting
Why in news – “Gaslighting” named Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2022.
Key Points –
• Gaslighting meaning - Practice of grossly misleading someone especially for one’s own advantage.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. Re-Hab Project
Why in news - KVIC chairman Manoj Kumar inaugurated Re-Hab Project at Chausla village (Nainital, UK).
Key Points –
• Aim - to safeguard humans and farmers’ crops from elephant attacks.
• Re-Hab - Reducing Human Attacks using Honey Bees.
• KVIC is running the project in 7 states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Assam and Orissa.
• Project RE-HAB is a sub-mission of KVIC’s National Honey Mission.
• 'Sweet Revolution' - to emphasize the increase in honey production.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. iNCOVACC
Why in news - Intranasal vaccine iNCOVACC against coronavirus disease has received approval from Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
Key Points –
• It is approved under Restricted Use in Emergency Situation for all adults in India, for heterologous booster doses.
• It is the world’s first intranasal Covid vaccine to receive approval for the primary 2-dose schedule and heterologous booster dose.
• It is developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL).
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. 59th ABU General Assembly 2022
Why in news - 59th Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union assembly held from Nov 25 to 30, 2022 in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• It was hosted by Prasar Bharati.
• Theme - Serving the People: Media’s Role in Times of Crisis.
• Prasar Bharati controls All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD).
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World AIDS Day
Why in news – It is commemorated every year on December 1 globally.
Key Points –
• Theme - Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV.
• World AIDS Day report is published by UNAIDS.
• United Nations has set the goal of eliminating AIDS by 2030.
• It was first designated in Aug 1988 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter.
2. Red Planet Day
Why in news – Nov 28 is marked as Red Planet Day.
Key Points –
• On Nov 28, 1964, the USA launched the space probe Mariner 4 on a course toward Mars.
• This was the first time that a spacecraft undertook the first flyby of the red planet.
• In 2001, the Gamma Ray Spectrometer on board the Mars Odyssey spacecraft detected a fascinating hydrogen signature that seemed to indicate the presence of water ice.
STATES/UTs:
1. Prasoon Joshi
Why in news – Prasoon Joshi has been appointed by Uttarakhand as the state’s brand ambassador.
Key Points –
• He is currently the Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification.
• He has received Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2006.
BIHAR:
1. Urja Sabhagar
Why in news – Hon’ CM Nitish Kumar inaugurated the work of installing prepaid smart meters in rural areas in the energy auditorium.
Key Points –
• He announced to deliver smart meters to every household by 2025.
• He also laid the foundation stone of BREDA's Grid Connected Ground Mounted Solar Power Plant Scheme at a cost of 1579.37 crores.
• He also inaugurated the grid-connected floating power plant built at a cost of 11.55 crores.
POINTERS:
• To which country India will send helicopters for UN peacekeeping operations – Mali.
• By what name has the Indian Navy launched a new 'Survey Ship' built by GRSE/L&T – Ikshak.
• Which country has recently launched the 'Indo Pacific Strategy' to boost national security - Canada.
• Which ministry has launched a plan to supply 4,500 MW power for 5 years under the Shakti Policy - Ministry of Energy.
• The book “India the Mother of Democracy” has been released by which Union Minister - Dharmendra Pradhan.
• Which state government has launched a new scheme to promote Dalit businesses – Rajasthan.
• 'Operation Turtle Shield' has been launched by which country to conserve tortoises - India.
• Karnataka government has announced a special grant to Kannada schools of which state - Maharashtra.
• With which country Qatar has signed the world's longest gas supply deal - China.
• Which cricketer has become the first player to hit 7 sixes in an over - Rituraj Gaikwad.