Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: December 09, 2022
Do you know that the current affairs section is considered important in every competitive exam? You need to understand that it can be difficult to study for the Current Affairs section while also studying for other subjects. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. The right current affairs study material will assist you in thoroughly preparing for this section and scoring well.
Rather than leaving the current events section until the last minute, study them daily and then review them weekly.
Current Affairs: Days and Events
38th SAARC Charter Day 2022
SAARC Charter Day is observed annually on 8th December.
This day marks the signing of the SAARC Charter in 1985 by the leaders of SAARC Countries at the First SAARC Summit held in Dhaka (Bangladesh).
About SAARC:
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), an intergovernmental organisation, was established by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to promote economic growth in South Asia. Afghanistan acceded to SAARC later.
Secretariat: Kathmandu (Nepal).
Main Features of SAARC Charter :
To promote the welfare of the peoples of SOUTH ASIA and to improve their quality of life
To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals with the opportunity to live in dignity and to realise their full potential
To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of SOUTH ASIA
To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems
To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields
To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries
To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interests
To cooperate with international and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes
Current Status:
SAARC has failed abjectly in accomplishing most of its objectives
South Asia continues to be an extremely poor and least integrated region in the world
The intraregional trade and investment in South Asia are very low when compared to other regions, such as the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Sub-Saharan Africa
Pakistan killed the Organisation:
Pakistan has adopted an obstructionist attitude within SAARC by repeatedly blocking several vital initiatives, such as the motor vehicles agreement, aimed at bolstering regional connectivity.
Deepening hostility between India and Pakistan has made matters worse. Since 2014, no SAARC summit has taken place, leaving the organisation rudderless and practically dead.
Question:
SAARC Charter Day is observed annually on which of the following dates?
A. 25 April
B. 19 September
C. 29 November
D. 08 December
Answer: D
Current Affairs: National
New Delhi Hosts the First India-Central Asia Meeting of NSAs
Speaking at the first India-Central Asia meeting of the National Security Advisers in New Delhi, Mr Doval said peaceful, secure and prosperous Central Asia is in our common interest.
He also urged that connectivity with Central Asian countries remains India’s key priority.
It coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Central Asian countries.
Details:
All UN members should refrain from supporting organisations that engage in terrorist acts, and everyone should prioritise stopping the financing of terrorism.
The security situation in Afghanistan is an important issue concerning all.
On Pakistan, India should appeal to all UN members to fulfil obligations enshrined in relevant counter-terror conventions.
About the Event:
This is the first time India is hosting a conclave of top security officials from Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, focussing on the evolving security situation in Afghanistan and ways to deal with the threat of terrorism emanating from that country.
Significance of Central Asia for India:
Energy Security –
Central Asia contains vast hydrocarbon fields and Uranium reserves.
With India projected to become ever more reliant on imported energy, cultivating alternative sources of energy has become a vital concern.
Geostrategic Importance –
Being placed in the middle of the Eurasian Continent, Central Asia is one of the most convenient routes of transit.
Commercial Interest –
Both India and Central Asia have economic complementarity in terms of resources, human resources and markets.
Geopolitical Interest –
Today, Europe, the US, China, and Iran are trying to increase their influence in this region. All this is likely to bring in high-stakes power politics in Central Asia.
Internal Security –
India sees this region as a source of religious extremism and is concerned about checking the rise of radical Islamist groups, which may present a terrorist threat.
These security concerns are compounded by the proliferation of drug trafficking in Central Asia.
Question:
Which country recently hosted the first India-Central Asia meeting of the National Security Advisers?
A. Kazakhstan
B. Kyrgyzstan
C. Tajikistan
D. India
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Sports
Mirabai Chanu Clinches Silver at Weightlifting World Championship
Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu won silver at the 2022 World Weightlifting Championships in Colombia recently.
She beat the Tokyo 2020 champion Hou Zhihua of China.
Details:
Mirabai lifted a combined weight of 200 kg compared to Zhihua’s total of 198 kg.
This was Mirabai’s second medal at the World Championships, having previously won gold in 2017 with a lift of 194 kg.
Meanwhile, China’s Jiang Huihua took home the gold medal with a combined weight of 206 kg.
About World Weightlifting Championships:
The World Weightlifting Championships is an event organised by International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). The first competition, held in March 1891, was won by Edward Lawrence Levy of England.
Athletes compete in a total of 20 weight categories (10 for men and 10 for women).
The 2022 World Weightlifting Championships is an ongoing weightlifting competition held in Bogotá, Colombia, in December 2022.
It was scheduled to be held in Chongqing, China, but this changed in March 2022 as a result of COVID-19 measures in China.
The new location was announced in April 2022.
Question:
Recently Indian Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu won silver at the 2022 World Weightlifting Championships, held in which of the following countries?
A. China
B. Kazakhstan
C. Colombia
D. India
Answer: C
Current Affairs: Awards and Recognitions
Volodymyr Zelensky and the “Spirit of Ukraine” is Time Magazine’s 2022 Person of the Year
Time magazine named President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as “the spirit of Ukraine”, as its 2022 person of the year recently, for the resistance the country has shown in the face of Russia’s invasion.
It called Zelensky’s decision to remain in Kyiv and rally his country amid the ongoing war “fateful”.
The Time magazine editor Edward Felsenthal wrote that the “spirit of Ukraine” referred to Ukrainians around the world, including many who “fought behind the scenes” against the Russian invasion.
About Time Magazine:
The tradition of naming Time person of the year started in 1927. Initially, it was named the Time Man of the Year.
Other past winners have included the former dictator of Germany, Adolf Hitler, in 1938, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was 2007’s Person of the Year.
Indian Featured in Time Magazine:
Mahatma Gandhi is the only Indian to be featured as TIME Person of the Year, having been given the honour in 1930.
The magazine described him as ‘Saint Gandhi’ and later named him one of the 25 Political Icons of all time.
Other Recognitions by Time Magazine for 2022:
Time Heroes of the Year: Women in Iran were named the Time Heroes of the Year. Iranian women who are protesting for over three months against the custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.
Time’s Entertainer of the year: The South Korean K-pop band Blackpink was recognised as Time’s Entertainer of the year.
Athlete and Icon of the Year: American baseball player Aaron Judge has been recognised as the Athlete of the Year, and Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh is the Icon of the Year.
Fact:
Last year’s honoree was Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, who has since made major headlines with his high-profile purchase of Twitter.
Question:
Who among the following has recently been named Person of the year- 2022 by the Famous Times magazine?
A. Women in Iran
B. Elon Musk
C. Volodymyr Zelensky
D. Aaron Judge
Answer: C
Current Affairs: International
5th European Union-India Competition Week 2022
The European Union-India Competition Week, the 5th edition, was inaugurated recently 5-7 December at the Competition Commission of India (CCI) HQ by Dr Sangeeta Verma, acting Chairperson, CCI, and Mr Seppo Nurmi, Deputy Head of Delegation of the EU to India and Bhutan.
Details:
This technical cooperation programme has provided a platform for dialogue and exchange of good practices between competition authority officials and experts from the EU and India.
The topics on the agenda are not only of great contemporary relevance and significance but also quite futuristic.
This is the ongoing cooperation between CCI and the Directorate General for Competition of the European Commission under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two authorities in November 2013.
This technical cooperation program has provided a platform for dialogue and exchange of good practices between competition authority officials and experts from the EU and India.
5th India-EU Competition:
5th India-EU Competition Week provides a platform to share views from two key economies on antitrust action in digital and technology markets in an attempt to find answers to challenges and provides an opportunity to discuss how regulation can supplement competition enforcement, as the EU has set the Digital Markets Act in motion.
About India-EU Relations:
India-EU relations date back to the early-1960s.
Regarding the agenda items in the India-EU Competition Week, topics such as experiences in applying antitrust laws to the digital economy/markets, the introduction of the EU’s Digital Markets Act, investigating hub-and-spoke agreements and other atypical cartels and competition law and sustainable cooperation; are timely for sharing the views of EU experts.
Question:
5th European Union-India Competition Week 2022 was recently held in which of the following cities?
A. Bhopal
B. Delhi
C. Ahmedabad
D. Guwahati
Answer: B
Current Affairs: National
Centre Approves PADMA as Self-Regulatory Body
The government has approved the Print and Digital Media Association (PADMA) as a self-regulatory body for publishers of news and current affairs across the country.
The organisation—with 47 digital news publishers on board—will look at grievances related to digital media news content on their platforms.
In addition to Ashok Kumar Tandon, a Prasar Bharati part-time member, and Manoj Kumar Mishra, a journalist, the organisation will be headed by former High Court Judge Mool Chand Garg.
Details:
PADMA shall perform functions laid down in sub-rules (4) and (5) of rule 12 for the purpose of redressing grievances related to the code of ethics under the rules.
The body shall also ensure that the member publishers have agreed to adhere to the provisions of the rules, including furnishing the requisite information under rule 18.
Impact of Approval:
With this, the Ministry has approved nine self-regulatory bodies since May 2021 under rule 12 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
They include DIGIPUB News India Foundation, Confederation of Online Media (India), and NBF- Professional News Broadcasting Standards Authority, among others.
The organisation will primarily look at grievances related to content on digital media platforms pertaining to current affairs that have not been addressed at the level of the platform.
As Per Rule 12 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021:
The self-regulatory bodies will –
Oversee and ensure adherence by the publisher to the code of ethics
Provide guidance to publishers on aspects of the code of ethics
Address grievances which have not been resolved by publishers within 15 days
Hear appeals filed by the complainant against the decision of publishers
Issue such guidance or advisories to such publishers for ensuring compliance with the code of ethics
Question:
The government has recently approved the Print and Digital Media Association (PADMA) as a self-regulatory body. Who among the following is the head of this organisation?
A. Mool Chand Garg
B. Anu Malhotra
C. Vipin Sanghi
D. Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel
Answer: A
Current Affairs: Environment and Ecology
UN Groundwater Summit 2022
The importance of protecting groundwater and methods for its sustainable use will be the highlight of the United Nations-Water Summit on Groundwater 2022, which began on 7th December 2022 in Paris, France.
The two-day conference will be organised by UN-Water, UNESCO and the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre.
Organised by: UN-Water, UNESCO and the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre.
Objective:
To raise awareness on groundwater conservation and to highlight the opportunities and challenges of groundwater management.
To mark the completion of the “Groundwater: Making the invisible visible” campaign run by UN-Water throughout 2022.
Themes:
The major theme of the discussions is the five pillars of the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework – data and information, capacity development, innovation, finance and governance.
Making the “Invisible Visible” Campaign:
It highlighted the role of groundwater in alleviating poverty, food and water insecurity and other socio-economic development hurdles.
About Ground Water and Facts:
Water seeps through rocks and soil and is stored beneath the ground. Aquifers are the rocks in which groundwater is stored.
This untapped resource accounts for only 0.62% of the total water and 30% of freshwater accessible on the planet.
It is a vital resource that provides almost half of drinking water, 40% of water for irrigation and a third of water required for the industry worldwide.
The role of groundwater in human development becomes bigger in the face of water scarcity affecting about 2.7 billion people around the world.
Groundwater Situation in India:
Groundwater is India’s most used water resource, accounting for a quarter of total global groundwater extraction.
According to the 2021 CAG report, groundwater extraction in India has exceeded the recharge rate, threatening 80% of potable water over the next two decades.
Govt Schemes:
Atal Bhujal Yojana
Jal Shakti Abhiyan
Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme
Today’s Fact Book: 8th December 2022
Jeevan Pramaan Patra
Recently, the government has disbursed the Jeevan Pramaan Patra using the network of Postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks in the country.
Using Jeevan Pramaan, a pensioner can now digitally provide proof of his/her existence to authorities for continuity of pension every year instead of requiring to present himself/herself physically or through a Life Certificate issued by specified authorities.
Jeevan Pramaan is a biometric-enabled digital service for pensioners. Pensioners of the Central Government, State Government or any other Government organisation can take benefit from this facility.
The scheme was launched on 10th November 2014.
The Digital Life Certificate facility is not available to Remarried or Re-employed Pensioners.
Rise in Group A streptococcus (GAS) bacterium Cases in the UK
Recently, at least six children lost their lives to a common bacterial infection called invasive Group A Strep (GAS) in the United Kingdom
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a bacterium commonly found in throats and on the skin
It generally does not cause illnesses. However, it causes a number of infections that range from mild to fatal
Some of the symptoms of GAS infections are sore throat, fever, chills and muscle aches
These infections are spread by close contact with infected persons, coughs, sneezes and from wounds
The bacteria can also spread from asymptomatic patients who have the bacteria in their bodies but do not feel unwell or show symptoms
Lt. Gen Asim Munir was appointed as the new Army Chief of Pakistan
Lieutenant General Asim Munir was recently appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan following weeks of intense speculation and political tussle in the country.
Lt. Gen Asim Munir is at present the Quarter Master General at GHQ and is said to be close to General Bajwa.
As a Brigadier, Munir was a Commander in the Force Command North Areas (FCNA) at a time when Bajwa was a Commander of the X Corps.
Lt. Gen Asim Munir is a graduate of the Officers Training School, Mangla, and the Senior-most of the Present corp of two-star generals. They are all from the same batch of the Pakistan Military Academy.
Four diplomats and US lawmakers were honoured with the 2022 ‘Diwali- Power of One’ award at the UN.
Four veteran diplomats and a US lawmaker have been honoured with this year’s annual ‘Diwali- Power of One’ award for their efforts in working towards a peaceful and secure world by the UN recently
Hailed as the ‘Oscars of Diplomacy’, the award is presented to former Permanent Representatives or former High-Level members of the UN Secretariat or member state, or soon-to-be “former”, who have “toiled selflessly to help form a more perfect, peaceful and secure world for all”
Former Permanent Representative of Georgia to the UN and current Ambassador to Canada Kaha Imnadze and former Permanent Representative of Grenada to the United Nations Keisha McGuire were among those who were honoured
The UN General Assembly recognised the significance of Diwali in its resolution in 2014
Thereafter, Diwali Foundation USA Inc. was established in 2017 to promote a peaceful and consensus-based process to achieve societal ‘Good’, as it befits the high hopes and ideals of humanity enshrined in the United Nations Charter
The Foundation established the “Diwali Stamp – The Power of One” Award to celebrate and highlight the important work done in a peaceful manner, especially at the United Nations
Agriculture Investment Portal inaugurated
The Ministry of Agriculture inaugurated an integrated ‘Agriculture Investment portal’
“Krishi Nivesh Portal” (Agriculture Investment Portal) will prove to be a milestone in terms of investment in the agriculture sector
It will be a centralised, one-stop portal for agri-investors to avail benefits of various government schemes implemented by various departments related to agriculture and allied sectors
ChatGPT a ‘conversational’ AI
ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence tool developed by OpenAI, has created a buzz among computer scientists and programmers due to its creative capabilities
ChatGPT is a ‘conversational’ AI and will answer queries just like a human would
It can answer follow-up questions
It can also “admit its mistakes”
It can challenge incorrect premises and reject inappropriate requests
It is being seen as a replacement for much of the daily mundane writing, from an email to even college-style essays
OpenAI, a research and development firm, was founded as a nonprofit in 2015
It has used the GPT 3.5 series of language learning models (LLM)
GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3
It relies on deep learning techniques to produce ‘human-like text based on inputs’
Square Kilometre Array
Construction of the world’s largest radio astronomy observatory, the Square Kilometre Array, has begun in Australia after three decades in development
The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project is an international effort to build the world’s largest radio telescope, with eventually over a square kilometre (one million square metres) of collecting area
Two SKA telescopes are constructed at radio-quiet sites in South Africa and Australia
The SKA will give astronomers insight into the formation and evolution of the first stars and galaxies after the Big Bang, the role of cosmic magnetism, and the nature of gravity
The SKA Observatory (SKAO) is an inter-governmental organisation established in early 2021
The SKAO, dedicated to radio astronomy, is headquartered in the UK
It will undertake the construction, operation and maintenance of the SKA telescopes
Organisations from 16 member countries take part in the SKA project
National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) represents participation from India
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