UN Declares Pakistan Based Abdul Rehman Makki a Global Terrorist

UN Declares Pakistan Based Abdul Rehman Makki a Global Terrorist

• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has listed Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki as a global terrorist. Makki is the brother-in-law of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.
• The development comes after India last year slammed China after it blocked the proposal to list Makki under the Sanctions Committee. 
• Makki, who has been involved in raising funds, recruiting, and radicalizing the youth to plan attacks in India, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, has already been listed as a terrorist by India and the United States. He has been in various leadership roles within the terrorist organisation.
• The UN Security Council’s 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee added 68-year-old Makki, the brother-in-law of JUD/LeT Chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, to its list of designated terrorists after China withdrew its hold on a joint proposal by India and the US.

BJP chief J.P. Nadda’stenure extended till June next year

• BJP president J.P. Nadda’sterm has been extended till June 2024, with the party now poised to face the next Lok Sabha election with him at the helm. 
• The decision, one of the expected outcomes of the BJP’s national executive meeting, was endorsed on the final day of the two-day meeting in New Delhi. 
• It also quietens speculation on whether the BJP’s loss in Himachal Pradesh, Mr. Nadda’s home State, would be laid at his door.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah made the formal announcement to the media, stating that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had tabled bled the proposal, which was endorsed by the 350 or so delegates at the meet. 
• Mr. Nadda’s tenure was to end in January 2023 as he had been elected for a three-year term in January2020.  

Ministry of Environment Included Neelakurinji on the List of Protected Plants

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has listed Neelakurinji under Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including it on the list of protected plants. 
• Neelakurinji has been included in the list after the Centre increased the earlier protected list of six plant species to 19.
• As per the order, those uprooting or destroying the plant will be fined Rs 25,000 and imprisoned for three years, furthermore, cultivation and possession of Neelakurinji are not permitted.
• Neelakurinji is a shrub found in the Western Ghats in the Shola forests in the Southern part of India. It is peculiar that it blooms only once in twelve years. It has also given the name Nilgiris to the mountains of the region owing to its blue colour. 
• It usually grows at an elevation of 1300 – 2400 m and a height between 30 – 60 cm. The flowers have a majestic purple-blue colour. There are around 46 Kurinji species found in India.

Uttar Pradesh tops charts for mobile gaming destination in India

• Uttar Pradesh (UP) has emerged as the top location for mobile gamers, followed by Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, and West Bengal, according to the India Mobile Gaming Report 2022 issued by the gaming platform Mobile Premier League (MPL).
• Among the most popular games played by participants were Ludo Dice, Snakes and Ladders, Carrom, Fruit Dart, Block Puzzle, and Poker.
• India overtook Japan as the top user of mobile games in 2016. The Indian gaming market was worth $2.6 billion in the fiscal year 2022 with over 15 billion downloads, and with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27%, it would increase to $8.6 billion by 2027.
• This development demonstrates the widespread acceptance of mobile gaming outside of urban centres, according to the study.