Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
According to data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) in its latest Twenty Point Programme (TPP) progress report, only 9,753 km of roads could be constructed Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the first six months of FY23.
Performance of a programme is considered ‘poor’ by the NSO if the level of targets achieved is below 80 per cent.

Notes:
Chinese internet search major Baidu is planning to launch an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot service similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
The firm plans to launch the service as a standalone application and merge it into its search engine. ChatGPT’s technology works by learning from vast amounts of data how to answer prompts by users in a human-like manner, offering information like a search engine. Microsoft has a USD 1 billion investment in San Francisco-based OpenAI.

Notes:
In New Zealand, deadly flood emergency continued after heavy rainfall hit the country’s north island, causing landslides and flash floods.
At least three people have died and one is missing after New Zealand’s largest city Auckland experienced its wettest day. The nation’s weather forecaster, MetService, warned of more severe weather across Auckland.

Notes:
Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus beats Elena Rybakina to secure the women’s singles title in Australian Open 2023.
Aryna Sabalenka is the first athlete without a flag to win a singles Grand Slam since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Sabalenka, seeded 5th, will regain her second ranking after winning her first major championship. Sabalenka has 11 victories and two titles, so far in the year.

Notes:
Patiala’s first Military Literature Festival recently concluded in the city of Patiala, Punjab. The Brave Heart Ride Motorcycle Rally was flagged off.
During the Patiala Military Literature Festival concluding day, Black Elephant Division of Indian Army Major paid tributes to the martyrs by offering floral garlands at War Memorial complex Cenotaph of Patiala State Forces and Black Elephant.

Notes:
Google’s Threat Analysis Group has blocked the group known as ‘Spamouflage Dragon’ and ‘Dragonbridge’.
The group typically share contents, which are pro-China views and included a higher volume of content critical of the United States. Threat Analysis Group’s (TAG) mission aims to understand and counter serious threats, including actors engaged in coordinated information operations (IO).

Notes:
According to the World Economic Outlook update released by the IMF, about 84 percent of countries are expected to have lower headline (CPI) inflation in 2023 than in 2022.
Inflation in India is expected to come down from 6.8 percent in the current fiscal year to 5 percent the next fiscal, and then drop further to 4 percent in 2024.

Notes:
Air Marshal AP Singh has assumed charge as the new Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force. The Air Marshal was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF in 1984.
He has more than 5,000 hours of flying experience. Prior to assuming his current appointment, he was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Central Air Command. He is a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.

Notes:
As per the Economic Survey 2022-23, the central and state governments’ budgeted expenditure on healthcare touched 2.1 % of GDP in FY23 and 2.2% in FY22.
In FY21, the figure was only 1.6% in FY21. The Survey said that the share of expenditure on health in total expenditure on social services has risen from 21% in FY19 to 26 % in FY23 (BE). Out of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) as a percentage of total health expenditure has declined from 64.2% in FY14 to 48.2% in FY19.

Notes:
Minister of Tourism G. Kishan Reddy launched the Visit India Year – 2023 initiative. He also unveiled its logo, kicking off plans and activities for promoting tourism in the country.
Over one lakh foreign delegates will visit India this year and they will be showcased the entire arena of India’s culture, including monuments and festivals.