Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2023

Notes:
Markets regulator SEBI has asked stock exchanges to set up an Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) platform
The platform will give investors an opportunity to square off their position or cancel pending orders in case of disruption of trading services. There is a rise in instances of glitches in systems of trading members, some of which lead to disruption of trading services.

Notes:
A military court in Myanmar sentenced the country’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to a further seven years in prison on charges of corruption.
This has increased her total jail term to 33 years. The court ruling found Suu Kyi guilty of corruption in relation to purchase, repair and rental of a helicopter for use during natural disasters and state affairs

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission (StartupTN) has rolled out special packages of assistance for Green Tech, Rural Impact and Women-led startups.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the initiative, which included funds earmarked under StartupTN’s flagship grant scheme, Tamil Nadu Startup Seed Grant Fund (TANSEED). It also announced a 50 per cent increase in grants for startups falling under special categories.  He also launched a MentorTN portal, under which budding startups can approach successful entrepreneurs, professionals and trusted subject matter experts.

Notes:
The new integrated food security Scheme was rolled out with effect from 1 January 2023. It would provide free food grains to 81.35 crore beneficiaries under National Food Security Act (NFSA).
The new scheme will subsume two current food subsidy schemes of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution namely the Food Subsidy to FCI for NFSA, and Food Subsidy for decentralized procurement states.

Notes:
The Theosophical Society was founded in 1875 by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and others. It is a worldwide body with the aim to advance the ideas of Theosophy.
The 147th International Convention of the Theosophical Society (TS) was organised at its international headquarters in Adyar. “The theme of this conference is ‘Our Responsibility in the Interconnected World’.

Notes:
India’s unemployment rate reached a 16-month high of 8.3 percent in December 2022 according to a report by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).
CMIE added that the increase was partly due to the increase in labour participation rate.  The urban unemployment rate increased to 10.09 percent in December while the rural unemployment rate was marginally lower at 7.44 percent. At 37.4 percent, Haryana reported the highest unemployment rate among states, followed by Rajasthan at 28.5 percent and Delhi at 20.8 percent.

Notes:
India’s Commerce Department has initiated an investigation into dumping allegations on imports of certain printed circuit boards (PCBs) originating from China and Hong Kong.
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), part of the Commerce and Industry Ministry, said the Indian Printed Circuit Association (IPCA) had alleged that domestic PCB industry has been hit by dumping.

Notes:
Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland were made the new members of the U.N. Security Council for the two-year seats they won unopposed in June.
The five countries would replace India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway in the Council. The ambassadors of the five countries installed their national flags alongside those of other members outside the council chambers.

Notes:
A 49-year-old Missouri inmate was put to death for a 2003 killing, in the first execution of a transgender person in the United States.
A database on the website for the anti-execution Death Penalty Information Center shows that 1,558 people have been executed since the death penalty was reinstated in the country in mid-1970s.

Notes:
Karnataka received clearance from the Centre for two Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) on the Kalasa-Banduri Nala on the Mahadayi River.
Goa objected to this decision and has planned to represent its concern to the Centre. The Kalasa Banduri Nala project aims to divert water from Mahadayi to satisfy the drinking water needs of 4 districts of Karnataka. The river originates in Belagavi district of Karnataka and flows into the Arabian Sea in Goa.