Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2023

Notes:
Union government said that India had seen no deaths due to manual scavenging in the last five years, as per the data submitted by the Social Justice Ministry.
It also added that 330 people had died while being engaged in cleaning sewers and septic tanks. Social Justice Ministry says manual scavenging no longer practised in India; Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Bihar among States with all districts reporting free status.

Notes:
West Bengal, which is home to about 40% of mangrove forests in India, announced the setting up of a ‘Mangrove Cell’ in the State, on the occasion of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.
This platform will bring continuity to the efforts of State government in mangrove management. The Cell has an annual action plan for the plantation of mangroves and it will look at maintenance and coordinate with NGOs.

Notes:
The Italian parliament has given its approval to a contentious bill that makes it a criminal offense for citizens to travel abroad to pursue surrogacy arrangements.
This law, which has faced significant opposition, is specifically aimed at discouraging Italians from participating in surrogacy arrangements, and it carries the possibility of substantial fines exceeding USD 1 million and potential prison sentences of up to two years for those found guilty.

Notes:
India and Papua New Guinea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the sharing of INDIA STACK.
It was signed between the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) of the Papua New Guinea and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of India.

Notes:
The United States has announced USD 345 million in military aid for Taiwan. This is Biden administration’s first major package drawing on America’s own stockpiles to help Taiwan counter China.
The package would include defense, education and training for the Taiwanese. Washington will send man-portable air defense systems, or MANPADS, intelligence and surveillance capabilities, firearms and missiles, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

Notes:
After a fatal military drill accident resulting in four deaths, Australia has decided to suspend the operation of its Taipan helicopter fleet.
During the Talisman Sabre exercise, in which 30,000 military personnel from countries like Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany were involved, the helicopter was taking part.

Notes:
China has initiated a series of new projects under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through Nepal, aiming to enhance collaboration with Southeast and South Asian countries, which may impact India’s strategic interests in the region.
These projects, collectively known as the ‘Silk Roadster’ platform, were launched to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the BRI.

Notes:
The ‘2023 Plastic Overshoot Day’ Report was released recently by the Swiss-based research consultancy Earth Action.
According to this report, approximately 68,642,999 tonnes of extra plastic waste will be dumped into the environment this year.

Notes:
Bihar’s caste-based survey resumed a day after the Patna High Court allowed the State government to continue with it.
The Patna High Court has dismissed all petitions filed against the decision of the Bihar Government to conduct a caste-based survey. The survey is being conducted at a cost of ₹500 crore, approved by the Cabinet of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Notes:
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and AYUSH inaugurated the Port Health Organisation (PHO) module within the Sagar Setu – National Logistics Portal (Marine) to facilitate a more efficient and streamlined ecosystem, promoting Ease of Doing Business (EODB).
The PHO will be responsible for disease surveillance, health inspections, and quarantine measures to ensure the safety of citizens and port workers.