Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2023

Notes:
Digital payments across the country registered a growth of 13.24 per cent in a year through March 2023, as per RBI’s index that measures the adoption of online transactions.
RBI’s Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI) stood at 395.57 at end-March 2023 compared to 377.46 in September 2022 and 349.30 in March 2022. The index is a base to capture the extent of digitisation of payments across the country.

Notes:
Researchers from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology have conducted a recent study, indicating the potential formation of three glacial lakes near Parkachik Glacier in Ladakh due to rapid ice melting.
The increasing glacial melt is concerning as it raises the risk of glacial lake outbursts and may also cause water scarcity, given that glaciers serve as the main water source for the region.

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:
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is the condition characterized by the inflammation and swelling of the conjunctiva, a thin, transparent tissue layer that covers the inner surface of the eyelid and the white part of the eye.
The continuous rainfall has led to an increase in instances of conjunctivitis, also known as ‘pink eye,’ in various regions of the country, such as New Delhi, Chandigarh, and Gujarat.

Notes:
The second Russia–Africa Summit was held at St. Petersburg, Russia on 27 and 28 July 2023. It was originally scheduled to be held at African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.
At the commencement of the Summit, President Putin promised to provide free grain shipments to six African countries. Under this commitment, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea will receive 25,000-50,000 tons of grain in the upcoming months.

Notes:
The Central African Republic, a land locked country in African continent, has conducted a voting in a referendum for a new constitution. This comes after the country witnessing multiple coups.
In 2020, Mr. Touadera secured a second term as President of the country until 2025. If the referendum is passed, it would allow the existing President for a third term.

Notes:
Pakistan and China ink six agreements to help undertake the second phase of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects under a new model.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng witnessed the signing ceremony to mark 10 years of the CPEC. The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan’s Balochistan with China’s Xinjiang province, is opposed by India as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

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:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the Lokmanya Tilak National Award. He is the 41st recipient of the award.
The Lokmanya Tilak National Award is handed out by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust. The trust was founded in 1983 in honour of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Other notable recipients include former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh.

Notes:
Parliament has passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2023. The Rajya Sabha cleared it by voting 131 MPs in favour of the bill, while 102 MPs against bill.
It empowers the Central Government to make rules in connection with the affairs of the Government of Delhi. It also has a provision of the constitution of the National Capital Civil Service Authority, consisting of Delhi Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary of Delhi, and the Principal Home Secretary of Delhi.