Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2023

Notes:
Shia Muslims around the world take out Ashura processions to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, a grandson of the Prophet, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in present day Iraq
Thousands of Shia Muslims in Srinagar held a Muharram procession for the first time in over three decades, following the government’s permission.

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:
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 Government of Telangana is planning to launch a scheme named Labour Bima on the lines of the existing scheme Rythu Bima.
It is an insurance scheme and the insurance coverage for the beneficiaries will be raised from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh. It is also proposed that the renewal period will be extended from five years to ten years.

Notes:
NASA is using rocks from Scotland’s Isle of Rum to practice testing methods for examining Martian rocks, as they share similarities in geological, mineral, and chemical content.
The igneous rocks from the Isle of Rum exhibit comparable geological, mineral, and chemical characteristics to those discovered on Mars.

Notes:
Pension regulator PFRDA has barred Annuity Service Providers (ASPs) from deploying any agency of intermediaries for sourcing annuities business from NPS subscribers upon their retirement or exit from the NPS.
Annuities under National Pension System (NPS) can be issued by ASPs only under direct channels, as per the official sources.

Notes:
Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek began her 70th straight week as the World No. 1 in the latest WTA Rankings.
Four-time Major winner Swiatek increased the gap between herself and World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka by winning her maiden WTA 250 title in Warsaw, her home tournament.

Notes:
‘Great Barrier Reef’ is the world’s largest coral reef system, located in Australia. UNESCO, the United Nations organization responsible for deciding on the potential in danger listing of the Great Barrier Reef, chose to postpone the decision for another year rather than voting on it.
This is mainly due to the change in approach by the Australian government.

Notes:
The Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida is set to host India’s inaugural MotoGP Bharat race, making it the 31st country to host a motorcycle grand prix.
Despite having previously held Formula 1 races, this will mark the first time India hosts the premier motorcycle race.

Notes:
On International Tiger Day, it was revealed that Bhutan’s Tiger population has grown by 27% since the previous count in 2015.
The announcement was made following the culmination of Bhutan’s National Tiger Survey 2021-22.