Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2023

Notes:
Pakistan’s Cabinet has approved the signing of a new security pact with the U.S., a move that indicates a fresh start in defence cooperation after years of distrust between the two nations and may open avenues for Islamabad to get military hardware from Washington.
Through a circulation summary, the Cabinet gave its seal of approval to sign the Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement, known as the CIS-MOA, between Pakistan and the U.S.

Notes:
In July, the United Nations food agency reported that the rice price index rose by 2.8%, reaching its highest level in nearly 12 years.
The increase was driven by strong demand and export restrictions imposed by India, affecting prices in key exporting countries, as indicated by the Food and Agriculture Organization’s All Rice Price Index.

Notes:
Aditi Swami, Parneet Kaur and Jyothi Surekha Vennam of the compound women’s archery team won India’s first ever gold medal in World Archery Championships 2023 in Berlin.
Sergio Pagni, a two-time World Cup Final winner, was hired as chief compound archery coach in December last year.

Notes:
The daily global sea surface temperatures have surpassed the 2016 record, reaching 20.96°C, which is significantly higher than the usual average for this period.
The previous record was established during the 2016 El Niño event, when it touched 20.95C. Scientists say that the record will continue to be broken, as usually oceans are at their hottest globally in March, not August.

Notes:
Northern muriquis are critically endangered monkeys, emphasizing the importance of successfully breeding healthy offspring for their survival.
Researchers are studying their faeces to gain insights into their mating behaviors and partner selection.

Notes:
Eight Amazon nations that share the Amazon basin, agreed to a list of unified environmental policies and measures to promote regional cooperation, in the Brazilian city of Belém for the Amazon summit.
They agreed to launch an alliance to protect the Amazon, and to combat deforestation but failed to agree on a common goal for ending deforestation. The summit brought together the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) for the first time in 14 years. The joint statement, named the Belém declaration was also released.

Notes:
Recently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Academy in Ghaziabad became the tenth member of the Interpol Global Academy Network.
This inclusion will facilitate the creation and execution of combined training initiatives and research endeavors.

Notes:
The National Health Authority (NHA) has extended the Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS) of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission until December 31, 2023.
The scheme offers incentives to hospitals, diagnostic labs, and digital health solution providers to encourage digitization under the ABDM.

Notes:
AU Small Finance Bank has set a new benchmark by introducing India’s first 24×7 Video Banking customer service.
This feature offers a digital platform for customers to interact directly with a video banker through real-time video calls, akin to video conferencing.

Notes:
Every year, World Lion Day is observed on August 10. The day was first established in 2013 by Big Cat Rescue – the world’s largest accredited sanctuary dedicated to lions.
The Day is observed annually on a global scale to raise awareness about their conservation and protection. It serves as a platform to educate people about the challenges faced by the lions across the world and to promote efforts to conserve them as well as to celebrate.