Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
In Chile, at least 23 people were killed in devastating forest fires which occurred after a blistering heat wave in the central part of the country.
The state of emergency has been extended in the South American country. According to an official briefing on Saturday at least 979 people have been affected following the calamity.

Notes:
‘World Pulses Day’ is observed on February 10 to raise global awareness about the importance of pulses as a stable global food source that delivers nutritional and environmental security across the world.
The theme for World Pulses Day 2023 is ‘Pulses for a Sustainable Future’.

Notes:
QR code-based coin vending machine or QCVM has been announced as a part of the recently concluded RBI Monetary policy.
QCVM is intended to dispense coins similar to how ATMs dispense currency notes. Coins can be withdrawn using the UPI QR code in designated vending machines. RBI plans to launch the product in 19 locations across 12 cities.

Notes:
Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah is an Arabic academy that exclusively caters to the education of children belonging to the Dawoodi Bohra community.
Prime Minister Modi recently inaugurated a new Mumbai campus of the Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah. It is the second such campus in India. The first campus was set up in 1810 in Surat.

Notes:
The Indian government announced that retail inflation increased to 6.52% in January from 5.72% in December 2022, mainly due to the rise in food prices.
Retail inflation is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Reserve Bank of India’s household survey on inflation expectations forecasts that retail inflation will remain elevated in the next year due to a general increase in prices across different sectors.

Notes:
Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday in the US that is celebrated on the third Monday of February every year.
The holiday is a tribute to past US presidents, particularly George Washington, who was born on February 22.  The significance of the holiday is to pay tribute to the leaders who have served the country.

Notes:
The winners of the 2023 Wolf Prize were announced recently. The eight recipients come from five different countries and three of the laureates are from the United States.
Israel’s Wolf Prize has been awarded since 1978 and is considered one of the world’s most prestigious awards for scientific and artistic achievements. The scientific categories include Medicine, Agriculture, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics. The art categories are in Painting and Sculpting, Music, and Architecture.

Notes:
The IT Department recently launched surveys at the BBC’s offices under Section 133A and other provisions of the IT Act, 1961.
The Act allows the IT Department to conduct surveys to gather hidden information. Under Section 133A of the IT Act, an authorized officer is allowed to enter any place of business or profession or charitable activity within their jurisdiction to verify accounting books and other documents as well as stocks, cash and other assets.

Notes:
Spain recently became the first European country to approve a law that will grant paid menstrual leave.
It is part of broader legislation that also provides increased access to abortion in public hospitals. The new Spanish legislation provides paid medical leave for women who suffer from severe period pain. It allows workers who are suffering from menstrual pain to take as much time off as required.

Notes:
The International Engineering and Technology Fair 2023 was inaugurated recently by President of India Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi.
This is the 25th edition of the global fair. It covers 11 areas of emerging technologies and provides a global platform to bring together policymakers, technical experts, CEOs, sourcing personnel, diplomats, government and trade dignitaries.