Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
The Paris Club is an informal group of creditor nations that functions as a platform for official creditors that resolves payment issues faced by debtor countries. All of its 22 member states belong to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The Paris Club has recently decided to offer financial support to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for Sri Lanka’s debt.

Notes:
Quasicrystal is a substance that has atoms orderly arranged like a crystal but its atomic structure is more complex and does not repeat periodically in all directions. This unique complex pattern makes it different from a normal crystal.
Recently, a new type of quasicrystal was discovered in the north central Nebraska’s Sand Hills in the USA.  It had 12-fold symmetry. It may have been created during an accidental electrical discharge because of a downed power line or a lightning strike.

Notes:
India’s first “frozen-lake marathon” is going to be organised at Pangong Tso lake in the union territory of Ladakh.
This event will be held at an altitude of 13,862 feet and cover a distance of 21 kilometers. The marathon will start at Lukung and end at Maan village. The Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will oversee the event. This marathon is called the ‘Last Run’ to highlight the issue of climate change.

Notes:
India has planned to launch a global initiative called the Millet International Initiative for Research and Awareness (MIIRA) to promote the consumption and production of millets.
MIIRA will coordinate international millet research programs and support research on millet crops. This global initiative will also raise awareness and promote millet consumption. India will provide the initial funding, while other G20 countries will contribute to the budget.

Notes:
Hericium erinaceus, also known as lion’s mane mushroom, is an edible mushroom found in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Researchers have recently identified a new active compound in the lion’s mane mushroom. This compound is found to be capable of boosting nerve growth and enhancing the memory capacity. This may have a potential to counter Alzheimer’s disease.

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:
Eighteen-year-old Jerlin Anika Jayaratchagan, a Deaflympic champion, qualifies in the general category at the Olympics.
Jerlin Anika became the first Woman Deaflympian to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award. She holds the record of the youngest player to represent India in Summer Deaflympics at the age of 13 She clinched three gold medals at the 2021 Summer Deaflympics.

Notes:
Article 93 of the Indian Constitution mandates the election of the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
The Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha is the second-highest ranking legislative official in the House of the People. The Supreme Court recently issued notices to the Centre and five states namely Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand over the failure to elect a Deputy Speaker.

Notes:
Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral illness that affects cattle, caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) of the Capripoxvirus genus.
This disease is characterized by the formation of nodules or lumps on the skin, accompanied by fever and other symptoms. It causes reduced milk production, weight loss, damage to hides and welfare issues.

Notes:
The ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ is a national tribal festival organized by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED).
This nationwide festival celebrates the Indian tribal community’s traditional art, culture, crafts, gastronomy, and trade. Special emphasis will be placed on exhibiting millets grown by tribal people.