Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
Kerala Police have recently arrested 113 people who were accused in various criminal cases, under ‘Operation Aag’.
The raids are being held to arrest those who were placed under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act. Other initiatives of the state police include ‘Pink patrol’ which is specifically for women’s safety, ‘Prasanthi’ for senior citizens among others.

Notes:
Scientists have discovered the oldest known stone tools in Kenya, dating back 2.9 million years, known as Oldowan toolkit.
This toolkit included hammer-stones, cores and flakes. It is a critical invention for early human ancestors that expanded across Africa and China. The discovery provides a glimpse of importance of stone technology in adapting to different environments.

Notes:
Smart Cities Mission is the Indian Government’s urban renewal program that seeks to create sustainable and citizen-centric smart cities.
It is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Housing Urban Affairs in collaboration with the state governments. As many as 22 smart cities are expected to complete all projects under the Smart Cities Mission. The remaining 78 smart cities under this mission are expected to complete their projects in the next 3 to 4 months.

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:
The Union Ministry of Mines announced that lithium reserves have been found in Jammu and Kashmir, a first in the country.
The Geological Survey of India established 5.9 million tonnes of inferred lithium resources in the Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District in Jammu and Kashmir. This could boost the manufacturing of rechargeable batteries for electric cars, smartphones, and laptops and cut India’s dependence on lithium imports. ​​

Notes:
Jupiter recently became the planet with the most moons, after a dozen new moons were discovered around it. The planet has surpassed Saturn with its list of 92 moons in all.
The spacecraft, dubbed Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer or Juice, has arrived at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. It is a new mission from Earth is ready to explore the planet’s biggest moons and will be launched in April this year.

Notes:
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the National Philatelic Exhibition- AMRITPEX in New Delhi. Philately is the collection and study of postage stamps.
The event displays more than 20,000 exhibits under 13 competitive categories and a special section on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Department of Posts also released a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat trains in Maharashtra high-speed rail connection.
The Mumbai-Solapur and Mumbai-Sainagar Vande Bharat Express were flagged off from Mumbai. With this, the number of Vande Bharat Express trains running from Mumbai will increase to three and the count will go up to 10 for the country.

Notes:
Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita stepped down from her position citing a lack of support in the country.
Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe and a former Soviet Republic. The pro-Western government had been in power for just 18 months. Moldova’s President Maia Sandu accepted Gavrilita’s resignation.

Notes:
President of India Droupadi Murmu appointed governors in 12 states and a Union Territory while accepting the resignation of two Governors namely Maharashtra’s Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Ladakh’s Radha Krishnan Mathur.
Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais is now Governor of Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh governor Brigadier B D Mishra (retired) has been appointed as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.