Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
The International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is observed across the global level on February 15. This day commemorate the establishment of the Childhood Cancer International, which is a federation of child cancer support groups from across the world.
This international federation was founded in the year 1994. The objective of the ICCD is to bring global awareness about children with cancer. It also seeks to provide assistance for them. “Better Survival” is the slogan for this 3-year initiative of International Childhood Cancer Day campaign.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India released the Draft Reserve Bank of India (Government Securities Lending) Directions, 2023.
These draft norms seek to regulate the lending and borrowing of government securities (G-secs) in the securities lending market.  According to the draft norms, the Government Securities Lending (GSL) transactions can be done for a minimum duration of 1 day and a maximum duration of 90 days.

Notes:
The Tourism Ministry will organise first Global Tourism Investors’ Summit from this year in New Delhi to showcase opportunities in the Tourism and hospitality sector.
The Summit will deliberate on potential opportunities for investment across tourism segments including hotels and restaurants, adventure and eco-tourism, cruise, and other related tourism sectors.

Notes:
India and Fiji signed a Memorandum of Understanding on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Under this agreement, diplomatic and official passport holders will be able to enter, transit, and stay in each other territories without a visa for a period not exceeding 90 days.

Notes:
The Vertiplane X3 drone was used to carry out a demonstration in Uttarakhand, where it transported 2 kg of anti-tuberculosis drugs from AIIMS Rishikesh to a district hospital in Tehri Garhwal.
The demonstration covered an aerial distance of around 40 km in just 30 minutes. The drone is a ‘made-in-India hybrid’ e-VTOL with a maximum speed of 120 kmph. It was developed by Tech-Eagle Innovations.

Notes:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has developed an indigenous data link communication named ‘Vayulink’. It uses the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) that is also known as NAVIC, to send radio communication to the base station when the signals are low.
The Vayulink system also prevents aircraft collision, provides better combat teaming and helps plan real-time basis.

Notes:
World Pangolin Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in February, which aims to raise awareness about these unique mammals.
International non-profit organisation TRAFFIC has released a fact sheet on the eve of World Pangolin Day. It reported that 1,203 pangolins have been found in illegal wildlife trade in India from 2018 to 2022. The pangolin scales are used as an ingredient in traditional medicine in China and Southeast Asia.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh cabinet has decided to close all the bars operating in the state, and the liquor shops only will be allowed to sell liquor to the customers at the shop.
‘Ahatas’, an area attached to a liquor shop for people to drink and shop bars have been closed under the new excise policy. As per the policy, distance of liquor shops from educational institutions has also been increased from the earlier 50 to 100 meters.

Notes:
An invasive species is an organism that is not indigenous, or native, to a particular area. The Burmese python is a species of constrictor snake found in Southeast Asia.
It is one of the world’s largest snakes, capable of growing more than 20 feet long and weighing over 200 pounds.  It has become an invasive species in certain parts of the world, particularly in the Everglades wetland in the US. The snake feeds on a variety of animals and this invasive species is a significant threat to native wildlife.

Notes:
Canada’s super pigs have been recently spotted in the United States. These non-indigenous species cause major damage to the North American region by spreading diseases and eating away the crops.
Super pig came as a result of the cross-breeding of domestic pigs and wild boars. It is highly intelligent and elusive. The crossbreed was created to help pigs withstand the subzero temperature in Canada.