Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

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:
China has introduced a 30 days paid marriage leave plan is aimed at increasing the country’s declining birth rate.
This policy change aims to encourage young couples to get married and have children, and is seen as an effective way to increase the fertility rate. The extension of marriage leave is especially being implemented in areas with relatively slow economic development.

Notes:
First loss default guarantee (FLDG) arrangement allowed fin-tech companies to provide a guarantee to compensate for up to a certain percentage of default in a loan portfolio.
The RBI has banned the FLDG arrangement under its digital lending guidelines due to concerns regarding fin-techs taking on default risks without regulation. Fintech lenders are exploring alternative business models.

Notes:
During an El Nino event, the trade winds that usually blow from east to west across the Pacific weaken, causing warm water to move towards the central and eastern Pacific.
This year is expected to witness the setting in of the El Nino weather. Although El Niño is a natural occurrence, there are concerns that climate change may aggravate its frequency and intensity.

Notes:
The I2U2 Group consists of four countries – India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
Recently, the inaugural I2U2 Business Forum was organized in Abu Dhabi. This meeting discussed the possibility of building integrated agricultural facilities across India.

Notes:
le Clot is an ancient crater located within the Domaine du Meteore vineyard in France. It measures 220 meters in diameter and 30 meters in depth.
This is a major discovery since finding of small crater is rare. Currently, only 3 structures have been recorded -one in France and two in Germany. The presence of the le Clot was confirmed after finding the presence of iron oxide spherules, shock microdiamonds, and a magnetic low within the crater.

Notes:
Kaziranga National Park is a protected area located in the Indian state of Assam. It is home to a large population of one-horned rhinoceroses,
As of 2018 census, 2,613 rhinos are living in the park. The Central government has sought a factual report on the rhino population numbers in the National Park and Tiger Reserve based on the survey conducted in March 2022. Earlier, an activist found the possibility of number of rhinos being inflated.

Notes:
A dangerous mix of Fentanyl and animal tranquilizer ‘Xylazine’, known as “Tranq Dope,” is being sold in the US.
Xylazine, an animal tranquilizer, is known for destructive effects on people’s skin. The substance is being used as a synthetic cutting agent for opioids like heroin and is causing outbreaks of skin infections and overdoses in major cities across the country.

Notes:
The Urban 20 (U20) Engagement Group held its inaugural event in Ahmedabad, attended by more than 70 delegates from 42 cities. This is the largest recorded attendance since the inception of U20.
The U20 meeting focused on the role of cities in economic prosperity and ecological harmony. The meeting aimed to equip city governments with on-ground solutions to close the gap between policy and practice.

Notes:
New Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) recently announced the Annual Green School Awards.
The schools underwent an audit process to assess their resource management and environment-friendly practices on campus. Nineteen schools were awarded the topmost Annual Green School Awards. Additionally, the programme recognized Himachal Pradesh as the Best Green State.