Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
The historical India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed in the year 2022.
The historical India-UAE CEPA is the first bilateral trade accord concluded by the UAE and India’s first bilateral trade agreement in the MENA region. Marking a successful year of CEPA signing, a Special Business Event was organised by FICCI in association with the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and Consulate General of India, Dubai.

Notes:
The Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has been recently launched at Pyongyang International Airport, in North Korea.
South Korea alleged that North Korea could test-fire intercontinental ballistic missiles on a lower, longer trajectory and conduct its seventh nuclear test this year. North Korea has so far conducted ICBM tests only on lofted trajectories.

Notes:
The 49th meeting of the GST Council was held recently, under the chairship of the Union Finance Minister.
It was decided to clear all pending dues of pertaining to GST compensation to states. The finance minister also spoke about the GoM report on online gaming and said that the report has been submitted. The chair of the GoM is Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently released draft guidelines on minimum capital requirements for market risk in accordance with Basel III standards.
These guidelines set boundaries between the trading book and banking book of banks, and specify instruments that will be subject to market risk capital requirements and those subject to credit risk capital requirements.

Notes:
The AMASR (Amendment) Bill is a proposed legislation that aims to make several changes to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act.
The Act regulates the preservation of historical monuments and archaeological sites. It seeks to redefine the current definition of a ‘monument’ which currently requires it to be at least 100 years old.

Notes:
Horaglanis populi is a newly discovered species of aquifer-dwelling catfish. It was found in the lateritic aquifer systems in Kerala.
The state currently has 4 endemic species of Horaglanis genus. The new species has 4 pairs of well-developed barbels and a blood-red body. Its length is less than 3.2 cm. It is blind and does not have pigments. It is highly vulnerable to extinction due to its small ranges.

Notes:
The Rideau Canal Skateway is a popular winter attraction in Ottawa, Canada. It is the world’s largest skating rink.
It is part of the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the first time since it was built in 1971, Rideau Canal Skateway will not open because of the lack of ice. This is due to the unusually high temperature in the region.

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:
Russia recently launched an uncrewed Soyuz spaceflight named Soyuz MS-23. The purpose of this mission is to replace the Soyuz MS spacecraft currently docked at the International Space Station. The Soyuz MS-22 capsule’s cooling system was found to be leaking. The new spacecraft will provide a safe and reliable means of transportation for future missions to and from the space station. The mission also includes the repairing of the leaking capsule.

Notes:
The ‘Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava’ cultural festival will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.
The festival is part of the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative of the Indian Government. The ‘Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava’ cultural festival celebrates the cultural heritage of Karnataka. It is organized under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. This festival will feature various art forms from Karnataka such as dance, music, drama, poetry etc.