Current Affairs Quiz - February, 2023

Notes:
India’s power regulator has approved a proposal to start a separate spot market segment for ‘expensive’ power, according to an order given to the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX).
The approval from the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), given to the country’s largest spot power market, is for electricity derived from costlier sources of imported coal and gas, as well as battery storage.

Notes:
According to a recently published NASSCOM report, India ranks first in AI skill penetration and talent concentration and fifth in AI scientific publications.
The report states that tech talent in India is three times more likely to have AI skills than in other countries. India’s AI skills Penetration Factor leads all countries across education, finance, hardware and networking, manufacturing, software and IT services.

Notes:
The rising demand for the popular Teja variety of red chilli in the export market is aiding the Khammam Agriculture Market, which is Telangana’s second largest chilli market yard.
The chilli is famous for its culinary, medicinal and other wide-ranging uses. It is also a main ingredient in making pepper spray. The huge demand for Oleoresin, a natural chilli extract, is mainly driving the export of Teja variety of red chilli from Khammam to various Asian countries.

Notes:
The third phase of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ initiative, which aims to resolve fishermen issues, is set to begin in Gujarat.
Sagar Parikrama is a journey across the coastal belt demonstrating solidarity with all fisherpersons, fish farmers as a spirit of 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It is an initiative of Government of India, aiming to resolve the issues of the fishers and other stakeholders and facilitate their economic upliftment.

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:
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:
Mpox virus is an orthopoxvirus that causes monkeypox or mpox, a disease that has symptoms similar to smallpox but less severe.
This pathogen is deadly in 15 percent of affected people and it was largely confined to Africa. A severe form of this virus has been found in immunosuppressed people living with the advanced stage of HIV.

Notes:
Phosphor-gypsum, a by-product of fertilizer production, is composed of gypsum but is weakly radio-active due to naturally occurring uranium and thorium.
It is not commonly used in construction due to concerns about its radioactivity, resulting in indefinite storage. The NHAI is exploring the possibility of using phosphor-gypsum waste material in the construction of national highway and achieve circular economy. An Indian fertilizer company recently constructed a road using the neutralised phosphor-gypsum waste material.

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:
Mount Mayon, a strato-volcano located in the Bicol province of the Philippines, is famous for its symmetrical and perfectly conical shape.
It is a popular tourist attraction and is considered sacred in Philippine folklore. It is the centrepiece of the Albay Biosphere Reserve and is currently being considered for nomination as a World Heritage Site.