Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2023

Notes:
G20’s first Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group Meeting is set to be held in Bengaluru.
It will focus on the promotion of the blue economy along with coastal sustainability, restoration of degraded lands and ecosystems, enhancement of biodiversity and strengthening of a circular economy.  The delegates are scheduled to visit the Kalkere Arboretum and Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru.

Notes:
The Constitutional Conduct Group, which includes nearly 100 former civil servants, has written to President Droupadi Murmu protesting the mega-infrastructure project in the Great Nicobar Island.
The Union Environment Ministry gave clearance for the diversion of 130.75 sq. km. of forest in Great Nicobar Island for a ₹72,000-crore project that includes a trans-shipment port, an airport, a power plant and a greenfield township. The project threatens to displace the ‘extremely vulnerable’ Shompen tribe.

Notes:
Cetaceans, the marine mammal group encompassing whales, dolphins and porpoises, evolved around 50 million years ago.
A New research reveals the genes that allowed whales to grow to giant sizes. These four genes helped in fostering great size and also in mitigating disadvantageous consequences including higher cancer risk and lower reproductive output.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh came into existence on January 24, 1950, when the governor-general of India passed United Provinces Order 1950, renaming United Provinces as Uttar Pradesh.
This is the 74th foundation day of Uttar Pradesh and it is being celebrated as ‘UP Day’. On the occasion, several schemes including Chief Minister Handicraft Pension Scheme, Handicraft Marketing Promotion Scheme, and exemption in stamp duty were launched. People were also awarded with ‘Rani Laxmi Bai Puraskar’ and ‘Laxman Puraskar’.

Notes:
The three-day International Craft Summit is being organised in Jaipur, Rajasthan to promote craft products from Odisha.
The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik through video conferencing. Four UN agencies and five UNESCO Creative Cities have partnered with Jajpur district administration for the event, which was attended by delegates from 15 countries.

Notes:
Purse Seine Fishing is a method where a vertical net attached to a vessel is targeted at dense group of fish in open water in curtain formation the bottom of which is drawn together to enclose the fish.
The Supreme Court conditionally allowed Purse Seine Fishing beyond the territorial waters of the state of Tamil Nadu, but within the exclusive economic zone.

Notes:
The Centre has estimated the millet procurement in the country to move up from current 6-7 lakh tonnes (lt) to 40-50 lt in the next few years.
Nine states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha have launched their own programmes to procure millets and distribute those nutri-cereals. Rajasthan, the biggest producer of bajra and second-largest in jowar, is asked to start focusing on procurement of the grains.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India has decided to elevate bilateral relations with Egypt to a strategic partnership,
India and Egypt also exchanged Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of cyber security, culture, information technology, youth matters and broadcasting. Exchange of commemorative postage stamps to mark the milestone of 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Egypt was also held.

Notes:
The 30th National Child Science Congress began at Science City in Ahmedabad. Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST) and Gujarat Council of Science City are hosting the congress.
Over 1400 delegates including child scientists, teachers, evaluators, and government officials will attend the congress. As many as 850 students from across the country will showcase their projects.

Notes:
MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and Meta have announced the list of 120 startups and innovators for the XR Startup Program.
XR Startup Program is a collaboration between MeitY Startup Hub and Meta to discover, nurture, and accelerate Extended Reality (XR) technology startups and innovators across India. The Accelerator Program supports 40 early-stage start-ups working in XR technologies with a grant of Rs. 20 lakhs each.