Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2023

Notes:
The Next Census will only count Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain as distinct religion options.
This is despite demands from several sections including Sarnaism, the Lingayat religion, to be counted as a separate religion. Census 2021, which was to be conducted in two phases, has been postponed indefinitely, with the Central government initially attributing the delay to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notes:
Saudi Arabia and Canada to restore full diplomatic ties and appoint new ambassadors, bringing an end to a dispute from 2018.
The rift between the two countries began when Canada’s embassy in Riyadh published a tweet in Arabic, calling for the immediate release of women’s rights activists who were detained in Saudi Arabia.

Notes:
Capital Market Regulator SEBI has recently reconstituted its intermediary advisory committee.
This committee is responsible for providing recommendations on matters concerning changes in legal framework and increasing transparency in systems and procedures of market intermediaries like stock brokers, clearing members and depository participants.

Notes:
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the ‘Odisha for Artificial Intelligence’ and ‘Artificial Intelligence for Youth’ initiatives.
In the first phase, the initiative will be implemented in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack. The state government has roped in global technology company Intel for the initiative.

Notes:
Iraq presented an ambitious plan to turn itself into a regional transportation hub by developing its road and rail infrastructure, linking Europe with the Middle East.
Once completed, the $17 billion project known as the ‘Route of Development’ would span the length of the country, stretching 1,200 km  from the northern border with Turkiye to the Gulf in the south.

Notes:
Ministry of Electronics & IT launched pilot project on Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO).
Revenue potential from outsourced repair likely to be USD 20 billion in next 5 years and also generate millions of jobs. The pilot is being held in Bengaluru and will be run for a period of three months.

 

Notes:
The WHO member countries have recently accepted a draft resolution on the impact of chemicals, waste and pollution on human health during the 76th WHA.
It urged the healthcare sector to develop a regulatory framework, national human bio-monitoring and surveillance programmes to track chemicals that impact human health.

Notes:
The British-era 110 MW Shanan hydropower project is situated at Jogindernagar in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
Commissioned in 1932, the Shanan hydroelectric powerhouse was built under a 99-year lease. Its lease is being disputed between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh governments.

Notes:
Canada has introduced a new category-based selection system for its economic immigration management program, Express Entry.
This year, priority will be given to candidates with a high proficiency in French or work experience in fields such as healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, and agriculture/agri-food.

Notes:
Zambia’s Kafue National Park (KNP) is the third largest national park in Africa. New reports reveal that lion and leopard population in this region are rebounding, after 50 years of poaching.
Scientists found leopard densities in southern KNP increased threefold — from about 1.5 leopards in 2019 to approximately 4.4 leopards per 100 square kilometres in 2022. This was due to rigorous counter-poaching operations for four years.