Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2023

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has sanctioned the merger of Maratha Co-op Bank with Cosmos Co-op Bank.
The Scheme has been sanctioned in exercise of the powers conferred under Sub-Section (4) of Section 44A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. All branches of Maratha Sahakari Bank will function as branches of The Cosmos Co-operative Bank.

Notes:
Gomphonema rajaguruii is a newly discovered species of oxygen-supplying algae. It is named after a veteran geo-archaeologist, the late Professor S N Rajaguru.
Gomphonema rajaguruii is a freshwater diatom species. The finding is unique because it shows the characteristics of two genus — Gomphonema and Gomphoneis.

Notes:
A new report titled “Hunger Hotspots – FAO-WFP early warnings on acute food insecurity” was released recently.
According to this report, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar are among the hunger hotspots in the world. Acute food insecurity can potentially increase in magnitude and severity for 18 areas in 22 countries.

Notes:
India recently joined the Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN) to test vaccines during pandemic and epidemics. This network currently has 15 partner facilities in 13 countries.
CLN is a part of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Network is the largest global group which has standardised methods and materials for testing.

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:
Indian chess player Gukesh defeats Magnus Carlsen in 97 moves in the Norway Chess blitz tournament.
Gukesh was mentioned by Carlsen last year as the one to watch out for. Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov (6 points) won the title by beating Gukesh (2.5) in the final round while Magnus Carlsen (4.5) finished seventh.

Notes:
The Central government has recently notified new norms for anti-tobacco warnings on OTT platforms.
These rules mandate OTT platforms to carry anti-tobacco warning messages. The Union Health Ministry notification amended the rules under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2004.

Notes:
The US Congress has approved the debt ceiling deal to raise the government’s borrowing limit and thwarting a potentially catastrophic default on US debt repayments.
It will allow the federal government to borrow money until after the next presidential election in November 2024. The agreement keeps non-defence spending flat next year, with a 1% rise in 2025.

Notes:
Obstetric fistula is a health condition characterized by the formation of an opening between the passage through which a baby is delivered and the urinary or digestive system.
Zamibia recently unveiled the Obstetric Fistula Strategic Plan for the period 2022 to 2026. On May 23, Zambia commemorated International Day for Elimination of Obstetric Fistula with theme “20 years on — progress but not enough! Act Now to End Fistula by 2030”. As of 2018, more than 33,000 women and girls were affected in the country.

Notes:
The Japanese Parliament Diet’s upper chamber recently approved a legislation to tackle loneliness and social isolation. It will come to effect on April 1 next year.
In a survey conducted by the government in 2022 for people age 16 or over nationwide, 40.3% of all respondents said that they had felt lonely.