Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2023

Notes:
XPoSat (X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite) is India’s first polarimetry mission. It is currently being built by ISRO and Raman Research Institute.
According to ISRO, “XPoSat will study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions” and will carry two payloads. It is only the world’s second polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.

Notes:
Israel-1 is an Israeli supercomputer that is set to be built by Nvidia. It will be partly operational by the end of this year.
The system is expected to deliver performance of up to eight exaflops of AI computing that will essentially make it one of the world’s fastest AI supercomputers.

Notes:
The report titled “Forever Toxic: The science on health threats from plastic recycling” was released recently by Greenpeace Philippines. According to this report, recycling can increase the toxicity of plastics.
The report was released ahead of the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop a Global Plastics Treaty, being held at Paris, France.

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:
The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing for organising Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. As part of this initiative, the setting up of Digital Kumbh Museum is being proposed.
This museum will be built at the cost of Rs 60 crores and will serve as an attraction for the devotees.

Notes:
Pisodonophis kalinga is a newly discovered species of eel found in Palur canal in Odisha’s Ganjam district.
It was found by scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). The new species has been named Pisodonophis kalinga after the name of ancient Odisha. It has a snake-like appearance and has length from 560 millimetres to 7 metres.

Notes:
The Asian Development Bank recently launched a new country partnership strategy (CPS) for India.
During 2023–2027, ADB operations in India will focus on accelerating structural transformation and job creation, promoting climate-resilient growth, and deepening social and economic inclusiveness.

Notes:
A new Jupiter-size exoplanet ‘TOI 4603b’ with the highest density known till this date and mass 13 times than that of Jupiter, has been discovered by an international team of scientists
ISRO says the discovery of this exoplanet has been made using the indigenously made PRL Advanced Radial-velocity Abu-sky Search spectrograph (PARAS) at the 1.2 m telescope of PRL at its Gurushikhar Observatory in Mount Abu.

Notes:
Brazil’s lower house of Congress approved Bill 490- a new land bill that restricts the new recognition of ancestral land of indigenous people in Brazil.
The bill would strip the environment and Indigenous people ministries of some powers, weakening their oversight of environmental protections and the demarcation of Indigenous lands.

Notes:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recently notified 31 Indian standards related to Ayush herbs and products.
It includes 30 herbs and one product including a stainless steel neti pot. An additional department was earlier established with a dedicated focus on Ayush at BIS.