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:
During the 76th World Assembly Health session, WHO member states discussed on a new replenishment mechanism to help the UN body have more flexible funding options.
It will help WHO become more financial independent and function smoothly as the leading global health coordinator. Replenishment contributions would cover work by country offices, regional offices, and headquarters across all strategic priorities, as well as the enabling functions.

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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.

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to send a new spacecraft to an asteroid belt to investigate the history of the solar system and the potential origins of life.
Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA) aims to visit seven different asteroids and land on one of them called (269) Justitia. It is scheduled for launch in 2028.

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Swachh Jal Se Suraksha Campaign Report was released recently under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The campaign was organised from 2nd October, 2022 to 31st March, 2023.
Water quality testing has been reported in 5.39 lakh (89.69 %) villages for chemical and in 4.47 lakh (74.46 %) villages for bacteriological contamination.

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As many as 62 Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular plant species have been discovered in the Western Ghats in India.
These species have potential applications in agriculture, especially in regions where there is scarcity of water.

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Mahakal Lok corridor, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in 2022, is part of the redevelopment project around the Mahakaleshwar temple, Ujjain.
Six out of seven idols of ‘Saptarishis’ installed at the Mahakal Lok corridor have collapsed due to gusty winds. Madhya Pradesh’s Lokayukta has taken suo motu cognisance of the damage that gusty winds caused to six statues installed as part of the Mahakal Lok Corridor Project.

Notes:
The Mars Express spacecraft, launched by the European Space Agency in 2003, has exceeded its planned lifespan, offering insights into Mars’ geological and atmospheric characteristics.
It also found evidence of water ice on and beneath the surface and was helping with other missions like NASA’s Phoenix and Mars Science Laboratory missions. The Visual Monitoring Camera (VMC) affixed to the Mars Express will live stream the happenings on Mars.

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The draft Master Directions on Cyber Resilience and Digital Payment Security Controls for PSOs was released recently by the Reserve Bank of India.
It is a governance framework that encompasses the processes of identifying, evaluating, overseeing, and controlling cybersecurity risks.

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The United States and Taiwan have signed a trade deal aimed at deepening economic relations between both sides in a move that has sparked a warning from China.
Washington and Taipei maintain a multibillion-dollar annual trade and unofficial ties through the de facto US embassy. The Chinese foreign ministry accused Washington of violating agreements on the status of Taiwan.