Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2023

Notes:
Paytm Payments Bank has become the first platform to launch UPI LITE payments, to enable quick and seamless transactions of up to Rs 200 without having to enter a PIN to make a payment.
UPI LITE is enabled by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and it aids users to carry out multiple small-value UPI transactions without using a PIN.

Notes:
The United Kingdom signed a deal regarding post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland, with a view to remove the border between Britain and Northern Ireland running through the Irish Sea.
The ‘Windsor Framework’ is set to replace the Northern Ireland Protocol, which had created political and economic issues between the UK and the EU after Brexit.

Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the flight acceptance hot test for the CE-20 cryogenic engine.
The engine will power the LVM3 launch vehicle’s Cryogenic Upper Stage for the upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission, which is slated to be launched in the later part of 2023. The test was carried out at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Tamil Nadu.

Notes:
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found a 1,300-year-old Buddhist stupa in Odisha’s Jajpur.
State-run Odisha Mining Corporation was excavating Khondalite stones for their usage in the ambitious project to transform Puri into a world heritage city. Another smaller stupa has been completely destroyed due to mining at the site.

Notes:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has banned use of foreign words to ‘protect’ Russian language. The Russian government officials are now banned from using foreign words in official documents and correspondence as well as while carrying out their duties.
This decision was taken in an attempt to protect the Russian language from Western influence. Separately, a list of words with foreign roots that can still be used will be released.

Notes:
The POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system characterized by a rapid rise in heart rate after standing up or lying down.
Research is being conducted to identify the relationship between the POTS and COVID-19. There are at least 1 million or more new POTS patients in the United States as a result of COVID.

Notes:
The first B2B Global Conference & Expo on Traditional Medicine under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will be hosted by Assam.
The event which seeks to promote traditional medicines at the global level. The event will be held in Guwahati.

Notes:
Scientists from Australia and the UK have discovered a new disease called “Plasticosis” in birds. This disease is caused by the consumption of plastics.
It leads to long-term inflammation and the formation of scar tissue in the digestive system of birds. The study has found that plastic consumption can cause serious damage to the digestive system of birds, making them vulnerable to parasites.

Notes:
Colombia has opened military service to women for the first time in 25 years. A cohort of 1,296 women have been enlisted in Colombia’s Army in the month of February.
Colombia has long had compulsory military service for men ages 18 to 24. The army relies heavily on the young recruits to staff bases, protect infrastructure, and carry out administrative tasks, while its professional soldiers confront drug trafficking gangs and rebel groups.

Notes:
Ekta Bhyan qualified for the World Para athletics after claiming bronze in discus throw in Dubai World para-athletics Grand Prix.
The Indian team returned home with seven medals from the Dubai World Para Athletics Grand Prix. The Indian contingent, which had several youngsters making their international debut in Dubai, won four silver and three bronze medals.