Current Affairs Quiz - March, 2023

Notes:
AxEMU (Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit) is a newly developed spacesuit for NASA’s upcoming Artemis missions.
It was developed by Axiom Space, a private company based out of Houston. The spacesuit builds on NASA’s spacesuit prototype developments with latest technology, enhanced mobility, and added protection from hazards at the Moon.

Notes:
The European Union recently announced two initiatives – the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) – under the Green Deal Industrial Plan.
These initiatives aim to boost domestic green manufacturing. CRMA establishes the policy framework to onshore mineral and metal processing and scale clean energy and battery technology supply chains within the EU.

Notes:
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is being observed annually on March 21.
On that day, in 1960, police opened fire at a peaceful demonstration in South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws. Its aim is to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination across the world.

Notes:
UBS Group AG is a multinational investment bank and financial services company founded and based in Switzerland.
UBS, Switzerland’s biggest bank, has recently agreed to purchase its rival Credit Suisse. As per report, UBS has upgraded its initial offer and agreed to buy Credit Suisse for more than $2 billion in a deal brokered by the Swiss government.

Notes:
The INS Androth, second in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), was launched in Kolkata.
It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. In December 2022, the Indian Navy launched ‘Arnala’, the first of the eight ASW-SWC in Chennai’s Kattupalli.

Notes:
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister recently launched the Mukhyamantri Vriksh Sampada Yojana (Chief Minister Tree Wealth Scheme) on the occasion of World Forestry Day.
Under this scheme, the state government will provide full subsidy for tree plantation on up to 5 acres of land and 50 percent financial subsidy on more than 5 acres.

Notes:
US’ 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices was published recently by the US State Department.
According to this report, India is facing human rights issues such as “targeting of religious minorities”, “gender-based violence”, “persecution of journalists” and “restrictions on freedom of expression”.

Notes:
‘Sam No Varunah’ Coastal Car Rally will be organized by the Indian Navy and the Navy Welfare and Wellness Association (NWWA).
The maritime awareness coastal motor car expedition “Sam No Varunah”, planned over 25 days, will cover around 7,500 Km, passing through all coastal states. Mahindra Auto will be providing a fleet of 12 vehicles for the rally, with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd as fuel partner, and Mastercard India as a sponsor.

Notes:
Poly-herbal Ayurvedic drug Ayush-64, which was repurposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, is used for treating illnesses such as influenza.
A new study has recently found that the drug is efficacious, well-tolerated, and safe. The drug in combination with the standard of care, hastened recovery, reduced hospitalisation, and improved health among Covid-19 cases.

Notes:
Albatross Amphibious Aircraft is a 28-seater aircraft capable of landing and taking off from land, snow and water.
An Indian defence firm – Hawking Defence Services – has entered into a procurement cum partnership agreement with Australia-based Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) to manufacture this aircraft.