Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2022

Notes:
World Bank extended an unconditional loan of USD 250 million for SALT project in Andhra Pradesh. The Supporting Andhra’s Learning Transformation (SALT) project aims to improve the quality of learning for over 50 lakh students in the State.
It aims for training teachers, facilitating State-level assessment and establishing an effective education management and information system.

Notes:
According to the latest Living Planet Report by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), there has been a 69 per cent decline in the wildlife populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish, across the globe in the last 50 years.
The highest decline (94 per cent) was in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. The report also emphasised that Biodiversity loss and climate crisis are intertwined. Africa recorded a 66 per cent fall in its wildlife populations from 1970-2018 and the Asia Pacific 55 per cent.

Notes:
On the World Mental Health Day, Meghalaya announced the state draft mental health policy named ‘Meghalaya Mental Health and Social Care Policy’.
This is the first of its kind draft in the state and it will focus on holistic promotion of mental health. The objective of the policy is to provide universal access to mental health care by enhancing understanding of mental health.

Notes:
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed each year on October 13. The day is aimed to raise awareness about and acknowledge the progress in preventing the loss of lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure during various disasters.
The theme of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022 is ‘Early Warning for All’, which is Target G of the Sendai Framework. The ‘Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030’ includes concrete actions to protect development gains from the risk of disaster.

Notes:
Every year on October 14, the World Standards Day is observed. This day, also known as International Standards Day, aims to educate consumers, policymakers, and businesses about the value of standardisation.
This year’s World Standards Day is centred on the concept of ‘Build Back Better’. October 14 was decided as the World Standards Day to commemorate the first gathering of representatives in London in 1956, which marked the launch of an international body to facilitate standardisation.

Notes:
The 6th Summit of Conference of Interaction & Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) held at Astana, Kazakhstan. The minister of state for External affairs Meenakshi Lekhi lead the Indian delegation at the conference. CICA is a body that works towards building peace, security & stability in Asia. It was established in 1992 by the, first president of Kazakhstan at the 47th session of UNGA.

Notes:
On October 14, 2022, NATO said that it would launch its annual nuclear exercise “Steadfast Noon” on October 17, 2022, with up to 60 aircraft taking part in training flights over Belgium, the North Sea and Britain to practise the use of U.S. nuclear bombs based in Euro.

Notes:
Iraqi lawmakers have elected Abdul Latif Rashid as the new President of Iraq, marking a crucial step toward forming a new government for the country. Rashid received 162 votes in the second round of voting, defeating Barham Salih who gained 99 votes, while eight votes were considered invalid. The newly-elected Rashid was later sworn in as the President of Iraq, the fifth President of the country since 2003.

Notes:
VINCOV-19, India’s first antidote and a projected cure against SARS-CoV-2 virus is now ready for market authorisation and simultaneous phase-3 clinical trials. The drug, a joint effort of the University of Hyderabad (UoH), the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and immunological company VINS Bioproducts Limited, recently passed the phase-2 trials. It was conducted in over 200 participants across multiple centres in India.

Notes:
India participated in the 6th East Asia Summit Education Minister’s Meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam. Ms Neeta Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Ministry of Education virtually addressed the meeting. She also informed about the key initiatives of National Education Policy 2020 and the efforts of India and East Asia Summit