Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2023

Notes:
The Australian Navy is rapidly developing AI-powered unmanned submarines called “Ghost Sharks,” with a per-unit cost of just over AUD$23 million. These AI-powered subs will be delivered by mid-2025, offering a cost-effective and swift solution to enhance naval capabilities.
Alongside, the country is also s investing in a costly and slow project to acquire up to 13 nuclear-powered attack submarines, with each sub estimated to cost over AUD$28 billion ($18 billion).

Notes:
“Air Quality and Climate Bulletin” – a report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlights the link between climate change, heatwaves, wildfires, and rising air pollution, including ozone.
The report states that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, which, in turn, raise the risk and severity of wildfires. The report cites examples from the European summer of 2022, which experienced record-breaking heatwaves resulting in increased concentrations of ozone and particulate matter.

Notes:
Astronomers recently discovered “Bubble of galaxies” an enormous cosmic bubble packed with galaxies that stretches nearly 1 billion light-years across and located within our galactic neighborhood. It is estimated to be located just 820 million light years from our galaxy.
Within this vast bubble, called “Ho’oleilana,” lies the Bootes supercluster of galaxies, surrounded by an expansive void known as “the Great Nothing.”

Notes:
The G20 Leaders’ Summit endorsed pivotal role of tourism and culture in sustainable socio-economic development and prosperity.
The ‘G20 Leaders Declaration’ highlighted the importance of the ‘Goa Roadmap for Tourism’ as a means to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It focusses on key priorities such as Green Tourism, Digitalization, Skills, Tourism MSMEs, and Destination Management.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh government is hosting the UP International Trade Show 2023 from September 21 to 25 at Greater Noida. This program aims to promote and recognize the state’s startups, industries, micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and local crafts on a global stage.
Additionally, it will feature the ‘Hall of Town of Export Excellence,’ displaying craftsmanship from 12 cities in Uttar Pradesh.

Notes:
The President of India Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) project at the Gujarat Assembly. This initiative aims to make legislative proceedings paperless and more efficient. The project was launched on the opening day of the four-day monsoon session of the State Assembly.
The National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) project makes Gujarat Assembly’s proceedings fully digital.

Notes:
During the recent G20 Summit in Delhi, world leaders were presented with a selection of handcrafted gifts representing India’s diverse cultural heritage.
These gifts included such as Kannauj’s famous ittar, Kashmiri saffron, Araku coffee from Andhra Pradesh, and tea from the Nilgiris, all packaged in a chest adorned with brass detailing. The gift also featured Sundarbans honey, Zighrana Ittar from Kannauj, Pashmina shawls from Changthangi goats, Khadi scarves symbolizing India’s freedom struggle, and commemorative coins and stamps.

Notes:
The Governor of Assam, Gulab Chand Kataria, unveiled the ‘Sarpanch Samvaad’ mobile application developed by the Quality Council of India (QCI).
This app is part of the Sarpanch Samvaad initiative, which aims to connect approximately 2.5 lakh Sarpanchs (elected village heads) across India. The initiative provides a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among Sarpanchs.

Notes:
India becomes the 13th country in world that can issue Internationally Accepted OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) Certificates.
OIML is an Intergovernmental organization which was established in 1955. It has 63 Member States and 64 Corresponding Members and India became its member in 1956. India has now become authority for issuing internationally accepted OIML certificate for selling weights and measures anywhere in the world.  Department of Consumer Affairs can issue OIML Pattern Approval certificate.

Notes:
The Ministry of Defence has emerged as the leading Ministry amongst a total of 56 Ministries/Departments participating in the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
Since its inception, the Ministry has contributed significantly to the Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of GeM, which has reached an impressive Rs. 73,225 Crores as of 12 September 2023. Procurement through GeM reaches over Rs. 18,790 Cr in the current Financial Year 2023-24.