Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2023

Notes:
NASA released the findings after a yearlong study into unidentified flying object (UFOs).
NASA said that the study of UFOs will require new scientific techniques, including advanced satellites as well as a shift in how unidentified flying objects are perceived.

Notes:
The Indian government has introduced the Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics (UPAg), an online platform developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
The Portal’s core function is to generate crop estimates and integrate with other agriculture-related statistical systems. It aims to combat challenges like non-standardized and unverified data, ultimately supporting data-driven decision-making in India’s agriculture sector.

Notes:
The Nobel Foundation, responsible for administering the Nobel Prizes, has announced that this year’s Nobel Prize winners will receive an additional 1 million Swedish crowns, bringing the total financial reward to 11 million Swedish crowns (approximately $986,000).
In 2012, the prize money was reduced from 10 million crowns to 8 million due to financial considerations. Subsequently, the amount was raised to 9 million in 2017 and further increased to 10 million in 2020, restoring it to its pre-2012 level.

Notes:
The Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Department has introduced a ‘Mobile Van Program’ as part of the ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana’.
It aims to advance eco-friendly and natural farming practices. This initiative focuses on delivering fresh, organic produce directly to consumers while promoting organic and chemical-free farming.

Notes:
The Sangeet Natak Akademi announced special one-time awards, commemorating 75 years of India’s independence to 84 artists, who are above the age of 75 years and haven’t been accorded any national honour in their career so far.
The ‘Amrit’ awards were presented by Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar to a total of 84 artistes, including 70 men and 14 women.

Notes:
Health authorities in several US states, including New York City, New Jersey, Georgia, Maryland, and Texas, are expressing increasing concerns over cases of West Nile virus.
In New York City, officials report a higher number of mosquito pools infected with the virus compared to the five-year average, with 16 human cases documented across the five boroughs. The virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites and has no human vaccine.

Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Prahari is on an overseas deployment to ASEAN countries from September 11 to October 14, 2023, as part of India’s ASEAN initiatives for Marine Pollution Response.
Equipped with a Chetak Helicopter in Pollution Response configuration, the ship aims to showcase the Indian Coast Guard’s capabilities and commitment to addressing marine pollution issues in the region. During this deployment, it will make port calls in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, and Jakarta.

Notes:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship, recognizing his contributions to the development of Assam. The Fellowship is named after Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, and is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to their nation’s development and bilateral relations with Singapore.
He is the first Chief Minister from Assam to receive this honor, joining the ranks of distinguished recipients like Arun Shourie, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Notes:
Spanish motorsports racing driver Carlos Sainz led from start to finish to win the Singapore Grand Prix tournament.
Lando Norris was second in a McLaren with Lewis Hamilton crossing the line in third. Championship leader Max Verstappen was fifth as Red Bull failed to win a race for the first time this season.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has listed 15 non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), including LIC Housing Finance, Bajaj Finance, Shriram Finance, Tata Sons, and Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company, placing them in the Upper Layer (NBFC-UL) under Scale Based Regulations (SBR) for non-bank lenders.
These NBFCs will be subject to enhanced regulatory requirements, at least for a period of five years from their classification in the layer, even in case they do not meet the parametric criteria in the subsequent year/s.