Daily Current Affairs Quiz: October 05, 2023

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: C

• The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) has launched the Coral Reef Breakthrough in partnership with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and the High-Level Climate Champions (HLCC).
• The Coral Reef Breakthrough aims to secure the future of at least 125,000 km² of shallow-water tropical coral reefs with investments of at least US$12 billion to support the resilience of more than half a billion people globally by 2030.
• In addition to broad-based climate action, the Coral Reef Breakthrough will be achieved through-
  • Stop drivers of loss: Mitigate local drivers of loss including land-based sources of pollution, destructive coastal development, and overfishing.
  • Double the area of coral reefs under effective protection: Bolster resilience-based coral reef conservation efforts by aligning with and transcending global coastal protection targets including 30by30.
  • Accelerate Restoration: Assist the development and implementation of innovative solutions at scale and climate smart designs that support coral adaptation to impact 30% of degraded reefs by 2030.
  • Secure investments of at least USD 12 billion by 2030 from public and private sources to conserve and restore these crucial ecosystems.

ABOUT ICRI 

• The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is an informal partnership between Nations and organizations which strives to preserve coral reefs and related ecosystems around the world.
• The Initiative was founded in 1994 by eight governments: Australia, France, Japan, Jamaica, the Philippines, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
• It is a network of 101 members including 45 countries that represent over 75% of the world’s coral reefs.
• Its decisions are not binding on its members.

ANSWER: D

• The challenges and opportunities behind meeting the rising demand for minerals required for clean energy technologies was at forefront of discussions at the first International Energy Agency (IEA) Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Summit held at Paris, France.
• The one-day meeting was attended by ministers, industry leaders, investors, international organisations and civil societies from 50 countries, who agreed on six main actions to assure sustainable, long-term and ethical supply chains of vital minerals.
• The actions include:
  • Advancing the goal of diversified mineral supplies;
  • maximising the potential of technology and recycling;
  • fostering market transparency;
  • improving the accessibility of trustworthy information;
  • establishing incentives for sustainable and responsible production; and
  • stepping up efforts to foster international cooperation.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY (IEA)

• It is an autonomous inter-governmental organisation within the OECD framework.
• Energy security remains a central part of its mission.
• It was founded in 1974 to ensure the security of oil supplies as a response to the 1973-1974 oil crisis.
• HQ- Paris, France
• Membership: 31 countries (India joined in 2017, but as an Associate member).
• A candidate country to the IEA must be a member country of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

ANSWER: B

• India and Bangladesh commenced the 11^th edition of annual joint military exercise, SAMPRITI recently in Umroi, Meghalaya.
• The exercise underscores the importance of enhancing interoperability between the two armies, sharing tactical drills, and promoting best practices.
• It will engage approximately 350 personnel from both sides.
• Sampriti Exercise is a bilateral defence cooperation exercise between the armies of India and Bangladesh.
• This exercise, alternatingly organised by both countries, signifies strong bilateral defence cooperation initiatives.
• With its inception in Jorhat, Assam in 2009, the exercise has witnessed ten `successful editions till 2022.

ANSWER: A

• The Andhra Pradesh Assembly passed the Andhra Pradesh Guaranteed Pension System Bill-2023.
• It will now bring all the state government employees under the Contributory Pension System (CPS) replacing the Old Pension System (OPS).
• Under the Guaranteed Pension System, all state government employees will be eligible for a guaranteed monthly pension of 50 per cent of their last drawn basic salary.
• There is an addition of dearness relief (DR) which will be announced twice a year and will increase the quantum of pension.
• The scheme will ensure a monthly spouse pension at the rate of 60 per cent of the guaranteed pension amount after the death of the pensioner.
• A retired government employee will get a minimum Rs 10,000 monthly pension.
• The scheme will combine elements of both the new and the old pension schemes.
• Those dismissed or removed from service and facing compulsory retirement due to disciplinary action will not be eligible under the scheme.

ANSWER: A

• World Teachers’ Day is held annually on 5 October to celebrate all teachers around the globe.
• It commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
  • It sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers, and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions.
• World Teachers’ Day is co-convened in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF and Education International (EI).
• With the theme “The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage”, the 2023 celebrations will aim to put the importance of stopping the decline in the number of teachers.

ANSWER: B

• World Space Week (WSW) is a global celebration that highlights the significance of space science and technology in enhancing human life.
• It was established in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly.
• WSW is celebrated worldwide from October 4 to 10 every year to commemorate the launch of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, on October 4, 1957, and the Outer Space Treaty, which came into force on October 10, 1967.
• The theme for WSW 2023 is ‘Space and Entrepreneurship.’

ANSWER: A

• Revenue Minister recently said that the office of the HP Wool Federation located in Palampur will be shifted to Bharmour in Chamba district.
• The decision was taken at a meeting of the Tribal Project Advisory Committee presided over by the minister at Bharmour.

ANSWER: D

• The State Food and Civil Supply Corporation (SFCSC) in collaboration with Kangra District Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) is all set to procure paddy from farmers at central government’s announced MSP Rs 2,023 per quintal in three procurement centres set up in Kangra district.
• The state government has notified procurement centres at Fatehpur, Milwan and Riyali in lower Kangra district for procuring paddy.
• The Milwan, Riyali and Fatehpur procurement centers have storage capacity of 1100, 600 and 400 metric tons, respectively.