Daily Current Affairs: 9 February 2023 | Gkseries
Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 9 February 2023, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.
Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 9 February 2023
Safer Internet Day 2023 observed on 7 February
Safer Internet Day: The date of this year’s Safer Internet Day was February 7, 2023, a Tuesday. Notably, it was the campaign’s 20th edition. Safer Internet Day is marked to help the younger generation understand safe practices on the Internet. They do this not only to protect themselves but also to understand that they never hurt anyone, whether it be on intentionally or unintentionally.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
The Internet provides a broad social platform to utilise ideas, use and research them. The role varies from one field to another. It has a wide range of articles that can be found in one place. Individuals, public and private organisations, and the government all have access to the information. Resources are available for free for the entire world.
Safer Internet Day 2023: Theme
According to UK Safer Internet Center, the theme for Safer Internet Day 2023 is ‘Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online.’ This year, the day will be commemorated on February 7.
Safer Internet Day 2023: Significance
The day plays a significant role as it saves users from online harm and risks. There are a lot of websites used by millions of users daily. A safe internet connection will avoid website vandalism. It is required to stay updated with the latest version of the internet.
Safer Internet Day 2023: History
In 1990, Computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web, bringing the Internet that we know today into existence. Safer Internet Day began as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004. Taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day is now commemorated in approximately 180 countries and territories worldwide.
In 2009, the concept of Safer Internet Day Committees was introduced. The aim was to strengthen the bonds with countries outside the network. They also wanted to invest in a harmonised promotion campaign across the world. More than 150 global SID Committees are now working with the Safer Internet Day Coordination Team based at the European Union in Brussels.
Salman Rushdie new novel ‘Victory City’ released
Salman Rushdie new novel ‘Victory City’ released: Victory City, a “epic tale” of a 14th-century woman who defies a patriarchal world to rule a city, was published by Salman Rushdie. The much-anticipated work tells the tale of young orphan girl Pampa Kampana who is endowed by a goddess with magical powers and founds the city, in modern-day India, of Bisnaga, which translates as Victory City. Brilliantly narrated in the style of an ancient epic, Victory City is a saga of love, adventure, and myth that is in itself a testament to the power of storytelling.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
12 Notable Salman Rushdie Books
1. Grimus (1975)
2. Midnight’s Children (1981)
3. Shame (1983)
4. The Satanic Verses (1988)
5. The Moor’s Last Sigh (1995)
6. The Ground Beneath Her Feet (1999)
7. Fury (2001)
8. Shalimar the Clown (2005)
9. The Enchantress of Florence (2008)
10. Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights (2015)
11. The Golden House (2017)
12. Quichotte (2019)
Nearly 600 sea lions die due to bird flu outbreak in Peru
Nearly 600 sea lions die due to bird flu outbreak in Peru: 585 sea lions and 55,000 wild birds were reported dead in Peru in recent weeks as a result of the H5N1 bird flu virus. Following the discovery of 55,000 dead birds in eight protected coastal areas, rangers found the bird flu that killed them had also claimed 585 sea lions in seven protected marine areas, the Sernanp natural areas protection agency said.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Cause of The Incident:
The dead birds included pelicans, various types of gulls, and penguins, the Sernanp said in a statement. The presence of H5N1 was also detected by laboratory tests in the deceased sea lions, which prompted the authorities to announce a “biological vigilance protocol.”
For its part, Peru’s National Forest and Wildlife Service (SERFOR) urged people and their pets to avoid contact with sea lions and sea birds on the beach.
The Timeline of these outbreaks:
Since late 2021, Europe has been gripped by its worst-ever outbreak of bird flu, while North and South America are also experiencing severe outbreaks. In November, the country declared a 180-day health alert after finding three cases of highly contagious H5N1 in pelicans.
According to the SENASA agricultural health agency, the disease is transmitted by migratory birds from North America. The reports add to a growing number of detections in mammals, including recent reports from the United Kingdom and H5N1 in farmed minks in Spain. According to a CIDRAP analysis from the University of Minnesota, 110 mammal species have so far been detected in the United States.
The H5N1 clade circulating in birds, poultry, and an increasing number of mammals has a mutation that makes the virus more recognizable by mammalian airway cells. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) raised concerns about not only the spread of the highly pathogenic avian flu to new countries in Central and South America, but also the speed of the spread over a 4-month period, with occasional spillovers to humans and mammals. The most recent human case involved an Ecuadorian 9-year-old girl. Newly affected countries include Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. Chile reported its first high-path outbreaks in 20 years, added CIDRAP report.
About Sea Lions or Seals or Pinnipeds:
Eats: Penguins, Krill
Scientific name: Otariinae
Lifespan: 20 – 30 years
Clade: Pinnipedia
Family: Otariidae
Kingdom: Animalia
- Pinnipeds, commonly known as seals, are a widely distributed and diverse clade of carnivorous, fin-footed, semiaquatic marine mammals.
- They comprise the extant families Odobenidae (whose only living member is the walrus), Otariidae, including numerous kinds of fur seal and sea lion; and the earless seals, known as true seals or Phocidae.
- There are 33 extant species of pinnipeds, and more than 50 extinct species have been described from fossils. Pinnipeds belong to the order Carnivora and their closest living relatives are bears and the superfamily of musteloids (weasels, raccoons, skunks, and red pandas), having diverged about 50 million years ago.
Plant-based meat brand UnCrave signs Vir Das as ambassador
Plant-based meat brand UnCrave signs Vir Das as ambassador: Popular comic, actor, and musician Vir Das has been named as the brand ambassador for UnCrave, a plant-based meat brand by Licious. UnCrave understands how meat-lovers feel without meat and fulfills this gap with the most meat-like, vegetarian solution through its plant protein-based meat products. The actor will also do a campaign for the brand which consists of a series of films, the first of which is titled, ‘Without Meat‘ in which, in his signature style, Das describes a life without meat.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
The campaign has been conceptualised by Tilt Brand Solutions, which includes a series of films where Das addresses various scenarios from a meat-lover’s perspective. The “Muttn Galouti Kebab,” a new product for the brand, is also introduced as part of the campaign. This week, its competitor, Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma-backed Blue Tribe has also tied up with Inox CInemas to expand its presence across India to offer vegetarian meals and snack options to its customers.
Natasha Perianayagam Scored Highest in “World’s Brightest” Students List
Natasha Perianayagam Scored Highest in “World’s Brightest” Students List: Natasha Perianayagam, a 13-year-old girl, was named the “world’s brightest” student. American Indian Natasha Perianayagam was included on the list created by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.
Natasha has been listed on the “world’s brightest” list, previously she also took the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) test in 2021, when she was still in the 5th grade. With more than 1500 students from 76 different countries participating, the test is a worldwide operation.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Natasha Perianayagam Scored Highest in “World’s Brightest” Students List – Key Points
- In the United States, Natasha Perianayagam attends Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School.
- In 2021, Natasha’s results in the verbal and quantitative sections of the test came up to the 90th percentile of an advanced standard-level performance, which put her on the honors list.
- This year, Natasha was awarded for her exceptional performance in the SAT, ACT, School, and College Ability Test, or other similar tests, which were taken as part of the CTY Talent Search by the organization.
- According to the university, CTY used testing methods above grade level to pick out the advanced students in the crowd of 15,000 to prove their above-grade-level academic talent.
- In the 2021–22 Talent Search Year, Natasha took the CTY test among students from 76 different nations.
- While Natasha passed the CTY ceremony, less than 27 percent of the students who took the test could make it. The students received high or grand honors based on their test scores.
41-year-old Pakistan Wicketkeeper-Batter Kamran Akmal Retires From All Forms Of Cricket
41-year-old Pakistan Wicketkeeper-Batter Kamran Akmal Retires From All Forms Of Cricket: Kamran Akmal, a veteran Pakistani wicketkeeper, has declared his retirement from all forms of cricket. Prior to the Pakistan Super League’s 2023 edition (PSL). Akmal was earlier named as the batting consultant for the Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, for the upcoming edition of the PSL. The 41-year-old said that he is keener on taking up managerial roles with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Akmal made his debut for Pakistan back in 2002 and went on to play until 2017. In 53 Tests, 157 ODIs and 58 T20Is, the right-handed batter scored 2648, 3236 and 987 runs respectively, with the help of 11 hundreds and 27 fifties. At the Providence Stadium in Guyana in April 2017, he last wore the national colors during an ODI match against the West Indies. Akmal also remains second in the list of leading run-scorers in the history of the PSL. He played with the Zalmi from 2016 to 2022, when he amassed 1972 runs at an average of 27.38 and a strike rate of 136.94, along with three hundreds and 12 fifties.
Notably: Babar is the leading run-scorer with 2413 runs from 66 innings with 23 half-centuries. In first-class cricket, Akmal was a stalwart as he notched over 13000 runs with 33 hundreds and 62 fifties.
Airtel Payments Bank launched BizKhata for Small Businesses & Merchant
Airtel Payments Bank launched BizKhata for Small Businesses & Merchant: Airtel Payments Bank today announced the launch of its current account – BizKhata, which comes with unlimited transactions* and instant activation for small merchants and business partners across the country.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
A large number of small business owners continue to use savings accounts for business purposes as they cannot meet the minimum balance requirement of the business accounts. This makes the process of differentiating personal and business transactions cumbersome.
It brings all business transactions to one platform and allows them to maintain clear records while enjoying multiple banking benefits, like Zero Minimum Balance, Secure, hassle-free payments, Auto Sweep Out etc.
Airtel Payments Bank’s BizKhata has been designed specifically for these small merchants and business owners. It brings all business transactions to one platform and allows them to maintain clear records while enjoying multiple banking benefits.
- Unlimited transactions – Do Unlimited credit and debit transactions.
- Instant Activation – Customer can start using the account within 5 minutes of opening it.
- Zero Minimum Balance – The account has no minimum balance condition.
- Safe and Seamless Payment digitization– Business owners can receive and make online payment transfers to any bank across India through IMPS, UPI, NEFT and IFT. In addition, the account comes linked to a QR code to receive payments from any UPI app.
- Auto Sweep-out – Day-end balance above INR 200,000 will be auto sweep-out to a current account with the partner bank. With a single click, the user can transfer the sweep amount back to the business account.
- One-click transaction history – Business owners can download the transaction history with a single click and reconcile transactions.
The current account solution will be available to existing and new merchants and business partners of Airtel Payments Bank. A business owner can easily open this account within 5 minutes with biometric authentication and minimal paperwork.
PhonePe becomes first Indian fintech to allow UPI payments abroad
PhonePe becomes first Indian fintech to allow UPI payments abroad: PhonePe has launched a service that will allow the fintech firm’s Indian users traveling abroad to pay foreign merchants using Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
UPI international’ support merchant outlets in UAE, Singapore, Mauritius, Nepal, and Bhutan that have a local QR (quick response) code. Users will be able to make direct payments in a foreign currency from their Indian bank, like they do with international debit cards. Walmart-backed PhonePe claimed it is the first Indian fintech app to launch the service.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
“UPI international is the first major step in letting the rest of the world experience UPI too,” said Rahul Chari, chief technology officer and co-founder of PhonePe. “I am sure this launch will prove to be a game-changer and will completely transform the way Indians traveling overseas pay at merchant outlets abroad. The entire world needs to experience UPI.”
PhonePe recently raised $350 million in funding from General Atlantic at a pre-money valuation of $12 billion, making the start-up the most-valued fintech firm player in India.The funding is expected to help PhonePe scale up operations and compete with Google Pay, Paytm, and Amazon Pay in Indian fintech, which is expected to be worth $350 billion in enterprise value by 2026, according to a report by Bain and Company.
PhonePe users can activate their UPI-linked bank account for the service at the merchant location, or prior to their international trip, via the PhonePe App. It would require the customer to enter their UPI pin in order to activate the service. Indian customers need to use a foreign currency, or their credit or forex cards to pay at international merchant outlets. With PhonePe’s feature, they can now use their Indian bank account to pay using UPI.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in collaboration with NPCI International Payments Limited plans to roll out UPI International to more countries this year. NPCI developed UPI. PhonePe was founded in December 2015 and it has emerged as India’s largest payments app. With 435 million registered users, one in four Indians are now on PhonePe.
RBI expands scope of TReDS platform to allow insurance facility, secondary market ops & to improve cashflow of MSMEs
RBI expands scope of TReDS platform to allow insurance facility, secondary market ops & to improve cashflow of MSMEs: RBI expands scope of TReDS platform to allow insurance facility, secondary market ops & to improve cashflow of MSMEs. The guidelines on Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) were issued in December 2014 with the objective of facilitating the financing of trade receivables of MSMEs, the RBI said. The move of the central bank is expected to boost the trade of receivables and increase cash flows to MSMEs.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
Significance of The Expansion of TReDS Platform:
- As the volume on these platforms rises, analysts claim that broader involvement by more companies can keep the pricing for receivable discounting in check. Also, flexibility to allow re-discounting by existing holders of such discounted receivables will aid liquidity of participants.
- Insurance coverage for the discounted receivables can also enhance the volumes and further reduce the pricing of such insured receivables, however the appetite of insurance companies to issue such coverage remains to be seen.
- The TRED platform’s growth into new areas helps to improve the formalisation of the MSMEs lending eco-system.
- Secondary market operations will allow financiers to offload their portfolio to other financiers, which would further enhance liquidity on the TREDs platform and, ultimately, for MSMEs.
What is Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platform:
TReDS is an electronic platform that makes it easier for different lenders to finance and discount the trade receivables of MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises). These receivables can be due from corporates and other buyers, including Government Departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
The Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act of 2007 grants authorisation for the payment system TReDS. It is a platform for uploading, accepting, discounting, trading and settling invoices / bills of MSMEs and facilitating both receivables as well as payables factoring (reverse factoring). MSME sellers, corporate and other buyers, including Government Departments and PSUs, and financiers (banks, NBFC-Factors and other financial institutions, as permitted) are direct participants in the TReDS and all transactions processed under this system are ‘”without recourse” to MSMEs.
Telangana announced India’s first new mobility focussed cluster
Telangana announced India’s first new mobility focussed cluster: The Telangana government launched India’s first mobility-focused cluster, Telangana Mobility Valley (TMV) during the first edition of Mobility Next Hyderabad Summit 2023, Telangana.
Aim: To attract investments of around Rs 50,000 crore and generate more than 4 lakh jobs in the next five years in the state.
February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz
In his inaugural address at the first edition of Mobility Next Hyderabad Summit part of the Hyderabad E-Mobility Week, state Minister for IT, Industries and Commerce K T Rama Rao said, To further accelerate growth of sustainability mobility in India, I hereby announce India’s first New Mobility focused cluster, the Telangana Mobility Valley.
TMV aims to facilitate companies across all segments of sustainable mobility including Electric 2Wheelers/ 3 wheelers/ 4 wheelers, Advanced Cell Chemistry and Hydrogen fuel cells, Tier 1 and Tier 2 Component manufacturers and Auto Engineering R&D companies among others.
Rama Rao further said investments aggregating to Rs 3,000 crore plus are in advanced stages and will be announced in the next two weeks. These investments will further strengthen Electric 3-wheeler, Electric 2-wheeler and charging equipment manufacturing ecosystem in Telangana. In TMV, we are bringing together industry and the academia to setup series of Centers of Excellence (CoE) to create industry ready talent. Further, we will be announcing atleast four other CoEs over the next few weeks on topics like Automotive Cybersecurity, Automotive Artificial Intelligence, Electrochemistry and Modelling and Simulation, he said adding another focus area for TMV is to promote mobility startups in the state.