26th & 27th February 2023 Daily Current Affairs in English
1. Who is the chair of the 22nd Law Commission, which was recently extended until 2024?
[A] Justice Rituraj Awasthi
[B] Justice Ranjan Gogoi
[C] Justice Chandru
[D] Justice Jasti Chelameswar
Answer : [A] Justice Rituraj Awasthi
The Union Cabinet has granted an extension of the 22nd Law Commission’s term until August 31, 2024. The Commission is chaired by former Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Rituraj Awasthi. The Commission is responsible for identifying and repealing outdated laws, reviewing existing laws, and proposing necessary changes. It will also simplify Central Acts and remove inconsistencies. The Commission is also investigating key issues such as the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code and holding simultaneous elections.
2. Rideau Canal Skateway, which was seen in the news, is in which country?
[A] Australia
[B] Canada
[C] Germany
[D] USA
Answer : [B] Canada
The Rideau Canal Skateway is a popular winter attraction in Ottawa, Canada. It is the world’s largest skating rink. It is part of the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the first time since it was built in 1971, Rideau Canal Skateway will not open because of the lack of ice. This is due to the unusually high temperature in the region.
3. Which country’s fertility rate is the lowest in the world at 0.78 in 2022?
[A] Japan
[B] South Korea
[C] China
[D] Germany
Answer : [B] South Korea
South Korea’s fertility rate is the lowest in the world. The average number of expected babies per South Korean women over her reproductive life declined from 0.81 in 2021 to 0.78 in 2022. The country requires fertility rate of 2.1 to maintain a stable population. However, its number of deaths surpassed the births since 2020. The low fertility rate is causing major economic concerns in South Korea.
4. What is ‘INS Sindhukesari’, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] Missile
[B] Submarine
[C] Warship
[D] Research Vessel
Answer : [B] Submarine
INS Sindhukesari is a Sindhughosh-class diesel-electric submarine belonging to the Indian Navy. This 3,000 tonne submarine underwent a major ‘medium refit-cum-life extension’ in Russia’s Severodvinsk that ended in 2018. INS Sindhukesari recently reached Jakarta in Indonesia for the ‘maiden operational turnaround’ via the Sunda Strait. This is the first long-range deployment of a submarine.
5. Which country has launched ‘Commercial Arms Transfer (CAT) Policy’?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Germany
[D] Russia
Answer : [A] USA
The US administration has unveiled a new Commercial Arms Transfer (CAT) policy that places greater emphasis on human rights in its arms export policy. This is in contrast to the Trump-era policy that gave more importance to commercial considerations. The new policy covers the review of government-to-government weapons transfers, security assistance, and licensed commercial sales of US-origin military equipment overseen by various government departments.
6. Which armed force has planned to observe its Raising Day in Chhattisgarh?
[A] CRPF
[B] ITPB
[C] CISF
[D] RPF
Answer : [A] CRPF
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), India’s largest central armed police force, falls under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The CRPF was established on July 27, 1939. It is planning to organize its 84th Raising Day event in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. This is the first time that this annual event will be held in Left Wing Extremism-affected area.
7. Which by-product of fertilizer production also weakly radio-active, is to be used in construction of roads by NHAI?
[A] Sulphur-gypsum
[B] Phosphor-gypsum
[C] Benzyl-gupsum
[D] Potash-gypsum
Answer : [B] Phosphor-gypsum
Phosphor-gypsum, a by-product of fertilizer production, is composed of gypsum but is weakly radio-active due to naturally occurring uranium and thorium. It is not commonly used in construction due to concerns about its radioactivity, resulting in indefinite storage. The NHAI is exploring the possibility of using phosphor-gypsum waste material in the construction of national highway and achieve circular economy. An Indian fertilizer company recently constructed a road using the neutralized phosphor-gypsum waste material.
8. The Union Cabinet approved the air services agreement between India and which country?
[A] Namibia
[B] Egypt
[C] Guyana
[D] South Africa
Answer : [C] Guyana
The India-Guyana air services agreement has been approved by the Union Cabinet recently. The agreement will enable flight services between the two countries. According to the 2012 census, Indian comprise about 40 per cent of the population in Guyana. Both India and Guyana are signatories to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. India has air services agreements with around 110 countries.
9. Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) Meeting was held in which country?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] Australia
[D] Myanmar
Answer : [A] China
The Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was established as a result of a 2012 agreement between India and China Its main purpose is to facilitate regular and institutional exchanges between the two neighbours. Recently, the top official in India’s External Affairs Ministry visited China to attend the 26th WMCC. It was held in Beijing.
10. Which country recently recorded the ‘Anopheles Stephensi’ mosquito species?
[A] South Africa
[B] Congo
[C] Egypt
[D] Kenya
Answer : [D] Kenya
Anopheles stephensi is a mosquito species that can transmit both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax malaria parasites. Recently, Kenya recorded this species, making it the sixth and the latest country in Africa to report the invasion of this vector. The species is well adapted to urban areas and has been spreading to new regions, including parts of East Africa.
11. What is the name of the event when trade winds across the Pacific weaken, causing warm water to move towards the central and eastern Pacific?
[A] EI Nino
[B] La Nina
[C] Land Breeze
[D] Sea Breeze
Answer : [A] EI Nino
During an EI Nino event, the trade winds that usually blow from east to west across the Pacific weaken, causing warm water to move towards the central and eastern Pacific. This year is expected to witness the setting in of the EI Nino weather Although EL Nino is a natural occurrence, there are concerns that climate change may aggravate its frequency and intensity.
12. Where is the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) located?
[A] Gurugram
[B] Vishakhapatnam
[C] Panaji
[D] Bhubaneshwar
Answer : [A] Gurugram
The Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) is located in Gurugram. It is a regional maritime security centre that was launched in 2018. It aims to promote maritime security in the western Indian Ocean. It recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) of Seychelles.
13. Which city hosted the inaugural I2U2 Business Forum?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Abu Dhabi
[C] Colombo
[D] Dhaka
Answer : [B] Abu Dhabi
The I2U2 Group consists of four countries-India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. Recently, the inaugural I2U2 Business Forum was organized in Abu Dhabi. This meeting discussed the possibility of building integrated agricultural facilities across India.
14. le Clot, which was seen in the news, is an ancient crater located in which country?
[A] Australia
[B] France
[C] New Zealand
[D] USA
Answer : [B] France
Le Clot is an ancient crater located within the Domaine du Meteore vineyard in France. It measures 220 meters in diameter and 30 meters in depth. This is a major discovery since finding of small crater is rare. Currently, only 3 structures have been recorded – one in France and two in Germany. The presence of the le Clot was confirmed after finding the presence of iron oxide spnerules, shock microdiamonds, and a magnetic low within the crater.
15. As per the ‘Trends in Maternal Mortality’ Report, how many women died from preventable causes associated with pregnancy and child birth in 2020?
[A] 200
[B] 400
[C] 800
[D] 1200
Answer : [C] 800
The ‘Trends in Maternal Mortality’ Report was released recently by WHO, UNICEF, UNFRA, World Bank Group and UNDESA. It provides globally comparable estimates at the international, regional and global levels and trends between the years 2000 and 2020. In 2020, approximately 800 women died from preventable causes associated with pregnancy and child birth. This means that a woman died every 2 minutes during that year.
16. ‘Super Pigs’ have been recently spotted in which country?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] United States
[D] North Korea
Answer : [C] United States
Canada’s super pigs have been recently spotted in the United States. These non-indigenous species cause major damage to the North American region by spreading diseases and eating away the crops. Super pig came as a result of the cross-breeding of domestic pigs and wild boars. It is highly intelligent and elusive. The crossbreed was created to help pigs withstand the subzero temperature in Canada.
17. Lake Garda, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] USA
[B] Italy
[C] Australia
[D] France
Answer : [B] Italy
Lake Garda, which is famed for its clear waters, is situated in northern Italy. The historically low waters of Lake Garda caused by a winter drought have led to an unusual phenomenon of a sand and stone causeway appearing to connect a small island to the mainland. The decline in water levels is attributed to the warm temperatures, lack of rain in six weeks, and declining snow in the surrounding mountains.
18. Mount Mayon, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Afghanistan
[B] Israel
[C] Ukraine
[D] Philippines
Answer : [D] Philippines
Mount Mayon, a strato-volcano located in the Bicol province of the Philippines, is famous for its symmetrical and perfectly conical shape. It is a popular tourist attraction and is considered sacred in Philippine folklore. It is the centrepiece of the Albay Biosphere Reserve and is currently being considered for nomination as a World Heritage Site.
19. Mad Cow Disease has been confirmed in cattle of which country?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Brazil
[D] Argentina
Answer : [C] Brazil
Mad cow-disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), is a fatal and progressive disease affecting the central nervous system of adult cattle. Brazil, one of the world’s largest beef exporters, has temporarily suspended its beef exports to China after a confirmed case of mad cow disease.
20. Which country is the first in the world to create a national digital identity system in a self-sovereign framework?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Bhutan
[C] Myanmar
[D] UAE
Answer : [B] Bhutan
The Bhutan National Digital Identity (NDI) mobile wallet has been launched in Bhutan. During its launch, Bhutan’s Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck became the country’s first digital citizen. This makes Bhutan government the first in the world to create a national digital identity system in a self-sovereign framework. Its aims is to provide citizens and residents with secure and verifiable identity credentials.