Current affairs 04 April 2023

OPEC members announce cut in oil production.

• OPEC members including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, and Algeria have announced voluntary oil production cuts exceeding one million barrels per day from May 2023 until the end of the year.
• Reason: It is a precautionary measure aimed at supporting the stability of the oil market.
• OPEC slashed its collective output by two million barrels per day last year.
• OPEC is a group of 23 oil-producing countries.

India's forex reserves rise $5.98 billion to $578.78 billion.

• According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, India's foreign exchange reserves increased by $5.98 billion to $578.78 billion on March 24, 2023.
• Data for the previous week showed that India's foreign exchange reserves rose to $572.8 billion, the highest level since early February 2023.
• India's foreign currency assets (FCA) also increased from $4.38 billion to $509.72 billion.
• India's gold reserves rose by $1.37 billion to $45.48 billion.

Odisha CM disburses Rs 877 crore KALIA assistance to farmers.

• The Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has released Rs 877 crore to 43 lakh farmers through direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode on the occasion of Utkal Divas (April 1).
• The state government has extended another round of funds to Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) for undertaking the Kharif operation.
• About KALIA scheme:
• It was launched in December 2018.
• Aim: To reduce poverty and accelerate agricultural prosperity

Anjali Sharma conquered Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, wearing Luanchari.

• Anjali Sharma of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh has conquered Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, wearing Luanchari.
• She is working to promote Gaddi culture on the peaks of the mountains.
• Lunachari is a traditional dress of Himachal Pradesh.
• Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters) is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world’s largest free-standing mountain.
• It has three main volcanic peaks namely Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.

Israel's former envoy to India Ron Malka appointed as Haifa Port Chairman.

• Adani Group has appointed the former envoy of Israel to India, Ron Malka as the Executive Chairman of the Haifa Port Company.
• He served as the ambassador of Israel to India from 2018-2021.
• It is the second-largest port in Israel in terms of shipping containers.
• The Adani Group officially took over this port in January 2023.
• Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone and Israel's Gadot Group won the tender in July 2022 to privatize the Port of Haifa for USD 1.18 billion.