Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2021

Notes:
France and Greece announced a multibillion-euro Defence deal, which includes the decision of Greece to buy three French warships.
Greece will boost its Defense capacities in the Eastern Mediterranean amid tensions with Turkey. President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a Defense and security strategic partnership in Paris. Greece has already bought 18 French Rafale fighter jets.

Notes:
Digital Economy Report 2021 was released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The report examines the implications of growing cross-border data flows, especially for developing countries. It proposes to broaden the international policy debate with a view to build multilateral cooperation. The Report also calls for innovative approaches to govern data and data flows to ensure equitable distribution of the gains from data flows.

Notes:
Manipur organises the UNESCO-recognised Festival of Dance and Music ‘Nata Sankirtana’. This year, the 3-Day Festival was inaugurated recently from the capital Imphal.
Artistes from different organizations of Nata Sankirtana and many eminent personalities attended the occasion. Nata Sankirtan was introduced during the reign of Bhagyachandra and recognised as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2013 for its uniqueness.

Notes:
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (SSB prize) for the year 2021 have been announced recently. Every year, the award is presented to scientists who have shown outstanding capability and contributed in the field of Science and Technology.
The award is named after the founder Director of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) India – late Dr Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar. The prizes are awarded to scientists below 45 years of age for their research in one of seven disciplines including Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering Sciences among others.

Notes:
North Korea has claimed that it successfully tested a new hypersonic missile called Hwasong-8. This technology allows missiles to be pre-fuelled and then sent to the field.
Days after the hypersonic missile, North Korea said it test-fired a new anti-aircraft missile. This marks the country’s fourth weapons test in under a month. North Korea also said that its weapons are needed for self-defence.

 

Notes:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organised VAYO NAMAN Programme on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons. Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu presented Vayoshreshtha Samman-2021 to senior citizens.
Vice President also launched two portals – SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine) and SACRED (Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity). The SAGE portal, designed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, aims to encourage entrepreneurs in the area of elderly care. SACRED portal will connect the senior citizens with job providers in the private sector.

Notes:
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), is an infra development bank headquartered at Beijing. The Bank has recently approved financial assistance in the form of a loan amounting $356.67 million to support the Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL).
The financial assistance would be utilised for construction of CMRL’s Phase-II development which aims to provide an integrated connectivity between suburban rail, bus stations and the airport.

Notes:
The Cabinet of Assam has recently approved a sum of Rs 1,800 crore towards repayment of micro finance loans taken by 11 lakh borrowers of the state.
In addition, the cabinet has also approved a sum of Rs, 700 crore as a relief package for employees of the defunct paper mills of the PSU Hindustan Paper Corp (HPC).

 

Notes:
The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under the aegis Union Ayush Ministry has developed an immunity booster kit for children named “Bal Raksha Kit”, which can be consumed by children upto the age of 16 years. This can be undertaken by the children till the time vaccine is available for COVID 19 disease.
The Ministry has planned that, on National Ayurveda Day (November 2), 10,000 Bal Raksha kits would be distributed free-of-cost.

 

Notes:
Edayur Chilli and Kuttiattoor Mango of the state of Kerala have received Geographical Indication tag (GI Tag) recently.
Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and is regulated under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999. GI is awarded by the Controller General of Patents, Design and Trade Marks, under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.