Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2021

Notes:
Recently the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin is found to effectively neutralise the double mutant strain, B.1.617, of SARS-CoV-2. This vaccine is manufactured by Hyderabad based – Bharat Biotech
Also, ICMR has stated that at its National Institute of Virology, scientists have successfully isolated and cultured the double mutant strain which has E484Q and L452R mutations.

Notes:
The International Energy Agency, which is headquartered in Paris (France) has recently released a report, which states that energy related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across the globe have risen by about 1.5 billion tonnes in the year 2021.
This is considered to be the largest increase in carbon emission since the year 2010.

Notes:
The High Commissioner of Australia to India has launched the Australia-India Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership (AIIPOIP) grant program.
This AUD 1.4 million (INR 8.12 crore) grant program aims to support a free, open Indo-Pacific region The programme would encourage exchange of expertise and resources between Australian and Indian stakeholders that complements regional mechanisms such as ASEAN, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, Pacific Islands Forum etc.

Notes:
Fighters of the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) rebel group was formed in 2016. The group said to have crossed into Chad recently with the aim of overthrowing President Idriss Deby.
A day after provisional results of Deby being re-elected, the military announced that President, had died due to wounds suffered during a battle against the rebels.

Notes:
April 22 is observed as the Earth Day throughout the world. It is an international event celebrated around the world to support for environmental protection. This year marks the 51st anniversary of the annual celebrations.
The theme for Earth Day 2021 is ‘Restore Our Earth’. The United Nations designated April 22 as ‘International Mother Earth Day’.

Notes:
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended the US Government to place India on the CPC list (i.e) ‘Countries of Particular Concern’, for violation of religious freedoms in the year 2020.
It has also recommended for imposition of targeted sanctions on Indian individuals and entities for violating religious freedoms.

Notes:
The Government of Delhi has formed a 24-member oxygen audit committee, in wake of the acute shortage of medical oxygen in hospitals across Delhi.
The committee would be monitoring the oxygen stocks and their consumption continuously. It would also ensure that the utilization of oxygen is rational and optimal.

Notes:
In the World Youth Boxing Championships held in Kielce, Poland, Indian women boxers created history with seven gold medals.
All the women finalists Gitika, Naorem Babyrojisana Chanu, Poonam, Vinka, Arundhati Choudhary, T Sanamacha Chanu and Alfiya Pathan finished on the top of the podium. Three other Indian boxers also won bronze medals.

Notes:
Yasukuni Shrine (meaning “Peaceful Country”) is a shrine located in Tokyo, Japan. It commemorates those who died in service of Japan in several wars including the 2.4 million war dead from WWII.
Recently, the Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga sent a ritual offering of potted plant to Yasukuni Shrine, to mark the spring festival. However, China and South Korea were irked by the action of the Prime Minister

Notes:
A virtual roundtable discussion ‘Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) in Government’ was organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) in collaboration with Omidyar Network India.
The MEITY also launched the #FOSS4GOV Innovation Challenge to accelerate adoption of Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) In Government.