Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2021

Notes:
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that the Long Period Average (LPA) for this year’s (2021) southwest monsoon is 98 per cent. The department expects a normal monsoon this year and is set to commence from June 2021.
This has a direct positive impact on the agricultural productivity of the country amidst COVID uncertainties.

Notes:
Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V is developed by Russia. Bala Venkatesh Varma, who is the Indian Ambassador to Russia has stated that the first dose of Sputnik V vaccines would be delivered to India in the month of April 2021.
Recently, the Subject expert committee (SEC) for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) has granted approval to Russia’s Sputnik V making it the 3rd in India to get clearance.

Notes:
The National Assembly of France has recently approved the creation of an “ecocide” offence, which seeks to punish acts of environmental damage.
The bill will be applied to the most serious cases of environmental damage at national level, such as the pollution of a river. An offence of endangering the environment is punishable on the lines of endangering life.

Notes:
A massive fire, which has been burning along the Table Mountain National Park, South Africa, is said to be damaging buildings.
Around 200 firefighters along with four helicopters have been dispatched to put off the massive blaze. Mostert’s Mill, a historic windmill near the University of Cape Town built around 1796, has also been damaged by the fire.

Notes:
The Amnesty International has released its annual report “global review of the death penalty”. As per the report, there is an overall decrease in the number of global death penalties in the year 2020, but some countries have increased the death penalty of executions.
As per the report, China is considered to be the world’s most prolific executioner in the world.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constituted a 6-member committee for evaluating the role of asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) in debt resolution and reviewing their business model.
The committee is headed by RBI executive director Sudarshan Sen and comprises eminent economists and industry experts. The committee will review the legal and regulatory framework of ARCs and recommend measures to improve their efficacy.

Notes:
The state government of Andhra Pradesh is implementing a scheme named Jagananna Vidya Deevena scheme, under which financial assistance is given to students for pursuing higher education.
Recently, the Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy released the 1st instalment of education fee reimbursement under the scheme to the bank accounts of 10.88 lakh mothers.

Notes:
India has been ranked at the 87th position among 115 countries in Energy Transition Index (ETI), which is released by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The top spot is occupied by Sweden followed by Norway and Denmark. The top 10 positions have been occupied by Western and Northern European countries.

Notes:
The World Creativity and Innovation Day is celebrated on April 21 every year by the United Nations.
This day aims to raise awareness on the importance of creativity and innovation in problem solving with respect to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals to be achieve by the year 2030. This day was first observed in the year 2021.

Notes:
Angola is a nation located in the eastern coast of African continent, with Luanda as its capital. Angolan kwanza is the country’s currency.
The nation is in news recently due to the heavy torrential rainstorm that has hit the capital city. The death toll has been reported to be over 25 and more than 2000 houses have been flooded.