Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2021

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:
‘OSH&WC’ Code stands for Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code. The Labour Ministry has notified draft rules for setting up of a technical committee under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSH&WC Code), 2020.
The committee would help the Government or the National board to be set up under the Code to discharge safety and other related measures across industrial establishments.

Notes:
Russia has unveiled a new series of space Lunar missions. The first of those missions, named as “Luna 25”, is scheduled to launch this October.
The country had a 45-year drought of moon landings. The lander has been designed to study the ice permanently frozen below the moon’s surface. The scientists will also evaluate the dangers posed by sharp fragments of lunar dust.

Notes:
Israel and Greece have signed their biggest ever defence procurement deal. It includes a USD 1.65bn contract for establishment and operation of a training centre for the Hellenic Air Force (Greece) by Israeli defence contractor.
This deal is expected to strengthen political and economic ties between the countries. The Air Forces of the two countries also launched a joint exercise.

Notes:
The Ministry of Railways has decided to map local festivals celebrated near railway tracks across the country. It would issue advisory to loco pilots on speed restrictions and other safety aspects to be followed.
There are several local festivals celebrated in India during which the people gather near railway premises and cross the track in groups as part of the event. Two years ago, 61 people who were a part of Dussehra celebrations near Amritsar, were run over by train.

Notes:
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) announced that Sivasubramanian Ramann has taken charge as Chairman and Managing Director of the bank.
The appointment is for a period of three years. Prior to this appointment, Ramann was serving as MD and CEO of National E-Governance Services Ltd (NeSL). He has also held the position of Executive Director in Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

Notes:
IAS officer Siddharth Singh Longjam is to take over as the National Anti-Doping Agency’s Director General.
The officer will succeed Navin Agarwal, who introduced Athletes Biological Passport (ABP) for around 60 elite Indian sportspersons during his tenure. Longjam is currently serving as joint secretary in the Sports Ministry.

Notes:
Ace Racing Driver Max Verstappen claimed an impressive victory in the Emilia Romagna GP for Red Bull. Top Driver Lewis Hamilton recovered to the second place for Mercedes. Verstappen registered his first race victory of the Formula One 2021 season.
Valtteri Bottas and George Russell were involved in a huge collision. Lewis Hamilton still leads the championship leaderboard with 44 points.

Notes:
The President of the Central African country Chad, Idriss Deby Itno, who ruled the country for more than three decades, died recently during a fight with rebels.
Hours earlier, the electoral officials had declared Deby as the winner of the April 11 presidential election. Deby was a major French ally in the fight against Islamic extremism in Africa and also supplied critical troops to the peacekeeping effort in northern Mali.

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.