Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2021

Notes:
A new draft ‘Arctic’ policy has been released recently by the Government of India. The draft policy would be available for public opinion till Jan 26, 2021. It has been prepared after deliberations with several Ministries.
The policy aims to expand India’s scientific research, sustainable tourism and mineral oil and gas exploration in the Arctic region.

Notes:
A resolution titled “Promoting a culture of peace and tolerance to safeguard religious sites” has been adopted in the United Nations General Assembly recently.
The resolution calls for efforts to promote a culture of tolerance and peace at all levels. It also invites the Secretary General to convene a global conference to advance the UN’s “Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites”.

Notes:
Recently, the Falcon 9 rocket of Space X set a record for carrying the maximum number of satellites in a single space mission. The rocket carried and deployed 143 spacecraft into their respective orbits successfully.
The rocket was launched from the Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida. Falcon 9 rocket of Space X is a reusable in nature.

Notes:
As per the United Nations data, China has become the world’s top destination for new foreign direct investment in the year 2020. China overtook USA and gained the top spot in the world.
New overseas investments for USA fell by 49% in 2020 whereas in case of China, the FDI increased by 4%.

Notes:
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has recently launched a mobile app named ‘Udyam Sarathi’ for seeking employment, as a part of the 3-day event marking UP DIWAS.
The state also announced the proposal to launch ‘Abhyudaya’ coaching centres, which would benefit the students who are preparing for various competitive examinations.

Notes:
Estonia’s two biggest political parties – the Reform Party and the Centre Party have agreed upon a deal to form a new government, which would be headed by Kaja Kallas.
If approved by the law makers, she would become the first women Prime Minster of Estonia. Earlier, the previous Government collapsed on charges of corruption scandal.

Notes:
The report, titled ‘Ageing water infrastructure: An emerging global risk’ was compiled by United Nations University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health.
As per the report, over a thousand large dams in India will be almost 50 years old in 2025. It also warns about the threat posed by the aging structures across the world. As per the UN report, a large concrete dam begins to express signs of ageing at 50 years.

Notes:
Freedom fighter and late former Union home minister Govind Ballabh Pant’s statue was relocated from the Parliament complex, as the construction for the new building commenced.
The statue was later unveiled in New Delhi’s Pandit Pant Marg. He was also the first Chief Minister of the state of Uttar Pradesh, from 1950 to 1954. He was also awarded with the highest honour of India, the Bharat Ratna.

Notes:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has recently released a report titled – Global Climate Litigation Report: 2020 – Status Review. The report provides an overview of climate change litigation and its trends globally.
As per the report, the number of climate litigation cases around the world has almost doubled in the last three years.

Notes:
The report titled “World Gold Demand Trends” has been released by the World Gold Council. As per the report, Gold purchase by central banks of various countries declined sharply in 2020 and fell by nearly 60% to 272.9 tonnes.
The decline in purchase was most particular in Q2 of the FY 2020-21.