Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2021

Notes:
The Government of Russia has recently announced its decision on pulling out of the Open Skies treaty.
The treaty came into effect in 2002, which permits a member country to spy on any part of the host nation, with the latter’s consent. As per the treaty, any signatory country can make aerial imaging over the host nation after giving a notice of 72 hours and sharing the exact flight path.

Notes:
Alexei Navalny, the leader of opposition of Russia has been remanded to a 30-day custody by the Russian government. He was arrested at the Moscow Airport.
Alexei Navalny had earlier spent 5 months at Germany recovering from alleged nerve poisoning and had just returned to Russia where he was arrested.

Notes:
Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has recently notified Inter Country Transport Vehicles Rules, 2021.
As per the rules, the State Transport Authority can grant the Inter Country Transport Permit, which will remain valid for a period of one year. The new rules regulate the movement of passenger and goods vehicles between India and its neighbouring countries.

Notes:
Seven countries including Iran have recently lost their right to vote in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
As the countries have not paid their dues more than two years, seven countries including Iran, Niger, Libya, the Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville, South Sudan and Zimbabwe lost their voting rights as per the UN Charter.

Notes:
Pakistan has recently successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile named ‘Shaheen-III’.
The missile is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 2,750 kms. Pakistan is one of the eight countries worldwide with the stated nuclear weapons capability.

Notes:
In a recent annual study and winter count by Xerces Society, it is found that number of western monarch butterflies has been falling down rapidly. The count is found to be less than 2000 and the insect is said to be in the verge of extinction.
This butterfly is most familiar in North America and is a well-known pollinator species.

Notes:
Technology major Google has signed a deal with a group of French publishers which will enable the company make digital copyright payments for online news content.
France became the first country to adopt new European Union copyright rules, which aims to ensure media are paid for original content, typically news, offered online by tech giants such as Google and Facebook.

Notes:
The World Economic Forum released the 16th edition of the Global Risks Report 2021. It explores how countries and businesses can act on facing these risks.
‘Infectious Diseases’ is ranked as the ‘Top Risk by impact’, while ‘Extreme Weather’ is ranked as the ‘Top Risk by Livelihood’. Infectious diseases was placed at the 10th place in the last year’s report released in 2020.

Notes:
The Interpol has issued “Purple Notice” to all its member countries. The notice warns all the member countries against investment frauds via dating applications.
It has been stated that artificial romance is established with users of the apps in the initial stages and once a certain level of trust is achieved, criminals encourage users to join ponzi investment schemes.

Notes:
The DRDO’s Integrated weapons system design centre has been inaugurated by the Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex – Hyderabad.
This centre would set an all-new platform for enhanced design – development for surface to air missile (SAM) systems and ballistic missile defence (BMD) systems.