Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2021

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 UT Government of Puducherry has decided to sell Government securities of 4 years maturity, through which it aims to raise a capital of Rs.250 crore.
The sale would be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India – Mumbai. The securities would be in the denomination of Rs.10,000 and multiples thereof.

Notes:
Department of Science and Technology has stated recently that the number of scientific publications from India has increased exponentially over the last 10 years and that India stands at 3rd position globally in number of scientific publications.
China and USA are ahead of India in the list. In the year 2017-18, 1,937 out of the total 13,045 patents were filed by Indians.

Notes:
January 24 is observed as ‘International Education Day’ globally to highlight the role of education for peace and development.
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution co-authored by Nigeria and 58 other member states in 2018, which sought for political will to support inclusive and quality education for all. This year, the day was observed on the theme ‘Recover and revitalise education for the COVID-19 generation’.

Notes:
The Union Agriculture Ministry has proposed a Rs 19,000 crore National mission on edible oil for approval in the upcoming budget.
The mission seeks a five-year plan to achieve self-sufficiency in cooking oil production along with cutting its import. India spends almost Rs 75,000 crore annually in importing edible oil which will also promote local production and cut its cost.

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 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for milling copra and ball copra.
As per M S Swaminathan recommendations, the increase in MSP has been approved. The MSP of copra was raised by Rs 375 from the previous year, 2020 to Rs 10,335 per quintal. Farmers of 12 coastal states are likely to impact by the price hike.

Notes:
START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is a bilateral agreement signed in 2010 between the United States and Russia.
The treaty, which emphasised on the reduction and limitation of strategic nuclear arms by the two countries, is set to expire next week. Russia’s lower house of parliament approved the extension of the treaty.

Notes:
The second edition of the International Conference on Gender Equality (ICGE-II) is to be hosted in February, 2021, at the Gender Park Campus, Kozhikode, Kerala.
The Chief Minister is also set to inaugurate a Gender Park at Kozhikode. It was established in 2013 under the Department of Women and Child Development. It has partnerships with various global organisations like UN Women.

Notes:
The third consignment comprising of three number of France manufactured Rafale fighter jets have arrived at India recently. They would be soon inducted officially into the Indian Air Force. This would move up the Rafael’s fleet to 11 aircrafts in the Indian Air Force.
In September 2016, India had signed an agreement with France for purchase of 36 Rafael fighter jets at a cost of Rs.59,000 crores.