June 4th Week 2021 Current Affairs Online Test English

Explanation

• The World Bank has forecasted GDP growth of India to be 8.3 per cent for FY22, as against its earlier estimate of 10.1 percent. This has been published in the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects Report’s latest issue. This slash in GDP is on account of unprecedented impact of second wave of COVID 19.

Explanation

• As per the Economist’s annual survey of the world’s most liveable cities in 2021, Auckland (New Zealand) has topped the list of most liveable cities in the world. This is followed by Osaka and Tokyo in Japan.
• Vienna, previously the world’s most liveable city has fallen to 12th position. Auckland has topped the list owing to its successful approach in containing the COVID–19.

Explanation

• The General Assembly of the United Nations has called for an immediate action to end AIDS from the world by the year 2030. The assembly had passed an approval in this regard and has noted the present condition of AIDS with an alarm. The declaration was adopted with 165 votes in favour and four against.

Explanation

• The Digital India Corporation is a Not–for–profit company, working under the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. 
• Recently, the company has entered into an MoU with Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) for providing ‘Demand Based Tele Agriculture Advisories’ to farmers. Under the MoU, “Interactive Information Dissemination System of DIC and KisanSarathi Platform” of ICAR will be collaborated to provide better extension services.

Expalanation

• The report titled ‘The Costs of Climate Change in India’ has been released by London–based global think tank Overseas Development Institute. The report states that India’s poverty would increase by 3.5% by the year 2040 on account of climate change. The report also stated that India would lose around 3 to 10 per cent GDP due to climate change by the year 2100.

Explanation

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the UNICEF have released a report titled ‘Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, trends and the road forward’.
• This has been released ahead of the World Day Against Child Labour in June 12th. As per the report, the number of child labour has risen to an alarming number of 16 crore across the world.

Explanation

• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur and Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research in China have developed a technique to detect cyclone formation in the North Indian Ocean region, in advance.
• The study was conducted under the Climate Change Program with support from the Centre’s Department of Science and Technology.

Explanation

• The International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) is a worldwide initiative to improve awareness of level crossing safety. The campaign has been spearheaded by the Paris based International Union of Railways, an international rail transport industry body.

Explanation

• The World Health Organization (WHO) released a handbook to help assess the burden of foodborne diseases. It also aims to locate data gaps to help strengthen health infrastructure.
• As per the report, more than 600 million people are affected by foodborne diseases every year. It also highlighted that over 0.12 million children under five years die from consuming unsafe food.

Explanation

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently approved the Medtech company Meril for its self use Rapid Antigen Test for Covid–19, CoviFind. This indigenously researched and developed test can detect the SARS–CoV–2 virus swiftly in 15 minutes. This affordable test does not have any specific storage requirements.

Explanation

• The Reserve Bank announced that the Government has extended the tenure of Deputy Governor Mahesh Kumar Jain for two years. M K Jain was appointed as the Deputy Governor for three years in June 2018. The other three serving Deputy Governors of the RBI are Michael Patra, M Rajeshwar Rao and T Rabi Sankar.

Explanation

• The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, often referred to as the ‘Third Pole’, is spread over 3,500 square kilometres across eight countries including India, Nepal and China. As per a recent research backed by the UNDP, up to two billion people in southeast Asia can face food and water shortages, as the HKH mountain ranges lose up to two–thirds of its ice by 2100.

Explanation

• The World Accreditation Day is celebrated on 9th June every year to highlight and promote the role of accreditation in trade & economy. 1 The theme for World Accreditation Day 2021 is “Supporting the Implementation of the SDGs”. It is decided by the International Accreditation Forum and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation.

Explanation

• The UK holds the presidency of G7 and has invited India, Australia, South Africa and South Korea to the outreach summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to virtually participate in the outreach sessions of the G7 summit, hosted by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. This is the second time the Prime Minister is participating in the G7 meeting after France invited India in 2019 as a ‘Goodwill Partner’.

Explanation

• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released an independent appraisal report on India’s Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP).
• As per the report, the programme has resulted in sectoral growth and improvements in governance and administration. It analyses the progress of ADP and made recommendations for improvement. UNDP India representative handed over the report to NITI Aayog.

Explanation

• The United Nations Security Council is a 15–member body. Five veto–wielding permanent members of the council are the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom and France. Recently, five countries namely Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Albania, Ghana and Gabon have been selected for to join the U.N. Security Council.

Explanation

• Sero survey is used to determine the prevalence of antibodies in the community. In the process, blood samples are tested for the presence of IgG (Immunoglobulin G) antibodies, which determine a past infection due to COVID–19. NITI Aayog Member Dr VK Paul announced that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will start the fourth nation–wide COVID–19 serosurvey.

Explanation

• As per the recent data from the Commerce Ministry, Exports of India’s organic farm products rose 51 percent in 2020–21. Outward shipments of organic products touched 1,040 million dollars last year compared to 689 million dollars a year before.

Explanation

• The Ministry of Education has recently released the All–Indian Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) report 2019–20. The Gross enrolment ratio (GER) during 2019–20 is 27.1 %, which is an increase of 0.8 % from the previous year. Total enrolment in higher education stands at 3.85 crore in 2019–20. The rise in female enrolment in higher education during the period is 18.2 %.

Explanation

• Tech Major Google announced that it is building an undersea cable called ‘Firmina’, that would connect the United States, Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. The cable, which will be the longest cable in the world, aims to bolster internet connection capacity between these regions. 
• The cable will run from the East Coast of the US to Argentina and improve access to Google services for users in South America.

Explanation

• DBS has been named by Forbes in their list of World’s Best Banks 2021, based on global customer survey. DBS was ranked in the first position out of 30 domestic and international banks in India.
• This is the third edition of the ‘World’s Best Banks’ list by Forbes, conducted in partnership with market research firm Statista. The second bank in the list is Kerala–based CSB Bank, followed by ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank.

Explanation

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the President of the 14th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP14 President). 
• Recently, PM Modi is set to address a high–level virtual dialogue on desertification, land degradation and drought at the UN. The event will be convened by the President of the 75th session of the General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir.

Explanation

• The curtain raiser event for the 7th International Day of Yoga was organised recently. A mobile application, “Namaste Yoga” was also launched during the event. The event also marked the beginning of a series on Common Yoga Protocol to be telecast on DD India channel. The series is produced by produced Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY). International Day of Yoga is celebrated on June 21.

Explanation

• During the 44th GST Council meeting, the tax rate on the supplies was cut and medicines for treating the black fungus infection were exempted off GST.
• This was decided based on the recommendations of the group of ministers constituted to advise on the tax rates of COVID–related essential items. COVID vaccines will continue to be taxed at 5% GST.

Explanation

• World Day against Child Labour is observed on June 12. The 2021 World Day Against Child Labour marks a “Week of Action” that began on June 10. The theme of this year’s World Day Against Child Labour is ‘Act now: end child labour’.

Explanation

• The Ministry of Education has launched an online module to compile data on out–of–school children. The data is to be mapped with ‘PRABANDH’ portal of Samagra Siksha.
• Admissions of children in the age group of 6–14 years in disadvantaged sections can be fast–tracked. Financial assistance will be provided for out of school children in the 16–18 years age group, to continue their education through distance learning mode.

Explanation

• West African nation Ghana launched the “Green Ghana” programme, a massive drive to plant five million trees. The campaign aims to save depleting forest reserves. President Nana Akufo–Addo planted a memorial tree in the garden of Jubilee House, in the capital, Accra. 
• The government provided free seedlings to people across the country. Ghana is one of the tropical countries with the highest percentage of rainforest loss in the world.

Explanation

• The first commercial consignment of GI–certified Jardalu mangoes from Bhagalpur, Bihar was exported to the United Kingdom. APEDA, in collaboration with Bihar government, Indian High Commission & Invest India, exported the mangoes that were packed and treated at APEDA packhouse, Lucknow.
• Jardalu mangoes from Bhagalpur district of Bihar received GI certification in 2018, due to their distinct aroma and taste.

Explanation

• The Pulitzer Prize is the most prestigious award given in the field of Journalism. Darnella Frazier, an American teenager who filmed the death of George Floyd, received a special citation. The Pulitzer committee honoured the New York Times with the prestigious public service award for its coverage of the Covid–19 pandemic.

Explanation

• Barbora Krejcikova won her maiden Grand Slam singles title at the French Open Tournament 2021. She became the first Czech woman in 40 years to win the tournament. She won the women’s doubles titles at the 2018 French Open, 2018 Wimbledon and 2021 French Open and the mixed doubles titles at the Australian Open in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Explanation

• Ace Tennis player Novak Djokovic made history with his 19th Grand Slam Title in the final of French Open Tournament 2021. In a 5–set thriller, Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas. Djokovic also became the first in 52 years to win all 4 Grand Slams twice.

Explanation

• The Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for ‘Cooperation in Development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat’.  NMHC, a world–class facility is to be developed near the ASI site of Lothal, located about 80 kms away from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The complex would be developed as an international tourist destination, where the maritime heritage of India would be showcased.

Explanation

• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) mandated to use drones for monthly video recording of all national highway projects during their different stages of construction, operation and maintenance.
• NHAI has directed contractors to carry out the drone video recording in the presence of the Supervision Consultant, and upload the status of the current and last month on ‘Data Lake’, the portal of NHAI.

Explanation

• The Union Cabinet has approved ‘Deep Ocean Mission to study biodiversity, impact of climate change, and establish an offshore marine station to explore source of thermal energy.
• The Ministry of Earth Sciences is the nodal Ministry of the mission, which aims to develop deep–sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources.

Explanation

• The Asian Development Bank is the lead partner of India in developing the country’s East Coast economic corridor or ECEC. ADB and the Central government signed a USD 484 million loan in order to improve the transport connectivity through Chennai–Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC) in Tamil Nadu. The CKIC is a part of the East Coast economic corridor, which stretches from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu.

Explanation

• India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in association with Malaria No More, a NGO, has created an India Interagency Expert Committee on Malaria and Climate (IEC). It aims to to explore and provide climate–based solutions for fast–tracking Malaria elimination in India.

Explanation

• Madhya Pradesh is at the first position with a score of 64.1, in the Anemia Mukt Bharat Index. It is released by the National Health Mission. M.P is followed by Odisha with a score of 59.3.
• Himachal has jumped to third spot this year, against its rank 18 in the year 2018–19. Almost 50% of the pregnant women, 59% of children less than five years of age, 54% of adolescent girls and 53% of non–pregnant non–lactating women in India are anemic.

Explanation

• Geneva–based International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear–weapons (ICAN) has released a report titled “Complicit: 2020 Global Nuclear Weapons Spending”. The report details the spending of nine countries on their weapons, the companies that profited, among others.
• The amount had an increase of $1.4 billion from last year. USA tops the list with an expenditure of $37.4 billion, followed by China at $ 10.1 billion. Russia, UK and France are in the next places.

Explanation

• The World Giving Index (WGI) for the year 2021 has been released by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). The report states that COVID 19 and associated lockdowns have changed the giving behaviour of countries across the globe. India stands at 14th most generous countries in the world. Indonesia has been ranked at the 1st spot.

Explanation

• Indian Chess Player D. Gukesh won the $15,000 Gelfand Challenge chess title and eventually a ‘wild card’ for the elite Meltwaters Champions Chess Tour. 15–year–old Gukesh won all four rounds, including the key fight against Praggnanandhaa. He is the second youngest person to qualify for the title of Grandmaster, in March 2019.

Explanation

• The 7th edition of the UNESCO Science report has been released recently under the title “The race against time for smarter development”. This report makes a detailed analysis of the development path that countries have been following over the last five years in the field of science.

Explanation

• A team of International Researchers led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research have launched the online portal ‘ISIpedia’.
• It provides accessible data, in maps and graphs, and country–level information derived from global studies. Besides providing climate impact science accessible to public, the portal also provides an insight into the analyses.

Explanation

• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIR–CSIO) has developed and transferred the technology of Precision Iodine Value Analyzer (PIVA).
• PIVA is an instrument for the measurement of the Iodine value, which measures the degree of unsaturation in vegetable oils. This indigenous food testing equipment was recognized by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Explanation

• The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) is registered under the Co–operative Societies Act and is established to promote the cooperative marketing of agricultural produce. Recently, NAFED has launched “Nafed Fortified Rice Bran Oil ”. 
• This is expected to significantly reduce India’s dependence on imported edible oil and would provide an impetus to the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative.

Explanation

• The Pine Island Glacier is one of the largest ice streams in Antarctica and is the fastest melting ice shelves in the region. As per a recent study by the Washington University and British Antarctic Survey, the ice shelves of Pine Island Glacier are reported to rapidly break down. It is expected to collapse faster than previously expected timeline. Its complete melting could result in 0.5 meters rise in global sea levels.

Explanation

• VivaTech is an annual technology conference which is organised in Paris, France. This conference has been organised since 2016 and is dedicated to innovations and startups across the globe.
• Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi delivered the keynote address at this year’s VivaTech conference, where he highlighted the close association of India and France on the technology front.

Explanation

• The state government of Kerala has recently approved for commencing land acquisition to SilverLine project, which is a semi high–speed railway project. Proposed at a cost of Rs.63,940 crore, the project aims to connect the northern and southern part of Kerala by rail and reduce the travel time. This is one of the biggest infra projects of recent times in the state.

Explanation

• Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat has clinched the 53kg gold medal at the Poland Open in Warsaw. It is the third title of the season for the 26–year–old wrestler, who had previously won gold medals at the Matteo Pellicone event (March) and Asian Championship (April). 
• Vinesh won the final match against Ukraine’s Khrystyna Bereza 8–0. The victory would make her the top seed at the Tokyo Olympics.

Explanation

• The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year on 17th of June to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.
• The day is a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality is achievable through problem solving, strong community involvement and co–operation at all levels.

Explanation

• ‘International Day of Family Remittances’ is celebrated on June 16, every year across the world. This year, the International Day is observed with the theme of “Recovery and resilience through digital and financial inclusion”. This day also calls upongovernments, private sector companies and the civil society, to maximize the impact of remittances through individuals.