Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2021

Notes:
The United Nations is set to conduct the first ever UN Food Systems Summit in September 2021. The Summit will focus on shaping food systems nationally and globally to accelerate progress in the SDGs.
In India, the first National Level Dialogue on Agri-Food Systems-Advancing Equitable Livelihoods was recently conducted on 12 April, 2021. The Inter departmental Group constituted by Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare and the representatives from UN Agencies in Delhi participated in the dialogue.

Notes:
The National Assembly of France has recently approved the creation of an “ecocide” offence, which seeks to punish acts of environmental damage.
The bill will be applied to the most serious cases of environmental damage at national level, such as the pollution of a river. An offence of endangering the environment is punishable on the lines of endangering life.

Notes:
Russia is set to deliver the first regimental set of S-400 Triumf ‘SA-21 Growler’ air defence systems to India.
India and Russia have inked a USD 5.43 billion contract, for the S-400 Triumf ‘SA-21Growler’, which is long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. This system is for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and will help in further enhancing the air defence (AD).

Notes:
The “Urban heat island effect” describes cities being warmer than surrounding rural areas. It means that darker, paved surfaces absorb more heat than more natural surroundings.
A recent study found that 94% of lower income communities of color, are exposed to higher temperatures than affluent areas. This is because these lower income communities lack green space and suffer most from urban heat islands.

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:
Every year April 18 is celebrated as World Heritage Day or the International Day for Monuments and Sites.
This year, the theme of the World Heritage Day is “Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures”. In India, Tourism and Culture Minister has inaugurated the first-ever online exhibition on Ramayana. The online exhibition showcases 49 miniature paintings collections of National Museum, New Delhi.

Notes:
Italy has recently launched its first ever mega food park project in India involving food processing facilities.
The pilot project “The Mega Food Park” was launched in virtual mode. A Letter of Intent was signed between the ICE Office in Mumbai and Fanidhar Mega Food Park, Gujarat. PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the country in the coming days.

Notes:
The American Space Agency NASA’s robot helicopter named Ingenuity has successfully flown over the surface of Mars.
This makes it the first powered – controlled flight by an aircraft on another planet. Bob Balaram, an Indian origin NASA Engineer is considered to be the man behind Ingenuity helicopter.

Notes:
The S&P Global Ratings in its report on Asia-Pacific Financial Institutions, highlighted that the Indian economy is projected to grow at 11 per cent in the current fiscal year.
The agency also revealed that some more targeted lockdowns will likely be needed and the impact of broader lockdowns on the economy could be substantial. As per official estimates, the Indian economy contracted 8 per cent in 2020-21 fiscal.

Notes:
“Global youth mobilization” aims to fund young people’s ideas to combat the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, in various communities. This is supported by the World Health Organization and United Nations Foundation.
It is also backed by UNICEF, USAID, UNFPA, European Commission, Salesforce, FIFA and Heads of State and Governments from around the world.