Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2021

Notes:
The ongoing 74th World Health Assembly declared January 30 as ‘World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day’.
The proposal to recognise the day was initiated by the United Arab Emirates and it was adopted unanimously by the member countries. NTDs are a group of infections caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms.

Notes:
Germany and Norway have opened the operations of a 623-kilometer undersea power cable between the two countries. This project is called the NordLink and is aimed to exchange green energy between the two countries.
The project has cost more than $2.2 billion and is seen as a major initiative to shift to green energy.

Notes:
Microsoft has launched the first Asia Pacific Public Sector Cyber Security Executive Council. It aims to build a strong communications channel for addressing cyber threats.
It also aims to share best practices across the participating countries by accelerating public-private partnerships in cybersecurity. The council has policy makers from many Asian countries, supported by cybersecurity professionals.

Notes:
Every year, the United Nations observes 1st June as the Global Day of Parents. A resolution in this regard was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and the first-ever Global Day of Parents was observed in the year 2012.
This day is observed to celebrate parenthood and its selfless commitment.

Notes:
The US administration headed by President Joe Biden has proposed to suspend the oil and gas leases at Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This decision has been welcomed by environmentalists and Arctic tribals.
This move is reversal of the lease brought about by earlier US administration by President Trump.

Notes:
India and the UK have launched a new workstream to promote industrial energy efficiency, under the Clean Energy Ministerial’s (CEM) Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI).
The 12th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) is being organised by Chile in virtual mode. IDDI is coordinated by the by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). It is also supported by Germany and Canada.

Notes:
David Diop has become the first French writer to win the International Booker Prize, as he was selected for the prestigious award in 2021.
His second novel, At Night All Blood is Black, was translated by the US author and poet Anna Moschovakis. The book was inspired by his Senegalese great-grandfather’s silence about his experiences in First World War.

Notes:
The United States has announced a USD 57 million aid for efforts against tuberculosis in seven high-burden countries, including India.
Other countries for which the aid is being given are Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa, Tajikistan and Ukraine. TB is the leading infectious disease killer, particularly in low and middle-income countries, taking 1.4 million lives every year.

Notes:
The Supreme Court of India has directed the State Government of Haryana and the Faridabad Municipal Corporation to remove all encroachments in Aravali forest near a village in Faridabad.
These encroachments also consist of around 10,000 residential constructions. The apex court has also directed compliance reports from the state authorities in this regard.

Notes:
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 (IIDS) of DIC and KisanSarathi Platform” of ICAR will be collaborated to provide better extension services.