Daily Current Affairs Quiz: 12 June 2021

ANSWER: B

Why in News ?

India and Kuwait signed a MoU on cooperation on domestic worker recruitment on June 10, 2021.

About MoU

• This MoU will bring Indian domestic workers in Gulf nation within the legal framework which will provide them protection under law.
• Agreement will also streamline recruitment of domestic workers.
• It will ensure rights and obligations of domestic workers as well as employer.
• A 24-hour assistance mechanism will be established to assist domestic workers.
• A joint committee will also be set up to assess and review periodically on implementation of MoU.

ANSWER: C

Why in News ?

US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held meeting recently in Cornwall and inspected documents related to Atlantic Charter and signed a document titled “New Atlantic Charter”.

What is New Atlantic Charter?

New Atlantic Charter is an agreement was signed on June 10, 2021 at 2021 G7 summit in England between Boris Johnson and Joe Biden. It is a new version of the Atlantic Charter of 1941. Agreement was signed to redefine Western alliance.

Objectives of New Atlantic Charter

New Atlantic Charter was signed with the objective of defending principles & institutions of democracy and strengthening & adapting the institutions. Charter seeks to remain united behind principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity & peaceful resolution of disputes. It will also try to maintain collective security & international stability even against cyber threats.  It prioritises climate change across all international action.

ANSWER: B

Why in News ?

Countries including Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been elected unopposed to powerful UN Security Council (UNSC) as non-permanent members for 2022-23 term.

Key Points

• UN General Assembly (UNGA) has held elections to elect five non-permanent members for UNSC. They will take their seats on Council for two-year term from January 1, 2022.
• Five countries won elections unopposed because they were the only candidates from their respective regional groups.

Regional distribution of seats in UNSC

As per regional distribution for 2021 election, three seats were available from African & Asian States. Gabon, Ghana and United Arab Emirates won these three sears. Apart from that, one Latin American and Caribbean Group seat was available for which Brazil was elected while, Albania won Eastern European Group seat.

Election to non-permanent members

Election for the non-permanent members of UNSC is held by secret ballot. Candidates require a two-thirds majority in UNGA to be elected as non-permanent member. Five countries are elected to Council of 15-member (UNSC) as non-permanent members for two-year term.

ANSWER: B

Why in News ?

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India has released an independent report and lauded Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) as ‘a successful model of local area development’.

Key findings of report

• As per the report, ADP should serve as a best practice for other countries where regional disparities are persisting with respect to development.
• Report highlights, ADP has made concerted efforts due to which neglected districts in remote locations and those districts affected by Left Wing Extremism are on positive trajectory of growth with more growth and development in last three years.
• Health & nutrition, education, and agriculture & water resources have registered massive improvements.

ANSWER: D

Why in News ?

Maharashtra Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray cleared an action plan to protect ancient and old trees aged 50 years and above in urban areas.

Heritage Tree

• Cabinet approved the action plan to implement ‘Heritage Tree’ concept in Maharashtra.
• This action plan was proposed by Environment Department headed by Aaditya Thackeray.
• Action plan amends Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Tree Protection and Conservation Act, 1975.
• Amendment will help in safeguarding green cover across urban landscapes and would also provide a robust mechanism to protect heritage trees.

ANSWER: A

Why in News ?

Assam Government has notified Dihing Patkai as a National Park which was the last remaining stretches of the Assam Valley tropical wet evergreen forests.

About:

• This notification comes four days after creating 422-sq. km Raimona National Park in Kokrajhar district of Assam.
• Assam now has the third most National Parks (7) in India.
• Madhya Pradesh with 12 national parks maintains the top slot and it is followed by Andaman & Nicobar Islands having 9 national parks.

 ANSWER: D

Why in News ?

According to commerce secretary, Anup Wadhawan, exports of India’s organic farm products has increased to 51 percent in 2020-21 challenging the hiccups in supply chain amid covid-19.

About:

• Outbound shipments of organic products have hit 1,040 million dollars in last fiscal as compared to 689 million dollars in 2020.
• Farm exports have increased over 17 percent to 41.25 billion dollars in last fiscal.
• Exports of organic products increased by 39 percent and reached to 8 lakh 88 thousand 179 tonnes in terms of volume in last fiscal.
• Organic products that were shipped include oil cake & meals, oil seeds, millets, cereals, spices and condiments, tea, dry fruits, sugar, coffee and medicinal plant products.