Daily Current Affairs Quiz: 18 June 2021

ANSWER: B

Why in news ?

India has extended a USD 100 million Line of Credit to Sri Lanka to finance projects in solar energy sector.

About:

• Agreement was signed between Sri Lankan government and Export-Import Bank of India.
• This LOC will also ensure that Sri Lanka’s 70 percent power requirements are fulfilled by renewable energy sources by 2030.
• LOC will also finance solar energy projects in Sri Lanka, announced during Founding Conference of International Solar Alliance (ISA) in 2018. It includes project like rooftop solar photo-voltaic systems for households and government buildings.

ANSWER: A

Why in news ?

According to Power and Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh, a committee will be set up comprising of members from all relevant Ministries to implement Roadmap on Energy Efficiency and low carbon technologies.

About:

• This was highlighted during a high-level meeting of reviewing progress of several energy efficiency programmes and preparedness for Climate Change Actions in India.
• Activities in the field of energy efficiency across all sectors of economy was discussed with the objective of reducing CO2 emissions.
• It was directed to focus on sectors having highest emissions intensity like Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Transport and Power plants.
• Activities defined under Mission document ROSHANEE was also discussed. Mission document ROSANEE has been developed to implement several Energy Conservation schemes across India.

Mission ROSHANEE

This mission has been developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency along with Mission UNNATEE. Both the missions lay down Sector wise action plan for period 2021-2030. Mission ROSHANEE envisages several activities in the field of energy efficiency across different sectors of economy. It aims to reduce­­ CO₂ emissions by more than 550 million tonnes by 2030.

ANSWER: B

Why in news ?

Union Cabinet has approved ‘Deep Ocean Mission’ proposed by Ministry of Earth Sciences to conduct study on biodiversity, impact of climate change and to establish an offshore marine station in order to explore source of thermal energy.

About:

• Mission will explore Deep Ocean for resources and help in development of deep-sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources.
• Mission will be completed in an estimated budget of Rs 4,077 crores in five-year period.
• It will be implemented in phases. First phase will be implemented during 2021-2024.
• Estimated cost for first phase for three years is Rs 2,823.4 crore.
• Ministry of Earth Sciences will be the nodal ministry to implement this mission.

Which countries conduct such mission?

Such technology and expertise is currently available with five countries Russia, US, France, Japan and China. India will be sixth country to have it now.

Deep Ocean Mission

It is an Indian initiative to undertake deep ocean exploration. It focuses on India’s exclusive economic zones and continental shelf. Mission comprise of various manned and unmanned submersibles to explore sea bed. Main aim of this mission is to explore & extract polymetallic nodules which are composed of minerals such as nickel, manganese, copper, cobalt and iron hydroxide. These metals are useful in manufacturing electronic devices, smartphones, solar panels and batteries.

ANSWER: D

Why in news ?

Japan is going to make a vaccine passport available from next month for Japanese travellers in a bid to re-launch tourism and business trips abroad.

About:

• This certificate will be paper-based rather than digital.
• It will be issued by local governments from next month.

Digital Vaccine Passport in EU

European Union is working on digital vaccine passport for summer of 2021 to reboot tourism and attract tourists. EU version of certificate will comprise of information on whether a person has been vaccinated or had the virus, tested negative or had been recovered.

What is vaccine passport?

Vaccine passport, also known as immunity passport or immunity certificate, is a document in paper as well as digital format. The certificate attests whether its bearer is immune to a contagious disease or not. This public certification can be taken by governments to mitigate an epidemic. It is different than a vaccination record or vaccination certificate verified by medical records of the clinic. Concept of immunity passports has drawn attention during COVID-19 pandemic as a way forward to contain pandemic and permit faster economic recovery.

ANSWER: C

Why in news ?

US President Joe Biden is to sign a law to make June 19 or “Juneteenth” a national holiday. This holiday will be recognized by federal government to commemorating end of slavery after American Civil War.

About:

• Bill to establish Juneteenth National Independence Day was supported in both houses of US Congress and now needs to be approved by White House to become law.
• It was passed in the backdrop of killing of George Floyd that triggered anti-racism protests in US.
• Juneteenth is going to be first new federal holiday created in almost four decades.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, combination of June and nineteenth, is observed on June 19 every year. It is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of end of slavery in America. The day is recognized as holiday in 47 US states and District of Columbia. Juneteenth is also known as Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence Day.

Background

Juneteenth celebration started in 1866 from state of Texas, with community-centric events like cookouts, parades, prayer gatherings, historical & cultural readings and musical performances. While, era of “Modern Juneteenth Movement” started in 1994 from New Orleans in Louisiana with objective of greater recognition of Juneteenth.

ANSWER: A

Why in news ?

Recently, WHO tagged B.1.617.2 strain of coronavirus as ‘Delta’ variant, which now has further mutated. Mutated form of Delta variant is being termed as “Delta Plus” or “AY.1” variant.

About:

• Delta variant was identified as one of the factors of second wave of coronavirus infections in India.
• Initial data shows that, Delta plus variant have resistance against monoclonal antibody cocktail treatment, which was recently authorised by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for COVID-19 treatment.

Delta plus variant

Variant B.1.617.2.1 of coronavirus is known as AY.1 which is characterized by acquisition of K417N mutation. Delta plus variant was identified in six genomes in India as of now. Health agency has also confirmed the presence of 63 genomes of Delta variant with the new K417N mutation. However, there is

no immediate cause for concern since prevalence of Delta plus Variant is still low in India.

ANSWER: D

Why in news ?

Latest edition of UNESCO Science Report (USR) was published which is entitled as “race against time for smarter development”.

About USR

• USR is a flagship publication of UNESCO which is published once every five years.
• It is a report on science, technology and innovation (STI).
• Every edition comprises of a chapter on India.
• Chapter on India in latest edition was authored by Prof Sunil Mani, director at Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram.
• This chapter provides an overview of STI developments in India along with suggestions and recommendations

ANSWER: D

Why in news ?

The Union Government has approved a plan for Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) Corporatisation.

About Ordnance Factory Board(OFB):

• Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is an umbrella body of 41 Ordnance Factories.
• Origin: In 1775, British authorities accepted the establishment of the Board of Ordnance in Fort William, Kolkata. This marked the official beginning of the Army Ordnance in India.
• Nodal Ministry: It is currently a subordinate office of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• Mandate: It provides a major chunk of the weapon, ammunition, and supplies for Indian armed forces, paramilitary forces, and police forces.
• Headquarters: Kolkata, West Bengal

ANSWER: B

Why in news ?

China has launched the Long March 2F rocket transporting the Shenzhou-12 or Divine Vessel.

About:

• Shenzhou-12 is a manned mission. It is the third of the 11 missions that needed to complete China’s first Permanent space station, named Tiangong Space Station. Among these missions, four will be manned missions.
• Working:
  • Shenzhou-12 is made up of three sections—an orbiter module, a return module and a propelling module.
  • It will carry three astronauts to the orbiting Tianhe core module. The astronauts will test the module’s technologies, including its life-support system.
  • Moreover, the men will also be monitored for how they fare in space physically and psychologically for an extended period of time.
• Significance: Shenzhou-12 is China’sseventh manned mission to space and the first during the construction of China’s space station.
  • It is also the first in nearly five years after China’s manned mission in 2016.