1. Important Days
International Mother Earth Day: April 22
This day was observed all over the world to spread awareness for the wellbeing of the planet.
World Earth Day 2021 marked the 51st Anniversary of the day since it started being observed in 1970.
The theme of 2021 International Mother Earth Day was ‘Restore Our Earth’.
Quick Fact: The United Nations Environmental Programme is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya and its founder is Maurice Strong.
2. Miscellaneous
68th Indian Chess Grandmaster – Arjun Kalyan
Arjun Kalyan from Tamil Nadu became India’s 68th Chess Grandmaster when he crossed the 2500 ELO mark.
He beat Dragan Kosic in the fifth round of GM Round Robin “Rujna Zore-3” in Serbia.
Viswanathan Anand became the country’s first Grandmaster, in 1988.
Quick Fact: The World Chess Federation, known as FIDE headquarters in Lausanne (Switzerland).
3. India and the World
Australia partners with India for Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative
Australia has announced a grant of Rs 81.2 million (AUD 1.4 million) under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
IPOI was proposed by Indian Prime Minister Modi at the East Asia Summit in November 2019.
Australia is co-leading New Delhi in the marine ecology pillar of the initiative.
Quick Fact: The Capital of Australia is Canberra and the PM is Scott Morrison; Australia Currency: Australian dollar.
4. Miscellaneous
Puma signs Washington Sundar and Devdutt Padikkal as brand ambassadors
Global sportswear brand Puma has signed long-term endorsement deals with cricketers Washington Sundar and Devdutt Padikkal.
Puma India recently announced its partnership with Royal Challengers Bangalore and has consistently been investing in India’s sports ecosystem.
The duo will be joining the company’s roster of brand ambassadors that includes various Indian cricketers.
Quick Fact: The MD of Puma India is Abhishek Ganguly.
5. India and the World
India elected to 3 bodies of U.N. Economic and Social Council
India has been elected by merit to three bodies of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2022.
They are :-
- Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)
- Executive Board of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
- Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP)
Quick Fact: The UN Economic and Social Council President is Munir Akram and it is headquartered in New York, USA.
6. Important Days
International Girls in ICT Day: 22 April
This day is marked annually on the fourth Thursday in April. This year International Girls in ICT Day was observed on 22nd April 2021.
International Girls in ICT Day aims to inspire a global movement to increase the representation of girls and women in technology.
The UNITU highlighted the need to promote technology career opportunities for girls and women in the world’s fastest-growing sector.
Quick Fact: The secretary-general of the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (UNITU) is Houlin Zhao.
7. International News
US Parliament passes No Ban Act
The No Ban Act was passed in response to the controversial “Muslim ban” passed by the former US President Donald Trump.
The Muslim ban barred the travel from Muslim-majority countries to the US.
The President shall impose the ban only after getting approval from DHS And the Secretary.
Quick Fact: Full form of the NO BAN Act is the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Non-Immigrants Act. The current President of the US is Joe Biden.
