Top Weekly Current Affairs – 17 January 2021 to 23 January 2021

Today, we will see the latest current affairs from 17th Jan-21 to 23th Jan-21. This latest current affairs news is a must for aspirants of competitive exams. So let’s start!!!

Polity and Governance

1. Parakram Diwas 2021

The Parakram Diwas marks the birth of Netaji as it is celebrated on 23 January by the Indian government.

It aims to inspire the youth of the country to act courageously in every situation and take Netaji as their role model.

It is an annual event of national importance. 

2. First Woman Pilot to Participate in Republic Day 

Bhawana Kanth became the first-ever woman fighter pilot to be part of the republic day celebration.

The republic day parade is an annual tradition that also sees Indian Air Force paying tributes.

Bhawana will be responsible for displaying mock-ups of light combat helicopters, Aircraft, and Sukhoi-30 fighter planes.

3. The Shram Shakti Portal

The ministry of tribal Affairs launched a portal to maintain data about migrant workers and introduce them to relevant welfare schemes.

The portal is called the Shram Shakti which launched on 22 January 2021.

This decision comes after the Indian government received backlash over migrant worker’s loss during the peak of the pandemic. 

Environment and Ecology

1. The Carbon Tax

The Biden administration is very much concerned about climate change and thus is working on the idea of the carbon tax.

A carbon tax is charging industries for the amount of the carbon footprint they produce.

The tax will increase with more carbon emission and is expected to reduce pollution as the companies will focus on cost cuts. Many other countries are expected to follow this structure. 

International Relations

1. UNOCT Launches Counter Terrorist Threats Programme

The UN office of counter-terrorism took an initiative to launch a program against terrorist threats on 19 January 2021.

UN with other agencies will work on this program to help UN countries dealing with such sensitive situations.

This comes after protests around Trump’s term end and other protests going around the world. 

2. The 46th President of the United States

On 20 January 2021, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took oath as the president and the vice president of the USA respectively.

Biden will be the 46th president of America while Hariss is the first female to hold the position of vice president in the country.

She is also the first Asian-American & African-American woman in the office. Biden also announced the USA’s decision to join back the Paris Climate change agreement. 

3. India’s Role in UNSC

TS Tirumurti serves as the permanent representative of India to the UN and he recently confirmed India’s decision to be more active in UNSC.

India will be part of ending the Syria conflict with the UN security council and will also help with health and infrastructure facilities during covid.

It is to show India’s support to developing countries around the world. 

4. India and EU’s Maritime Security Meet

Both the nations met virtually on 20 January 2021 for their first maritime security dialogue of such type.

The discussion mainly revolved around mutual interest development, maritime security, and opportunities for environmental and activities. 

5. The Fifth India-Singapore Defence Ministers Dialogue 

The meeting took place on 20 January 2021 between the defense ministers of both nations.

Both the parties were satisfied with the current defense engagements and decide to overcome the covid limitation together, The two leaders also assured each other about the bilateral ties and future growth. 

6. Uighur Muslim Minority in China

China has been all over the news due to allegations about the exploitation of the Uighur community in Xinjiang province.

The rumors about concentration camps and mass sterilization have reached the UN”s door now.

The UN has requested China to let some officials from the agency visit and put clarity over the issue but China is firmly against it denying the allegations. 

7. China’s Economy hits all Time low after Four Decades

China is famous for being the highest exporter of manufacturing goods but due to the coronavirus pandemic, its economy slumped.

The growth rate for 2020 was 2.3 % according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

World leaders like the USA and Europe are likely to face the same situation due to rising infections. 

Science and Technology

1. Abell 370 – A Galaxy Cluster

NASA on 3 January 2021 shared the images of a galaxy cluster Abell 370 on its social media account. It is 4.9 billion light-years away from earth and is massive in size.

The Hubble space telescope was used to take images of the galaxy cluster. More information regarding the galaxy is expected to come out soon. 

Awards and Prizes

1. India Innovation Index 2020

The innovation index of India ranks the states of the country based on their innovation skills.

NITI Aayog and Institute for competitiveness work together to formulate this report annually. Karnataka topped the index followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu respectively. 

Summary

These are the top Current affairs news from 17 Jan 2021 to 23 Jan 2021. Hope it was useful to you.