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The World Health Organization (WHO) and Switzerland have launched a BioHub facility that will allow pathogens sharing between laboratories and facilitate “analysis and preparedness” against them. Important points: The facility will help in safe reception, sequencing, storage and preparation of biological materials for distribution to other laboratories, so as to facilitate global preparedness against these pathogens. It will enable member states to share biological materials …

Two celestial events – Total Lunar Eclipse and Supermoon – together coincide on 26th May 2021. Important points: A supermoon occurs when the Moon’s orbit is closest to the Earth at the same time that the Moon is full. As the Moon orbits the Earth, there is a point of time when the distance between the two is the …

The Prime Minister addressed “Virtual Vesak Global Celebrations” on Buddha Purnima. The event is being organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and will witness the participation of all the supreme heads of the Buddhist Sanghas from around the world. Important points: It is celebrated to mark the birth of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It …

Recently, the European Union (EU) imposed sanctions against Belarus, including banning its airlines from using the airspace and airports of the 27-nation bloc EU. Important points: Europe’s longest-serving ruler, President of Belarus Lukashenko took office in 1994 amid the chaos caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Often described as Europe’s “last dictator”, he has tried …

The Ministry of Women and Child Development will set up One Stop Centres (OSCs) across 10 countries to provide assistance to Indian women who are survivors of gender-based violence. The missions where the OSCs will come up are Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Canada and Singapore. It will also set …

The latest Draft Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation, 2021, for the creation of a Lakshadweep Development Authority (LDA) is widely resented by the people of Lakshadweep. Important points: It empowers the government, identified as the administrator, to constitute Planning and Development Authorities under it to plan the development of any area identified as having “bad layout …

Recently, the Central Government has appointed ‘Subodh Kumar Jaiswal’ as a new Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) The Director of the CBI is appointed as per section 4A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act of 1946. Important points: The CBI was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs. …

As there is no clear definition of what constitutes a “Hate Speech” in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Committee for Reforms in Criminal Laws constituted by the Union Home Ministry to suggest reforms to the British-era IPC, is attempting for the first time to define such speech. Important points: In general, it refers …

A Bangalore based startup has received the National Award 2021 from Technology Development Board (TDB) for developing a commercial solution for conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to chemicals and fuels. The startup has received funding under the Nano Mission.  Important points: The startup developed efficient catalysts and methodologies for the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to methanol and …

Recently, the government launched the first phase of the latest update to its digital corporate compliance portal, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) 21 Version 3.0. It will help in improving Ease of Doing Business in India. India ranked 63rd out of 190 countries in Ease Doing Business 2020: World Bank Report Important points: It will leverage the …