June 1st Week 2021 Current Affairs Online Test English

Explanation

• The Prime Minister of UK Boris Johnson has announced that the UK would form an “International Pathogen Surveillance Network” in association with the World Health Organisation and other leaders across the globe. The network is aimed to identify the new COVID 19 variants and provide real time data on the same.

Explanation

• The Union Ministry of Science and Technology’s Department of Science and Technology has launched the “NIDHI4COVID2.0”, which would fund start–ups & companies registered in India which offers solutions in areas like oxygen, medical accessories, portability of equipment, diagnostic etc.
• This is done to encourage make in India since various medical equipment & devices required for COVID treatment are being imported.

Explanation

• The Rosalind Franklin rover, which is being built by the European Space Agency (ESA) to be launched to Mars has demonstrated successful operations during its trails. The rover is a part of ESA’s ExoMars mission which is scheduled to be launched in 2023.
• Earlier, the mission was planned to be launched in 2020, but has been delayed due to the ongoing COVID pandemic.

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• Mount Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It has an elevation of 3,470m. The volcano has erupted recently and has flushed out a river of lava. The lava has destroyed houses and highways.

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• Every Year, 23rd May is observed as World Turtle Day, which is aimed to make people aware of turtles – tortoises and their habitats. The theme for this year’s turtle day is “Turtles Rock!”. This day has been celebrated widely since 2000 by a non–profit organization named American Tortoise Rescue (ATR).

Explanation

• Africa Day is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity, which was established 57 years ago, on May 25th, 1963 and its successor organization is the African Union, which was established in 2002. The day highlights and celebrates the vitality and diversity of Africa and to promote African unity. The 2021 theme is “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want”.

Explanation

• Every year, May 25 has been observed as the World Thyroid Day since 2008, across the world. The European Thyroid Association and American Thyroid Association established World Thyroid Day to promote public awareness of thyroid disease.
• Thyroid is the most common endocrine disorder. Jal Shakti Ministry has said that water plays a crucial role in treating the symptoms of thyroid and helping in weight loss.

Explanation

• India attracted the highest ever total FDI inflow of US$ 81.72 billion during the financial year 2020–21. This is 10% higher as compared to the last financial year 2019–20. Gujarat is the top recipient state of FDI during the FY 2020–21 with 37% share of the total FDI Equity inflows. It is followed by Maharashtra (27%) and Karnataka (13%).

Explanation

• As per the recent data released on India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow during 2020–21, Singapore’ is at the top with 29%, followed by the U.S.A (23%) and Mauritius (9%).
• In terms of sector, ‘Computer Software & Hardware’ is at the top with around 44% share of the total FDI Equity inflow followed by Construction Activities (13%) and Services Sector (8%).

Explanation

• The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020 has been notified for the District Central Co–operative Banks (DCCBs) with State Cooperative Banks (StCBs). The Reserve Bank is required to sanction the amalgamation these banks.
• Recently, the RBI said that it will consider amalgamation of StCBs and DCCBs, subject to many conditions, including that a proposal should be made by the state government concerned, NABARD’s recommendation, additional capital infusion strategy, assurance regarding financial support etc.

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• Iran has agreed to extend an agreement allowing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to keep surveillance cameras at nuclear sites, by one month. As per the IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, the deal would end on 24 June.

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• The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) has appointed Rajesh Bansal, a member of the founding team of Aadhaar, as its Chief executive officer. He has previously served at the RBI in various fields of technology, financial inclusion and payments systems. He also served a key role in designing India’s Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) at UIDAI.

Explanation

• Protected Planet Report is a biennial landmark publication released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• The report assesses the state of protected and conserved areas around the world. As per the Protected Planet Report 2020, the global community has made major progress towards the target on protected and conserved area coverage, but has not fulfilled on its commitments on the quality.

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• The United Kingdom has launched a 14–week consultation process involving business representatives to start free trade talks with India. This process comes ahead of formal launch of free trade talks expected in September–October. India is seen as a huge market for British goods like whisky, cars and services.

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• The National Green Tribunal has set up a committee to submit a report on alleged violation of norms in the construction of a dam across the Cauvery River at Mekedatu, in Karnataka.
• Karnataka earlier proposed to construct the dam in the area and the proposal was deferred by the Cauvery Water Management Authority twice. Tamil Nadu Government had expressed its strong opposition citing the pendency of case before the Supreme Court.

Explanation

• Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have found the variant of the African violets in Mizoram. Named as Didymocarpus vickifunkiae, the endangered species has been recorded scientifically for the first time in India. African violets, native to Tanzania and Kenya, are epiphytes, that grows on trees and produces light pink flowers during the monsoons.

Explanation

• The E–Committee of the Supreme Court of India has released a manual for the “e–Courts Services Mobile app” in 14 languages which includes English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Khasi, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu This app aims to benefit litigants, citizens, lawyers, police and other governmental agencies.

Explanation

• The American space agency NASA has proposed an Earth System Observatory, which would provide key information regarding climate change, disaster mitigation, fighting forest fires, and improving real–time agricultural processes. The design involves a constellation of satellites, which would develop a holistic 3D model of the earth from bedrock to atmosphere.

Explanation

• WHO, along with FAO, UNEP and the World Organization for Animal Health formed a panel of experts to develop a global plan, to prevent the spread of diseases from animals to humans. Named the One Health High–Level Expert Panel, it was an initiative launched by France and Germany. It will advise the UN bodies to develop risk assessment and establish good practices to prevent zoonotic outbreaks.

Explanation

• Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeiTY) has asked the compliance details over the new ‘the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Ethics Code) Rules, 2021’, from all social media intermediaries. The three–month window provided to social media platforms to comply with the new social media rules ended on May 26. The rules impose a code of ethics and mandating a three–tier grievance redressal framework.

Explanation

• Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists across the world. It was on the Day of Vesak in the year 623 BC that the Buddha was born. It was also on the same day, the Buddha attained enlightenment, on another Day of Vesak in his eightieth year, he passed away.

Explanation

• The full moon during the month of May is called the flower moon because of the abundance of flowers around the world. This year, it coincided with the lunar eclipse in which the moon will turn red. It was also closest to the Earth during its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter. The super flower blood moon was visible only in parts of South America, Australia and south–east Asia.

Explanation

• Sarcophilus harrisii, also called as the Tasmanian devil, is a carnivorous marsupial. It has a muscular build, black fur, pungent odour, extremely loud screech, high sense of smell and fast feeding. As per media reports, seven animals have been born in the wild of Australia’s mainland for the first time in more than 3,000 years. This is expected to promote the endangered animals.

Explanation

• Van Gujjars is a nomadic tribe, who inhabit in the Himalayan region. They usually dwell in foothills of Himalayas and in states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• Recently, Uttarakhand high court has slammed the state government for forcing the tribe to live in inhuman conditions. The state, which feared to let them enter Govind Pashu Vihar National Park, Uttarkashi, was asked to provide accommodation.

Explanation

• The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has finalised the guidelines for the next round of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme and it is expected that the government would disburse 10 million fresh LPG connections under the scheme.
• The scheme aims to provide LPG gas connections to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, free of cost.

Explanation

• The Union Cabinet has approved the opening of a new Consulate General of India in Addu City, Maldives in 2021. Maldives has an important place in the Neighbourhood First Policy and the SAGAR– Security and Growth for All in the Region– initiative of the Government of India.
• This opening of a Consulate General in Addu City will help promote India’s diplomatic presence in Maldives.

• The Government has decided to fast track the expansion of operations under the National Digital Health Mission. It is set to launch of a unified health interface (UHI) which will enable people to use the digital platform for hosting health services, including online medical consultation and booking of laboratory tests.

Explanation

• Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, a 1985–batch IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, has been appointed as the chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation for a two–year period. He is also serving as the chief of Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF). He had also a been part of the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Explanation

• Hong Kong mountaineer Tsang Yin–hung has recorded the world’s fastest ascent of Everest by a woman. The 44–year–old mountaineer scaled the summit in a record time of 25 hours and 50 minutes. Another mountaineer, the 75–year–old Arthur Muir, became the oldest American to climb the world’s highest peak at 8,848.86–metres.

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• The United Nations has warned that urgent measures are needed to avoid famine in Tigray, an embattled region of Ethiopia. The conflict in Tigray has reached over seven months and is estimated to have killed thousands of people and left around five million in need of aid. 
• Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military operation in Tigray in 2020.

Explanation

• World Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed on May 28 across the world. The theme for this year is: “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health.” The day aims to change the social stigma associated with menstruation.
• The date May 28 was chosen to represent the menstrual cycle of 28 days and the menstruation period of 5 days. The day was initiated by the German non–profit WASH United in 2013.

Explanation

• The Lakshadweep administration has announced to introduce Lakshadweep Development Authority Regulation 2021 (LDAR) and the Prevention of Anti–Social Activities Act (PASA) in the islands.
• It has drawn criticism from across the country as LDAR gives powers to the administration to remove the small holding for property owned by the islanders belonging to the Scheduled Tribes. PASA gives powers to the administration to detain a person without any public disclosure for a period of up to one year.

Explanation

• Archaeologists have recently discovered six sacrificial pits in Sanxingdui. The pits are said to contain about 500 artifacts, including gold and bronze masks. Sanxingdui is an ancient Chinese city, located about 1,500 kilometers southwest of Beijing. The artifacts date back around 3,000 years, to a time when this part of China was ruled by the ancient kingdom of Shu.

Explanation

• The Union Minister of State (IC) for Ayush – Kiren Rijiju has recently launched a portal named “Ayush Clinical Case Repository portal”. This portal aims to support Ayush medical professionals and the public. It would provide information about the clinical outcomes achieved by Ayush medicine. In addition to this portal, the Minister has also launched the third version of Ayush Sanjivani mobile App.

Explanation

• The artist and author who created the very famous children book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” –Eric Carle, died recently owing to kidney failure. He was 91 years old. The book has been one of the best sellers in the world. First published in the year 1969, till date it has been translated into more than 70 languages.

Explanation

• The Reserve Bank of India has released its Annual Report for the financial year 2020–21, which ended on 31st March 2021. Previously the financial year adopted by RBI was from July to June. But RBI has amended its financial year to April – March from FY 2020–21. Hence, the annual report for FY 2020–21 covers the functions of RBI for 9 months period from July 2020 to March 2021.

Explanation

• The Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture (CIBA) is located in Chennai. The institute functions under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The institute has recently developed an indigenous vaccine for viral nervous necrosis (VNN) disease – a viral disease that affects several fish species.

Explanation

• Professor C.N.R. Rao, who is a Bharat Ratna recipient has been conferred with International Eni Award 2020. This has been awarded for his dedicated research in renewable energy sources and energy storage. This award is also known as the Energy Frontier award and is considered to be the Noble Prize in Energy Research.

Explanation

• The Union Defence Ministry has launched the SeHAT OPD portal, which aims to provide telemedicine services to the armed force personnel, veterans and their family members. SeHAT stands for ‘Services e–Health Assistance & Tele–consultation, whose service can be availed by registering in the Defence Ministry’s website – https://sehatopd.in/.

Explanation

• India has become the second country after the USA to achieve 20 crore vaccination mark. This fete has been achieved by India in a period of 130 days. USA who is in the top spot had achieved the 20–crore mark in 124 days. Union Health Ministry has stated that more than 34% of above 45 age population have been vaccinated at least once.

Explanation

• The Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has launched a film festival named “The Eclipse and After”. This includes a series of films on women, which have been made by women. These are screened online from 28 to 30 May 2021. The festival comprises a package of 10 films which narrates stories of women coming out from inequality and injustice.

Explanation

• The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has approved eight Chinese names for features around the area on the Moon. Last year, China’s spacecraft Chang’e–5 probe landed near those places to collect samples from the lunar surface and return to Earth. China has been naming geographical entities on the Moon since 2010.

Explanation

• The ongoing 74th World Health Assembly declared January 30 as ‘World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day’. The proposal to recognise the day was initiated by the United Arab Emirates and it was adopted unanimously by the member countries. NTDs are a group of infections caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms.

Explanation

• Little Bloodtail is a small dragonfly, which has wide presence in the state of Kerala. This species of dragonfly can be spotted from the beginning of June till September. Since the life cycle of little bloodtail is very closely linked with monsoon, they are considered as a harbinger of monsoon.

Explanation

• The Ministry of Education has recently launched YUVA– (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors) Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors. It is an Author Mentorship programme to train young authors.
• The launch of YUVA (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors) is a part of India@75 Project to highlight the perspectives of young writers on themes like Unsung Heroes, Freedom Fighters and Forgotten Places.

Explanation

• India holds the BRICS 2021 Chairship. It is the third time that India will be hosting the BRICS Summit after 2012 and 2016. Recently, the second BRICS Sherpas’ and Sous Sherpas’ meeting was convened by India to prepare for the upcoming meeting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers. The theme of the Chairship is “BRICS @ 15: Intra–BRICS Cooperation with Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus”.

Explanation

• The ‘National AI Portal (indiaai.gov.in), celebrated its first anniversary on May 28, 2021.
• The Portal is a joint initiative by Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), National e–Governance Division (NeGD) and NASSCOM. It serves as a central hub for AI related news, learning, articles, events and activities etc., across the world. During the virtual event, a report titled ‘One year of INDIAai’ and a new look of the website homepage were unveiled.

Explanation

• The Central Government is set to provide grants to some public sector companies under the Mission COVID Suraksha, to increase the vaccine production. Hyderabad based Indian Immunological limited, IIL, is a facility under the National Dairy Development Board.
• As per the Science and Technology Ministry, IIL and Bharat Biotech has collaborated to supply the drug substance for manufacturing Covaxin Vaccine.

Explanation

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chairs the Goods and services tax (GST) council meeting. Recently, the 43rd GST Council meeting was conducted through video conferencing. The decision over tax rates on COVID vaccines was referred to a group of ministers (GOM). Quarterly returns for small traders will continue and has provided relaxation of the late fee penalty for payment of GST.

Explanation

• The death anniversary of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is observed across the country as ‘Anti–terrorism Day’. The 29th death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi was observed on May 21. On the same day in 1991, he was assassinated at Sriperumbudur, Chennai during an election campaign. Rajiv Gandhi was the youngest ever Prime Minister of India, when he took over as the sixth Prime Minister at the age of 40.