1. Corona variants found in India will be known as ‘Kappa’ and ‘Delta’
The variants B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2 of the corona identified for the first time in India have been named ‘ Kappa ‘ and ‘ Delta ‘ respectively by the World Health Organization (WHO) . This information was given by WHO. It is noteworthy that Kappa and Delta are letters of the Greek alphabet . WHO has given new names for easier identification of the worrying and interest-raising variant of SARS-CoV2 . However, no change has been made in their scientific identity. With the variants found in India being named ‘Kappa’ and ‘Delta’, the variant B.1.17 found for the first time in Britain as ‘ Alpha ‘, South AfricaThe identified variant has been named ‘ Beta ‘ and the Brazilian variant as ‘ Gamma ‘. An expert group convened by WHO recommended naming using the letters of the Greek alphabet, i.e. alpha, beta, gamma, etc. This effort will make the discussion easier and more practical by non-scientists.
2. External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar chairs the meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar chaired the meeting of foreign ministers of BRICS countries through video conferencing . Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Alberto Franco Franca, South African Foreign Minister Grace Naledi Mandissa Pandor, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi represented their respective countries at the meeting. The Foreign Ministers discussed inter-BRICS cooperation on the three pillars of politics and security, economy and finance and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. They also exchanged views on the social and economic impact of the COVID pandemic.
3. Issac Herzog becomes 11th President of Israel
Israel ‘s former Labor Party chief Isaac Herzog has been elected the country’s 11th president . Israel’s parliament elected Herzog as the president at a time when opposition parties are negotiating a coalition government to end 12 years of Netanyahu ‘s reign as prime minister . Herzog is sixty years old. He will replace President Reuven Rivlin. Mr. Rivlin was elected President in 2014. Mr Herzog will take over on 9 July. In Israel, the President has very few powers and the Prime Minister of the country runs the real power.
4. CSIR develops ‘SWASTIIK’ technology to disinfect water
CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR- NCL), Pune by using natural oils to disinfect water SWASTIIKA new technology called It was launched because water-borne diseases have increased the burden of diseases in India. Disinfection of water is essential to remove pathogenic microorganisms that cause water-borne diseases. However, chemical methods such as chlorination to disinfect water produce harmful or carcinogenic byproducts. Thus, the SWASTIIK technology was developed which boils the liquid as a result of the reduction in pressure. This method uses natural oils with antimicrobial properties to disinfect the water. The technology was developed in the backdrop of the National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM), which recently empowered states and union territories to monitor and survey water quality and drinkable water amid rising COVID-19 cases. An advisory was issued to ensure water.
5. Goa Government set up Goa Institution for Future Transformation (GIFT)
The Government of Goa established the “ Goa Institution for Future Transformation (GIFT) ” on the lines of NITI Aayog . GIFT will work on the lines of NITI Aayog. It will assist, advise and guide the government on policy formulation and its implementation. It will also help in monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals and evaluation of several development plans, programs and schemes. The Directorate of Planning, Statistics and Evaluation has released a notification. It will be supported under Article 309 of the Constitution of India to achieve autonomy. GIFT will also act as the knowledge center of Goa, showcasing best practices suitable for the sustainable development of the state.
6. Canada approves mixing and matching of Kovid-19 vaccine brands
Canada by AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna ‘s Kovid -19 vaccines “of mixing and matching is recommended.” The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) had issued guidelines for provinces and territories on mixing and matching of second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. It has advised Canadians to take “the AstraZeneca-Oxford, Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna shots” interchangeably for specific circumstances. NACI recommended it based on preliminary research from the UK and Spain. The research highlights, AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines were safe and effective in preventing disease. It is recommended that shots from Moderna or Pfizer be taken after the first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
7. Gujarat to grant Center of Excellence status to 7 universities
Gujarat State seven private universities to Centre of Excellence (CoE)ready to give status. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has given in-principle approval for this. The University Grants Commission (UGC) encourages institutions of higher education to achieve excellence in specific areas of academic as well as research work. A Center of Excellence (CoE) may be an institution of strategic or security-related importance notified by the State Government. Institution of Eminence can also be given CoE tag. These seven universities include CEPT University, Nirma University, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Ahmedabad University, Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology (DAIICT), Marwari University and Charotar University of Science and Technology.
8. US ends Migrant Protection Protocols
America ‘s Overseas Security Protocol (Migrant Protection Protocols) has abolished the ” Remain In Mexico , also known as” (Live in Mexico) policy. This policy forced many Central American refugees to wait in Mexico for US court cases. Now, the Joe Biden administration has halted this program known as the Migrant Protection Protocol. Since January 2021, approximately 11,000 migrants have enrolled and been allowed to enter the US to claim asylum. However, Republicans have criticized this policy reversal. Because, it encouraged huge migrant arrivals at the US-Mexico border.
9. Union Cabinet approves MoU between India and Maldives for cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development
Prime Minister of the Government of India to the Union Cabinet chaired by Housing and Urban Affairs and the Government of Maldives to National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Ministry about the signed Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development among (MOU) was given. This MoU was signed in February, 2021. A Joint Working Group (JWG) will be set up to strategize and implement programs for cooperation as per the MoU. The Joint Working Group will meet once a year alternately in Maldives and India.
10. India gets 8 new flying training academies
India is set to get 8 new flying training academies under the Liberal Flight Training Organization (FTO) policy of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) . These academies will be set up in Belagavi, Jalgaon, Kalaburagi, Khajuraho and Lilabari . The objective of setting up these 8 FTOs is to make India a global flight training center and prevent migration of Indian cadets to FTOs abroad. In addition, these FTOs will also be designed to meet the flight training requirements of cadets in India’s neighboring countries.
11. Union Cabinet approves Model Tenancy Act for use by States/UTs
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the issuance of the Model Tenancy Act relating to tenancy . It is being issued to the states and union territories, so that they can make fresh laws or amend existing laws according to their own in the existing tenancy laws. This will help in streamlining the legal framework for renting out houses across the country, thereby paving the way for further development. The objective of the Model Tenancy Act is to create a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive structure of house-tenancy in the country. With this, houses will be available on rent for people of every income group and the problem of homelessness will be solved.
12. First human infected with H10N3 bird flu in China
The first case of human infection with the H10N3 strain of bird flu has been reported in China . The National Health Commission said, the infected 41-year-old male is a resident of the city of Qianjiang in eastern Jiangsu province. The H10N3 strain was detected in the patient on May 28. His condition is stable. Chinese health officials have downplayed the outbreak, saying there are sporadic cases of transmission of the virus from poultry farms to humans and that the risk of causing an epidemic is extremely low. The National Health Commission, however, did not give information about how this person came in the grip of the virus. Bird flu is a viral infection, also called avian influenza, and there are many strains.
13. Maharashtra cabinet approves one-time deposit of five lakh rupees in the bank accounts of orphan children due to Kovid
The Maharashtra cabinet hasgiven its approval to deposit five lakh rupees in a lump sum in the bank accounts of orphan children due to Kovid. This amount along with interestwill be givento the child on attaining the age of 21 years . This decision is being considered important for the help of orphan children. Apart from this, the expenditure for the upbringing of these orphan childrenwill be done fromthe child care scheme ofthe Women and Child Development Department of the State Government.
14. Agreement on cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development between India and Japan approved
The Cabinet has approved the Cooperation Agreement between India and Japan in the field of Sustainable Urban Development . Under this, a Joint Working Group will be constituted to formulate and implement the programmes, and which will meet once a year, which will be held alternately in India and Japan. It will be implemented from the date of signing of the MoU, for a period of five years. Later, there is a provision to extend it automatically for the next five-five years. This will further strengthen long-term mutual cooperation for sustainable urban development between the two countries.
15. Government expands rules to prevent retired officers from publishing sensitive information
The Center has recently amended the pension rules for public servants . Under this , retired officers in intelligence departments or security related organizations are prohibited from publishing any information related to their organization without the permission of the competent authority . The purpose of this notification of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is to protect the national interest and bring clarity in this regard. Prior to this, some officials who had served in intelligence departments or security related organizations had publicly disclosed specific information and sensitive information in writing or orally. There was no rule preventing such former officers from disclosing such information.
16. The Union Cabinet has approved the MoU between India and the Republic of Argentina for cooperation in the field of mineral resources
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi , Ministry of Mines, Government of India and Ministry of Productivity Development of the Republic of Argentina Approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the Mining Policy Secretariat of the U.K. This MoU will provide an institutional mechanism for cooperation in the field of mineral resources. Possibilities of setting up joint ventures in the field of base metals, strategically important minerals for mutual benefit, exchange of technical and scientific information and ideas and knowledge, training and capacity building and promotion of investment and development in mining activities. To strengthen activities in cooperation to promote mineral exploration and development, including
17. NHRC advisory on bonded laborers and migrant workers
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued advisory for bonded laborers and migrant workers amid COVID-19 cases . The advisory was issued to ministries and states to evaluate the adverse impact of COVID-19 on laborers and migrant informal sector workers. The NHRC issued three new advisories under its “0 Series of COVID-19 Pandemic Advisories” to the Centre, States and Union Territories in view of the adverse effects of the pandemic on various sections of the society. This advisory includes –
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right to mental health;
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Identification, release and rehabilitation of bonded laborers; and
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To protect the rights of informal workers.