1. The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is observed every year on 24 April

• The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is observed every year on 24 April.
• The UN Assembly proclaimed the day while considering that preserving the values of multilateralism and international cooperation is fundamental to promote and support the three pillars of the UN - Peace and Security, Development and Human Rights.
• The day was first observed by the United Nations (UN) on April 24, 2019.

Foot Notes: About United Nations:
Headquarters: New York, United States
Founded: 24 October 1945,California, United States
Secretary general: António Guterres

2. National Panchayati Raj Day observed every year on  24 April

• Nation celebrates National Panchayati Raj Day on 24 April every year. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj organizes the National Panchayati Raj day or the National Local Self Government Day.
• India celebrates the first National Panchayati Raj Day or the National Local Government Day on April 2010.
• On this day, the Constitution of India recognized Panchayats as 'Institutions of self-government'. It marks the passing of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 with effect from 24 April 1993. As per the amendment, the states are empowered to carry out steps to organize village panchayats. The states can provide them with the necessary powers and authority necessary to facilitate them to function as units of self-government.

Foot Notes:
Union Minister of Panchayati Raj: Narendra Singh Tomar.

3. China scheduled to launch its Mars mission named Tianwen-1 this year

• China named its first Mars exploration mission as Tianwen-1 as it celebrated Space Day on 24 April. The observation marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the country's first satellite Dong Fang Hong-I in 1970. China's first Mars mission has been scheduled to launch in 2020.
• Aiming to catch up with India, U.S., Russia and the European Union to reach the red planet, China’s Mars mission plans to complete orbiting, landing and roving in one mission.
• China National Space Administration's (CNSA) Mars mission as "Tianwen."  It means Heavenly Questions or Questions to Heaven, a poem written by China's well-known poet Qu Yuan (340-278 BC). 

Foot Notes: About China
Capital: Beijing
President: Xi Jinping
Currency: Chinese Yuan

4. India's first Mobile Virology Research Lab developed by DRDO inaugurated in Hyderabad

• Unique and first of its kind facility in the country, a Mobile Virology Diagnostics and Research Laboratory has been inaugurated in Hyderabad at the ESI medical college. 
• Developed by the DRDO, the Biosafety level-3 laboratory can test thousand samples for Coronavirus daily and can scale up to 2000 in future. 
• The laboratory also has a facility to trial drugs and conduct research on Coronavirus. The laboratory has been developed in less than two weeks.

Foot notes: About DRDO
Headquarters location: New Delhi
Motto: बलस्य मूलं विज्ञानम् (Sanskrit); "Strength's Origin is in Science" 
Founded: 1958
Defence Minister: Rajnath Singh

5.  UP becomes first state with in-house facility of virtual courts

• Uttar Pradesh has become the first state to have the requisite infrastructure in all its courts for hearing cases through video conferencing.
• The Allahabad High Court took a number of initiatives to facilitate court proceedings through video conferencing.
• The Allahabad High Court and all district courts of Uttar Pradesh can now conduct multiple court proceedings through virtual courts within the court premises without any internet connectivity.

Foot Notes: About Uttar Pradesh
Capital: Lucknow
Governor: Anandiben Patel
Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath

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6.  Govt to suspend IBC provisions up to 1-year

• The government has decided to amend the insolvency law to suspend up to one year provisions that trigger insolvency proceedings against defaulters. The amendments to the IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code) would pave the way for banks to restructure loans.
• The coronavirus outbreak and the nationwide lockdown to curb spreading of infections have significantly impacted economic activities and the latest decision in a way provides more leeway for corporate borrowers in repaying their loans.
• As per existing norms, if a payment default exceeds 90 days then the lender concerned has to refer the account for resolution under IBC or any other mechanism permitted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The lender does not have the option to restructure the loan.
• Currently, RBI norms prohibit restructuring of loans and resolution has to be done under IBC.

7.  Renowned thespian Usha Ganguly passes away at 75

• Eminent theatre director, actor and activist, Usha Ganguly passed away. She was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for direction in 1998. 
• She has also been honoured by the West Bengal Government as the best actress for the play Gudia Ghar. She was credited for introducing an alternative Hindi theatre in West Bengal, in the 1970s and 1980s.

8. UNODC launches “Lockdown Learners” series for students, teachers of India  

• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) has rolled out a ‘Lockdown Learners’ series in India under its flagship “Education for Justice” initiative. It has launched ‘Lockdown Learners’ series of online dialogues with educators and students in India. 
• The ‘Lockdown Learners’ series emphasizes on COVID-19 and its impact on Sustainable Development Goals, peace and rule of law. 

Foot Notes:
Director-General: Ghada Fathi Waly.
Headquarters location: Vienna, Austria
Founded: 1997

9. JKSLSA launches helpline under 'Serve-the-Seniors Initiative' for senior citizens

• Jammu and Kashmir State Legal Services Authority (JKSLSA) has launched a helpline under ‘Serve-the-Seniors Initiative’. 
• The objective of starting this helpline, comprising is to help and facilitate the senior citizens who live alone and are unable to step out to get medicines, groceries and other essentials in this hour of crisis.
• The helpline numbers of the Nodal Officers who could be contacted in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh have been declared.
• For Jammu, one can contact - Naushad Ahmad Khan on 9622283677 or Sandeep Kour on 9419223000 and for Kashmir, Noor Mohammad can be contacted on 9419005744 or Tabasum Qadir Parray on 7889835567.
• For Ladakh, one can contact Spalzes Angmo  on 9419341131 or Tsewang Phuntsog on 9419978757.

Foot Notes: About Jammu and  Kashmir
Founded: 26 October 1947
Capitals: Jammu Cantonment (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
Lt. Governor: G. C. Murmu

About Ladakh:
Capitals: Leh, Kargil
Lt Governor: R. K. Mathur

10. Indian High Commission in Bangladesh holds webinar on trade promotion

• Indian High Commission in Bangladesh, and India Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) has jointly organized a webinar on trade promotion.
• Riva Ganguly Das, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh called upon the business leaders of India and Bangladesh to share innovative ideas in response to the emerging economic scenario amid Corona pandemic in the world. 
• During the webinar, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh urged all the participants to work together to overcome the difficulties being faced by the businesses in both the countries due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Foot Notes: About Bangladesh
Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina
Capital: Dhaka
Currency: Taka