Current Affairs 1st to 20th June 2016 Important Days World Milk Day observed globally World Milk Day being observed by the people all over the world on 1st June every year focusing to publicize the activities related to the milk and milk industries all through the world. This celebration has been nationalized by organizing celebration related activities on national and international level and the day was initiated in 2001 by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. This celebration is to increase the public awareness about the importance of milk and milk products for everyone throughout the whole life. Global Day of Parents – June 1 The Global Day of Parents is observed on the 1st of June every year for their selfless binder to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship. The Day was announced by the UN General Assembly in 2012 and honours parents all over the world. The Assembly also observed that the family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children. World Environment Day World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 to educate global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth, which this year focuses on the illegal trade of wildlife. i. The Theme 2016: Go Wild for Life (Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife Trade). ii. Hosting country: Angola is host nation for this year. The nation seeking to restore its elephant herds. iii. The day was coined by the United Nations General Assembly in 1976 on the first day of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. Union Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu flagged off Tiger Trail Circuit Train from Delhi’s Safdarjung Station through video conferencing between Delhi and Mumbai. Tiger Express was launched on the eve of World Environment Day to mark the significance of environment in our lives. The Tiger Express has been launched with the aims to create awareness about our national animal tiger. It is one of the best innovative tourism product ever launched by Indian Railways. World Oceans Day – June 8 World Oceans Day has been celebrated every year on 8 June to remind everyone of the oceans- daymajor role the oceans have in everyday life and to educate the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean. The day was witnessed since 1992 by Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was officially recognized by the United Nations in late 2008. The theme for this year 2016 is Healthy oceans, healthy planet, and UN is making a special work to stop plastic pollution. Oceans are also providing most of the oxygen we breath. Page 1 of 71 st th Current Affairs 1 to 20 June 2016 World Day against Child Labour – June 12 The World Day against Child Labour is observed every year on June 12, is projected child labourto foster the worldwide movement against child labour across all the forms. The Day against was launched Child Labour in 2002 in order to bring attention and join efforts to fight against child labour. This year-2016 theme is End child labour in supply chains – It’s everyone’s business. This year, the focus is on child labour and supply chains. With 168 million children still in child labour, across the supply chains, from agriculture to manufacturing, services to construction. International Albinism Awareness Day – June 13 Albinism Awareness Day is an annual United Nations observance held on June 13. international- albinism-awareness-day The day is witnessed in raising public awareness of albinism and preventing attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism. The day was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2014. Albinism It is type of congenital disorder characterised by the partial or complete absence of the pigment melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes which makes the skin more susceptible to sunburn and skin cancers. World Blood Donor day – June 14 World Blood Donor Day is observed every year on June 14 to raise awareness of the WBDD16_Hallbanner_English.inddproblem and thank donors worldwide. World Blood Donor Day is one of eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO). The theme of this year is Blood connects us all. The theme focuses on thanking blood donors. The Day falls on the birthday of Austrian biologist Karl Landsteiner as he created the ABO blood group system, which is still used today to protection and safety of blood transfusions. World elder abuse awareness day June 15, 2016wea-day The United Nations has titled June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day that aims to focus global attention on the problem of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of elders. It also seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing population, and brings together senior citizens, and their caregivers to share thoughts about how best to reduce incidents of violence towards elders, increase reporting of such abuse, and to develop elder friendly policies. International Day of Family Remittances – June 16 The International Day of Family Remittances is observed annually on June 16 to recognise the contribution of migrant workers to their families and communities back home, and to the sustainable development of their countries of origin Over 250 million international migrant’s globally residing outside the country they call home. People have always been on the move, in search of better opportunities for themselves and their families. Page 2 of 71 st th Current Affairs 1 to 20 June 2016 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is a United Nations observancejune-17 each June 17 to mark the urgent need to curb the desertification process. The day witnessed to strengthen the visibility of the dry lands issue on the international environmental agenda. This day was coined in 1995 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution This year the day is observed with the Theme: Inclusive cooperation for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality. This year the day also has UN designated Slogan: Protect Earth. Restore Land. Engage People. International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is observed on June 19 annually to raise awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence, The day is witnessed to honour the victims and survivors of sexual violence around the world and to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives to and lost their lives in standing up for the eradication of these crimes. The date was coined on 19 June 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly World Refugee Day – June 20 The United Nations’ World Refugee Day is observed on June 20 annually to honor the WRDcourage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. The Day has been coined on 20 June, ever since the UN General Assembly, on 4 December 2000. Millions of people across the world, led by artists, musicians and event chiefs, are involving in a series of celebratory events United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees: ♦ Inception: 1950 ♦ Head: Filippo Grandi ♦ Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Indian Affairs PM Narendra Modi released country’s first National Disaster Management Plan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first ever National plan National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) to make nation disaster resilient and considerably reduce the loss of lives and assets. Delegates: Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Senior officers of the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Home Affairs and National Disaster Management Authority Union Cabinet approved MoU between US and India to enhance cooperation in wildlife conservation The Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of Page 3 of 71 st th Current Affairs 1 to 20 June 2016 a Memorandum of Understanding between United States of America and India to enhance cooperation in the field of wildlife conservation and combating wildlife trafficking With the move India will benefit from the expertise of the US Institutions in the field of wildlife conservation and management of wildlife areas and in combating illegal trade of wildlife and their derivatives. The MoU seeks cooperation in the areas: Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Genetics, Natural World Heritage Conservation, Nature Interpretation and Conservation Awareness. Cabinet approved higher Minimum Support Price and bonus for pulses, oilseed, sesamum In order to enhance the production of Pulses and Oil seeds and decline the country’s dependency on Imports, the Union Government has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and announced an increase in Bonus for the Kharif Season Crops Bonus on the three main Varieties of Pulses: Tur, Arhar, Moong. Cabinet approved Memorandum of Understanding between the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India (DGCA) and the French Civil Aviation Authority. Union Government inked Memorandum of Understanding with French Civil Aviation Authority, Direction Generale de L’Aviation Civile for technical Cooperation in establishing International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and Practices. Delegates: Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India (DGCA) and Direction Generale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC) of France. UP Government approved detailed project report of Varanasi Metro Rail Akhilesh Yadav led Uttar Pradesh Government approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Varanasi Metro rail project. The Project Report will now be kept before the Union government for approval. Union Government approved setting up of India Post Payments Bank Union Government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for setting up the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) as a Public Limited Company under the Department of Posts with 100% Government of India (GOI) equity share.