Gabon Appointed its First Woman Prime Minister

Gabon Appointed its First Woman Prime Minister

Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda  is a Gabonese politician who is currently serving as Prime Minister of Gabon since 16 July 2020, making her the first female prime minister of the country.

She previously served as the Mayor of Libreville and later as the country's Defense Minister from February 2019 to July 2020.

Gabon, is a country along the Atlantic coast of Central Africa

Capital: Libreville

Currency: Central African CFA franc
Population: 21.2 lakhs (2018)
Official language: French

World Day for International Justice

World Day for International Justice

World Day for International Justice, also referred to as Day of International Criminal Justice or International Justice Day, is an international day celebrated throughout the world on July 17 as part of an effort to recognize the emerging system of international criminal justice.

July 17 is the date of the adoption of the treaty that created the International Criminal Court.

 On 1 June 2010, at the Review Conference of the Rome Statute held in Kampala (Uganda), the Assembly of State Parties decided to celebrate 17 July as the Day of International Criminal Justice

Cochin Shipyard to build autonomous electric ferries for Norway

Cochin Shipyard to build autonomous electric ferries for Norway

 Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has signed a contract for the construction and supply of two autonomous electric ferries for ASKO Maritime AS, Norway with an option to build two more identical vessels.

ASKO Maritime AS is a subsidiary of NorgesGruppen ASA, one of the largest players in the Norwegian retail segment.

 This project is an ambitious one in Norway, partially funded by the Norwegian government, and aimed at emission-free transport of goods across the Oslofjord.

These vessels will be managed by Massterly AS, the first company setup to take technical management and operate autonomous vessels, a joint venture between Kongsberg, an autonomous technology company, and Wilhelmsen, one of the largest maritime shipping companies.

2020 International Press Freedom Awards

  2020 International Press Freedom Awards

CPJ’s 30th annual International Press Freedom Awards ceremony will honor courageous journalists from around the world on Thursday, November 19, 2020.

This year’s event will be chaired by Patrick Gaspard, president of Open Society Foundations. The evening will be hosted by Lester Holt

2020 award winners:

Shahidul Alam Bangladesh
Mohammad Mosaed, Iran
Dapo Olorunyomi, Nigeria
Svetlana Prokopyeva, Russia

CPJ’s Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award is presented annually to an individual who has shown extraordinary and sustained achievement in the cause of press freedom.

Originally the Burton Benjamin Memorial Award, it was renamed in 2017 to honor Gwen Ifill, the veteran journalist and former CPJ board member

Winner : Amal Clooney

Ashok Lavasa appointed as ADB vice-president

Ashok Lavasa appointed  as ADB vice-president

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Ashok Lavasa as Vice-President for Private Sector Operations and Public–Private Partnerships. He will succeed Diwakar Gupta, whose term will end on 31 August.

Mr. Lavasa  is currently one of the Election Commissioners of India and previously served in a range of senior posts including as Union Finance Secretary of India; Union Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change; and Union Secretary for the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Mr. Lavasa led the Indian delegation in the climate change negotiations for the Paris Agreement and was instrumental in finalizing India’s nationally determined contributions, which included a major role of the private sector

International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021

On the road to the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021

On the road to the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021: Highlighting health and nutritional benefits through sustainable production and consumption of fruits and vegetables

The Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) hosted the event

The International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021, approved by the General Assembly and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2019, will be formally launched towards the end of 2020.

The International Year seeks to advocate for the importance of healthy diets and lifestyles through sustainable food systems, within the framework of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016-2025).

2020 Styrian Grand Prix

The 2020 Styrian Grand Prix  was a Formula One motor race that took place on 12 July 2020 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria.

The race was the second round of the 2020 Formula One World Championship

The race was the first running of the Styrian Grand Prix, and was held exactly one week after the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix at the same track

Mercedes Driver,Lewis Hamilton,  won the Styrian Grand Prix(GP) in Spielberg, Austria

This is the 85th career win of Hamilton 

Global temperature rise likely to exceed 1.5 degrees in 5 years

Global temperature rise likely to exceed 1.5 degrees in 5 years

The annual mean global temperature is likely to be at least 1.5 degrees Celcius above pre-industrial levels in the next five years, according to new climate predictions issued by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

The Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update, led by the UK’s Met Office has shown that the last five years have been the warmest on record, and according to their research, these trends are unlikely to change any time soon.

According to the predictions, there is a 70% chance that one or more months during the next 5 years will be at least 1.5°C warmer than pre-industrial levels.

The researchers have also predicted that the Arctic is likely to have warmed by more than twice the global average in the next five years, which could have devastating impacts on global sea levels.

Based on this evidence, the researchers have highlighted the enormous challenge of achieving the Paris Agreement target of keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius.

ISRO will Launch Brazil’s Amazonia-1 Satellite

ISRO will Launch Brazil’s Amazonia-1 Satellite

ISRO is also one of the organizations severely impacted by the pandemic and the lockdown.

A lot of ISRO space missions have been delayed or put on hold as scientists are forced to work from home.

Now, ISRO is gearing up to launch the Amazonia-1 satellite next month aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

the Amazonia-1 satellite will be the first for Earth observation that is designed, assembled, and tested in Brazil

2020 Austrian Grand Prix

2020 Austrian Grand Prix

The 2020 Austrian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race that was held on 5 July 2020 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria.

The race was the opening round of the 2020 Formula One World Championship, and the 34th running of the Austrian Grand Prix (the 33rd as part of the World Championship since 1950) as well as the first of two consecutive races to be held at the Red Bull Ring

The race was won by Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas with Charles Leclerc in second for Ferrari and Lando Norris finishing third for McLaren his first podium in Formula One.

Norris became the 3rd youngest driver ever to finish on the podium.

Assam govt decides to upgrade Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary to a national park

Assam govt decides to upgrade Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary to a national park

Assam government  decided to upgrade the Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary into a national park

Spread across 937 square kilometres, Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve falls in Upper Assam’s Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts and is located within the periphery of the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, which is said to be the largest lowland tropical rainforest in India.

Besides elephants, leopards, hoolock gibbons, pangolins and bears, Dehing Patkai is also home to over 200 species of birds, various replies and many species of butterflies and orchids.

Maldives, Sri Lanka eliminate measles & rubella ahead of 2023 target

Maldives, Sri Lanka eliminate measles & rubella ahead of 2023 target

Maldives and Sri Lanka have become the first two countries in the South-East Asia region to eliminate both measles and rubella ahead of the 2023 target.

A country is verified as having eliminated measles and rubella when there is no evidence of endemic transmission for over three years by a well-performing surveillance system.

Maldives reported its last endemic case of measles in 2009 and of rubella in October 2015, while Sri Lanka reported last endemic case of measles in May 2016 and of rubella in March 2017.

Member countries of WHO South-East Asia region had set 2023 as the target for elimination of measles and rubella.

Bhutan, DPR Korea and Timor-Leste are other countries in the region who have eliminated measles

INFORM -Index for Risk Management

INFORM -Index for Risk Management

The overall INFORM risk index identifies countries at risk from humanitarian crises and disasters that could overwhelm national response capacity.

It is made up of three dimensions –hazards and exposure, vulnerability and lack of coping capacity

INFORM is a collaboration between the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Task Team for Preparedness and Resilience and the EC. INFORM has been developed in response to recommendations by numerous organizations

India has ranked at 31st  place with an inform risk of 5.4, means risk of humanitarian crises and disasters

this report is produced by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is a United Nations body established in December 1991 by the General Assembly to strengthen the international response to complex emergencies and natural disasters

Indian Railways sets up solar plant in Bina

Indian Railways sets up solar plant in Bina

  Indian Railways has set up a  1.7 MW solar power plant in Madhya Pradesh's Bina.

The energy generated from the power plant will be used to run trains.

Indian Railways will commission the 1.7 MW solar power plant in next 15 days which will save Rs 1.37 crore annually.

The pilot project is under extensive testing and trial.

The 1.7 MW solar power plant has been set up as a pilot project by Railways in collaboration with Bharat Heavy Electrical (BHEL) on railway land near the tracks in Bina.

The plant will have stepped up voltage of 25,000 volts through transformers to be fed to the overhead power lines of the Railways to power the traction system of the locomotives.

The feed from the plant has been synchronised with the 25kV Railway Overhead Line.

India's Mars Orbiter Mission captured image of Mars' moon Phobos

India's Mars Orbiter Mission captured image of Mars' moon Phobos

 The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) released the picture of a mysterious moon of Mars saying that the image was captured by India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM).

Mars Colour Camera (MCC) onboard Mars Orbiter Mission took the image of Phobos, the closest and biggest moon of Mars, on July 1 when MOM was about 7200 km from Mars and at 4200 km from Phobos. Spatial resolution of the image is 210 m.

The image was a composite image generated from 6 MCC frames and had been colour corrected, said Isro.

Phobos is largely believed to be made up of carbonaceous chondrites.

The violent phase that Phobos has seen is visible in the large section gouged out from a past collision.

Stickney, the largest crater on Phobos, along with the other craters (Shklovsky, Roche & Grildrig) were also visible in the image, said Isro.

The Rs 450 crore mission, was launched with the PSLV-C25 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on November 5, 2013.

After crossing more than 66 crore kilometres in 300 days it entered into Mars orbit on September 24, 2014.

French PM Edouard Philippe Resigned, president Macron named centre-right Jean Castex as new PM

French PM Edouard Philippe Resigned, president  Macron  named centre-right  Jean Castex as new PM


Édouard Philippe has been replaced as prime minister  by President Emmanuel Macron

Macron named Jean Castex, 55, a career civil servant

Édouard Charles Philippe is a French politician who served as Prime Minister of France from 15 May 2017 to 3 July 2020 under President Emmanuel Macron.

Jean Castex is a French politician who has been serving as Prime Minister of France since 3 July 2020.

Prior to his appointment, he was a high-ranking civil servant tasked with coordinating the easing of France's COVID-19 lockdown.

World Sports Journalists Day

Every year July 02 is celebrated as World Sports Journalists Day or International Sports Journalists Day.

 It is to acknowledge the sports journalists and also mark the anniversary of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).

The association was established in 1924 during the Summer Olympics in Paris.
 

India Conducts Naval Exercise With Japan In Indian Ocean Region

  India Conducts Naval Exercise With Japan In Indian Ocean Region

 the warships of Indian and Japanese held a small exercise towards the Malacca strait in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) on Saturday (27 June)

Indian Navy's Rajput-class destroyer INS Rana and Kora-class missile corvette INS Kulish took part in the exercise with JS Shimayuki and JS Kashmia of Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Forece's training squadron.

Since 2015, Japan has become a regular participant in the annual "Malabar" naval exercise with India and US.

The "Malabar" exercise is slated to be held later this year in the Bay of Bengal.

Besides, India and Japan have also increased their bilateral military ties with an annual joint land military exercise, "Dharma Guardian", being held since 2018.

India and Japan are now also finalising a reciprocal military logistics agreement to furhter strengthen their strategic partnership.

 

Charted Accountants Day

Charted Accountants Day or CA Day is celebrated on July 1 every year to commemorate the finding of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) by the parliament of India in 1949.

ICAI is India's national professional accounting body and also the second biggest accounting organization in the world.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) was established on this day in year 1949 under an Act passed in Parliament.

Every year on the day of the establishment of the ICAI, CA Day is celebrated to honor the Chartered Accountant.

The ICAI is the sole licensing and regulatory body for the financial audit and accounting profession in India, and its recommendations are followed by everyone - from the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) to companies and accounting organizations.

International Day of Parliamentarism

International Day of Parliamentarism

June 30 is the day designated to celebrate the International Day of Parliamentarism.

The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/72/278, recognized the role of parliaments in national plans and strategies and in ensuring greater transparency and accountability at national and global levels.

It is also the date, in 1889, on which the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) — the global organization of parliaments — was established.

This Day celebrates parliaments and the ways in which parliamentary systems of government improve the day-to-day lives of people the world over.

It is also an opportunity for parliaments to take stock, identify challenges, and ways to address them effectively

National Statistical Day

In recognition of the notable contribution made by Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in the fields of economic planning and statistical development in the post independent era, the Govt. of India decided to designate 29th June every year, coinciding with his birth anniversary, as Statistics Day in the category of special day to be celebrated at the national level.

 Notification to this effect was published in the Gazette of India on June 05, 2007.

The Day is celebrated by holding seminars, discussions and competitions to highlights the importance of official statistics in national devlopment

The government of India decided in 2006 to celebrate his birthday, 29 June, as National Statistical Day

On the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary on 29 June 2018, Indian Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu released a commemorative coin at a programme at ISI, Kolkata

China will Join UN Arms Trade Treaty, 'Enhance' World Peace

China will Join UN Arms Trade Treaty, 'Enhance' World Peace

China voted to adopt a decision on joining the UN Arms Trade Treaty that is designed to control the flow of weapons into conflict zones.

It comes after US  announced plans last year to pull the United States out of the agreement which entered into force in 2014.

The US Senate never ratified the 2013 Arms Trade Treaty

The treaty requires member countries to keep records of international transfers of weapons and to prohibit cross-border shipments that could be used in human rights violations or attacks on civilians.

A study in January by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said China is now the second largest arms producer in the world, behind the US.

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 26 June is an international observance held annually on 26 June to speak out against the crime of torture and to honour and support victims and survivors throughout the world.

The day was selected by the United Nations General Assembly for two reasons. First, on 26 June 1945, the United Nations Charter was signed during the midst of World War II the first international instrument obliging UN members to respect and promote human rights.

Second, 26 June 1987 was when the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment came into effect.

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a United Nations International Day against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. It is observed annually on 26 June, since 1989.

The date June 26 is to commemorate Lin Zexu's dismantling of the opium trade in Humen, Guangdong, ending in June 25 1839，just before the First Opium War in China. The observance was instituted by General Assembly Resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987.

Clare Connor to become first female MCC president in its 233-year history

Clare Connor to become first female MCC president in its 233-year history

Clare Connor, a former England captain, has been named as the next president of the Marylebone Cricket Club and will become the first female president in the MCC’s 233-year history.

The decision was confirmed at an annual general meeting on Wednesday - held via an online platform - and the 43-year-old former all-rounder will take up the post on 1 October next year.

Kumar Sangakkara, the current president, has been invited to remain in the role for a second 12-month tenure

Former England captain will take up the post next October

International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice

International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice

there are two solstices that occur annually: around June 21 (commonly known as "Summer Solstice" for being the first day of summer and the longest day of the year) and December 21 (commonly known as "Winter Solstice" for being the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year) .

The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) proclaimed the 21st June as the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstices in its resolution A/RES/73/300 on 20th June 2019.

World Hydrography Day

The International Hydrographic Organization ( IHO ) and its international members celebrate World Hydrography Day every year on June 21.

This year's theme, “hydrography enabling autonomous technologies” is shining the spotlight on new innovations that are helping uncover new information on our seabeds

The International Hydrographic Bureau was established in 1921 for the purpose of providing a mechanism for consultation between governments on such matters as technical standards, safe navigation and the protection of the marine environment.

In 1970 the name was changed to the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).

The IHO is actively engaged in developing standards and interoperability, particularly in relation to the challenges brought about by digital technologies

International Day of Yoga

International Day of Yoga

The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated annually on 21 June since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014

 Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice which originated in India.

India suggested the date of 21 June, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world

Scientists observe quantum 'fifth state of matter' in space for 1st time

Scientists observe quantum 'fifth state of matter' in space for 1st time

Scientists have observed the fifth state of matter in space for the first time, offering unprecedented insight that could help solve some of the quantum universe's most intractable conundrums, research showed Thursday.

Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) – the existence of which was predicted by Albert Einstein and Indian mathematician Satyendra Nath Bose almost a century ago – are formed when atoms of certain elements are cooled to near absolute zero (0 Kelvin, minus 273.15 Celsius).

At this point, the atoms become a single entity with quantum properties, wherein each particle also functions as a wave of matter.

Volkan Bozkır elected President of 75th Session of the UNGA

Volkan Bozkır elected President of 75th Session of the UNGA

Volkan Bozkir was elected President of the forthcoming session of the UN General Assembly in a vote held on June 17 that was emblematic of its time.

Bozkır is the first Turkish national who has become the President of the General Assembly.

Bozkır has been elected from the Western European and Others Group (WEOG), in strict compliance of the established principle of geographical rotation and General Assembly resolution 33/138 of 19 December 1978.

Bozkır will take over the Presidency from the incumbent Tijjani Muhammad-Bande in September when the 75th Session will resume.

India joined GPAI as founding member

India joined GPAI as founding member

 India has joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) as a founding member to support responsible and human-centric development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

With this, India has joined the league of leading nations and economies including the US, the UK, EU, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, and Singapore for launch of GPAI.

GPAI will be supported by a Secretariat, to be hosted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development  in Paris, as well as by two Centers of Expertise -- one each in Montreal and Paris

International Day of Family Remittances

International Day of Family Remittances

The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) is a universally-recognized observance adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (A/RES/72/281) and celebrated every year on 16 June.

The day recognizes the contribution of over 200 million migrants to improve the lives of their 800 million family members back home, and to create a future of hope for their children.

 Half of these flows go to rural areas, where poverty and hunger are concentrated, and where remittances count the most.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in September 2015, is a global commitment to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development by 2030, ensuring that no one is left behind. Its 17 specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) address the major challenges facing the world today


 the projected sum of money in international remittances to be sent to developing countries between 2015 and 2030, was US$6.5 trillion

500-year-old temple submerged in Mahanadi river found near Cuttack

500-year-old temple submerged in Mahanadi river found near Cuttack


A temple that was submerged in Mahanadi in Odisha for 500 years has been found

The 60-feet temple , was located recently

The temple was found in the mid-river near Baideswar in the Padmavati area in Cuttackc

RBI proposes upper age limit of 70 years for CEOs, whole-time directors of banks

RBI proposes upper age limit of 70 years for CEOs, whole-time directors of banks

The RBI has proposed an upper age limit of 70 years for CEOs and whole-time directors of banks and a maximum term of 10 years for those belonging to the promoter group, as part of the exercise to improve governance in the banking sector.

The discussion paper released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday said that chief executive officers (CEOs) and whole time directors (WTDs) belonging to the promoter group should pass on the managerial leadership to professionals after ten years

Sushant Singh Rajput

Sushant Singh Rajput

sushant Singh Rajput was an Indian actor. Rajput started his career with television serials.

Rajput made his film debut in the Kai Po Che! (2013)

NITI Aayog, the policy think-tank of the Indian government, signed him to promote the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)

Kathy Sullivan Becomes First Woman To Reach Deepest Known Spot In The Ocean

Kathy Sullivan Becomes First Woman To Reach Deepest Known Spot In The Ocean

geologist and Former NASA astronaut Kathy Sullivan made history again. About 25 years ago Sullivan got her name in the books of history by becoming the first US woman to walk in space.

she became the first woman ever to reach Challenger Deep, the deepest known spot in the ocean.

The point resides within the Mariana Trench, around seven miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, about 200 miles southwest of Guam.

World Blood Donor Day

World Blood Donor Day

Every year on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD).

The event was organised for the first time in 2005, by a joint initiative of World Health Organisation, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of blood.

World Blood Donor Day is one of eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO)

World Day Against Child Labour

World Day Against Child Labour

the World Day Against Child Labour is an International Labour Organization-sanctioned holiday first launched in 2002 aiming to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour.

World Day Against Child Labour 2020 focuses on the impact of crisis on child labour.


Africa ranks highest among regions both in the percentage of children in child labour — one-fifth — and the absolute number of children in child labour — 72 million. Asia and the Pacific ranks second highest in both these measures — 7% of all children and 62 million in absolute terms are in child labour in this region.

The Africa and the Asia and the Pacific regions together account for almost nine out of every ten children in child labour worldwide. The remaining child labour population is divided among the Americas (11 million), Europe and Central Asia (6 million), and the Arab States (1 million). In terms of incidence, 5% of children are in child labour in the Americas, 4% in Europe and Central Asia, and 3% in the Arab States.

Tony Dunne

Tony Dunne

Anthony Peter Dunne was an Irish footballer who played as a left-back. Born in Dublin, he began his career with youth side Stella Maris before signing for Drumcondra-based Shelbourne, with whom he won the FAI Cup in his second year in the senior team in 1960.

Dunne won 33 caps for the Republic of Ireland between 1962 and 1975, and was named Irish Footballer of the Year in 1969.

Pierre Nkurunziza

Pierre Nkurunziza was a Burundian politician who served as the ninth president of Burundi for almost 15 years from August 2005 until his death in June 2020, making him the longest-serving president in the nation's history.

Burundi, officially the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley where the African Great Lakes region and East Africa converge.
Capital: Gitega
Currency: Burundian franc

Renjith Kumar has been honoured with NASA's highest form of recognition

Renjith Kumar has been honoured with NASA's highest form of recognition for a non-governmental individual "NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal" for his service to NASA

RK Chetty Pandipati was the First Indian to win this award in 2002

The NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal is an award similar to the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, but awarded to non-government personnel. This is the highest honor NASA awards to anyone who was not a government employee when the service was performed

Javed Akhtar becomes the first Indian to receive Richard Dawkins Award

Javed Akhtar becomes the first Indian to receive Richard Dawkins Award

veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar on Sunday said he is honoured to be named this year's recipient of the Richard Dawkins Award

Akhtar became the first Indian to be given the honour for critical thinking, holding religious dogma up to scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values.

Every year, the award recognises a distinguished individual from the field of science, scholarship, education, or entertainment, who publicly proclaims the values of secularism and rationalism and upholding scientific truth.

Richard Dawkins FRS FRSL is an English ethologist, evolutionary biologist, and author. He is an emeritus fellow of New College, Oxford, and was the University of Oxford's Professor for Public Understanding of Science from 1995 until 2008

World Brain Tumour Day

World Brain Tumour Day is observed on 8th June, every year. Brain tumour is the tenth leading cause of morbidity in India

As a tribute to all brain tumor patients and their families the Deutsche Hirntumorhilfe announced the World Brain Tumor Day in 2000 as an international commemoration day. It is celebrated annually on 8 June.

UN Russian Language Day

UN Russian Language Day

UN Russian Language Day is observed annually on June 6.

The event was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2010.

UN Russian Language Day coincides with the birthday of Aleksandr Pushkin, a Russian poet who is considered the father of modern Russian language.

The initiative of the UN Language Days was launched in February 2010 in order to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity and to promote equal use of all six of the UN's official working languages throughout the organization

India will host 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup

India will host 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup

The Asian Football Confederation has awarded the hosting rights of the 2022 Women's Asian Cup to India.

The decision was taken at the AFC Women's Football Committee meeting. In February, the AFC Women's Football Committee had recommended India to be hosts.

The tournament will likely be held in the second half of the year and will feature 12 teams, expanded from the previous slot of eight teams. India qualify directly as hosts.

The event will also serve as the final qualification tournament for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

World Bicycle Day

World Bicycle Day

In April 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 3 as International World Bicycle Day.

The resolution for World Bicycle Day recognizes "the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the Bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport.

Global Day of Parents

Global Day of Parents

During the 1980's, the United Nations began focusing attention on the issues related to the family. In 1983, based on the recommendations of the Economic and Social Council, the Commission for Social Development in its resolution on the Role of the family in the development process (1983/23) requested the Secretary-General to enhance awareness among decision makers and the public of the problems and needs of the family, as well as of effective ways of meeting those needs.

In its resolution 44/82 of 9 December 1989, The General Assembly proclaimed 1994 as the International Year of the Family; and in resolution47/237 of 1993, the General Assembly decided that 15 May of every year to be observed as the International Day of Families.

In 2012, the General Assembly proclaimded 1 June as the Global Day of Parents, to be observed annually in honour of parents throughout the world.

World No-Tobacco Day

World No-Tobacco Day

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed around the world every year on 31 May.

This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what the World Health Organization (WHO) is doing to fight against the use of tobacco, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.

The Member States of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.

The day is further intended to draw attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects, which currently lead to more than 8 million deaths each year worldwide, including 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke

International Everest Day

International Everest Day

International Everest Day was declared in the memory of the first summit of Mt Everest on May 29, 1953

Nepalese Tenzing Norgay and New Zealand's Edmund Hillary had climbed the Mt. Everest on this day in 1953, as the first humans to achieve the feat.

Nepal decided to observe the day as International Everest Day since 2008, when the legendary climber Hillary passed away.

Everest Day on May 29 every year in memory of the first summit of Mt. Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa on the day in 1953.

The day is celebrated with memorial events, processions, and special events in Kathmandu and the Everest region.

World No Tobacco Da

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed around the world every year on 31 May.

This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what the World Health Organization (WHO) is doing to fight against the use of tobacco, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.

The Member States of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.