Today's Current Affairs 16th June 2023

INTERNATIONAL

The United States of America announces its intention to rejoin UNESCO in July

• UNESCO has announced that the United States will rejoin the agency in July, four years after leaving due to allegations of bias against Israel. The move to rejoin will require a vote by member states, but is expected to pass easily. UNESCO promotes educational, scientific and cultural causes, and designates World Heritage Sites globally.
• The US stopped funding UNESCO, worth millions of dollars, in 2011 after Palestine became a member of the agency. This decision was made by then President Barack Obama, who halted the funding due to Palestine’s status as a non-sovereign state, not recognized by the United Nations. Although Palestine was included as a non-member observer state in 2012, granting them participation in General Assembly proceedings, they lacked voting rights. Israel’s ambassador to UNESCO, Nimrod Barkan, supported the US decision, objecting to the “politicisation of UNESCO” caused by Palestine’s membership. 

UK Names Jane Marriott As First Woman Envoy To Pakistan

• The United Kingdom has announced the appointment of senior diplomat Jane Marriott as the next British High Commissioner to Pakistan, making her the first female British envoy to Islamabad. Prior to this appointment, Jane Marriott, 47, was the high commissioner to Kenya since September 2019. She would be replacing Dr Christian Turner, who left Pakistan in January after serving as the envoy since December 2019. Ms Marriott brings a wealth of thematic and regional experience to her new role having joined the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in 2001, following roles in the Cabinet Office and Home Office.
• The appointment of a female British High Commissioner to Pakistan is a significant milestone. It is a sign of the UK’s commitment to gender equality and to strengthening its relationship with Pakistan.
• Marriott is a well-respected diplomat with a wealth of experience. She is a strong advocate for women’s rights and has worked to promote gender equality in her previous roles.

 NATIONAL

UNGA adopts resolution introduced by India to honour fallen peacekeepers

• The UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) has adopted by consensus a draft resolution piloted by India to establish a memorial wall in the UN headquarters to honour fallen peacekeepers.
• India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj introduced the draft resolution titled ‘Memorial wall for fallen United Nations peacekeepers’ in the UN General Assembly Hall and it was adopted by consensus.
• The resolution was submitted by 18 countries including Bangladesh, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Nepal, Rwanda and the US.It received a record 190 co-sponsorships.

 SPORTS

Pakistan’s women cricketer Nahida Khan announces retirement from international cricket

• Pakistan women’s cricketer Nahida Khan has announced her retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a remarkable career that spanned over a decade. The 36-year-old opening batter made her debut for the national team in February 2009 against Sri Lanka and went on to represent Pakistan in over 100 matches across formats. With numerous records and achievements to her name, Nahida leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered in women’s cricket in Pakistan.
• Nahida Khan’s retirement marks the conclusion of a remarkable journey that has left an indelible mark on the women’s cricket scene in Pakistan. Over the course of her career, Nahida has represented her country with passion and dedication, earning her place as one of Pakistan’s most respected cricketers.

 Asia Cup 2023 jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka

• The highly anticipated Asia Cup 2023 is set to ignite the cricketing world as arch-rivals India and Pakistan resume their epic rivalry ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has accepted the hybrid model, and the tournament will be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. With a total of 13 thrilling One Day International (ODI) matches scheduled, the Asia Cup promises to be a captivating cricketing spectacle.
• The Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to take place from 31st August to 17th September, offering nearly three weeks of intense cricketing action. The tournament will feature a hybrid model, with matches being held in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
• Four matches of the Asia Cup will be hosted in Pakistan, while the remaining nine matches will be played in Sri Lanka. The distribution of matches showcases the collaborative effort between the two countries to provide an exciting tournament for cricket enthusiasts.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Gopichand Hinduja takes over as chairman of $34.5 billion-worth group

• Gopichand Hinduja, 83, has taken over as the Chairman of the Hinduja Group after the recent demise of his brother Srichand P Hinduja. Earlier, Gopichand Hinduja was the co-chairman and was overseeing the diverse global business empire that straddles across sectors such as automotive, IT, media and entertainment, infrastructure, oil and speciality chemicals, power and real estate. Gopichand Hinduja is a strong leader with a wealth of experience. He is well-positioned to lead the Hinduja Group into the future and to continue to build on the group’s success.
• Gopichand Hinduja is a well-respected businessman and philanthropist. He is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Trade and Competitiveness and is a trustee of the Hinduja Foundation, which supports a number of charitable causes in India and around the world. Gopichand Hinduja has been associated with the Hinduja Group since its inception in 1914. He has held a number of senior positions within the group, including Co-Chairman and Chairman of the Hinduja Automotive Limited.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Family Remittances 2023: 16th June

• The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) is a universally-recognized observance adopted by the United Nations General Assembly 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.
• According to the United Nations, the theme of International Day of Family Remittances 2023 is “Digital remittances towards financial inclusion and cost reduction.”
• International Day of Family Remittances advocates policies and measures to increase financial inclusions and creates an environment to enhance the remittance benefits for both the migrant workers and their families.

 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Historian Ramachandra Guha’s book wins Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography 2023

• Historian and writer Ramchandra Guha’s book Rebels Against the Raj: Western Fighters for India’s Freedom has won the Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography 2023. Guha has been awarded £5,000 (₹5 lakhs approximately) and a bound copy of Elizabeth Longford’s memoir. The jury was chaired by Roy Foster. The judging committee also included Antonia Fraser and Flora Fraser (daughter and granddaughter of Longford respectively), Richard Davenport-Hines and Rana Mitter.
• Rebels Against the Raj shows how historical biography can illuminate the temper of the times through immersion in individual lives. As Guha points out, oppression does not disappear with the ending of colonial rule, and the ideas and priorities incisively drawn out in this book deserve urgent attention in today’s India,”. The book has been published by Penguin Random House in India, William Collins in the U.K., and Alfred Knopf in the USA.

Ktr Lauds 5 Green Apple Awards To Telangana

• In the Urban and Real Estate Sector category, Telangana has been awarded with the International Green Apple Awards for Beautiful Buildings. For the first time any building or structure in India has received these prestigious awards. The awards are presented annually by The Green Organization, an independent non-profit organisation based in London, to recognize and promote global environmental best practices.

The five selected buildings and structures:-

1. Mozzam-Jahi Market (Heritage category)
2. Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge (Bridge category)
3. B R Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat Building falls under the aesthetically designed office and workspace category
4. Integrated Command Control Center of Telangana Police is a distinctive type of office.
5. Yadadri Temple (Excellent religious structures category)