Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 19th June 2024

National News 

1. IFC to invest $105 million in Brookfield’s Bikaner Solar Power project 

• The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has agreed to invest $105 million (around Rs 871 crore) in the non-convertible debentures of Brookfield’s Bikaner Solar Power project in Rajasthan. 
• IFC is a company of the World Bank Group which provides finance to the private sector companies. 

About Brookfield’s Solar Project in Bikaner

• Brookfield Global Transition Fund (BGTF) is building a 550 MW solar power project in Bikaner in two phases. 
• The Brookfiled commissioned the first phase of the Bikaner solar power project 268 MW in March 2024. 
• In the second phase the capacity of the solar power project is 282 MW taking the combined power generation capacity to 550 MW. The estimated cost of the second phase is estimated to be USD 317 million. 
• BGTF is an equity investor and has set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to execute the project. 
• The 80 percent of the BGFT holdings is owned by Brookfield Asset Management and 20% owned by Brookfield Renewable. 

2. Virat Kohli leads 2023 Celebrity Brand Valuation Rankings with $228 million: Kroll 

• Ace cricketer Virat Kohli regained the top slot in the Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2023 released by Kroll. 
• Kohli’s brand value is pegged at $227.9 million on the back of his stellar performance in ICC ODI World Cup and boasts of over 40 brands in his endorsement portfolio. 
• Ranveer Singh was at number two rank at a brand value of $203.1 million lending his name to endorse 50 brands. 
• Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan jumped to third spot with a brand value of $ 120. 7 million, marking his return to the top five club for the first time since 2020 in Kroll’s Celebrity brand valuation rankings. 
• Akshay Kumar stood at the fourth spot in 2023 at a brand value of $111.7 million, followed by Alia Bhatt at the fifth spot at $101.1 million. 
• Deepika Padukone, MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan are the other celebs ranked among the top ten most valued celebs in the rankings. 
• Kiara Advani saw a meteoric rise in brand value moving from rank 16 to rank 12 at $66 million. Also, Katrina Kaif featured in the list of India’s most valued celebrity brands for the first time in the last five years with a valuation of $27.1 million. 

3. Chandrayaan-1 Mission Director Srinivas Hegde passes away 

• Former ISRO scientist Srinivas Hegde, 71, who was the mission director of India's first lunar mission - Chandrayaan 1, launched in 2008, which discovered water molecules on the Moon, has died. 
• Hegde had a long career with ISRO - from 1978 to 2014 - and was involved in dozens of space missions as part of the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) or the then ISRO Satellite Centre. 
• According to people close to the family, Hegde was undergoing treatment for kidney ailment. After retirement, he joined Bengalurubased start-up Team Indus, which was one of the contestants of the $30 million Google Lunar XPRIZE. 
• Former Odisha Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare passes away Former Odisha state governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare passed away on June 15 at the age of 95. Born on December 10, 1928 in Mumbai, Bhandare was a senior Congress leader in Maharashtra. He served as a member of the Rajya Sabha for three terms, elected in June 1980, April 1982 and April 1988. 
• Bhandare was appointed Odisha governor on August 21, 2007, succeeding Rameswar Thakur. 
• During his tenure, he served as chairman of various parliamentary committees and visited several countries, including the United States, Britain, the USSR and Germany. 
• Bhandare was a humanist at heart, defending against the inequalities of society. He had an illustrious career as a lawyer and was designated as a senior advocate in the Supreme Court. 

Veteran sports journalist Harpal Singh Bedi passes away 

• Veteran sports journalist Harpal Singh Bedi passed away after a prolonged illness. He was 72. Bedi, who served as the Indian press attache at the London Olympics (2012), was known to mesmerise the media box with his wit, warmth and sarcasm along with his immense knowledge of Indian sports. He has also served as sports editor for the United News of India. 
• His awe-inspiring work experience included on-ground coverage of eight Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Cups of cricket and hockey, and world and national championships of athletics and other major Olympic sports. 
• Bedi has witnessed the changes and developments in the country's sporting scene, from PT Usha's fourth-place finish at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics to global fame, to rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra's gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. 
• He became a popular figure among Pakistani journalists after he toured the country with the Indian cricket teams in 2004 and 2005. 

4. CDS releases blueprint for warfare in cyberspace 

• Acknowledging that cyberspace has emerged as a crucial and challenging domain in modern warfare, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, released India's first joint doctrine for cyberspace operations during a meeting of the Chiefs of Staff Committee on Tuesday. 
• The joint doctrine will guide commanders of the armed forces in conducting cyberspace operations, the Defence Ministry said. 
• Unlike territorial limits in the traditional domains of warfare, cyberspace is a "global common and hence has shared sovereignty", the Ministry said. 

4. Modi to open new Nalanda campus today 

• On the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bihar's Nalanda University to inaugurate its new campus on Wednesday, the university's interim Vice-Chancellor Abhay Kumar Singh termed the occasion "historic". 
• "We consider the visit of the Prime Minister a very prestigious and auspicious occasion," Mr. Singh said. 
• "The Prime Minister has made the occasion special because he is bringing the diplomats of East Asia Summit countries. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is also coming. This celebratory spirit will give Nalanda a boost," he said. 
• Mr. Singh said after the Prime Minister's visit, the university will become more popular at the international level. At present, students from 26 countries are studying here. "The Prime Minister's visit is a big sign of validation and authentication." 
• He also praised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for lending unconditional support. Mr. Kumar will also be present along with the Prime Minister 

5. PM Modi to lead yoga day celebrations from Srinagar on June 21 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the main International Yoga Day event in Srinagar on June 21, as India gears up to celebrate the ancient practice of yoga on a global scale. 
• This year’s theme, “Yoga for Self and Society,” highlights the importance of incorporating yoga into every aspect of life for individual and community well-being. 
• Additionally, the Jammu and Kashmir government is organizing yoga events simultaneously at all district headquarters. 
• Yoga, an ancient physical, mental, and spiritual practice originating in India, symbolizes the union of body and consciousness. 
• Since 2015, the International Day of Yoga has been celebrated annually on June 21, following its adoption by the United Nations in 2014. 
• Ahead of the International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Modi called upon people to reiterate their commitment to making yoga an integral part of their lives. 

International News 

6.Paris hosts the world’s premier defense and security expo Eurosatory 2024 

• The global defense and security industry is being converging on Paris for the highly anticipated Eurosatory 2024. 
• With over 60,000 visitors and approximately 2,000 exhibitors, this event is set to be a significant gathering for industry professionals. 
• The five-day event will be held at the expansive Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre. 
• The event will feature more than 40 national pavilions, showcasing new equipment and innovative solutions. Additionally, a dedicated zone for helicopters will display models such as the Eurocopter Tiger, NH90 Caïman, H160M Guepard, H135, Apache, Black Hawk, and Chinook. 

About France 

• Capital- Paris 
• President- Emmanuel Macron 
• Prime Minister– Gabriel Attal (replace Elisabeth Borne) 
• Official language- French 

7. According to SIPRI report, USA is the country that spends the most on nuclear weapons 

• With global military expenditure increasing dramatically, nine nuclear-capable nations have collectively increased their investment in nuclear arsenals by 33 per cent in the last five years, according to the 55th edition of the Swedish think tank, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). 
• At the forefront of this increase was the United States, which spent $51.5 billion, accounting for /80 per cent of the global increase. 
• China allocated $11.8 billion, followed by Russia at $8.3 billion. The United Kingdom notably increased its spending by 17 per cent, reaching $8.1 billion, marking a significant increase for the second consecutive year. 
• According to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), these countries allocated a total of $91 billion for nuclear capabilities in the last one year alone, marking a significant increase in spending. 
• The ICAN report highlighted a sharp rise in nuclear spending, particularly the $10.8 billion increase seen in 2023 alone. 

Nuclear Weapons 

• The SIPRI report recorded a slight decrease in the total number of global nuclear weapons – down to 12,121 from 12,512 the previous year. 
• However, the number of weapons actively ready for deployment has increased, with 9,585 held in designated stockpiles for potential use and 2,100 on high operational alert. 
• While historically dominated by the United States and Russia, this time SIPRI said China now also has weapons on high alert, its first inclusion in this category. 
• About 3,904 warheads were deployed with missiles and aircraft, up 60 from January 2023, while the rest are in central storage. 
• China saw a significant increase in its nuclear arsenal, rising from 410 to 500 nuclear weapons by 2023. Britain is set to increase its nuclear weapon arsenal from 225 to 260 in 2023. India reportedly has 172 nuclear weapons, while Pakistan has 170. 
• Nine nuclear-armed nations – the United States, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel. 
• ICAN, famous for its role in pushing for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which came into force in 2021. Geneva-based coalition of disarmament activists, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017. The treaty has received support from 70 countries. 

"Flesh-eating bacteria" spreading rapidly in Japan 

• 'Flesh-eating bacteria' is spreading in Japan. The disease, known as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), is resulting in deaths within a short time. 
• Health officials in Japan are on high alert after nearly 1,000 cases of a deadly infection were reported across the country. According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, this figure has surpassed last year's total of 941 cases. 
• STSS is a rare but serious bacterial infection caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it occurs when these bacteria penetrate deep tissues and the bloodstream, releasing toxins that cause a rapid and dangerous reaction in the body. While it is rare for someone with STSS to directly spread the infection to others, a less serious infection with group A strep can develop into STSS if left untreated. 
• STSS begins with early symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting. Within 24 to 48 hours, it can lead to low blood pressure, organ failure, rapid heart rate and fast breathing. 
• Group A streptococcus (GAS) usually causes strep throat in children, but in adults it can cause more severe symptoms such as limb pain, swelling, fever and low blood pressure. It can quickly worsen to tissue death, breathing problems, organ failure, and sometimes death, especially in people over 50. 
• Preventing STSS includes practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly and covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing. 
• Take proper care of wounds and seek medical attention for any signs of infection. This helps prevent bacteria from causing further infections that can sometimes lead to STSS. 

8.Scientists from India, China, U.K. develop catalyst to produce cheaper biodiesel 

• A team of scientists from India, has developed a water-repellent cut the "envibio-" from Assam and Odisha in China, and the UK. catalyst that can cost of producing environmentally benign diesel substantially the current levels. The process of arriving at the "spherical superhy drophobic activated carbon catalyst" to withstand water byproduct during the production of biodiesel pursued as a substitute for diesel, an exhaustible fossil fuel, has been published in the latest issue of the peer-reviewed Advanced Functional Materials, a high-impact journal of the international materials science community. The authors of the study are Arpita Das, Kangkana 
• Saikia, and Samuel Laltha-Zuala Rokhum of the Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Silchar; Chandrakanta Guchhait and Bimalendu Adhikari of NIT, Rourkela, Odisha; dashi of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom; and Hu Li of the Guizhou University in China. 
• Super hydrophobic catalysts, imitating the anti wetting or water-repulsing properties of natural surfaces such as lotus leaves, are deemed crucial for their ability to prevent the poisoning of active sites by water, produced in situ or as a by-product. 
• "Our novel super hydrophobic catalyst can be a game-changer in the field of biodiesel production. It stands out because of unmatched robustness; it can withstand the water by product during biodiesel production," Dr. Rokhum told The Hindu. "This means the catalyst remains highly effective and can be reused multiple times, making the catalytic process more efficient and cost-effective," he said. 
• He further said the catalyst, derived from biomass (cellulose), is ecologically benign, abundant, and highly affordable. "This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of biodiesel production, making sustainable energy more accessible," he added.
• At present, the cost of biodiesel in India is about 100 or $1.2 per liter. Using the superhydrophobic activated carbon catalyst can bring down the cost to about 37 cents per liter. 
• A liter of less fuel-efficient diesel costs at least 187 in India. "Biodiesel is a key player in the quest for sustainable energy. Our innovative catalyst could pave the way for broader adoption and a greener future because it makes the production process more efficient, cost-effective, and environment friendly," De. Rokhum, among the world's top five scientists in the field of biodiesel, said. 

China has 500 nuclear warheads, says SIPRI 

• India's nuclear arsenal reached 172 warheads this year, slightly surpassing Pakistan which has 170. 
• China, on the other hand, has triple that number, with 500 warheads, some of which are believed to be on high operational alert for the first time, according to the Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). 
• SIPRI also noted that India is strengthening the undersea leg of its nuclear triad as well as developing long-range missiles. 
• "India's third SSBN [a nuclear-powered submarine carrying ballistic missiles armed with nuclear weapons] was reportedly launched in November 2021, and a fourth is under-construction for possible launch in 2024. These submarines are believed to be significantly larger than the first two, with satellite imagery indicating that they are approximately 20 meters longer," according to the SIPRI yearbook. On the second SSBN, Arighat, it noted that it was launched in November 2017 and underwent advanced sea trials in 2021-22, but that its commissioning into the Indian Navy has been delayed and is now expected in 2024. 

NSAs of India and the U.S. assure industry to resolve any barriers that hold back relations

• India and the U.S. have to remain at the forefront of technology to protect and defend the value systems as part of a larger strategic interest, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval said on Tuesday at the initiative for Critical and Emerging 
• Technology (ICET) industry CEO roundtable, His U.S. counterpart, Jake Sullivan, was present. Both NSAS assured the industry that due diligence would be done to resolve any barriers which hold back deeper India-U.S. ties. "ICET has achieved more than we we could could imagine," Mr. Doval said, highlighting the progress made across the defense innovation road map and start ups, while particularly emphasizing the importance of the semiconductor industry. 
• The roundtable was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CH). "Both NSAS assured the industry that they welcome industry communications highlighting specific issues and due diligence will be done to resolve any barriers which hold back deeper and closer India-U.S. ties," the CII said in a statement. 
• "The industry enlightened the NSAs on their experiences thus far in terms of their bilateral collaboration, their vision on how to take the collaboration forward, and specific areas where government facilitation can play a key role in addressing particular barriers to unshackle further collaboration," the Ministry said. 
• Two mega deals At the roundtable, it has been learnt that both sides put forward their ments and expectations from each other in terms of the policy framework to take forward cooperation in defense and high-end technologies. 
• The U.S. side pressed for strengthening of India's export controls as well the ease of doing business, according to sources present at the roundtable. The U.S. is also looking for India to speed up the two megadeals in the pipeline purchase of 31 MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles. and local license manufacture of GE-414 jet engines. 
• Both deals are in the advanced stages but are yet to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee Security. In turn, the Indian side. require-pressed for liberalization of licensing requirements for India for more high-tech areas as well as increased funding for research and official development, said. 

9. EU approves ‘Nature Restoration Law’ to rehabilitate ecosystems 

• EU environment ministers have approved a much-discussed conservation law that aims to restore habitats to their natural state. The nature restoration law aims to regrow forests, rewet swamps and return rivers to their natural, free-flowing state. Ministers from 20 EU member states voted in favour of it, representing 66 percent of the population. 
• The conservation law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20 percent of the bloc's land and marine areas by 2030, and to restore all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. It also aims to reverse the decline of Europe's natural habitats, 81% of which are in poor health. The law also sets specific targets such as peatlands that can soak up CO2 emissions and help prevent climate change. 
• Other ecosystems explicitly covered by the law include forests, grasslands and wetlands, as well as rivers, lakes and coral beds. Member countries must restore at least 30% of habitats covered by the new law from poor to good condition by 2030. 
• According to EU data, around 80 percent of habitats are in poor condition. In addition, 10 percent of bee and butterfly species are at risk of extinction and 70 percent of soil is in an unhealthy state. 
• The law has proved controversial due to concerns about the heavy restrictions that could be placed on farmers. It was passed by the European Parliament at the beginning of the year. 

10. Chinese scientists discover new pattern of solar rotation under ‘CHASE mission’ 

• Chinese scientists have discovered a new pattern of solar atmospheric rotation through the use of their solar exploration satellite, the Chinese H-Alpha Solar Explorer (CHASE). 
• The Chinese H-Alpha Solar Explorer (CHASE), called "Xihe" - Goddess of the Sun, was launched on October 14, 2021, as the first solar space mission of the China National Space Administration (CNSA). 
• The CHASE mission is designed to test a newly developed satellite platform and obtain spectroscopic observations in the H-alpha waveband. The H-Alpha Imaging Spectrograph (HIS) is the scientific payload of the CHASE satellite. 
• The team produced a precise threedimensional picture of solar atmospheric rotation for the first time, the findings of which have been published in the renowned international journal "Nature Astronomy". 
• The Sun rotates on its axis once in about 27 days. This rotation was first detected by observing the movement of sunspots. 
• The Sun's rotation axis is tilted about 7.25 degrees from the Earth's axis of orbit, so we see more of the Sun's north pole in September each year and more of its south pole in March. 
• Traditionally, as a sphere rotates, the higher the atmospheric altitude, the slower it moves. However, the research team found that as the solar atmospheric altitude increases, the Sun's rotation speed also increases. This discovery will have significant scientific implications on solar activity and the evolution of the Sun 

State News 

11. Karnataka Governor inaugurates National Yoga Olympiad in Mysuru 

• Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot inaugurated the National Yoga Olympiad in Mysuru on 18 June 2024. The Governor during his inaugural address recalled that a massive yoga event was organised in the state during the National Youth Festival in January last year, which set a new Guinness World Record. 
• The Regional Institute of Education (RIE), Mysuru is hosting the National Yoga Olympiad (NYO) jointly organised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in Mysuru from 18 to 20 June. 
• The theme of this year’s NYO is “Yoga for Self and Society”. During the Olympiad, participating students will be assessed on yoga exercises such as asanas, pranayama, kriyas (cleansing process), dhyana (meditation), and bandhas (for secondary level only). 
• The NCERT director said that as a prelude to the International Yoga Day to be celebrated on June 21, NCERT's yoga programme has been shifted from Delhi to other parts of the country, with last year's NYO being held in Bhopal and RIE Mysuru hosting the 2024 NYO. 
• The NYO was started in 2016 and was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave international recognition to yoga by declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day. 
• The National Yoga Olympiad envisages putting into practice the "Panch Kosha" mentioned in the National Curriculum Framework Foundational Stage 2023. "Panch Kosha" means "Annamaya Kosha" (physical layer), "Pranamaya Kosha" (life force energy layer), "Manomaya Kosha" (mind layer), "Vijnanamaya Kosha" (intellectual layer), and "Anandamaya Kosha" (inner self). 
• The aim of the Olympiad is to help develop an understanding of yogic practices, its applications in life which in turn helps in the physical, emotional and mental development of children. It will also help in inculcating healthy habits and human values in children, it said. 

12. Karnataka becomes first state to give Rs 1 crore insurance compensation to employees 

• Karnataka has become the first state in the country to announce insurance compensation of Rs 1 crore for employees who die in road accidents. 
• The Karnataka State Road Transport Department has distributed Rs 1 crore as accident insurance relief compensation to the dependents of four employees who lost their lives while on duty. 
• Besides, the dependents of 23 employees who died due to various ailments during service have also been given compensation of Rs 10 lakh. Speaking after the distribution of insurance compensation, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that the scheme formulated by the corporation for the economic selfreliance of the victim's family is visionary. 
• He said that the role of the drivers, managers, employees, officers and labour leaders of the corporation who played a major role in successfully implementing the Shakti scheme is commendable.
• With an aim to provide financial security to the dependents of its employees, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has implemented an accident insurance scheme under which accident insurance compensation of Rs 1 crore is paid. So far, families of 13 employees have received accident insurance amount of Rs 1 crore. 
• As the number of employees dying due to heart attack, cancer or stroke is being recorded more in recent times, in view of the difficulties experienced by the dependents of the family of those who die due to such diseases, the compensation amount of Rs 3 lakh given under the Employees Family Welfare Scheme will be enhanced to Rs 10 lakh to apply in cases of death. 

Appointment News

13. Ajith Kumar KK appointed as MD and CEO of Dhanlaxmi Bank 

• Private sector Dhanlaxmi Bank has appointed Ajith Kumar KK as Managing Director (MD) of the bank. 
• He is a seasoned banker with over 36 years of experience with the Federal Bank in various facets of banking including Credit, Human Resources, Business, Branch Banking etc. 
• He is presently the Chief Human Resources Officer at Federal Bank in the cadre of president, it said. 

About Dhanlaxmi Bank 

• Established – 14 November 1927 
• Headquarters – Thrissur, Kerala 
• CEO & MD – Ajith Kumar KK 

Award News 

14.Vinod Ganatra becomes first Indian to be honoured with 'Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award' 

• Globally acclaimed filmmaker Vinod Ganatra has become the first Indian to be honoured with South Africa's prestigious 'Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award' for his contribution to films. 
• He was honoured with this prestigious award at the ongoing 7th Nelson Mandela Children's Film Festival for his immense contribution to the world of cinema for children. 
• Ganatra has won 36 national and international awards, including the ‘Jankinath Gaur Award’ from Doordarshan for his children’s programme ‘Baingan Raja’. He became the only Indian filmmaker to receive the ‘Liv Ullmann Peace Prize’ in Chicago for his Gujarati film ‘Harun-Arun’. 
• Ganatra has been invited to join the jury of more than 100 national, regional and international film festivals across the world in the last three decades. He has edited and directed more than 400 documentaries and newsreels, besides producing 25 multilingual television programmes for children and youth. 
• Winning several awards for his first feature film ‘Heda-Hoda (Blind Camel)’, followed by ‘Lukka-Chhupi (Hide-n-Seek)’ which holds the record for being the first children’s film shot entirely at the highest altitude in Ladakh. 
• After this, he made another Gujarati film 'Harun-Arun' based on the India-Pakistan border in Gujarat, which premiered at the 26th Chicago International Children's Film Festival. 
• Recently, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore has been awarded the prestigious Nelson Mandela Award for outstanding work in the field of health promotion for the year 2024 by the World Health Organization. 

Important day 

15. 18 June – International Day for Countering Hate Speech 

• International Day for Countering Hate Speech is observed every year on 18 June. 
• In July 2021, the UN General Assembly highlighted global concerns over “the exponential spread and proliferation of hate speech” around the world and adopted a resolution on “promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech”. 
• The resolution proclaimed 18 June as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, building on the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech launched on 18 June 2019. 
• To observe the Day, the United Nations invites governments, international organizations, civil society groups, and individuals to hold events and initiatives promoting strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech. 
• The resolution recognizes the need to counter discrimination, xenophobia and hate speech and calls on all relevant actors, including States, to increase their efforts to address this phenomenon, in line with international human rights law. 

16. 19 June – International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. 

• International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is observed every year on 19 June. 
• Objective – To raise awareness about the serious issue of sexual violence during wars and conflicts worldwide. It also focuses on finding ways to stop these terrible crimes. 
• The United Nations declared June 19 as this special day in 2015, commemorating the adoption of a resolution that condemned sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to building peace. 

17. 19 June – World Sickle Cell Day

• World Sickle Cell Day is an annual observance held on June 19. 
• Objective – To enhance public knowledge and understanding of sickle cell disease, as well as the challenges faced by patients, their families, and caregivers. 
• Theme 2024 – Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally. 
• Recognised by the United Nations (UN), World Sickle Cell Day aims to raise global awareness of sickle cell disease. A resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 22, 2008, recognised sickle cell disease as a public health problem and “one of the world’s most important genetic diseases”. 
• The resolution urges Member States to promote sickle cell disease awareness nationally and internationally on June 19 each year.