Current Affairs 18 June 2025

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 18 June 2025, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2025 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

India’s ICAR-NIHSAD Recognised as ‘Category A’ Rinderpest Facility by WOAH-FAOBhopal, Madhya Pradesh (MP) based Indian Council of Agricultural Research -National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR–NIHSAD) was designated as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility (RHF) by the Paris (France) based World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and Rome (Italy) based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN).

• This recognition was announced during the 92nd General Session of WOAH held from May 25–29, 2025 in Paris marking a significant milestone for India in the field of global animal health and biosecurity.

i.The certificate was presented to Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) and India’s WOAH delegate by WOAH Director General (DG) Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran and President Susana Pombo.
ii.The Category A designation authorizes secure storage of all types of rinderpest virus-containing materials (excluding vaccine stocks) in compliance with WOAH-FAO guidelines.
iii.This approval places India among an elite group of six global facilities entrusted with the secure custody of rinderpest virus-containing materials (RVCM).
About World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH):
President – Dr Susana Pombo
Director General – Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran
Headquarters – Paris, France
Established – 1924
>>Read Full News

11 years of Digital India: Technology turned into tool to empower the lives of poorIn June 2025, the Government of India (GoI) marked 11 years of the Digital India initiative, highlighting significant strides toward building a digitally empowered society and a knowledge-driven economy.

• The digital economy, which contributed 11.74% to the national income in 2022–23, is projected to grow to 13.42% by 2024–25, driven by advancements in Artificial Intelligence(AI), cloud computing, and digital infrastructure.

About Digital India:
Digital India is a flagship programme of the GoI, launched on July 1, 2015, by Prime Minister(PM)Narendra Modi with the vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

• The Digital India initiative is primarily coordinated by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with various ministries and overseen by a high-level monitoring committee chaired by the PM of India.

i.Total telephone connections in India grew from 93.3 crores in March 2014 to 120+ crores in April 2025.
ii.Internet connections jumped from 25.15 crore in March 2014 to 96.96 crore in June 2024, registering a growth of 285.53%.
iii. As of April 2025, 141.88 crore Aadhaar IDs have been generated.
>>Read Full News

Ministry of AYUSH Hosted Global Yoga Connect 2025 Summit in Delhi
In June 2025, the New Delhi (Delhi) based Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), under the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), hosted “Yoga Connect 2025,” a hybrid global summit at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi. The  event was held ahead of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21 June 2025.

• The summit, themed “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” witnessed participation from over 1,000 in-person attendees and virtual participants from countries like Bahrain, the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), and South Korea.
• The event was inaugurated by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Culture (MoC) & Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge/IC) – Prataprao Ganpatrao, Ministry of Ayush.

Note: The main IDY 2025 celebration will take place in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh(AP).
Key Highlights:
i.The summit featured six focused thematic sessions,

• Yoga and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
• Yoga & Women’s Health
• Yoga Tech Innovations
• Commercial and Industrial advancement
• Common Yoga Protocol studies
• Vision of Yoga for All

ii.Report & Publication Launched:

• “Yoga Prabhava”: Nationwide impact assessment report of a decade of IDY, released by CCRYN.
• “Surveykshan”: National-level study on Yoga’s influence.
• Scientometric Analysis Report: A study on global Yoga research by CCRYN and Pahle India Foundation.
• E-book “IDY – The Yogic Path of a Statesman’s Vision” and “Bhartiya Vriksha Vaibhavam” were also launched.
• Yoga Samavesh Video – showcased the spirit of unity through yoga, featuring large-scale mass participation.

PU & RIS Signed MoU to Strengthen Academic-Policy Collaboration
In June 2025, Pondicherry University (PU), Kalapet, Union Territory (UT) of Puducherry and New Delhi (Delhi)-based Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), a policy research institute and think tank under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Conference on Global South & Triangular Cooperation held in New Delhi (Delhi).

• The conference was jointly organised by the MEA, RIS, Forum for Indian Development and Cooperation (FIDC), and DAKSHIN (Development and Knowledge Sharing Initiative) – Global South Centre of Excellence.
• The partnership aims to strengthen academic-policy linkages through the RIS University Connect Hub, which fosters collaboration between RIS and Indian universities to engage in policy-oriented research and discourse.

Key Features:
i.Coordinated by: Prof. Subramanyam Raju, UMISARC (UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Madanjeet Singh Institute of South Asia Regional Cooperation), Centre for South Asian Studies, School of Social Sciences and International Studies, PU.
ii.The MoU focuses on advancing joint research, capacity-building programs, and immersive policy dialogues in the domains of:

• Global economic development
• South-South cooperation
• International public policy

iii.During India’s Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency, RIS engaged with 101 universities across the country, and as part of its ongoing collaboration, 21 universities, including PU, were selected for MoU-based partnerships under the University Connect Hub initiative.

University of Aberdeen Receives Approval to Set Up Its First Indian Campus in Navi Mumbai
In June 2025, Aberdeen (Scotland) based University of Aberdeen has become the first Scottish university to receive the approval for setting up a branch campus in India. The proposed campus aims to empower students, accelerate joint research with Indian partners and contribute to India’s dynamic knowledge economy.

• The University was granted Letter of Intent (LoI) by the Maharashtra Government to set up its branch campus in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, which is expected to be operationalized by 2026.

Key Points:
i.The university will offer Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) programmes in subjects such as computing and data science, business management, economics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

• A Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme will also be part of the first phase.

ii.The future expansion includes courses in mathematics, international business management, public health, film studies, psychology, and information systems, fields where both Aberdeen and India share strategic interests.
iii.By combining the University of Aberdeen’s research expertise with India’s innovation ecosystem, this initiative aims to tackle global challenges while enabling student exchange, faculty collaboration and industry-led collaboration.

MSC Bank Launched India’s 1st C-SOC for Cooperative Banks
In June 2025, the Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSC Bank) launched India’s first Cyber-Security Operation Centre (C-SOC), “Sahakar Suraksha”, in Vashi, Navi Mumbai(Maharashtra). This initiative aims to enhance digital resilience and safeguard cooperative banks from increasing cyber threats and frauds.

• MSC Bank collaborated with Mumbai-based cybersecurity firm Sequretek IT Solutions Private Limited to execute and operationalize this pioneering initiative.

i.The facility has been established at a cost of Rs 50 crore and is operated by 35 trained cyber-security professionals on a 24/7 basis.
ii.It is powered by an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven platform that monitors and detects both known and emerging cyber threats in real time.
iii.The system is capable of sending immediate alerts to member banks, thereby enabling early response and fraud prevention.
iv.The C-SOC will serve 31 District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) in Maharashtra.The services of C-SOC will be provided free of cost to all member banks under the cooperative initiative.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNCO3) Held From June 09 to June 13, 2025 in Nice, France – Part IThe 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNCO3) was held in Nice, France from June 09 to June 13, 2025. The 5-day conference was hosted jointly by the Governments of France and Costa Rica.

• Theme of UNCO3: ‘Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean’.

Li Junha (China), Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, was appointed as the Secretary General of UNCO3 by the UN Secretary-General, to overall monitor its preparations.

• Also, Miguel de Serpa Soares (Portugal), Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs, was appointed as Special Adviser to the Presidents of the conference on ocean and legal matters.

Key Highlights of UNCO3:
i.In June 2025, Rome (Italy) based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) released its latest report titled ‘Review of the State of World Marine Fisheries Resources-2025’ during the UNCO3.
ii.During the inaugural day of UNCO3, Brazil and France launched a historic global initiative “Blue Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Challenge” aimed to significantly scale-up ocean-focused climate action.
iii.18 countries including Guinea-Bissau, Belgium, Liberia, the Solomon Islands, Malta, Belgium and Greece, have ratified the High Seas Treaty during a special High Seas Treaty event held on the sidelines of UNCO3.
iv.On the sidelines of UNCO3, 96 countries have signed the ‘Nice Wake-up Call and for ambitious Plastics Treaty’. Also, India is not among the signatories of the treaty.
>>Read Full News

113th ILO Conference Held in Geneva; India Showcases Labour Reforms & Social Security ProgressThe 113th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) or Parliament of Labour, the highest decision-making body of the International Labour Organization (ILO), was held from 2nd to 13th June 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. The annual conference brought together tripartite delegations from all 187 ILO member countries, comprising representatives from governments, employers, and workers.

• The conference aimed to create global labour standards, review member countries’ labour policies, and address key issues like workers’ rights, social security, and workplace biological hazards.

i.India was represented by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E). He highlighted India’s progress in employment generation, social security expansion, and labour reforms.
ii.The ILC adopted a resolution aimed at reducing informality and promoting the transition to formal employment across member states.
iii.Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) Amendments: With overwhelming support, the ILC approved seven amendments to the MLC, 2006.
iv.The ILC 2025 concluded with the historic adoption of the first international labour standards focused on preventing workplace exposure to biological hazards.
>>Read Full News

SIPRI Report 2025: India Expands Nuclear Arsenal, Advances Canisterised MIRV MissilesIn June 2025, Solna (Sweden) based Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released its latest Yearbook for 2025: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security. The report highlighted that India continues to maintain an edge over Pakistan in nuclear capabilities.

• As per the report, India has expanded its nuclear arsenal from 172 warheads (in 2024) to an estimated 180 (in 2025), as of January 2025.

i.The report further underscored that India’s new ‘canisterised’ missiles, which allow warheads to be pre-mounted and transported more safely, could potentially carry nuclear warheads even during ‘peacetime’.
ii.SIPRI highlighted that all 9 nuclear-armed countries, namely the United States of America (USA), Russia, the United Kingdom (UK), France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel, continued to invest significantly in modernizing their nuclear forces in 2024.
iii.The report revealed that the arms revenues of the 100 largest arms-producing and military services companies reached USD 632 billion in 2023. This was 2.8% higher than the total revenue of the top 100 in 2022.
About Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI):
Director – Dan Smith
Headquarters –Solna, Sweden
Established – 1966
>>Read Full News

Vietnam Joins BRICS as 10th Partner CountryIn June 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil has announced that Vietnam has officially joined the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) as the 10th partner country. Vietnam’s inclusion as a partner country reflects BRICS’ ongoing expansion and its efforts to enhance its role as a diplomatic counterbalance to Western powers.

• As a partner country, Vietnam can take part in BRICS summits, working groups, ministerial-level meetings, and collaborative projects, but it doesn’t hold full voting privileges.
• The other partner countries are Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan.

Note: Vietnam also holds a significant role in various international forums, including the United Nations (UN), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia-Pacific Cooperation (APEC), Group of Seven (G7), Group of Twenty (G20) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Partner Country in BRICS:
i.The partner country was created at the 16th BRICS Summit (2024) in Kazan, Russia.
ii.It is a new category of affiliation, introduced by the group to broaden engagement with emerging economies without granting them full membership.
iii.A partner country is officially recognized as a participant in BRICS activities, but not a full member.
iv.The partner country’s status allows BRICS to expand influence without overwhelming internal structure. It also serves as a pathway for possible future full membership.
About BRICS:
i.BRICS was formed in September 2006, and it originally had 4 emerging economies as its members, including Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC).
ii.BRIC group was renamed as BRICS after South Africa was accepted as a full member of BRIC in 2010.
iii.BRICS member countries include, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Indonesia.
About Vietnam:
Prime Minister (PM) – Pham Minh Chinh
Capital – Hanoi
Currency – Vietnamese Dong(VND)

UNGA Declares 2026 as International Year of the Woman FarmerThe United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), headquartered in New York, the United State of America(USA), declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) to acknowledge the critical role of women in agriculture and to raise awareness about the challenges they face globally in May 2024.

• The resolution was supported by over 100 countries, highlighting international recognition of women’s contribution to global food systems.

Key Contributions of Women in Agriculture:
i.Women account for 60% to 80% of food production in developing countries and 39% of agricultural labour in South Asia.
ii.In India, around 80% of economically active women are employed in agriculture.
iii.However, only 14% of agricultural landowners in India are women, with 8.3% ownership according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS).
>>Read Full News

Overview of Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s Visit to Switzerland and SwedenUnion Minister Piyush Vedprakash Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), Government of India (GoI), was on a five-day official visit to Switzerland and Sweden from June 9 to 13, 2025.

• The visit reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening strategic and economic partnerships with key European countries, promoting trade, investment, and sustainable global growth.

i.Union Minister Piyush Goyal co-chaired a business roundtable on the Machinery, Electrical and Metal (MEM) industry with Guy Parmelin, Federal Councillor of Switzerland, in Bern (Switzerland).
ii.He participated in the 18th Swissmem Industry Dayevent, held in Zurich, Switzerland.
iii.He co-chaired the 21st session of the India-Sweden Joint Commission for Economic, Industrial and Scientific Cooperation (JCEISC) in Stockholm, Sweden.
About the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Mo&CI):
Union Minister – Piyush Vedprakash Goyal (Constituency – Mumbai North, Maharashtra)
Minister of State (MoS) – Jitin Prasada (Constituency – Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
>>Read Full News

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

King Charles III Confers Knighthood on David Beckham for Sporting Achievements and Charity WorkIn June 2025, British football icon David Robert Joseph Beckham was formally awarded a Knighthood by King Charles III during the monarch’s annual birthday celebrations, recognizing his remarkable contributions to sports and charitable causes.

• Apart from him, actor Gary Oldman and musician Roger Daltrey are among the most high-profile names to receive knighthoods in King Charles III’s Birthday Honours list this year.

Key Points:
i.David Beckham’s illustrious football career spanned over two decades, during which he became one of the most recognizable athletes globally. He played for top clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and LA Galaxy and Paris Saint-Germain.
ii.The honours list is prepared by the United Kingdom(UK) government and signed off by the monarch, with nominees reviewed by independent panels.
iii.The honours, awarded twice annually, recognise exceptional contributions to public life, with the latest list celebrating achievements in sport, the arts and charity.
About the United Kingdom (UK):
Prime Minister(PM) – Sir Keir Starmer
Capital – London
Currency – Pound Sterling (GBP)
>>Read Full News

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Arun Srinivas Appointed as MD and Head of Meta India
In June 2025, California, the United States of America (USA) based Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly Facebook Inc.) appointed Arun Srinivas as Managing Director (MD) and Head of Meta in India, effective July 1, 2025.  He succeeds Sandhya Devanathan, who transitions to a new role overseeing Meta’s expanded operations across the India and South-East Asia (SEA) region.

• In his new role,  Arun Srinivas will be responsible for driving Meta’s business, innovation, and revenue priorities in India.
• He will continue to report to Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President, India and South-East Asia, Meta.

About Arun Srinivas:
i.Arun Srinivas brings nearly 30 years of experience in sales and marketing leadership across diverse industries. He began his career as a Product Manager at Reebok in 1996.
ii.From 1996 to 2017, he served in various leadership roles at Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), ultimately becoming Vice President (VP), Foods South Asia, based in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
iii.He worked as an Operating Advisor at WestBridge Capital in Bengaluru, Karnataka, from 2017 to 2019.
iv.He held the dual roles of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Global Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Ola between 2019 and 2020.
v.In September 2020, he joined Meta as Director and Head of Ads Business for India, a position he continues to hold.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

China Launched ‘Zhangheng 1-02’ Satellite to Enhance Natural Disaster Monitoring CapabilitiesIn June 2025, Beijing(China) based China National Space Administration (CNSA) successfully launched China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite-2 (CSES-2), named ‘Zhangheng 1-02’ using the Long March-2D carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in Gansu Province, China, to monitor natural disasters using advanced space technology.

• The launch represented the 581st mission of the Long March rocket series and marked China’s 34th orbital launch attempt in 2025.

About Zhangheng 1-02:
i.Zhangheng 1-02 is the second satellite under the Zhangheng project, named after ancient Chinese scientist Zhang Heng, who invented the world’s first seismoscope over 1,800 years ago.
ii.It is China’s first operational satellite under the Medium- and Long-Term Civil Space Infrastructure Development (MLT-CSID) plan, primarily designed for quasi-real-time monitoring of global electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, the ionosphere, and the neutral atmosphere.
iii.The satellite was launched to enhance China’s integrated space-air-ground monitoring system for early warning and observation of major natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, extreme weather, and space weather events.
iv.It is designed for a mission life of 6 years, will operate in coordination with Zhangheng 1-01 (launched in 2018), to enhance global electromagnetic monitoring with improved spatial and temporal resolution.
v.The satellite carries nine scientific payloads, including:

• Electric Field Detector (developed by China and Italy)
• High-Energy Particle Detector (Italy)
• Ionospheric Optical Instrument (new in Zhangheng 1-02)

vi.It aims to benefit countries under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through data sharing and international cooperation.
About Zhangheng Satellite Project:
i.The satellite project is a collaborative initiative between China and Italy, developed under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2019 to strengthen aerospace cooperation and scientific exchange.
ii.The Italian team named the project ‘Limadou’ after Matteo Ricci, the 16th-century Italian Jesuit priest, in recognition of his significant role in promoting cultural exchange between the East and the West.
iii.The objective of the project is to monitor electromagnetic and ionospheric anomalies that may serve as precursors to earthquakes, thereby advancing the development of space-based earthquake early warning systems.
About China National Space Administration (CNSA):
Administrator – Zhang Kejian
Headquarters – Beijing, China
Established – 1993

GSL Launches 5th FPV ‘Achal’ for Indian Coast GuardIn June 2025, Goa-based defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) launched the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Achal’, the fifth Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) in a series of eight being indigenously built for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). It is built at a cost of Rs. 473 crores (~USD 62 million).

• The vessel was ceremoniously launched by Kavita Harbola at the GSL facility in Goa, in the presence of Additional Director General(ADG) Anil Kumar Harbola, Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard) and Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD).

i.The ICGS Achal measures 52 metres (m) in length and 8m in breadth, with a displacement of 320 tons(t).
ii.The vessel, powered by Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP)-based propulsion system, the vessel can reach a top speed of 27 knots.
About Indian Coast Guard (ICG):
Director General(DG) – Paramesh Sivamani
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1 February 1977
>>Read Full News

SPORTS

India’s Team MGD1 Wins FIDE World Rapid Team Championship 2025In June 2025, Team MGD1, the flagship team of Pune (Maharashtra)-based chess management and investment firm MGD1, created history by becoming the first Indian-sponsored team to win the Rapid section of the 2025 FIDE (International Chess Federation) World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship held from June 10 to 16, 2025, in London, United Kingdom (UK).

• Led by Grandmaster (GM) Arjun Erigaisi, Team MGD1 triumphed over 55 international teams in a 12-round Swiss format, securing the gold medal with 21 match points from 10 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.
• Hexamind Chess Team, led by Grandmaster (GM) Levon Aronian, secured the silver medal with a total of 20 match points, while Freedom, featuring GM Viswanathan Anand, claimed the bronze medal by finishing with 17 match points.

Blitz Section Outcome:
In the Blitz section, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany based WR Chess, led by GM Jan Gustafsson, successfully defended their title by defeating KazChess, captained by GM Alexander Grischuk, in the final, securing the gold medal, while KazChess and Hexamind settled for silver and bronze, respectively.
About the 2025 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship:
i.The 2025 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Team Championship marked its 3rd edition and featured 55 teams from across the globe.
ii.The format included:

• Rapid Section: 12-round Swiss format.
• Blitz Section: 13-round pool stage followed by knockout rounds.

iii.Each team comprised 6 players per match, with a mandate to include at least 1 female player and 1 amateur player (FIDE rating below 2000).
iv.The total prize fund was 500,000 euro, distributed as:

• 310,000 euro for the Rapid section
• 190,000 euro for the Blitz section

About International Chess Federation (FIDE):
President – Arkady Dvorkovich
Headquarters – Lausanne, Switzerland
Establishment – 1924

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern’s Memoir: A Different Kind of Power
In June 2025, A Memoir, “A Different Kind of Power”, written by Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern, former New Zealand Prime Minister (PM) has been released. The book was published by Virago Press, an imprint of Little, Brown Book Group (UK), and Crown Publishing Group, a division of the United States of America(USA) based Penguin Random House.

• Jacinda Ardern served as the 40th PM of New Zealand from 2017 to 2023. At the age of 37, she became the youngest PM in over 150 years .

Key Points:
i.In her memoir, Jacinda Ardern recounts her personal and political journey with warmth, humour, and vulnerability, including the significant moment of discovering her pregnancy while in the midst of coalition government negotiations.
ii.She also shared her experience at the massacre of Christ Church, the swift introduction of gun-control reforms, and a data driven “Zero-COVID” pandemic strategy that led to exceptionally low death rates.
iii.In her book, she redefines empathy, vulnerability, and sensitivity as potent leadership assets, which are evident in her ten guiding principles drawn from her career.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Family Remittances 2025 – June 16The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) is annually observed across the globe on 16 June to acknowledge the sacrifices of migrant workers who send money back to their families.

• June 16 2025, marked the 10th anniversary of IDFR, highlighting its role in poverty alleviation and rural development.
• The 2025 theme of IDFR is “Remittances Financing Development”, emphasizes maximizing the impact of remittances in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Background:
i.The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) was first observed on 16 June 2008 by the Rome (Italy)-based International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), in collaboration with the Washington D.C. (United States of America, USA)-based World Bank.
ii.In February 2015, the Governing Council of IFAD officially proclaimed 16 June as the IDFR to recognize the vital role of migrant workers and the remittances they send to support their families.
iii.Later, in 2018, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution A/RES/72/281, thereby officially designating  16 June as the International Day of Family Remittances.
>>Read Full News

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025 – June 17United Nations(UN)’s World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought(WDCDD) is an annual global observance on June 17. The annual observance aims to promote public awareness about international efforts to combat desertification and drought, and to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) , a state where human activity has a neutral or positive impact on land health.

• 17th June 2025 marks the 31st anniversary of the UNCCD, which was established on 17th June 1994.
• The 2025 theme is “Restore the land. Unlock the opportunities”.

Background:
i.The WDCDD was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) through Resolution A/RES/49/115 in 1994, following the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

• First observed in 1995, this day has brought together global stakeholders to curb land degradation, poverty, and food insecurity.

ii.Since 2019, it is also referred to as Desertification and Drought Day.
iii.The day also marks the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the only legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
>>Read Full News

World Crocodile Day 2025 – June 17World Crocodile Day (World Croc Day) is annually observed across the globe on June 17 to raise awareness about the conservation challenges facing endangered crocodiles and alligators, and to promote the importance of protecting these species.

• The theme for World Crocodile Day 2025 is “Connecting crocodiles and communities.”

i.World Crocodile Day was established in 2017 by the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC).
ii.On 17 June 2025, Odisha (India) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its pioneering crocodile conservation programme initiated in 1975.
iii.In 2025, the observance is led by the Belize (Central America)-based nonprofit organisation, Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC), in collaboration with the Belize Zoo.
>>Read Full News

STATE NEWS

Arunachal Pradesh Declares 2025-35 as ‘Decade of Hydro Power’In June 2025, the Cabinet of Arunachal Pradesh, led by Chief Minister(CM) Pema Khandu, declared the 2025-2035 as the ‘Decade of Hydropower’, to harness its significant hydropower potential to generate 58,000 Megawatts (MW) of electricity.

• The cabinet termed the thrust on hydropower as a “strategic management of revenues generated through free power from the Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs).

Key Points:
i.The government also aims to create a stable and supportive policy and regulatory framework for the overall development of the industrial ecosystem in AR, as a source of economic growth and as a means of generating employment and self-employment opportunities for youths of AR.
ii.As per the agreement with power developers, AR will receive 12% free power from each HEP, and an additional 1% for a local development fund.

• With around 19 Gigawatt (GW) of Hydropower projects under development with cumulative investments of over Rs.2 lakh crore in the period of 2025-35, AR is estimated to receive annual revenues of Rs.4,525 crores from the sale of free power from HEPs from 2035.

About Arunachal Pradesh (AR):
Chief Minister (CM) – Pema Kandu
Governor – Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
Capital – Itanagar
National Park (NP) – Namdapha NP, Mouling NP
>>Read Full News

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