04th June, 2024

1. NHRC directed all states to have ‘anti-human trafficking (AHT) nodal officer
2. United Nations votes to end Iraq political mission established after 2003 U.S.-led invasion
3. IndiGo to host the 81st IATA annual meeting in Delhi in 2025.
4. AIBEA Launched Exclusive Website ‘Bank Clinic’ to Guide Retail Customers
5. ‘Multilateral peace operations in 2023: Developments and trends report released by SIPRI
6. IAV Develops Safe Nipah Virus-Like Particles for Research
7. ICRIER Releases Policy Brief on Post-Harvest Losses (PHL) in India
8. June 3: World Bicycle Day
9. June 2: International Sex Workers’ Day
10. Football legend, Kylian Mbappe joins Real Madrid
11. Highlights of Taiwan Open 2024
12. Dinesh Karthik officially announces retirement from all forms of cricket
13. IndiGo signs codeshare agreement with Japan Air
14. Reliance Foundation Signed MoU with INCOIS For Coastal Community Empowerment
15. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani becomes acting chairperson of NHRC
16. Halla Tomasdottir appointed as Iceland’s New President/

National News

1. NHRC directed all states to have ‘anti-human trafficking (AHT) nodal officer
   • What: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended that every state should appoint an “Anti-human trafficking nodal officer”.
     • Human trafficking is a terrible crime that involves the illegal trade of people for forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation.
   • Why: To coordinate with state government authorities and take effective steps to curb the issue of human trafficking.
   • Tell me more:
     • This designated officer should hold a position no lower than that of a state government secretary or an inspector general of police.
     • They are mandated to coordinate with the government and take effective measures through District Anti-Human Trafficking Units (led by officers, not below Deputy SP) to combat human trafficking.
       Source: PTI

International News

1. United Nations votes to end Iraq political mission established after 2003 U.S.-led invasion 
   • What: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously voted to end the U.N. political mission in Iraq, which was established in 2003 following the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
     • Saddam Hussein was the President of Iraq (1979–2003).
   • Tell me more:
     • The mission, known as the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), aimed to coordinate post-conflict humanitarian and reconstruction efforts and help restore a representative government in Iraq.
     • Background:
       • The US invaded Iraq in 2003 claiming Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and that its leader, Saddam Hussein, supported terrorism.
         • WMDs are categorized as weapons that can cause extreme harm and death to a large number of people or cause great destruction to the environment.
       • This led to the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
     • The Iraqi government requested the mission’s closure by the end of 2025, and the resolution extends UNAMI’s mandate for a final 19 months until December 31, 2025, when all its work will cease.
       Source: The Hindu

Banking and Economy

1. IndiGo to host the 81st IATA annual meeting in Delhi in 2025.
   • What: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that IndiGo will host the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit in Delhi, in June 2025.
   • The decision to host the 81st IATA AGM in India was made at the 80th IATA AGM in Dubai.
   • This will be the third time the IATA AGM has convened in Delhi, having previously held in India in 1958 and 1983. 
     Source: IATA

   
   

2. AIBEA Launched Exclusive Website ‘Bank Clinic’ to Guide Retail Customers
   • What: All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), the oldest and largest trade union of bank employees, launched a `Bank Clinic’, an exclusive website, in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
   • About the website: It is a complaint redressal platform to guide retail customers about their rights and remedies (in context to banks)
   • Tell me more:
     • This website is dedicated to promoting financial literacy. It provides customers with information, knowledge, and guidance on policies governing services.
     • It also provides information on the road map for addressing and resolving complaints.
     • Working: Using this website, customers can register complaints and within 5 days, they will receive information on regulatory guidelines.
     • Note: This website only guides remedies but does not resolve queries.
       Source: Economic Times

Report and Indices

1. ‘Multilateral peace operations in 2023: Developments and trends report released by SIPRI
   • What: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has published a report titled ‘Multilateral peace operations in 2023: Developments and trends’ on important developments related to multilateral peace operations during 2023.
     • Multilateral peace operations refer to collaborative efforts involving multiple countries or international organizations to maintain peace, stability, and security in conflict-affected regions.
   • Tell me more (Key Findings on multilateral peace operations)
     • The United Nations conducted largest number of multilateral peace operations (20).
     • India was the highest contributor of military personnel for UN peacekeeping forces in 2023.
     • In 2023, 63 multilateral peace operations were active in 37 countries.
     • Largest deployment of peacekeeping forces was in Sub-Saharan Africa.
     • The year saw new operations opening in Armenia, Moldova and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), while operations closed in Mali, Sudan, the DRC and the Central African Republic (CAR).
       Source: SIPRI

Science and Technology

1. IAV Develops Safe Nipah Virus-Like Particles for Research
   • What: The Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV), Kerala has successfully developed non-infectious Nipah virus-like particles (VLPs) using genetic engineering.
     • These VLPs mimic the wild-type Nipah virus and can be used for vaccine production, diagnosis, and studying the entry of Nipah virus into target cells.
   • Tell me more:
   • This development could pave the way for finding a indigenous vaccine against the Nipah virus, which has a high mortality rate.
     • Repeated Nipah outbreaks in Kerala — affecting Kozhikode in 2018, 2021, and 2023, and Ernakulam in 2019 — are turning out to be a concern for the country.
   • This is a major development as India used to import antibodies for the Nipah virus.
     • During the 2018 outbreak, a non-patented drug developed by Christopher C Broder from Australia was imported.
       Source: The Hindu

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. ICRIER Releases Policy Brief on Post-Harvest Losses (PHL) in India
   • What: The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) recently published a policy brief on reducing post-harvest losses (PHL) in Indian agriculture.
     • Post-harvest loss means the losses occur after crops are harvested but before they reach consumers.
   • Tell me more:
     • The Magnitude of Losses: India faces an annual food loss of approximately Rs. 1.53 trillion (USD 18.5 billion) due to post-harvest losses.
     • Production in India (as per the report)
       • Food Grain: Increased from 74.23 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 1966-67 to 330.5 MMT in 2022-23.
       • Horticulture: Increased from 96.6 MMT in 1991-92 to 355.25 MMT in 2022-23.
       • India’s Storage capacity: Expanded from 108.8 MMT in 2010 to 219.4 MMT in 2021
       • PHL: Globally, around 30% of food produced never reaches consumers (FAO, 2021).
       • India faces higher PHL in cereals, pulses, and oilseeds than global levels.
       • Annual loss of US $18.5 billion from 2020 to 2022, despite some reduction in PHL from 2012 to 2022.
         Source: ICRIER

Important Days

1. June 3: World Bicycle DayJune 3: World Bicycle Day
   • What: World Bicycle Day is celebrated annually on June 3, 2024.
     Source: India Today
2. June 2: International Sex Workers’ Day
   • What: International Sex Workers’ Day is annually observed on June 2 to create awareness about the challenges and exploitation faced by sex workers worldwide.
   • Theme: Access to Justice
     Source: Hindustan Times

Sports

1. Football legend, Kylian Mbappe joins Real Madrid
   • What: Kylian Mbappe, a French football player, has joined the football club Real Madrid. He used to play for Paris Saint-Germain before this move.
   • Kylian Mbappe has officially joined Real Madrid on a five-year deal.
     Source: The Hans India
2. Highlights of Taiwan Open 2024
   • What: Indian contingents won 7 medals including 3 Gold, 3 Silver, and 1 bronze at the Taiwan Athletics Open 2024 held in Taipei, Taiwan.
   • Tell me more:
     • Hosted by: Chinese Taipei Athletics Association
     • List of Indian winners

Source: News18

3. Dinesh Karthik officially announces retirement from all forms of cricket
   • What: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after playing for India for 20 years.
   • Tell me more (Career Achievements of Dinesh Karthik)
     • He made his national debut at the age of 19 in a One-Day International against England at Lord’s.
     • In his 401 T20 appearances, Karthik retires with 7407 runs, including 34 half-centuries, at a strike rate of nearly 137.
     • In his 17 years of IPL career, Karthik played for six franchises.
     • He has represented India in 180 games across three formats (Test, One day and T-20)
     • He last represented India during the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia against Zimbabwe under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma.
       Source: DNA

Memorandum of Understanding

1. IndiGo signs codeshare agreement with Japan Air
   • What: Japan Airlines (JAL) and IndiGo have signed a codeshare agreement to increase the travel market between Japan and India.
     • About Codeshare agreement: A codeshare agreement allows airlines to sell seats on each other’s flights under their own flight code.
       • For example: Imagine you book a flight from Delhi to Bangkok with JAL (Japan Airlines).
       • However, upon checking in, you discover the flight is actually operated by IndiGo. This is because JAL has a codeshare agreement with IndiGo for this route. You’ll still fly on IndiGo’s aircraft and experience their in-flight service.
   • The benefits are twofold:
     • For the airlines, it means they can expand their network reach without adding new routes.
     • For passengers, they can enjoy a wider range of travel options and the convenience of booking everything under one reservation.
       Source: Indigo
2. Reliance Foundation Signed MoU with INCOIS For Coastal Community Empowerment
   • What: The Reliance Foundation and the Hyderabad (Telangana) based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES), Government of India (GoI), have signed an MoU
   • Why: The collaboration aims to enhance the safety, livelihoods, and resilience of coastal communities that depend on the ocean.
   • Tell me more (Areas of Focus)
     • Oceanographic Information: Providing vital oceanographic information and tools to coastal communities.
     • Predictive Impact Analysis: Using ocean data to forecast potential issues (e.g., impact of rising sea temperatures on fish catch) and develop alternative livelihood strategies.
     • Ocean Literacy: Developing educational materials for coastal youth on ocean literacy and safety.
     • Lab-to-Land Linkages: Bridging the gap between research and practical applications, especially related to climate resilience.
     • Tsunami Ready Villages: Proactive approach to mitigate future disasters and safeguard coastal communities.
       Source: ANI

Appointments

1. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani becomes acting chairperson of NHRC
   • What:  Vijaya Bharathi Sayani has been appointed as the acting chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
   • She assumed this role on June 2, 2024, replacing Justice Arun Kumar Mishra, whose tenure ended on June 1 2024.
   • She has been appointed under Section 7(1) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
     Source: Indian Express

2. Halla Tomasdottir appointed as Iceland’s New President
   • What: Icelandic businesswoman, Halla Tómasdóttir, has become the 7th President of Iceland by winning the 2024 presidential election with 34.3% of the votes.
   • She will succeed Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, who has been serving as the 6th President of Iceland since 2016.
   • She will become the 2nd Woman President of Iceland after Vigdis Finnbogadottir, who was the first woman in the world to be democratically elected as president in 1980.
     Source: News18

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