1) International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2022
•International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day, is conducted by the United Nations. It is observed on June 26 annually. The global event highlights the physical and psychological impact of substance abuse, drug overdose deaths and drug-related humanitarian crises with an aim to eliminate the menace from society.
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2022: Theme
•“Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises” is the theme for 2022’s celebration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
2) United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2022
•The United Nations General Assembly on December 12, 1997, adopted a resolution to proclaim June 26 as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The day is observed to call upon nations, civil societies and individuals all across the world to extend their support to victims of torture and those who are being tortured.
3) Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day: 27 June
•Recognising the potential of the MSME and their role in strengthening economies, June 27 is celebrated as the Micro-Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day. The day is aimed at raising public awareness of the contribution of MSMEs to global economic growth and sustainable development. MSME or Micro-Small and Medium-sized Enterprises are crucial for the growth of a country as they form the backbone of the economy. They are enterprises that usually employ not more than 250 employees but are responsible for creating more than two-thirds of all jobs globally.
4) Piyush Goyal: Indian GDP might reach $30 trillion in coming 30 years
•India’s economy, according to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, is among the fastest-growing in the world and is predicted to reach $30 trillion in the next 30 years. Goyal remarked that if India grows at a compound annual growth rate of 8% annually, the economy will double in nine years while speaking to exporters in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu. According to the minister, the country’s economy is currently worth approximately $3.2 trillion and will be worth roughly $6.5 trillion in nine years.
5) Anil Khanna named as the acting President of IOA
•Anil Khanna has been appointed the acting President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The Delhi High Court has ordered that Narinder Dhruv Batra cannot continue as the President of the IOA and appointed Anil Khanna as acting president. Veteran sports administrator Narinder Batra was ordered to stop functioning as Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president by the Delhi High Court “in a contempt proceeding”, a month after it asked him to relinquish the top job. A vacation bench of Justice Dinesh Sharma passed the order on a contempt petition filed by Olympian and hockey World Cup winner Aslam Sher Khan.
•On May 25, Batra was removed as IOA chief after the Delhi High Court struck down the post of ‘life member’ in Hockey India, courtesy which he had contested and won the apex body elections back in 2017. At that time also, the IOA had installed Khanna as its acting chief.
6) IAF to join Egyptian Air Force in Tactical Leadership Program
•The Indian Air Force announced that three Su-30 MKI planes and two C-17 transport aircraft are taking part in a month-long tactical leadership programme in Egypt. According to the statement, the exercise offers a singular chance to highlight the IAF’s capabilities and reach against the backdrop of the current geopolitical situation. In Egypt (Cairo West Airbase), the Indian Air Force would send three Su-30MKI aircraft, two C-17 aircraft, and 57 IAF personnel to the Egyptian Air Force Weapon School to take part in a tactical leadership programme.
•This particular exercise, which simulates numerous conflict situations using air assets in a big force engagement context, is unique. The goal of the exercise is to improve defence cooperation between the two nations and exchange best practises. The Indian Air Force (IAF) stated that the initiative will also give a chance to display the Su-30 MKI made in India as well as the nation’s proficiency for further indigenization of spare parts and components.
7) UN Ocean Conference 2022: Dr. Jitendra Singh to go to Lisbon
•Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for the Government of India, left for Portugal to attend the Lisbon UN Ocean Conference, 2022. On the topic of Scaling up Ocean Action based on Science and Innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: Stock taking, Partnerships and Solutions, he will give the conference’s keynote presentation. The Conference will have participants from more than 130 nations.
8) Sri Lanka raises fuel prices as it prepares for economic catastrophe
•Representatives from the United States arrived for talks in an effort to assist the island nation during its greatest economic crisis since its independence in 1948, Sri Lanka hiked its fuel costs, adding to the suffering of the populace. Diesel, which is frequently used in public transportation, has seen a price increase of 15% to 460 rupees ($1.27) per litre, while gasoline has seen a price increase of 22% to 550 rupees ($1.52) per litre, according to Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).
9) Global Liveability Index 2022 released
•The annual ranking of the world’s most liveable cities has just been released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and 2022’s Global Liveability Index shows some marked differences from the previous year. The EIU, which is a sister organization to The Economist, ranked 173 cities around the world on a variety of factors, including health care, crime rates, political stability, infrastructure and access to green space.
10) Parameswaran Iyer appointed as CEO of NITI Aayog
•Former Drinking and water Sanitation Secretary, Parameswaren Iyer has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog for 2 years. He will succeed Amitabh Kant. Kant was appointed as the CEO of the National Institution for Transforming India (Niti Aayog) on February 17, 2016, for a fixed two-year term. Kant was later given an extension till June 30, 2019. His term was further extended for two years, till this month-end, in June 2019.In June 2021, Kant received another one-year extension.
11) Tapan Kumar Deka appointed as new Director of Intelligence Bureau
•The Central government has appointed senior IPS officer Tapan Kumar Deka as Director of Intelligence Bureau. Tapan Kumar Deka, a 1988 batch Himachal Pradesh cadre IPS officer, was appointed for a tenure of two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Deka will succeed incumbent Intelligence Bureau Director Arvind Kumar, whose tenure ends on June 30.
•Deka has spent most of the career in the Intelligence Bureau. He was an Additional Director in Intelligence Bureau when he was promoted to the rank of Special Director in the Wing in June last year. Deka has handled crucial cases like terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, especially targeted killings in the Valley.
12) India successfully conducts VL-SRSAM missile test off the coast of Odisha
•Off the coast of Chandipur, in the state of Odisha, India successfully tested the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM). Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully conducted flight tests for the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM). Off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha, the launch was carried out from an Indian Naval Ship.
13) Nitin Gadkari Approves Draft GSR Notification To Introduce Bharat NCAP
•Union minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari has approved the Draft GSR Notification to introduce Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Program), wherein automobiles in India shall be accorded Star Ratings based upon their performance in Crash Tests. Bharat-NCAP will serve as a consumer-centric platform allowing customers to opt for safer cars based upon their star-ratings, while promoting a healthy competition among OEMs in India to manufacture safer vehicles.
•The Minister said Star Rating of Indian Cars based on Crash Tests is extremely crucial not only to ensure structural and passenger safety in cars, but to also increase the export-worthiness of Indian automobiles.
14) Samant Kumar Goel re-appointed as Chief of RAW
•Samant Kumar Goel’s contract as secretary of the intelligence agency’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was extended by the Centre on June 24 by another year. Goel is an IPS officer from the Punjab cadre class of 1984 and will hold the position of agency secretary through June 30, 2023. In June 2019, Samant Kumar Goel succeeded Anil Dhasmana as the Chief of RAW.
15) Goa celebrates ‘Sao Joao’ festival 2022
•The people of Goa has celebrated the Sao Joao festival, the feast of St John the Baptist with traditional enthusiasm after a two-year coronavirus-induced gap. The festival is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, who baptised Lord Jesus on the river of Jordan and is celebrated at the onset of monsoon. Siolim, a village in North Goa, hosts a traditional canoe parade on the occasion of Sao Joao.
