Current Affairs - June 18, 2018 Current Affairs

18th June 2018, International Picnic Day was celebrated all over the world. Charity events, school picnics and various types of group meals are held to commemorate this day. The word "picnic" originated from the French language. It relates to informal outdoor meal. Picnic became a popular time pass in France after the Revolution.

As per the MoU has signed with Union Health Ministry, Meghalaya Health Minister A L Hek has informed that Meghalaya government will implement the Centre's Ayushman Bharat - National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM). Hek also informed that state would merge its own Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) with the AB-NHPM. The existing health insurance cover is Rs 2,80,000 under Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) while the AB-NHPM will provide a cover of Rs 5 lakh per family annually.

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (WDCD) is observed every year to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. The day is a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality is achievable through problem-solving, strong community involvement and co-operation at all levels. The 2018 WDCD urges you to move away from unsustainable land use and make a difference by investing in the future of land under the theme "Land has true value - invest in it".

The annual Asia and Oceania Region Inter-Governmental Ministerial meeting on anti-doping has started in Colombo, Sri Lanka with representatives from 29 countries including India. The 15th such annual gathering is also being attended by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to discuss important anti-doping issues that will help in the fight for clean sport. It is chaired by Faiszer Musthapha, Sri Lanka's Minister for Provincial Councils, Local Government and Sports. The two-day meeting will discuss how to make the most of government engagement, ensure compliance with the world anti-doping code, support capacity building and a range of other topics.

According to the data of Commerce Ministry, India had trade deficit with as many as 10 member countries out of 16 of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)nations. These RCEP bloc nations include : China, South Korea and Australia. The trade gap with China, Korea, Indonesia and Australia has increased to USD 63.12 billion; USD 11.96 billion; USD 12.47 billion and USD 10.16 billion in 2017-18. It was USD 51.11 billion, USD 8.34 billion, USD 9.94 billion and USD 8.19 billion respectively in the previous financial year, 2016-17.

India has agreed to open 4 new air gateways to Nepal in the eastern and western part of the country, aimed to facilitate international traffic. The eastern part would connect Patna and Kolkata of India with Kathmandu and Dhaka while the western part would connect Kathmandu with Delhi. The routes will be operational till 2019.

SAARC Development Fund will soon be launching a social enterprise development programme (SEDP) to fund 80 entities annually across the 8-member states including India. SDF would create access to financial services which can boost job creation, raise income, reduce vulnerability and increase investments in human capital in - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (SAARC members). SDF is currently implementing 12 regional projects with more than 70 implementing and lead implementing agencies covering all the member countries under the social window funding.

The fourth meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog was held under the chairmanship of the PM Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. It was attended by 23 Chief Ministers and the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, apart from Union Ministers, who are ex-officio members and special invitees. The PM highlighted the importance of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog as a platform to inspire cooperative federalism, stressing the need for effective centre-state cooperation to advance development outcomes and achieve double-digit growth for India.

American golfer Brooks Koepka has made history and finished strong as he became the first player in 29 years to win back-to-back US Open titles at Shinnecock Hills in New York. The 28-year-old Florida native emerged victorious by one shot over England's Tommy Fleetwood.

Dr. Raghu of Yogi Vemmana university has discovered Andhra Pradesh's largest petroglyph site at Kandanathi. The site has nearly 200 engravings, peckings that belong to Mesolithic, Neolithic period. The petroglyph at Kandanathi reveal the presence of the Boya community divided into groups - Mandla (herdsmen) and Yenubothula (buffalomen).

The Sustainable Gastronomy Day was observed all over the world on 18th June. In 2016, the UN General Assembly declared 18 June as Sustainable Gastronomy Day. Sustainable gastronomy can play a major role in promoting agricultural development, food security, nutrition, sustainable food production and the conservation of biodiversity. Observance of Sustainable Gastronomy Day acknowledges gastronomy as a cultural expression related to the natural and cultural diversity of the world.

The World Bank has approved $700 million to help Bangladesh achieve its education for all vision by improving the primary education sector. The Quality Learning for All Program (QLEAP) will cover more than 18 million children studying in pre-primary level to grade 5. It will also finance implementation of the government's Fourth Primary Education Development Program (PEDP4).

Colombia has chosen Ivan Duque to be its next president after a long and divisive campaign that often centred on a controversial peace process with leftist rebels the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).