1) World Humanist Day: 21 June
•World Humanist Day is celebrated every year around the world on the June solstice, which usually falls on June 21. The day aims to spread awareness of Humanism as a philosophical life stance and means to effect change in the world.
•The day has been organised by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), since 1980. IHEU is the global federation for Humanist, atheist, rationalist, ethical culture, secularist and other freethought groups.
2) World Hydrography Day: 21 June
•Every year the World Hydrography Day is observed on 21 June to make the public aware of hydrography and the essential role that it plays in everyone’s life. The main objective of this day is to attract people’s attention to the work of the IHO at the international level. It is also celebrated to urge countries to work together to protect the marine environment and seek safe international navigation around the world.
•The theme for 2021 WHD is “One hundred years of international cooperation in hydrography”.
3) India, Japan conduct bilateral naval exercise in Indian Ocean
•Ships of the Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) participated in a joint naval exercise at the Indian Ocean to realize “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). “JS KASHIMA (TV3508) and JS SETOYUKI (TV3518) conducted a bilateral exercise with INS KULISH (P63) at the Indian Ocean. Naval cooperation between India and Japan has increased in scope and complexity over the years.
•Naval cooperation between India and Japan has increased in scope and complexity over the years. Last year, in the month of September, the Indian Navy and JMSDF conducted a three-day naval exercise JIMEX-2020. It was the 4th edition of the India-Japan maritime bilateral exercise JIMEX.
4) Tadang Minu becomes 1st Arunachali Woman to be appointed in AIBA
•Arunachal Pradesh woman, Dr Tadang Minu, becomes the first in the state and the second Indian woman in the country to be appointed as a member of the Coaches Committee of the International Boxing Association (AIBA). She has been appointed by AIBA for her enormous knowledge and experience in the field of boxing.
•Dr Tadang is currently the HOD of Physical Education at Rajiv Gandhi University(RGU) and is the chairman of the Boxing Federation of India’s Women’s Commission for two years.
5) Tahira Kashyap Khurrana announces new book ‘The 7 Sins of Being A Mother’
•Filmmaker-writer Tahira Kashyap Khurrana has announced her upcoming book about motherhood, titled “The 7 Sins of Being A Mother”. This is her fifth book and the second she wrote amid the pandemic. Last year, the filmmaker had released 12 Commandments of Being A Woman, which she finished writing during the coronavirus-induced lockdown. The writer has also penned books like Cracking The Code: My Journey in Bollywood and Souled Out.
6) Upasana Kamineni named ‘Ambassador of Forest Frontline Heroes’ at WWF India
•WWF India has inducted Upasana Kamineni, Director, Apollo Hospitals, as “Ambassador of Forest Frontline Heroes” with the aim to appreciate the efforts of frontline workers in hospitals and in the wildlife protection space. The focus of this will be on several States across the country covering most eco-regions.
•Frontline forest staff are often local community members themselves and play an important role in building an interface between communities and conservation.
7) British lawyer Karim Khan sworn in as ICC’s chief prosecutor
•British lawyer Karim Khan was sworn as the new chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court. He pledging to reach out to nations that are not members of the court and to try to hold trials in countries where crimes are committed. He has defended clients at international courts including former Liberian President Charles Taylor & Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto.
•Khan, a 51-year-old English lawyer, has years of experience in international courts as a prosecutor, investigator and defence attorney. He takes over from Fatou Bensouda of the Gambia, whose nine-year term ended.
8) Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will be first trans athlete to compete at Olympics
•The New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard is poised to make history and headlines, as well as significant controversy, after being confirmed as the first transgender athlete to compete at an Olympic Games. The 43-year-old, who will be the fourth oldest weightlifter at an Olympics, is regarded as a genuine medal contender in the women’s super heavyweight 87kg-plus category in Tokyo.
•But while her inclusion has been welcomed by trans groups, it has also been questioned by those who believe she has unfair advantages in strength and power, having gone through male puberty before transitioning in 2012.
