Daily Current Affairs MCQs : 16 June 2023 - Bank Exams MCQ

On 16^th June 2023, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) announced that the United States of America will rejoin the agency in July. The decision comes after four years since the United States left UNESCO due to allegations of bias against Israel. Rejoining UNESCO requires a vote by member states, but it is expected to pass easily. UNESCO plays a significant role in promoting educational, scientific, and cultural causes, and it designates World Heritage Sites globally.

The United Kingdom announced the appointment of Jane Marriott as the next British High Commissioner to Pakistan. This significant milestone marks her as the first female British envoy to Islamabad. Prior to this appointment, Jane Marriott served as the High Commissioner to Kenya since September 2019. Her new role brings a wealth of thematic and regional experience, having joined the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in 2001. She is a strong advocate for women’s rights and has worked to promote gender equality in her previous roles.

The Asia Cup 2023, a highly anticipated cricket tournament, is set to ignite the cricketing world as arch-rivals India and Pakistan resume their epic rivalry ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023. The tournament features a total of 13 thrilling One Day International (ODI) matches scheduled from 31st August to 17th September. The matches will be held in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka as the tournament is jointly hosted by the two countries. This collaboration aims to provide cricket enthusiasts with nearly three weeks of intense cricketing action.

Ramachandra Guha's book "Rebels Against the Raj: Western Fighters for India's Freedom" was awarded the Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography 2023. The prize, chaired by Roy Foster and including Antonia Fraser, Flora Fraser, Richard Davenport-Hines, and Rana Mitter in the judging committee, recognizes Guha's work for its insightful portrayal of individuals and their role in shaping the times. The book has been published by Penguin Random House in India, William Collins in the U.K., and Alfred Knopf in the USA.

In 2011, the United States of America stopped funding UNESCO, worth millions of dollars, after Palestine became a member of the agency. Then President Barack Obama made this decision due to Palestine's status as a non-sovereign state, not recognized by the United Nations. Although Palestine was included as a non-member observer state in 2012, granting them participation in General Assembly proceedings, they lacked voting rights. The US funding halt was a response to Palestine's membership, which caused political controversy and led to the United States' disengagement from UNESCO.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, introduced the draft resolution titled 'Memorial wall for fallen United Nations peacekeepers' in the United Nations General Assembly Hall. The resolution was adopted by consensus, with the support of 190 co-sponsorships from various countries. The establishment of a memorial wall aims to honor the sacrifice and service of fallen peacekeepers and commemorate their contributions to global peace and security.

The International Green Apple Awards for Beautiful Buildings were awarded to Telangana in the Urban and Real Estate Sector category. These prestigious awards are presented annually by The Green Organization, an independent non-profit organization based in London. The awards recognize and promote global environmental best practices. Telangana's achievement in receiving these awards signifies its commitment to sustainable and aesthetically pleasing architecture in the state.

Pakistan women's cricketer Nahida Khan has announced her retirement from international cricket. With a remarkable career spanning over a decade, the 36-year-old opening batter made her debut for the national team in February 2009 against Sri Lanka. Nahida Khan leaves behind a legacy in women's cricket in Pakistan, having represented the country in over 100 matches across formats and achieving numerous records and accolades.

The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) is celebrated every year on 16th June. The theme for the International Day of Family Remittances 2023, recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, is "Digital remittances towards financial inclusion and cost reduction." The theme aims to highlight the importance of digital technologies in facilitating remittances, which play a crucial role in promoting financial inclusion and reducing the costs associated with remittance transfers, particularly for low-income families and migrant workers.

Australian tennis player Ashleigh Barty clinched the French Open Women's Singles title 2023. This victory marks Barty's second Grand Slam title, having previously won the French Open in 2019. The world number one player displayed exceptional skill and resilience throughout the tournament, defeating her opponents with precision and determination. Barty's success on the clay courts of Roland Garros further solidifies her position as one of the top players in women's tennis.