First Direct Flight Launched between India and Cambodia

• The first direct flight between India and Cambodia was launched on June 16, 2024.
• The inauguration ceremony was led by Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun and Indian Ambassador to Cambodia Devyani Khobragade.
• The Indian Embassy in Cambodia announced that this initiative aims to enhance tourism and strengthen people-to-people connections, marking the start of the first Tourism Year.
• Celebrating the event as a historic milestone, the Embassy highlighted its alignment with India's Act East Policy.
• Cambodia's national airline, Cambodia Angkor Air, will serve the route between the two capitals 4 times a week.

Canadian Parliament Passed a Motion Supporting Tibet’s Self Determination

•  Canada’s House of Commons unanimously passed a motion recognizing the Tibetan claim to "self-determination," as of June 16, 2024.
• This nonbinding motion acknowledges Tibetans as "a people and a nation" with the inherent right to determine their social, economic, cultural, and religious policies.
• The motion also includes choosing the next Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.
• The measure reflects growing international support for the Tibetan cause as the Chinese government intensifies its repressive policies in the region.

CBIC launched a Multi-Modal Awareness Campaign

• The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) launched a multi-modal awareness campaign to combat the increasing incidents of financial fraud in the country on June 16, 2024.
• This campaign aims to educate the public on safeguarding themselves against financial scams through various platforms, including newspapers, mobile messages, emails, and social media.
• CBIC highlighted numerous cases where fraudsters, posing as Indian Customs officers, have deceived individuals out of their money nationwide.
• These scams, primarily executed via digital means like phone calls or SMS, exploit the ‘purported’ fear of immediate penal action.
• CBIC advises the public to recognize the fraudsters' tactics, protect their information, verify the caller's credentials, and report such activities by remaining vigilant.

Indian Firms Gain ₹85582 crore Market Valuation

•  Several major companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) experienced significant changes in their market values as of June 16, 2024.
• Contributing to a total market gain of ₹85582.21 crore among the top ten companies.
•  The BSE Sensex rose by 299.41 points or 0.39 % for the week, hitting a record high of 77145.46 on June 13, 2024, propelled by positive movements in heavyweight stocks.
•  The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) saw the largest increase, with its market valuation rising by ₹46425.48 crore to ₹674877.25 crore.
• HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, State Bank of India, and Bharti Airtel also recorded notable increases in their market capitalizations.

Sakura Science Program 2024

• 21 school students were invited by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) to participate in the Sakura Programme 2024, held from June 16-22, 2024.
•  The JST, in collaboration with the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), has been implementing the Sakura Science High School Programme since 2014.
•  This program allows students to visit Japan for short-term stays to experience its advanced science, technology, and culture.
• India first participated in April 2016, and since then, 532 students and 83 supervisors have visited Japan, with the last batch visiting in December 2023.
• The current group of 21 students (6 boys and 15 girls) is from various states and schools, including Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and Kendriya Vidyalayas.

Israel Navy Received the Second New US-Built Landing Craft (Defence)

• The Israeli Navy received its second new landing craft from a US shipyard, with the vessel docking at Haifa Naval Base after a long journey on June 16, 2024.
• The US-built INS Komemiyut follows the INS Nahshon, which arrived in early October last year.
• This marks the second landing craft the Israeli Navy has acquired from the US in the past eight months.
• The arrival of the INS Komemiyut was escorted by Israeli Navy vessels in a "missing" formation, honoring soldiers who fell in the "Swords of Iron" war.

Asian Team Squash Championship 2024

• The 2024 edition of the Asian Team Squash Championships in Dalian, China, took place from June 12 - 16, 2024.
• India's women's team secured fifth place, defeating Iran 2-0 with Rathika Suthanthira Seelan and Pooja Arthi Raghu securing comfortable victories.
• Conversely, the men's team finished sixth after losing 1-2 to South Korea, with Velavan Senthilkumar winning his match but Suraj Kumar Chand and Om Semwal suffered narrow defeats.
• Malaysia emerged as champions in both the men's and women's categories at the Asian Team Squash Championships 2024.

Australian Open Badminton 2024

• The 2024 Australian Open badminton tournament was held at the State Sports Centre in Sydney, Australia, spanning from June 11 to 16, 2024.
• It was the sixteenth event in the 2024 BWF World Tour.

Ankita Bhakat

• Ankita Bhakat and Bhajan Kaur secured India a quota spot in the women's individual recurve event at the Final Olympic Qualifier held in Antalya, Turkey on June 16, 2024.
• Their advancement to the quarter-finals ensured India's participation in the Paris Olympics.
•  A total of eight individual quota places were available, limited to one per country.
•  Additionally, India qualified for the mixed team event through Dhiraj Bommadevara's quota earned in the men's event.

Risk Manager of the Year Award 2024

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) received the "Risk Manager of the Year Award" from Central Banking, based in London, UK, on June 16, 2024.
• This recognition underscores RBI's dedication to enhancing its risk management strategies and its pivotal role in maintaining India's financial stability.
• Manoranjan Mishra, Executive Director of RBI, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
• Central Banking commended RBI for significant advancements in fostering a robust risk culture and awareness, setting a benchmark for global central banks.

Janta Bhawan Solar Project Inaugurated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa

• Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Janata Bhawan Solar Project, a 2.5-MW grid-connected rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV system, in Guwahati on June 16, 2024.
• The project will generate an average of 3 lakh units of electricity per month.
• With an investment of ₹12.56 crore, the project is expected to pay for itself in 4 years, saving approximately ₹30 lakh monthly.
• This initiative makes the Assam Secretariat Complex the first civil secretariat in India to rely entirely on solar power for its daily energy needs.
• The solar plant, with a 25-year lifespan, will reduce carbon emissions by 3060 metric tonnes annually.