2nd JUNE CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. Rajoy forced out as Spain's Prime Minister

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was toppled by a corruption scandal, becoming the first leader in Spain's modern democracy to lose a vote of no confidence in Parliament.

• The demise of Rajoy paves the way for Pedro Sánchez, the leader of the main opposition Socialist party, to become Prime Minister.

2. Modi addresses Shangri-La Dialogue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian PM to deliver the keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue on 1 June, when he addressed the gathering in Singapore – the last stop on his three-nation tour.

• Earlier, the prime minister addressed the Indian diaspora at a Business and Community Event at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.
• Modi also met his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties.
• The two sides signed eight agreements, including one on logistics cooperation between their navies.

3. US Pacific Command renamed as US Indo-Pacific Command

The United States has renamed its oldest and largest military command - the Pacific Command - to Indo-Pacific Command, in a largely symbolic move to signal India's importance to the US military.

• Henceforth, the storied US Pacific Command, or PACOM, which was formed after World War II, will be known as the US Indo-Pacific Command.
• The Pentagon's move is also reflective of the growing importance of India in US strategic thinking.

4. Government introduces new scheme ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India has introduced a new scheme namely ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’ with a total outlay of Rs. 325.00 Crores for Financial Years 2018-19 and 2019-20.

• The scheme envisages to reimburse the Central Government share of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST) on purchase of raw items such as ghee, edible oil, atta/maida/rava/flour , rice pulses, sugar, burra/jiggery etc which go into preparation of food/Prasad/langar/bhandara offered free of cost by religious institutions.
• The objective of the scheme is to lessen the financial burden of such Charitable Religious Institutions who provide Food/Prasad/Langar (Community Kitchen)/Bhandara free of cost without any discrimination to Public/Devotees.

5. Foundation laid for India’s First Advanced Forensic Lab in Chandigarh

Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi laid foundation of Sakhi Suraksha Advanced DNA Forensic Laboratory in the campus of Central Forensic Science Lab, Chandigarh.

• Speaking at the event, the Minister said that forensic analysis plays critical role in criminal investigation and the Advanced Lab will contribute to address the gap in forensic DNA analysis of pending sexual assault cases in the country.
• The Minister added that the lab is being set up as a model forensic lab and would be replicated in other parts of the country.

6. India Signs Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in Nursing with Singapore

India has signed the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in Nursing with Singapore. This is the first MRA being signed by India with any of our FTA partners. 

• In a major gain for India, Singapore agreed to expand coverage of Indian nursing institutions by recognising seven nursing institutions in the MRA. 
• This has paved way for our healthcare service providers to institutionally access markets abroad. 
• It will further open up doors for India to enter into similar mutual recognition arrangements with other countries.
• India and Singapore concluded the 2nd Review of India Singapore CECA which was officially announced by both sides today during Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s State visit to Singapore.

7. Committee constituted under to celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

The Government of India has decided to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

• A National Committee (NC) under the Chairmanship of the  President of India has been constituted for this purpose and the first meeting of the National Committee was held on 2nd May 2018 in New Delhi. 
• As decided in the meeting, an Executive Committee (EC) under the Chairpersonship of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has been constituted comprising of Senior Ministers in the Cabinet, Leader of opposition (Rajya Sabha), Renowned Gandhians, Social Activists and noted public figures. 

8. PM Modi gives Padma Shri award to former Singaporean diplomat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over the Padma Shri award, one of India's highest civilian awards, to former Singaporean diplomat Tommy Koh.

• Koh was among 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) recipients of the prestigious award this year.
• Koh, 80, has served as Singapore's ambassador to the US and the UN, and as President of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea in 1981 and 1982.