June 6, 2025 - Current Affairs

UN Elects Five Non-Permanent Members to Security Council for 2026-27 Term

June 6, 2025

On June 3, 2025, the United Nations General Assembly chose five new non-permanent members to the Security Council, including Latvia which is being welcomed in its first role. Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Liberia will start their two-year terms on the Council in 2026, joining the 15 countries that keep world peace and security.

Context

During the UN General Assembly, Bahrain, Colombia, the DRC, Latvia and Liberia were selected to be non-permanent members of the Security Council from 2026 to 2027.
Latvia’s election to the UNSC for the first time is one of the highlights of this election.

Key Points

Election Overview:

On June 3, 2025, the UN General Assembly had elections to select five new non-permanent members for the Security Council.
The countries will have two-year terms that start in January 2026 and end in December 2027.

Voting Breakdown:

Bahrain: 186 votes
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): 183 votes
Liberia: 181 votes
Latvia: 178 votes (first-time member)
Colombia: 180 votes

Regional Representation:
The elected members ensure balanced regional representation:

Africa: 3 seats
Asia-Pacific: 2 seats
Latin America & Caribbean: 2 seats
Eastern Europe: 1 seat
Western Europe and Others: 2 seats

Significance

For the first time, Latvia is joining the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member.
In Colombia, residents chose the candidate again, confirming its leading position in international peace efforts.
Bringing their experience and influence on regional problems, DRC, Bahrain and Liberia play an important role in the UNSC.
Multilateralism is supported by making sure the world’s most diverse nations have a role in UN Security Council decisions.

About UNSC

In 1945, the Security Council was developed under the UN Charter and it became one of the six main units of the UN.
The headquarters are in New York and they ensure continued international peace and security.
There are also other units in the UN called UNGA, Trusteeship Council, ECOSOC, ICJ, Secretariat.

Membership

The Security Council has 15 members and 5 of these are permanent while the other 10 serve for 2 years before being elected again.
The UK, USA, Russia, China and France are the P5 members.
UNGA elects the non-permanent seats and these seats are allotted regionally.
Each member serves as President of the club for one month a year.

Voting Powers

Every participant gets 1 vote.
A decision is made with the support of 9 votes and these votes must include a P5 consensus.
The P5 members have veto powers which means they can reject a resolution.
This option allows people who might be affected by the discussion to join in if they haven’t been admitted as a member.

India at UNSC

Serve-led 8 times as a temporary member of the Council and toured the world from 2021 to 2022.
Has taken part in UN peacekeeping by sending over 160,000 troops and policemen to 43 missions.
Contributed heavily to composing the UDHR, worked hard against apartheid and engaged in worldwide peace talks.
India reasons that it should sit on a permanent UN Council because of its population, strong economy, contributions internationally and democracy.

Issues related to the UN Security Council

There are no records kept of meetings or draft documents which hinders the process’s transparency.
Crisis situations are worsened because the veto power blocks action from the executive branch (as seen with dealing with COVID-19).
Because of P5 divisions, the group did not operate effectively and many decisions were ignored or delayed.
India, Germany, Brazil, South Africa are some of the countries that are not properly represented in the IMF.

Way Forward

There is an urgent requirement to restructure the balance of power and update the UNSC.
Include more members with permanent and non-permanent seats to make the organization more inclusive and useful.
India and its group of four peers (Germany, Japan and Brazil) are in a position to draft reform proposals.
Ensure that a good number of countries in UNGA support your meaningful reform plans.

Conclusion

The election of these countries- Bahrain, Colombia, the DRC, Latvia and Liberia- on to the UNSC for 2026-2027 demonstrates the UN’s effort to involve different parts of the world in governance. Holding their first election is a significant step for Latvia and these countries are expected to influence global decisions related to security in the coming days and years.

World Brain Tumour Day is Celebrated every year on June 8

June 6, 2025

On June 8 every year, the World Brain Tumour Day is observed to help raise awareness about brain tumours which are serious and can threaten lives. The day helps remind us to help patients, encourage catching the disease early and improve research and ways to treat it. May 30, 2025 is the time when the holiday falls on a Sunday.

Context:

June 8 is set aside yearly as World Brain Tumour Day to highlight these health problems and underline early detection and good treatment.
The day gathers people worldwide to support patients and support research for medical advancements.

Key Points about World Brain Tumour Day 2025

Date: June 8, 2025
Theme: Yet to be announced; likely to focus on patient care, research, or early diagnosis.

Significance

Awareness Campaigns: Warn the community about the first warning signs so that they can treat them fast.
Supporting Patients: Gives special attention to taking care of patients’ emotions and minds, as well as those of their families.
Promoting research allows the creation of safer and more effective ways to treat patients.
Government Action: Urges inclusion of brain tumour care in national health policies and making it affordable.
Awareness: It helps people get rid of false ideas and gives them real facts.

History

The organization began in 2000 when the German Brain Tumour Association (Deutsche Hirntumorhilfe e.V.) initiated it.
The reason it exists is to teach and support patients across the globe.
Internationally celebrated on June 8 with different public events and attempts to raise funds.

What is brain tumour?

A brain tumour happens when cells begin to grow abnormally in the brain and might affect its proper functioning.
Types:
- Benign (non-cancerous): These conditions are slow to change and never spread, but they could still be dangerous.
- Malignant (cancerous): The tumor multiplies fast and can spread through the brain areas.

Common Symptoms

Persistent headaches
Having vomiting and seizures
Trouble with clear vision, forgetting things and changes in personality
A tingling or lack of sensation in the limbs

Treatment Options

Options for cancer treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapies.
Being diagnosed and treated early helps people live for a longer and better life.

Conclusion

World Brain Tumour Day is an important opportunity to inform people about brain tumours, underline how important early detection is and request better care and research. This day is meant to support those touched by brain tumours and encourage changes for their better outcome everywhere.

India-England Test Series renamed as Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

June 6, 2025

For the first time, the Test series between India and England is called the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. According to the ECB and BCCI, this limited-overs series was created in tribute to two wonderful Test players: James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar.

Context:

James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar will now be remembered in the Test series between India and England, as it will be renamed the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Unveiling of the trophy will happen on June 11, 2025, a few days ahead of the series that starts on June 20, 2025.

Key Points

A new title for the series

The series between India and England will now be called the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
The team is called the Anderson Sachin representing James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar.

Significance

It is named after Anderson, England’s most successful Test bowler.
Focuses on Tendulkar, the most famous and capped Test batsman from India.

Names in the past

Pataudi Trophy (in England)
Anthony de Mello Trophy (in India)

The decision to change the team’s name was made to go along with Anderson retiring in 2023 and the tradition of naming teams after notable cricketers.

Upcoming Launch

The trophy will first be revealed at the World Test Championship Final happening at Lord’s on June 11, 2025.
The five-match series starts with a match at Headingley on June 20, 2025.

Global Naming Trend

Border-Gavaskar Trophy (India vs Australia)
Richards-Botham Trophy (England vs West Indies)
Crowe-Thorpe Trophy (England vs New Zealand)

Conclusion

It is a proper way to pay tribute to these two great players by calling the Test series after them. Besides honoring each player’s achievements, this choice helps unite the fans and solidifies the age-old rivalry with those two countries in Test cricket.

Tamil Nadu Declares Greater Flamingo Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi

June 6, 2025

The Tamil Nadu government has created a sanctuary for greater flamingos at Dhanushkodi in Ramanathapuram to look after the rich wildlife and migratory birds in the area. World Environment Day saw Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the sanctuary through a video call. The area includes 524.7 hectares and is found within the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve. One goal of the initiative is to save important wetland areas and encourage more ecotourism, jobs and conservation education.

Context

In Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu has created a sanctuary for greater flamingos to help both the local diversity and migratory birds.
The sanctuary is located across 524.7 hectares along the sensitive Gulf of Mannar.

Key Points

Location

The shrine is situated in Dhanushkodi, the Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu
The land includes both forested areas and areas dedicated to income.

Biodiversity

Home to over 10,700 wetland birds
There are 128 bird species living in the area, for example flamingos, herons, egrets and sandpipers

Ecological Importance

This area falls inside the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.
Contains areas such as mangroves, mudflats and sand dunes.
Supports animals in the sea, migrating birds and nesting sea turtles

Conservation Goal

Shelters an important place along the Central Asian Flyway.
Inspires people to care for the environment and wetlands.

Mangrove Species

Avicennia and Rhizophora are the main species that make up mangrove forests.
Provide areas for breeding and at the same time prevent erosion along the coast.

About bird sanctuary and Dhanushkodi

What does a Bird Sanctuary mean?

All bird sanctuaries in India are recognized under the Wildlife (Protection) Act), 1972 (WLPA).
Generally, the WLPA enables State Governments to establish sanctuaries because of their significance to ecology or zoology.
You are not allowed to hunt protected birds and the penalties can be fines and prison time.

About Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

Flamingo species that have the greatest numbers and distribution, found in Africa, some parts of Europe and Asia (including India and Pakistan).
Presence in India: Both Greater and Lesser Flamingos are found; Greater Flamingo is the state bird of Gujarat.

Behaviour and Diet

Pairs with only one another at a time.
A fish’s pink color is due to eating plenty of brine shrimp and algae.
A diet for omnivorous fish includes invertebrates, algae, decaying plants and small fishes.
This bird lives near saltwater lagoons, mudflats and saline lakes. A sign that shows the current health of a wetland.

Migration Pattern:

About 100,000–150,000 flamingos migrate from Gujarat to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary in Mumbai yearly.
Typically arrival is in the month of November.

Migration Triggers

Based on food availability, water levels, and colony crowding.

Conservation status of Greater Flamingo

According to the IUCN Red List: Least Concern
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Animals from this Schedule II do not have the same severe penalties as those from Schedule I.
Under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) Appendix II, trades must be controlled to avoid overusing these living creatures.

Conclusion

The establishment of the greater flamingo sanctuary at Dhanushkodi proves that Tamil Nadu cares about biodiversity. It helps secure the habitats of migratory birds, increases ecotourism in the area and encourages people to pay attention to environmental conservation.

Modi to Inaugurate Kashmir’s First All-Weather Rail Link with Delhi

June 6, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to inaugurate the new rail service that connects Srinagar, Jammu and Delhi. The rail link is an important part of the USBRL project which will provide all-season access, aid tourism growth and enhance infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. Also, engineering achievements such as the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges will be shown at the launch.

Context:

On June 6, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate Kashmir’s first railway line that works all year round and the Vande Bharat Express will begin serving the route from Katra to Srinagar.
Its purpose is to develop better communications and improve the region’s economy and tourism.

Key Points

Building and opening of the Rail Link
- PM Modi will join in the inaugural ceremony for the railway connection between Srinagar, Jammu and Delhi, along with the launch of the Vande Bharat Express on June 6.
- It marks an important stage in improving infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir.
An increase in tourism and the economy.
- Fosters relations and increases opportunities for people to visit spiritual places.
- Works to create workplaces and make sure apples and cherries are delivered more efficiently.
Engineering Marvels
- The tallest railway arch bridge is the Chenab Rail Bridge which is 359 meters high.
- The first cable-stayed railway bridge in India is called the Anji Khad Bridge.
- Having these bridges has greatly increased the way people can reach the region.
Security Arrangements
- Extra security has been deployed at the spots above Chenab and Anji Khad bridges.
- CRPF, Army and Railway Police are part of the security force because the event is very important.
Train Schedule
- Vande Bharat Express will start running between Srinagar and Katra as of June 7.
- Trains stop at Banihal two times every weekday except Sunday.

Conclusion:

With the inauguration of the rail link, Kashmir now enjoys higher connectivity, more tourism and a stronger economy. This project is set to support local people in the long run and the building of the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges reflects India’s progress in infrastructure.