Current Affairs of 23 March 2016

1. India’s Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves
1. India’s Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) was included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
2. It was included along with other 19 sites at the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (ICCMAB) programme of UNESCO that concluded recently in Lima, Peru. With the addition of the ABR, total 10 of the 18 biosphere reserves in the country have made it to the list of World Network of Biosphere Reserves.


2. March 23: World Meteorological Day
1. Every year 23rd March is being observed as World Meteorological Day (WMD).
2. The theme for 2016 year is “Hotter, Drier, Wetter. Face the Future”. The theme highlights the disruption caused by climate change on the natural pattern of the seasons and increasing frequency and intensity of certain extreme weather events such as heat waves, droughts and heavy rainfall.
3. On the occasion of WMD, various meteorological research awards will be also given. These awards include International Meteorological Organization Prize, Professor Dr. Vilho Vaisaila Award and Norbert Gerbier-Mumm International Award.

3. Justice H L Dattu appointed as member of International Coordinating Committee Bureau of NHRI-ICC
1. The Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Justice HL Dattu has been appointed as member of the International Coordinating Committee Bureau (ICCB) of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI-ICC) Bureau in Geneva.
2. He has been selected from the Asia-Pacific region and shall represent India along with Mongolia, Qatar and Australia from this region. He was nominated unanimously after no other NHRI from the region nominated candidate against him to fill vacancy created after the representative of NHRI of South-Korea vacated it.

4. Ritu Beri appointed as advisor of KVIC
1. Noted fashion designer Ritu Beri has been appointed advisor to the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for promotion of khadi in India and across the world.
2. She has been appointed for tenure of one year and shall advise KVIC on ways to promote khadi in India and across the world. Beri has 25 years of rich experience in the global fashion arena designing clothes for international and national celebrities.

5. Nepal became Dialogue Partner of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
1. Nepal became a dialogue partner of the Beijing-based regional security grouping, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
2. Nepal was officially made a dialogue partner after a memorandum was signed during the Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli visit to China.
3. As a dialogue partner, Nepal will be able to participate in the multi-field cooperation of the Organisation.
Beside Nepal, Azerbaijan also officially became a SCO dialogue partner on 21 March 2016 upon the signing of a similar memorandum.

6. Germany’s Nico Rosberg won 2016 Australian Grand Prix
1. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany won the 2016 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit at Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia.
2. Rosberg's 15th Formula One victory was also his fourth in succession after he won the final three races of last season.
Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, winner of 2015 Australian Grand Prix, secured the second place in the race.Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel of Germany came third for Ferrari after leading for much of the race.