Daily GK Updates - 8th July, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Government to end dual MRP practice from 1st January 2018: In order to protect the consumers from paying different prices at different locations, Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs has amended Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities)Rules 2011. Pre-packed commodities will be regulated across the country under this newly amended rule.This rule will come into effect from 1st January 2018 and will ensure that the prices of product to not vary, no matter where they are purchased, i.e. the prices of commodities will be similar, whether they are purchased at a local shop, mall, 5 star hotels or airports.

2. India and Bangladesh have decided to construct bridge along Mizoram Border: India and Bangladesh have decided to construct a bridge over Mizoram’s Khawthlangtuipui river (also known as Karnaphuli river) to facilitate trade and to improve communication between the two countries. The decision was taken after officials from both the side met at Tlabung town in Mamit district of Mizoram.

3. “JIGYASA” – Student-Scientist connect Programme: Jigyasa, a student- scientist connect programme has been launched by the government in New Delhi. The programme would be implemented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).

4. India plans to invite Leaders of ASEAN countries for 2018 Republic Day celebrations: India has planned to invite the ten leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as Chief Guests for 2018 Republic Day celebrations. This Plan has come at a time when India is engaged in a stand-off with China in the Sikkim sector. If invited Republic Day 2018 would be the first Republic Day event that will have so many leaders as the chief guests.

International UPDATES:

1. BRICS Informal Leader’s Meeting held in Hamburg:The Informal Leader’s Meeting of the 5 BRICS countries was held in Hamburg, Germany, on the sidelines of G20 summit. The meeting was held in run up for the upcoming 9th BRICS Summit, which will take place in Xiamen, China in September.

2. UN approves treaty to ban Nuclear Weapons: At the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Nuclear Weapons ban treaty was adopted by 122 countries. Netherlands was the only country, which took part in the discussion and voted against the treaty, despite having US Nuclear Weapons on its territory.The 10 page treaty, known as Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, will be open for signature by any member state from 20th September, during the annual General Assembly. It would enter into legal force 90 days after being ratified by 50 countries.

3. WHO appoints Saima Wazed Hossain as the Goodwill Ambassador for Autism: A globally renowned champion for the cause of Autism spectrum disorder, Salma is appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for Autism in the South-East Asia region for a period of 2 years. She will will be promoting the Thimphu Declaration, which also emphasises integrating the needs of autism-affected people into national health and socioeconomic development plans, as a part of her role as Goodwill ambassador.

4. US - Russia sign agreement for ceasefire in South-West Syria:US President Donald Trump’s signed the agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for ceasefire in South-West Syria, concluding the first meeting.As per US Officials and Jordanian government (which is also involved in this deal), the cease-fire will go into effect on Sunday at noon Damascus time.

5. Intelsat 35e successfully launched by SpaceX: Intelsat 35e was lifted off by Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A and placed into the Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). This satellite is the 4th addition to Epic High Throughput Satellite (HTS) constellation of Intelsat and aims to meet the requirement of wireless backhaul, Direct to home (DTH) transmissions, government applications and, mobility services of Caribbean, Europe and Africa. This marks the third launch of SpaceX in less than 2 weeks, first being BulgariaSat and second Iridium.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Harinder Pal Sandhu Wins South Australian Open Squash Title: India’s Harinder Pal Sandhu has defeated Rhys Dowling of Australia 11-8 12-10 11-4 to lift South Australian Open squash title. This will be Sandhu’s first PSA tournament victory in Australia.