Daily GK Updates - 6th June, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Ban on polythene in Uttarakhand from July 31 : In Uttarakhand, Polythene will be completely prohibited from 31st July in the state.All the polythene vendors have been asked to finish the polyethene stock before 31st July.One week before the ban, a mass awareness campaign about environmental damage caused by polythene would be undertaken in the entire state.

2. 539 species discovered in India in 2017 : 539 new species of plants and animals were discovered by scientists in the country in 2017, say publications from ZSI and BSI.Animal Discoveries, 2017 lists 300 new species of fauna.Plant Discoveries, 2017 lists 239 new flora species.Besides these discoveries, the biodiversity in the country recorded another 263 species with 174 new records of animals and 89 of plants found.

3. TRAI moots network to help in disaster relief : The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended setting up of a pan-India broadband public protection disaster relief (PPDR) communications network based on 3GPP PS-LTE technology.It will be used for an ‘advanced, reliable, robust and responsive communication networks’ to be used during disasters.PPDR communication supports services such as maintenance of law and order.

4. JANAUSHADHI SUVIDHA’ launched : The government has launched the ‘JANAUSHADHI SUVIDHA’, the Oxo-biodegradable Sanitary Napkin, under the PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.The affordable sanitary napkins will now become available at over 3600 Janaushadhi Kendras.‘JANAUSHADHI SUVIDHA’ comes with a special additive, which makes Sanitary napkin biodegradable when it comes in contact with oxygen after being discarded.

5. Haryana baned single-use water bottles : On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Haryana government has banned single-use water bottles in all government offices in the state.Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that a five-point programme would be implemented for maintaining ecological balance in Haryana.It will include plantation of 20 lakh saplings and using LED bulb

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China and India meet for fighting corruption : A six-member delegation of senior Chinese officials will meet their counterparts in Indian agencies.It is to deepen cooperation between the two countries on people wanted for corruption and asset recovery.During the Chinese presidency of G20 in 2016, the “High Level Principles on Cooperation on Persons Sought for Corruption and Asset Recovery” was initiated. India supported the initiative.

2. Saudi banned imports from Kerala : Saudi Arabia has temporarily banned processed and frozen fruit and vegetable imports from Kerala amid concerns over Nipah virus outbreak.On May 29, the United Arab Emirates also banned imports from Kerala and had earlier asked its citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to Kerala.The Nipah virus has claimed more than 15 lives in the state so far.

3. Fuego volcano erupted : Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted by shooting a dense cloud of ash into the sky.The death toll in the eruption rose to 62 as rescue workers recovered more bodies from devastated villages.Fuego has been erupting since 2002, and was continuously active in 2017.Guatemala, a Central American country, is home to volcanoes, rainforests and ancient Mayan sites. Its capital is Guatemala City.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Prasar Bharati signs MoU with I&B Ministry : The Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Prasar Bharati, which runs Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR), have inked an MoU required for the release of financial allocation.The MoU was signed in the last week of MayAutonomous bodies getting grants-in-aid from the government are required to sign a MoU with the ministry concerned for the release of the financial allocations.

SPORTS:

1. Virat Kohli among highest-paid athletes : India cricket captain Virat Kohli is among the world’s highest-paid athletes, according to a Forbes’ report.Kohli, the only sportsperson from India to be featured in the list, is ranked 83rd with earnings of USD 24 million.The ‘World’s Highest-Paid Athletes 2018’ list is topped by 41-year-old Mayweather, with USD 285 million earnings.