Daily GK Updates - 6th September, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 6th edition of Bengaluru Space Expo inaugurated : ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) Chairman Dr.K Sivan has inaugurated the 6th edition of the biennial Bengaluru Space Expo.The Indian Space Research Organisation wants to offer manufacturing of PSLV and small satellite launch vehicles along with small satellites to private industries.Sum of 10,400 crore rupees is earmarked for manufacturing of PSLV launch vehicle out of which 9000 crore rupees worth production will be given to private industries.

2. SC decriminalises homosexuality, partly strikes down Section 377 : The Supreme Court partly struck down Section 377, the penal provision which criminalised gay sex.The Court termed part of IPC's Section 377, which criminalises consensual unnatural sex, irrational, indefensible and manifestly arbitrary.The Supreme Court, other aspects of Section 377 dealing with unnatural sex with animals and children remain in force.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Dr Poonam Singh nominated for 2nd term as Regional Director WHO South-East Asia : Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh unanimously re-elected as Regional Director for another five-year termbeginning February 2019.The elections were held at the ongoing regional committee meeting of WHO South-East Asia.Dr Singh is the first woman to have been elected to the position of Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region after an illustrious career in the Indian civil service, World Bank and WHO.

2. India-US 2 plus 2 dialogue underway in New Delhi : The first ever India-US two plus two dialogue is underway in New Delhi. Sushma Swaraj (External Affairs Minister) and Nirmala Sitharaman (Defence Minister) are holding the dialogue with Michael Pompeo (US Secretary of State) and James Mattis (US Defence Secretary).Issues like enhancing trade, ways to counter terrorism and India's concerns over the Trump administration's decision to make changes to the H1B visa programme will be the focus of the talk.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. NABARD sanctioned Rs. 335 Crore to West Bengal : The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 335 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) to West Bengal.The fund would be used for 158 minor irrigation projects and 23 flood protection projects.

DEFENCE:

1.  IAF & French Airforce Conduct basic training in India : Indian Air Force (IAF) has participated in Exercise Pitch Black 2018 at Darwin, Australia.Sixteen different nations from across the globe, including French Air Force (FAF) participated in this exercise.On the return leg, Rafale fighter aircraft and transport aircraft of FAF staged through Air Force Station, Gwalior and Air Force Station, Agra from 01 – 04 Sep 18

SPORTS:

1. Indian Shooter Om Prakash bags gold at ISSF World Championship : Indian Shooter Om Prakash Mitharwal  picked up his maiden gold medal at the International Shooting Sport Federation World Championships in Changwon, South Korea.He claimed the gold medal in the 50 metres pistol event.