VINTAGE

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY  8^th, 2019

              IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 8^th,  2019

1.      To fortify Anti-Infiltration Grid along Pakistan border in Punjab and Jammu, the Border Security Force (BSF) has launched a massive exercise, code named as "Sudarshan".

a.       The exercise has been named Sudarshan drawing from Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Krishna.

b.       It will cover entire over 1,000-km length of India-Pakistan International Border out of which Jammu shares about 485-km of border with Pakistan and about 553-km of border front is in Punjab. 

2.      Jordan has banned the hugely popular online game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) and cited the game's "negative effects" on the citizens. 

a.       Institutions in Jordan have also issued warnings to the employees not to play the game. 

b.       The move follows similar bans in Iraq and Nepal on the game.

3.      The European Union (EU) has called on Iran to "stop and reverse" any action that goes against the 2015 nuclear deal signed between the Middle East country and world powers. 

a.       The EU also said that it is "extremely concerned" about Iran's announcement on enriching uranium above the limit set by the nuclear deal.

4.      United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan is on a 3 day visit to India. 

a.       During this visit, he held talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in Delhi this evening.

b.       The visiting dignitary will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow.

c.       His visit is aimed at not only strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership but also to explore new areas of cooperation between the two countries.

5.      Australian Aboriginal site ‘Budj Bim Cultural Landscape’ in south-west Victoria has been added to UNESCOS’s World Heritage List. 

a.       It is considered one of the oldest aquaculture sites in the world, and after more than a decade of fervent lobbying, the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape has finally been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

6.      The 1st model village built with Indian assistance under the Model Villages Program was inaugurated at Ranidugama in Gampaha in Sri Lanka. 

a.       It is a part of housing project meant for war affected people and estate workers. 

7.      Parliament has passed the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019 with the Rajya Sabha approving it today.

a.       The bill seeks to amend Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 and to further amend the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

b.       The bill also proposes giving a child an option to exit from the biometric ID programme on attaining 18 years of age. 

c.       This bill will make the use of Aadhaar for opening bank accounts and procuring mobile phone connections voluntary.

8.      Parliament has passed the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2019 with the Rajya Sabah approving it today.

a.       The Bill seeks to make the Dental Council of India more effective and make changes in clauses relating to its membership and that of State Councils.

b.       It will help reduce redundancy by restructuring the Dental Councils. 

c.       The representation of Central Government members and elected members would no longer be made mandatory in the Dental Councils as per the new legislation.

9.      Government has decided to extend the ESI Act to the entire country by 2022.

a.       Out of the total 722 districts, the ESI scheme has been extended to 541 districts.

b.       ESI - Employees' State Insurance

10. Gujarat Assembly today passed two bills including the Gujarat Disturbed Area Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

a.       The amendment bill regarding Gujarat Prohibition of Transfer of Immovable Property and Provision for Protection of Tenants from Eviction from Premises in Disturbed Area Act has provisions for ban on transfer in immovable property in such areas and also for protection to the tenants in such areas which are generally communally sensitive.

b.       It has also changed the rules regarding granting permissions.

11. Conceived and prioritised under Puducherry smart city development plan, a bicycle sharing scheme, is to be introduced in Puducherry in a couple of months.

a.       The registered users or customers can use bicycles to hop from one place to another within the boulevard area. 

b.       The bicycles can be left at any of the docking stations after use.

12. Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu released a book titled ‘Vivekadeepini’.

a.       This is a concise book of aphorisms (a memorable expression of a general truth or principle) initially written by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, one of India’s greatest spiritual and literary geniuses.

b.       It is a compilation of select 36 verses drawn from 67 verses of Prashnottara Ratnamalika which are written in Question-Answer format.

c.       The verses in this book contain universal truths and are the starting points for reflection. 

d.       It contains glimpses of India’s wisdom in most lucid language.

13. Brazil defeated Peru to win their 9th Copa América title and their first since 2007. 

a.       Everton and Gabriel Jesus scored one goal each in the first half, while Richarlison converted a late penalty for Brazil. 

b.       Brazil's veteran right-back Dani Alves was named player of the tournament, while Everton was named player of the final.

14. Mexico defeated USA to claim a record 8th CONCACAF Gold Cup title today. 

a.       Jonathan dos Santos scored the winning goal in the 73rd minute for Mexico.

15. USA clinched the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 after defeating Netherlands in the final today. 

a.       This is USA's 4th Women's World Cup title after having won the 1991, 1999 and 2015 editions. 

16. Former Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap's impressive run at the Canada Open Super 100 tournament came to an end after he lost a three-game to China's Li Shi Feng in the men's singles summit clash in Calgary.

17. At the Grand Prix of Spain Women’s Wrestling India’s top wrestler Vinesh Phogat won her 1st gold medal after shifting to 53kg category and Divya Kakran claimed top honours in 68kg category in Madrid, Spain.

18. Star Indian sprinter Hima Das won her 2nd International gold in women's 200m with a top finish at the Kutno Athletics Meet in Poland today.