2nd JULY CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. Kiren Rijiju to lead a High Level delegation to participate in AMCDRR 2018

A high level Ministerial delegation from India headed by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs will be participating in the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction 2018 (AMCDRR 2018) to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 03-06 July, 2018.  

• The AMCDRR 2018 is expected to host over 3,000 delegates and participants from Asian and Pacific countries, governmental and inter-governmental organisations, United Nations and international organisations.
• The theme of the AMCDRR 2018: ‘Preventing Disaster Risk: Protecting Sustainable Development’ reflects the essence of the Sendai Framework.

2. 9th meeting of EPG on Indo-Nepal relations concludes in Kathmandu

The ninth and final meeting of Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on India-Nepal relations concluded in Kathmandu.

• The Representatives from Nepal and India deliberated up on various bilateral issues including 1950 Peace and Friendship treaty, trade, transit and border during the two day meeting. 
• Indian side was represented by Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Jayant Prasad, Bhuvan Chandra Upreti and Mahendra P. Lama. 

3. National Doctors’ Day: 1 July

National Doctors’ Day was celebrated throughout India On 1st July 2018.

• This day marks the birth and death anniversary of the most famous physician of India Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.
• The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared the theme for Doctors’ Day 2018 as: ‘zero tolerance to violence against doctors and clinical establishment’.
• IMA has also decided to observed July 1 to 8 as ‘Safe Fraternity Week’.

4. Instant e-PAN based on Aadhaar launched

The new PAN will have the same name, date of birth, gender, mobile number and address as in the Aadhaar.

• The e-PAN facility is only for resident individuals and not for Hindu Undivided Family, firms, trusts and companies.
• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which makes policies for the Income Tax Department, has extended the deadline for the PAN-Aadhaar linking to March 31 next.

5. INS Sahyadri adjudged runner-up in an innovation competition

Indigenously built stealth frigate, INS Sahyadri, which is participating in RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific Exercise), the world’s largest international maritime exercise, has been adjudged runner-up in an innovation competition during the harbour phase of the exercise.

• The 26th edition of RIMPAC, hosted by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), commenced off the Hawaii coast with the participation of about 25,000 personnel and more than 45 surface ships and submarines from 25 countries.

6. Conference of States Power Ministers to be held at Shimla

A conference of Ministers for Power, New & Renewable Energy of States & Union Territories will be held on 3rd July at Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.

• The Conference will be inaugurated by Shri R K Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy.
• The aim of this one-day conference is to review the implementation of various ongoing Schemes/ Programmes & deliberate on a host of issues pertaining to Power and Renewable Energy sectors.
• Ministers and Secretaries of the States and Union territories and senior officials of the power & renewable energy sectors and Public Sector Undertakings under them will meet up to discuss issues like- 100 per cent Household Electrification (under Saubhagya) by December, 2018, UDAY performance assessment, shifting to prepaid system in three years and 24X7 Power for All – From 1st April 2019.

7. Vijay Srinivas appointed Director & GM of United India Insurance

United India Insurance Company has announced the appointment of K B Vijay Srinivas as its Director and General Manager with effect from July 1.

• Prior to taking up the new role, he was serving National Insurance Company Ltd as its Chief Marketing Officer and General Manager.

8. Australia wins Champions Trophy Hockey

World Champions Australia defeated India 3-1 via shoot-off to clinch its second consecutive Champions Trophy hockey title.

• It was a keenly-contested battle between the two finalists of last edition but once again Australia came out on top in the shoot-out to clinch its 15th Champions Trophy title.
• Host Netherlands clinched the bronze medal defeating Olympic champions Argentina 2-0.

9. Lee Chong Wei wins historic 12th Malaysia Open title

Malaysian shuttler Lee Chong Wei defeated Japan’s Kento Momota 21-17 23-21 to secure a historic 12th Malaysia Open title.

• Lee, who was dominant from the start, completed the rout in 71 minutes.
• With this victory, Momota’s 21-match winning streak has also come to an end.
• In the women’s singles final, top seed Tai Tzu Ying from Taiwan beat China’s He Bingjiao 22-20, 21-11.