1. International Tiger Day: 29 July.

International Tiger Day is being celebrated today. Global Tiger Day is celebrated every year on 29 July to raise awareness about tiger conservation. In Madhya Pradesh, State Tiger Foundation Society of Forest Department is organizing wall painting competition in 6 cities to raise awareness and support for tiger conservation. AIR correspondent reports that students and general public will take part in the contest to be held in Raisen, Sehore, Betul, Chhindwada, Panna and Satna towns.  

"Madhya Pradesh had 257 big cats in 2010.  The number went up to 308 in the last tiger count in the country held in 2014.  India’s track record with tiger populations has been encouraging. India is home to 70 percent of tigers in the world. 

In 2006, there were 1 thousand 4 hundred 11 tigers which increased to 1 thousand 7 hundred 6 in 2010 and 2 thousand2 hundred 26 in 2014. The total number of wild tigers has risen to 3 thousand 8 hundred 90 in 2016 according to World Wildlife Fund and Global Tiger Forum. The number is expected to increase in the new tiger counting, which started in January 2018. 

2. World Day Against Trafficking In Persons: 30 July.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, observed on 30 July:

Trafficking in persons is a vile crime that feeds on inequalities, instability and conflict. Human traffickers profit from peoples’ hopes and despair. They prey on the vulnerable and rob them of their fundamental rights.

Children and young people, migrants and refugees are especially susceptible. Women and girls are targeted again and again. We see brutal sexual exploitation, including involuntary prostitution, forced marriage and sexual slavery. We see the appalling trade in human organs.

Human trafficking takes many forms and knows no borders. Human traffickers too often operate with impunity, with their crimes receiving not nearly enough attention. This must change.

The United Nations is committed to advancing action to bring traffickers to justice while protecting and supporting their victims. The rights of victims must come first — be they the victims of traffickers, smugglers or of modern forms of slavery or exploitation.

In their proposed Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to be adopted in December, Member States have also demonstrated resolve to prevent, combat and eradicate trafficking in persons in the context of international migration.

On this World Day against Trafficking in Persons, let us come together around the key issues of prevention, protection and prosecution to build a future where this crime cannot exist.

3. US Elevated India’s Status To STA-1 To Ease Export Controls For High-Tech Product Sales.

India today welcomed the US` decision to ease export controls for high technology product sales to it, saying the move will further boost collaboration between the two countries in defence and certain other areas.

The Trump administration announced yesterday granting India the status of Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1) country, the only South Asian nation to be given the designation along with the US` NATO allies like South Korea, Australia and Japan.

Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar called Washington`s decision a logical culmination to India`s designation as a major defence partner of the US and a "reaffirmation" of its "impeccable record" as a responsible member of the concerned multilateral export control regimes.

The STA-1 status will help India getting critical technology from the US in the defence and certain other key areas.

 1. PM Modi 3 Nation Visit: Signed 4 Agreements With Uganda.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday left for Rwanda on the first leg of his five-day, three-nation tour of Africa that will also take him to Uganda and South Africa.

"Embarking on a momentous journey to strengthen our historical bond with Africa," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

This will be the first ever prime ministerial visit from India to Rwanda.

From Rwanda, Modi will reach Uganda on July 24 in what will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to that country in 21 years.

From Uganda, the Prime Minister will reach South Africa on July 25 where he will attend this year`s Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) Summit.

"India shares close, warm and friendly relations with Africa which are cemented by robust development partnership and a large presence of the Indian diaspora," the Prime Minister`s Office said in a pre-departure statement.

"A number of agreements and MoUs in the areas of defence, trade, culture, agriculture and dairy cooperation are scheduled to be signed during the visit," it stated.

This is Modi`s second official visit to mainland Africa after he visited Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya in 2016.

2. 10th BRICS Summit 2018 Begins In Johannesburg.

The 10th BRICS Summit is all set to begin at Johannesburg on 25th July. The Summit will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other heads of the BRICS Nations, viz Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa.

The summit is being held at a time when the global trade exhibits a war-like scenario. As estimated by the International Monetary Fund, the unilateral trade actions taken by the United States President Donald Trump could cost the world $430 billion by 2020.

BRICS summit this year is expected to witness a lot of actions. It is expected that China will protest the protectionist measures of Donald Trump, as it has suffered the most due to Trump’s actions. India. India will protest against the protectionism, without naming the US.

India shall also raise the issue of setting up a BRICS rating agency, for which it had presented a feasibility study in BRICS Summit 2016. India had argued that the S&P, Fitch and Moody’s methodology is not free from bias.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for cumulative co-operation from the BRICS nation in connection with issues like cross-border terrorism, joint action on money laundering, terrorist financing, cyberspace, and deradicalization.

Other issues like Cooperation in the areas of counterterrorism, UN reforms, cybersecurity, energy security and global and regional issues might also be discussed at the BRICS Summit.

 1. EAM Sushma Swaraj Co-Chairs Joint Commission Meet In Bahrain

2. World’s 1st And Cheapest Clean Drinking Water Project Launched In Bihar.

With the launch of cost-effective innovative water project, Bihar will soon provide the cheapest drinking water in the world. The first of such a water project was launched in Bihar`s Darbhanga district on Saturday, by Sulabh International, an organisation that introduced the concept of `Sulabh Sauchalya` in the country.

 

With the help of this project, the people will easily be able to get pure and clean water only in 50paisa/litre. The `Sulabh Jal` project converts contaminated pond and river water into safe drinking water. The founder of Sulabh International Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak laid the foundation of the project at Haribol Pond in Darbhanga Nagar Nigam premises.

 

Darbhanga MLA Sanjay Saraogi and District Magistrate Chandrasekhar Prasad Singh were also present here on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Pathak said, "We have succeeded in producing pure drinking water at a very nominal cost by this new technology, which has not yet been introduced anywhere in the world. Villagers may get a direct benefit out the project." "We have selected Darbhanga for this water project. The project will be functional by December," he added.

 

The water purification process has a capacity to purify 8,000 litres of water per day at nominal cost. "Clean drinking water will be available at 50 paise/liter. We will also plant trees on the bank of Haribol tank here. It would be managed by Self Help group of Darbhanga Nagar Nigam," Dr Pathak said.

 

This project was earlier introduced in three districts of West Bengal - North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and Nadia, three years ago by Sulabh International and French organisation on trial basis, which turned out to be very successful. "The pilot project of this water projected started by us turned out to be very successful, following which we chose Darbhanga to begin our operation," said Dr. Pathak.

 

 

3. Forbes Releases 2018 `Celebrity 100` List Of World`s Highest-Paid Entertainers.

Floyd Mayweather ($285 mil in pretax annual earnings), captures the top spot on Forbes’ 20th annual Celebrity 100 ranking of the world’s highest-paid celebrities (p. 106 in Forbes’ August 31, 2018 magazine issue). The boxer’s August 2017 fight versus Conor McGregor generated more than $550 million in revenue, with Money Mayweather earning $275 million, securing him the No. 1 spot for the second year since 2015. George Clooney ($239 mil) is in the No. 2 spot after British liquor giant Diageo purchased Casamigos, the tequila company Clooney cofounded, giving him the best annual take-home of his—or any actor’s—career. Kylie Jenner ($166.5 mil) returns to the list at No. 3, a significant jump from the 2017 newcomer’s spot at No. 59, followed by Judge Judy Sheindlin ($147 mil) at No. 4. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, earning $124 million, rounds out the top five. The Rock (story p. 102) nearly doubled his 2017 $65 million payday, and his acting-related earnings are the largest ever recorded in the 20 years Forbes has tracked the Celebrity 100.

 

 

4. Nelson Mandela International Day: 18 July.

Nelson Mandela International Day 2018 is observed internationally on 18th July. This year marks 100 years since the birth of Nelson Mandela (18 July 1918).  The Nelson Mandela Foundation is dedicating this year`s Mandela Day to `Action Against Poverty`, honouring Nelson Mandela`s leadership and devotion to fighting poverty and promoting social justice for all.

 

November 2009 - in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom, UN General Assembly declares 18 July "Nelson Mandela International Day".

 1.Brexit Secretary David Davis Resigns.

The man responsible for overseeing the UK`s exit from the European Union has resigned, citing irreconcilable differences with Prime Minister Theresa May, a move that threatens to destabilize her government.

In a resignation letter sent to May late Sunday night UK time, Brexit Minister David Davis said it was looking "less and less likely" that the Conservative-led government would be able to deliver on its "manifesto commitment to leave the Customs Union and the Single Market."

Speaking early Monday on BBC Radio 4, Davis said he "proposed one approach, (May) chose another one that is more conciliatory to the EU."

"My fear is they`ll take what we`re offering and demand some more ... We`re giving too much away, too easily, and that`s a dangerous strategy," he added.

The departure of a key minister could lead to further resignations and throw May`s government into chaos just as it enters a key period of negotiations with the EU.

It comes as May is preparing for a state visit by US President Donald Trump later this week, and faces a potential new international crisis after a British citizen died as a result of being exposed to Novichok, the same nerve agent used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter.

2. Prakash Javadekar Inaugurates 17th World Sanskrit Conference In Canada.

Human Resource Development Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar will inaugurate the 17th World Sanskrit Conference to be held at Vancouver, Canada from 9th July to 13th July, 2018.

More than 500 scholars and delegates from over 40 countries will be participating in this conference and exchange their knowledge by presenting papers on various subjects followed by discussions from amongst the members.

There will be a special panel discussion on over a dozen topics like; History & Education of Women in Vedic Literature; Sanskrit Buddhist Manuscripts; Mimamsa Beyond the Yagasala; The Yuktidipika Forging a Place for Sankhya; Introducing Bhagavata Purana Commentaries; Research on the Gargiyajyotisa. Over 500 papers on various themes are likely to be presented during the 5-day conference. The purpose of this conference is to promote, preserve and practice the Sanskrit language all over the world by the people. The World Sanskrit Conference is being held in various countries across the globe once in every three years and so far it has been held thrice in India.

Besides the Minister, 10 scholars and two officers are part of the Indian delegation participating in the 17th World Sanskrit Conference.

2. World`s Oldest Colours Discovered.

Scientists have discovered the oldest colours in the geological record — 1.1 billion-year-old bright pink pigments extracted from rocks deep beneath the Sahara desert in Africa. The pigments taken from marine black shales of the Taoudeni Basin in Mauritania, West Africa, were more than half a billion years older than previous pigment discoveries, said Nur Gueneli from The Australian National University (ANU).

“The bright pink pigments are the molecular fossils of chlorophyll that were produced by ancient photosynthetic organisms inhabiting an ancient ocean that has long since vanished,” said Dr. Gueneli.

The fossils range from blood red to deep purple in their concentrated form, and bright pink when diluted, according to a study published in the journal PNAS.

The researchers crushed the billion-year-old rocks to powder, before extracting and analysing molecules of ancient organisms from them.

“The precise analysis of the ancient pigments confirmed that tiny cyanobacteria dominated the base of the food chain in the oceans a billion years ago, which helps to explain why animals did not exist at the time,” Dr. Gueneli said.

The emergence of large, active organisms was likely to have been restrained by a limited supply of larger food particles, such as algae, senior lead researcher Jochen Brocks, an associate professor at ANU. “Algae, although still microscopic, are a thousand times larger in volume than cyanobacteria, and are a much richer food source,” said Dr. Brocks.

“The cyanobacterial oceans started to vanish about 650 million years ago, when algae began to rapidly spread to provide the burst of energy needed for the evolution of complex ecosystems, where large animals, including humans, could thrive on Earth,” he said.

3. World Population Day: 11 July.

The world population day celebrated on 11th July 2018 is a United Nations Initiative to raise the awareness of increasing population day to day.  In 1989, the governing council of the United Nations Development Programme recommended that 11th July should be observed as World Population Day.

This day was first suggested by Dr KC Zachariah, an Honorary Professor at the centre of Development Studies who was then working as a senior demographer at World Bank.

The theme for 2018 is “Family Planning is Human Right”. This theme for the first time stresses that women can refuse to have multiple pregnancies placed too close if they want. It gives a response to the 50-year-old legislation which also states the same.

A total of 8 objectives have been selected for this year’s population day

Dr Eugene Kongnyuy, Dep Representative at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the world population day 2018 press conference said that “Family Planning is not a human right but a Fundamental Human Right.

The theme for 2017 was “Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations”.

4. UN Security Council Adopts Resolution To Protect Children In Armed Conflict.

The Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution aimed at a framework for mainstreaming protection, rights, well-being and empowerment of children throughout the conflict cycle.

Resolution 2427, which won unanimous approval of the 15 members of the council, strongly condemns the recruitment and use of children by parties to armed conflict as well as their re-recruitment, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, and abductions.

The resolution also condemns attacks against schools and hospitals and the denial of humanitarian access by parties to armed conflict and all other violations of international law committed against children in situations of armed conflict.

It demands that all relevant parties immediately put an end to such practices and take special measures to protect children.

The resolution also emphasizes the responsibility of all states to put an end to impunity and to investigate and prosecute those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other egregious crimes perpetrated against children.

The resolution reiterates the Security Council`s readiness to adopt targeted and graduated measures against persistent perpetrators of violations and abuses committed against children.

It calls on member states and the United Nations to mainstream child protection into all relevant activities in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations with the aim of sustaining peace and preventing conflict.

It recalls the importance of ensuring that children continue to have access to basic services during the conflict and post-conflict periods, including education and health care, and urges member states, UN bodies and civil society to take specifically into account girls` equal access to education.

5. Forbes Releases 2018 List Of America`s Richest Self-Made Women.

Indian-origin technology executives Jayshree Ullal and Neerja Sethi have made it to the Forbes` list of America`s 60 richest self-made women, with 21-year-old reality-TV star and entrepreneur Kylie Jenner the youngest to be featured in the power list. Ullal is ranked 18th in the list of 60 self-made women, having a net worth of $1.3 billion while Sethi is ranked 21st with a net worth of $1 billion.

"America`s top female entrepreneurs have shattered ceilings and scaled new heights, creating companies and building fortunes in everything from genetic testing to aerospace. Increasingly these self-made starters are tapping social media to cement their brands and build businesses ever more quickly. That in turn has helped the nation`s most successful women become richer than ever before," Forbes said.

Born in London and raised in India, Ullal, 57 has been president and CEO of Arista Networks, a computer networking firm, since 2008.

The publicly-traded company recorded revenues of $1.6 billion in 2017. Forbes said Ullal owns about five per cent of Arista`s stock, some of which is earmarked for her two children, niece and nephew.

Sethi, 63, is the vice president of IT consulting and outsourcing company Syntel, a company she cofounded with her husband Bharat Desai in 1980 in their apartment in Troy, Michigan.

Starting out with an initial investment of just $2,000, they pulled in a mere $30,000 in first-year sales. Syntel racked up $924 million in 2017 revenues and has 23,000 employees, 80 per cent of whom are in India, Forbes said.

6. UN Secretary-General Constitutes High-Level Panel On Digital Cooperation.

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, has been selected by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as one of 20 independent experts to advise him on his High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation, launched at the UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday. The Panel will be co-chaired by Melinda Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Jack Ma, Executive Chairman of the Alibaba Group, and includes prominent leaders from government, private industry, civil society, academia and the technical community, acting in their personal capacity while representing a broad mix of disciplines, sectors, ages, geographies and areas of expertise to reflect the cross-boundary nature of the digital sphere. The purpose of the Panel is to advance proposals to strengthen international cooperation in the digital space, with the ultimate aim of realizing the transformational potential of digital technologies while safeguarding against risks and unintended consequences. The panel will contribute to the broader global dialogue on how interdisciplinary and cooperative approaches can help ensure a safe and inclusive digital future for all.

Rapidly advancing digital technologies hold unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable development, advance well-being, and empower individuals around the world, yet there is a risk that the use of these technologies may deepen inequality, increase mistrust and undermine human rights. The scale of both the opportunities and the challenges requires new ways of cooperating across borders to ensure that digital technologies support sustainable development while mitigating potential dangers or unintended consequences.

7. Sushma Swaraj Embarks 2-Day Visit To Manama.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived here on Sunday on a two-day visit to attend a joint consultative committee meeting to review the bilateral ties and discuss ways to further strengthen the relationship.

Ms. Swaraj, who arrived on a special Indian aircraft, was received by her Bangladesh counterpart AH Mahmud Ali at the Bangabandhu Air Base in Dhaka. Officials said the Teesta River deal and the Rohingya crisis were among issues likely to be discussed in Ms. Swaraj’s talks with Mr. Ali.

She is “expected to meet the Bangladeshi leadership and also interact with the representatives of leading Bangladeshi think-tanks, chambers of commerce and industry and cultural organisations,” an Indian High Commission statement said.

Bangladesh foreign ministry officials said Ms. Swaraj was scheduled to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, main opposition leader Raushan Ershad of Jatiya Party and former premier Khaleda Zia later on Sunday.

Ms. Swaraj is likely to join the signing of two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for setting up a “common facility centre” for small and medium enterprises in southwestern city of Khulna and export of hi-speed diesel to Bangladesh, they said, adding that she would also inaugurate 15 development projects funded by the Indian government.

This is Ms. Swaraj’s second visit to Bangladesh and comes after recent trip of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during which India operationalised a $4.5 billion line of credit to Bangladesh to enable implementation of development projects in key areas, including power, railways, roads and shipping.

The announcement of the line of credit was made during the visit of Prime Minister Hasina to India in April. The development is also seen as India’s attempt to counter increasing Chinese influence in Bangladesh, where Beijing is trying to make inroads in infrastructure ventures.

8. Integrated Indian Visa Application Centre Inaugurated In Bangladesh.

A new integrated state-of-the-art integrated Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) was jointly inaugurated by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his Bangladeshi counterpart Asaduzzaman Khan at Dhaka`s Jamuna Future Park here on Saturday.

The High Commission of India in Dhaka, the new IVAC in Jamuna Future Park will replace the existing IVACs in Motijheel and Uttara from July 15. The remaining two IVACs in Dhaka (Gulshan and Mirpur Road) will also be shifted to the new facility by August 31. Thereafter, only one IVAC will be functional for all categories of visa applications without prior appointment, as per a release by the High Commission of India in Dhaka.

The new IVAC in Jamuna Future Park will be a model visa centre. Located in an 18,500 square feet commercial area, the IVAC will have facilities like computer generated token vending machines (expected waiting time will be indicated), comfortable seating arrangements in an air-conditioned waiting area, coffee and soft drinks vending machines, food kiosks and as many as 48 counters for submission of applications.

Separate counters will be reserved for senior citizens, women, freedom fighters and business applicants, the statement added.

A special help desk and counter for services, including printing and photocopying will be accessible at cost price. The location of the new IVAC inside a spacious and secure shopping mall is expected to provide comfortable and seamless visa services to applicants and is expected to reduce waiting time considerably.

1. Final Nepal-India EPG Meeting Concludes.

The ninth and final meeting of Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on India-Nepal relations concluded in Kathmandu Saturday evening. 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. Nepalese side included Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, Nilamber Acharya, Rajan Bhattarai and Surya Nath Upadhyay. The Group is expected to submit a report to their respective governments soon. The EPG is a joint mechanism consisting experts and intellectuals from India and Nepal. 

It was set up in February 2016 to make suggestions for updating all existing bilateral treaties and agreements between both the countries. The EPG is completing its two-year tenure next month. 

2. Abu Dhabi ‘Smartest City’ In Middle East: Study.

Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has topped the list of "smart cities" in the Middle East and Africa, the city`s Department of Culture and Tourism said on Friday.

Covering 50 international cities, a report by McKinsey Global Institute titled "Smart Cities: Digital Solutions for a More Livable Future" views how cities all over the world use technology to improve the quality of life, reports Xinhua.

With a rating of 18.4, Abu Dhabi ranked the first in the region ahead of Dubai, which was placed the second with a rating of 17.3.

Saif Saeed Ghobash, under-secretary of the department, said that in the digital age, metropolitan cities are delivering creative ways in which data is used to reinvent the way their city is perceived, explored, interacted with, and how services are delivered.

"With apps and online systems in place that support the tourism and business infrastructure of the emirate, we hope to lead the way to a sustainable future for generations to come," he said.

According to McKinsey, three factors make a city smart.

First is the technology base, which includes a critical mass of smartphones and sensors connected by high-speed communication networks.

The second consists of specific applications, such as translating raw data into alerts. The third is usage by cities, companies, and the public.

3. Nigeria Replaces India To Become World`s Largest Poor Population: Brookings Report.

India is the world`s fastest-growing economy but it`s also one of the poorest countries in the world. With the population of over 1.3 billion, India is trying hard to take poor people out of the poverty line. The efforts seem to be paying, says the latest report by the Future Development blog of the World Bank`s Brookings Institute. Titled as `The start of a new poverty narrative`, the report says that India is moving down in global poverty ranking. From 125 million poor people in 2016, India had just 73 million people in the poorest of the poor index as of May 2018. Not only that, India is no more the country with most number of poorest people, says the report. Nigeria has overtaken India with the largest number of extremely poor people at 87 million in early 2018.

India shot past China`s 6.8 per cent growth for the January-March quarter, enabling the country to retain its position as the fastest-growing major economy. As many as 44 Indians are being taken out of poverty every minute, which is highest in the world, TOI reported.

The World Bank report indicates that if the pace of positive growth remains the same, India would be able to lift up to around 50 million more people out of poverty by 2022.  While poverty in India continues to fall, Nigeria is seeing a continuous uptick, with six people being added every minute in the poor category.

"In fact, by the end of 2018 in Africa as a whole, there will probably be about 3.2 million more people living in extreme poverty than there is today," says the report. If the current trend continues, the entire African continent would account for nine-tenths of the world`s extremely poor from two-thirds today. Shockingly, 14 out of 18 African nations are seeing a rise in extreme poverty.

The report also says that the Democratic Republic of the Congo could soon take over the number 2 spot as India continues to achieve high economic growth. However, the world is far behind in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to end poverty by 2030.

"Between January 1, 2016 - when implementation of internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) started - and July 2018, the world has seen about 83 million people escape extreme poverty. But if extreme poverty were to fall to zero by 2030, we should have already reduced the number by about 120 million, just assuming a linear trajectory. To get rid of this backlog of some 35 million people, we now have to rapidly step up the pace," says the report.

Notwithstanding the poor economic scenarios in some countries, especially Africa, reports suggest around 217,000 people are lifted away from the extreme poverty every day, and over 3 lakh people are gaining access to basic amenities like clean drinking water and electricity.

4. Asia`s 1st Patent Arbitration Centre To Open In Tokyo.

Asia`s first arbitration centre specialised in intellectual property is slated to open in Tokyo in September to resolve the growing number of disputes in the region, an official said on Friday.

The International Arbitration Centre in Tokyo (IACT) is set to have around a dozen arbitrators from around the world, who would try to resolve disputes within a period of one year, Katsuya Tamai, a project member and University of Tokyo professor specialising in intellectual property law, told Efe news.

Technological progress and diversification of applications have resulted in more patent infringement disputes worldwide, raising the number of cases not settled through dialogue, according to the latest report released by Japan`s Patent Office.

The body also noticed that a growing number of disputes and legal complexities make the resolution process time-consuming, so it recommends more centres and arbitrators to handle such cases.

The patent infringement dispute between Samsung Electronics and Apple, in which Apple sued Samsung for allegedly copying the design of its mobile phones, and which was finally resolved on Thursday after seven years of litigation and compensation amounting to millions of dollars, is the most recent example of such a dispute.

The IACT is due to handle disputes between non-Japanese companies also, if both parties agree.

5. India To Host International Union Of Food Science And Technology 2018.

The International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST), the global voice of food science and technology in association with Indian National Science Academy (INSA) as adhering body, announced the 19th edition of its prestigious global event to be held in Navi Mumbai, India from October 23-27, 2018.

The five-day event will bring together researchers, academicians, professionals, policy makers and industry leaders from across the globe to showcase innovation, exchange breakthrough ideas and drive policy issues.

The focal theme for this edition of the prestigious congress is 25 Billion Meals a Day by 2025 with Healthy, Nutritious, Safe and Diverse Foods. IUFoST 2018 will provide insight on key concepts on recent advances in food sciences, food processing and agriculture technologies.

Pawan Agarwal, IAS, Secretary to Govt. of India & CEO, FSSAI congratulated Team India for successfully winning the bid for this event and said that "Science, Scientists, & Technologist are our life blood. Setting standards, putting right practices which Food Industry has to follow & bulk of hard work are done by Scientists & Technologists. At this Congress participation of such a large number of experts around the world will give us opportunity to make more connections so that our food regulatory system is truly of global benchmark."

6. 5th RCEP Intersessional Ministerial Meeting Held In Tokyo, Japan.

The Fifth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Intersessional Ministerial Meeting

1. The Ministers from the 16 RCEP Participating Countries (RPCs) attended the 5th RCEP Intersessional Ministerial Meeting held on 1 July 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ministers discussed the developments since the 4th RCEP Intersessional Ministerial Meeting on 3 March 2018 in Singapore, including the outcomes of the 22nd round of negotiations held on 28 April-8 May 2018 also in Singapore; the intersessional meetings of selected working groups and sub-working groups; as well as the 4th RCEP Intersessional TNC and Related Meetings held on 25-29 June 2018 in Tokyo, Japan, which were also participated by the Working Group on Electronic Commerce(e-Commerce), the Working Group on Intellectual Property (IP), and the Sub-Working Group on Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation (CPTF) and intensification of market access bilateral negotiations.

2. The Ministers recognised the importance of swiftly and successfully concluding the RCEP negotiations consistent with the Guiding Principles and Objectives for Negotiating the RCEP, particularly in view of the current global trade environment which faces serious risks from unilateral trade actions and reactions, as well as their debilitating implications on the multilateral trading system. To this end, the Ministers reaffirmed their resolve to work together and see through the RCEP negotiations towards conclusion, and to achieve an agreement that would allow economies of different levels of development to actively participate in and benefit from an open and inclusive regional economic integration.

7. Uttam Dhillon Appointed Head Of Drug Enforcement Agency In US.

Uttam Dhillon, an Indian-origin lawyer serving in the White House, has been named the acting administrator of the drug enforcement administration (DEA), the agency that combats the smuggling and use of narcotics in the US.

Dhillon has already started working on his new assignment.

“With one American dying of a drug overdose every nine minutes, there can be no doubt that we are facing the deadliest drug epidemic in our history,” US attorney general Jeff Sessions said on Monday. “The work of the drug enforcement administration is critical to fighting this crisis, and President (Donald) Trump and I are committed to continuing to give it the strong leadership it deserves. That is why I am pleased to appoint Uttam Dhillon as acting administrator.”

As deputy counsel and deputy assistant to Trump, Dhillon had been a part of the discussions that led to the firing of FBI director James Comey in May 2017.

Dhillon has had a long career battling drug traffickers and violent crime, according to the justice department. In 2006, he became the first director of the office of counternarcotics enforcement at the department of homeland security.

Prior to that, he served as an associate deputy attorney general in the justice department, in which role he headed the attorney general’s anti-gang coordination committee and led efforts to formulate policies and programs to combat violent crime and criminal gangs.

Dhillon earlier served as an assistant US attorney in California for more than six years.

8. World`s 1st Digital Art Museum Opens In Tokyo.

What’s being billed as the world’s first all-digital museum is part art gallery, part amusement park and for some, part haunted house.

Some things typically found in an art museum are missing: There are no guide maps, no descriptions, and no signs warning viewers to keep their hands off the art work. In fact, there are no works of art -- in the usual sense of paintings or objects behind glass cases.

At the MORI Building Digital Art Museum in Tokyo, a collaboration between the developer and art collective TeamLab, light and space is the art. Visitors navigate a maze of dark, empty rooms, stepping into or onto about 50 kaleidoscopic installations that are triggered by motion sensors and projected across every surface of the 100,000-square-foot exhibit space, waiting to be discovered.

Without all the lights, the museum space would be a bunch of empty halls with black walls and carpeted floors.

“Each visitor can enjoy this experience in their own way,” said Ou Sugiyama, who heads the museum. “The title of the exhibit is ‘Borderless’ and it’s meant to signify how the immersive works keep boundaries between visitors in a state of continuous flux.”

Owing to projection-mapping technology, the artworks react to movement and touch, inviting museum-goers to imagine they possess new superpowers.

“With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics coming up we wanted to offer the world something unique, making our city even more magnetic,” Sugiyama added.

9. UN Member States Approve USD 6.69 Billion For 13 Peacekeeping Operations.

The UN member states approved a USD 6.69 billion dollar budget for 13 peacekeeping operations for the year 2018-19, besides agreeing to major management reforms, including the creation of two new departments focused on political and peacebuilding affairs.

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) of the General Assembly recommended authorisation of USD 6.69 billion to finance 13 peacekeeping missions from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019. It is the second year in a row in which the committee has made significant cuts to the overall peacekeeping budget.

10. International Day Of Cooperatives: 7 July.

At a time when income inequality is rising around the world, it is good to be reminded that solutions to inequality do exist. The co-operative model is foremost among these solutions, since it contains aspects of sustainable development at its core and is based on ethical values and principles.

2018 theme: Sustainable societies through cooperation

On 7 July 2018, members of cooperatives around the world celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives. Through the slogan Sustainable societies through cooperation they will show how, thanks to their values, principles and governance structures, cooperatives have sustainability and resilience at their core, with concern for community as the seventh of their guiding principles.

By their very nature, cooperatives play a triple role:

i. As economic actors they create opportunities for jobs, livelihoods and income generation

ii. As people-centered enterprises with social goals they contribute to social equity and justice

iii. As democratic institutions, they are controlled by their members, playing a leading role in society and local communities.

11. India To Operate `World’s Emptiest Airport` In Sri Lanka.

India would operate Sri Lanka’s loss-making Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Hambantota, the Civil Aviation Minister has told Sri Lankan Parliament in Colombo. The $210 million facility, 241km south-east of Colombo, is dubbed the “world’s emptiest airport” due to a lack of flights.

India would operate the airport as a Sri Lanka-India joint venture. The joint venture would see India gain a major stake of the airport, Minister of Civil Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva told the Parliament.

“We need to revive this dying airport which caused a massive loss of rupees 20 billion,” he said.

The final terms of the agreement, however, remains to be worked out, the minister said.

Opposition legislator Kanaka Herath asked if the Mattala airport adjoining the Hambantota seaport is to be handed over to India to please the super powers India and China. Mr. De Silva denied the charge and said that in 2016, the government had invited proposals from interested international investors to run the airport.

“Only India offered to help us. Now we are in discussion with the Indians for the joint venture,” Mr. de Silva said.

12. Mark Zuckerberg Becomes World’s 3rd-Richest Person.

Facebook Inc. co-founder Mark Zuckerberg has overtaken Warren Buffett as the world’s third-richest person, further solidifying technology as the most robust creator of wealth.

Zuckerberg, who trails only Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos and Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates, eclipsed Buffett Friday as Facebook shares climbed 2.4 per cent, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

It’s the first time that the three wealthiest people on the ranking made their fortunes from technology. Zuckerberg, 34, is now worth $81.6 billion, about $373 million more than Buffett, the 87-year-old chairman and chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Zuckerberg’s ascent has been driven by investors’ continued embrace of Facebook, the social-network giant that shook off the fallout from a data-privacy crisis that hammered its shares, sending them to an eight-month low of $152.22 on March 27. The stock closed Friday at a record $203.23.