Daily GK Updates - 23rd August, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bhamashah Techno Hub to be inaugurated in Rajasthan : Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje inaugurated the Bhamashah Techno Hub on 23rd August 2018.The hub will provide free space, easier funding avenues and mentorship to startups.The Rajasthan government has already announced setting up of a Rs 500-crore startup fund — Bhamashah Techno Fund.The hub would be able to accommodate over 700 startup ventures.

2. International water colour festival in Ranchi : The international watercolour festival will be organised in Ranchi, Jharkhand.It is organised by the Department of Tourism, Art-Culture, Sports & Youth Affairs.The international watercolour festival aims to bring local artists in touch with the international art and promote the rich art and culture of Jharkhand.The watercolour festival will come to a close on August 27, 2018.

3. ICOMOS launches an initiative in Kerala : The ICOMOS, a global monument conservation body, has launched an initiative to assess the damage to the rich cultural and built heritage in flood-devastated Kerala.The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is a non-government organisation (NGO).ICOMOS is dedicated for conservation of architectural and archaeological heritage across the world.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India seeks revision in price of gas via TAPI : India has sought renegotiation of the natural gas price it is to source through a proposed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline due to slump in global energy markets.The 4 nations to the pipeline projects had in 2013 signed a gas sale purchase agreement.The gas will be sourced from the Yoloten Usman field, which ranks amongst the five biggest fields in the world.

2. European wind survey satellite launched : A new satellite that will use advanced laser technology to track global winds and improve weather forecasts has been successfully put into orbit.The name of the satellite is “Aeolus” — named after the guardian of wind in Greek mythology.The satellite “will probe the lowermost 30 kilometres of the atmosphere in measuring winds around the Earth.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Ujjivan SFB launches overdraft facility : Ujjivan Small Finance Bank announced the launch of its overdraft facility for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE).The facility is an add-on product to the existing MSE term loans offered by the bank.The bank will offer this facility to all MSEs with a turnover of Rs 50 lakh or more.Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (Ujjivan SFB) started its banking operations in February 2017.

SPORTS:

1. Shardul wins silver in men’s double trap : Shardul Vihan clinched the silver medal in the men’s double trap shooting event at the 18th Asian Games on 23rd August, 2018.Korea’s Shin Hyunwoo clinched the gold medal while Qatar’s Al Marri Hamad Ali bagged the bronze medal.Vihan had grabbed four gold medals at Shotgun Nationals Championship in 2017.

2. David Beckham will receive UEFA Prez’s award : Former England captain David Beckham will receive the UEFA President’s Award for his contribution to football and for promoting the sport around the world.Beckham played for Manchester United, La Galaxy, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Paris St-Germain.Beckham made 115 appearances for England and won 19 club trophies, including 10 league titles.He will receive the award in Monaco.

OBITUARIES:

1. Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar passes away : Eminent Indian writer and journalist Kuldip Nayar passed away in New Delhi on August 23, 2018.As a journalist, he has documented in detail, human rights violations by the State.He was also the High Commissioner of India to the U.K. and nominated member of the Rajya Sabha.Nayar worked in several newspapers including as the editor in the Statesman.