Daily GK Updates - 28th August, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Government announces regulations for safe commercial usage of drones : The Union Government has announced regulations for safe commercial usage of drones, effective from 1st December 2018.The regulations are intended to enable visual line-of-sight daytime-only and a maximum of 400 feet altitude operations.Airspace has been partitioned into the Red Zone (flying is not permitted), Yellow Zone (for controlled airspace) and the Green Zone (for automatic permission).These progressive regulations will encourage a vast Made in India drone industry.The DGCA has defined remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) as an unmanned aircraft piloted from a remote pilot station.

2. TN CM inaugurates India's tallest film studio : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami has inaugurated India's tallest Film Studio ‘MGR Centenary Film Studio’.The 56 feet tall, 361 feet long and 100 feet wide studio was constructed using funds collected by the Federation of Film Employees Union of South India (FEFSI), at Paiyanur.

3. Union Govt. signs MoU with 6 states for Lakhwar Yamuna basin project in Uttarakhand : The union govt. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the six Upper Yamuna basin states for the construction of Lakhwar multi-purpose project in Uttarakhand.The states are Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi (UT). The Union Minister for Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari inked the MoU with the Chief Ministers of these states in New Delhi for the project worth 3966.51 crore rupees. 

4. Country's first flight powered by Biofuel lands at IGI Airport, New Delhi : The country’s first test flight powered by Biofuel landed at Indira GandhiInternational Airport (IGIA) New Delhi.The test flight took off from Dehradun.Developed countries (Canada, Australia and US) have already conducted these test flights, India would be the first developing nation to experiment that.Spice Jet is the first Indian airline to fly on biofuel.

5. Odisha CM launches a programme to identify young talents : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched a programme, aimed at identifying and giving recognition to the young achievers of the state.The “Mu Hero, Mu Odisha” (I am Hero-I am Odisha) programme is an initiative of the state government to be conducted by the Biju Yuva Vahini (BYV) members.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 4th Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum : It has begun in Colombo,Sri Lanka.

The aim is to have a platform for constructive discussion of elections and democracy in the region.Theme:-‘Advancing Election Transparency and Integrity: Promoting and Defending Democracy Together’.

2. US senator passes away : US senator John McCain has passed away at 81 after a battle with brain cancer. The long-time Republican was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma in July, 2017..He served as a pilot in the US Navy during the Vietnam War.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.  SBI changes names, IFSC codes of nearly 1,300 branches after merger

: The state bank of India (SBI) has changed names and IFSC codes of nearly 1,300 branches across the country.SBI branches have been changed across the country as per the SBI list enlisting the old and new IFSC codes after rationalisation/merger with associate banks and BMB.The merger of associates and BMB had helped SBI reduce 1,805 branches and rationalise 244 administrative offices.As result of merger, SBI witnessed the addition of around 71,000 new employees to its earlier workforce of around 2 lakhs.

SPORTS:

1. PV Sindhu wins the silver medal in Asian Games 2018 : Indian badminton player PV Sindhu has won the historic individual silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games.She lost 13-21 16-21 to Chinese Taipei's Tai Tzu Ying (World No 1) in just 34 minutes.It is the first time that India has won two individual medals at the Asian Games with Saina Nehwal clinching a bronze.

2.  Neeraj Chopra wins India 1st Javelin Gold in Asian Games 2018 : Indian javelin thrower ‘Neeraj Chopra’ has become the first Indian to win gold medal at the Asian Games 2018.Chopra managed a personal best throw of 88.06 to bag the top prize in the javelin throw.This was also India's first-ever gold medal in the javelin throw at the Asian Games.

3. Japan wins first ever title at FIFA U-20 women's world cup France 2018 : Japan women's National Team (U-20) has won the U-20 Spain Women's National Team at the final of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup France 2018.Takarada Saori was named as the Player of the match with her goal and an assist.Takarada was also awarded the Adidas Bronze Boot as well as the Adidas Silver Ball, while Minami was awarded the Bronze Ball.Japan received the Fair-play award as a team and the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup France 2018 has closed its curtains.

OBITUARIES :

1. Former Bengal cricketer Gopal Bose (71-years) passed away in London : Gopal Bose played 78 first-class matches with an average of 30.79.For India, he played alone ODI (One Day International) against England in Oval where he scored 13 runs