Daily GK Updates - 11th September, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Justice Om Prakash Mishra sworn in as new Chief Justice of Nepal : President of Nepal Vidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to Justice Om Prakash Mishra as new Chief Justice of Nepal.He is the senior-most judge of Supreme Court after Justice Deepak Raj Joshee (the name was rejected by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee).He joined judicial service in 1981 as a section officer and became Additional District Judge in 1985.

2. Arvind Kejriwal launches doorstep delivery of 40 public services in Delhi : The Delhi government has launched the doorstep delivery of 40 public services for the people living in the national capital.Under the scheme, 40 services, including certificates of marriage, caste, domicile, income, births, deaths and duplicate RC among others, will be delivered.Now, people will not have to waste their time standing in queues at government offices.They just need to call on 1076 and request for the service they want.

3. Two-day regional conference on good governance in Bhopal : The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DAR&PG), Government of India in association with Madhya Pradesh Government has organized a two-day Regional Conference on Good Governance with Focus on Aspirational Districts, in Bhopal.Delegates from 12 States & 2 UTs will participate in the Conference.The themes include ICT Enabled Education, Agriculture, Public Service and Grievance Management and Good Governance initiatives.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India launches new digital bridge with Africa : The External Affairs Ministry has signed an agreement with the Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL) to establish a pan-African e-network between the two nations.This project will serve as a digital bridge between the two countries, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said.The Project (VidyaBharati and e-ArogyaBharati) is a clear effort by India to reach out to Africa in the critical areas of education and health.

2.  India, Bangladesh jointly inaugurate three projects : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, and Chief Ministers of West Bengal and Tripura jointly inaugurated three projects in Bangladesh (via video conferencing).Akhaura-Agartala rail connectivity will provide another link in the cross-border connectivity between the two countries.These include 500 MW additional power supply from India to Bangladesh, Akhaura - Agartala Rail Link and Rehabilitation of the Kulaura-Shahbazpur section of Bangladesh Railways.

3.  INDO-MONGOLIA joint exercise Nomadic Elephant-2018 : Indo-Mongolia joint exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant-2018’ commenced at Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) Five Hills Training Area, Ullanbaatar, Mongolia.The 12 days long joint exercise will be conducted from (10 Sep to 21 Sep 2018).Exercise Nomadic Elephant is an annual, bilateral exercise since 2006 which is designed to strengthen the partnership between Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. LIC launches a group insurance scheme for CDSL Demat account holders : Life Insurance Corporation of India has signed an agreement with Central Depository Services (India) to provide group insurance coverage to all eligible Demat account holders serviced through depository participants associated with it.The facility will be available to demat account holders between the age of 18 years and 59 years.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan to head panel to select new CEA : The Union Government has appointed former Reserve Bank of India governor Bimal Jalan as the head of the panel that has been tasked with selecting India’s next chief economic advisor (CEA).The panel will screen the applications received and conduct interviews.The move comes two months after the government sought applications for the post after previous CEA Arvind Subramanian resigned from office.

2. IPPB ties up with FSS to create payments network for unorganized retail : The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has partnered with the Financial Software and Systems (FSS) to ensure that micro-merchants are able to accept payments over any channel (online, unified payments interface (UPI), quick-response (QR) codes, Aadhaar and IPPB accounts).FSS will provide merchant management and settlement solutions including on-boarding fee calculation, reconciliation and settlement.‘FSS’ technology solutions are powering us towards achieving our objective to build a less cash ecosystem by enabling last mile digital payment services.

Daily GK Updates - 10th September, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. J&K 3rd state to adopt RADMS : Jammu and Kashmir became the third state in the country to use the ‘Road Accident Data Management System‘ (RADMS) for standard and accurate data on road accidents.RADMS is a geographical information system (GIS) solution for identification of black spots, wrong driving practices, road infrastructure.In 2015, the ‘Supreme Court committee on road safety‘ had mandated all states to use RADMS.

2. ‘Startup India Telangana Yatra’ from Sept 15 : The Telangana State Innovation Cell (TSIC) is launching ‘Startup India Telangana Yatra‘ from September 15, 2018.Startup Yatra will promote entrepreneurship in Tier II and III cities of Telangana.The ‘Startup Yatra‘ will spread awareness about the State Innovation Policy and the initiatives taken by the Telangana government.

3. Delhi government launched ‘Dial 1076’ service : Delhi government launched helpline number ‘1076’  that will allow people to reach various government facilities at their door-steps.Delhi government will provide 100 services from 40 departments such as driving license, ration card, new water connection, domicile etc at home with an extra charge of Rs. 50.For this scheme, 11 call centers have been set up in 11 districts of the city.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  10^th September: World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) : The World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is being observed on 10^thSeptember to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented.The WSPD is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). WHO has been co-sponsor of the day.The theme of 2018 is “Working Together to Prevent Suicide”.

2. NASA’s Dawn mission is coming to an end : Dawn — NASA’s space probe for the asteroid belt — is coming to an end due to lack of a key fuel.It was launched to study two of the three known protoplanets of the asteroid belt  Vesta  and  Ceres, which when combined, make up 45% of the mass of the main asteroid belt.It was launched in September 2007.The spacecraft is likely to run out of a key fuel known as hydrazine.

3. Russia prepares for biggest war games : Russia will launch the biggest military drills in its history involving 300,000 troops as well as Chinese soldiers.The military exercise named “Vostok-2018” (East-2018) will start in eastern Siberia on September 11, 2018.The Russian army will roll out: Iskander missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, T-80 and T-90 tanks and its recent Su-34 and Su-35 fighter planes.

4. Aishwarya received ‘Meryl Streep Award” : Aishwarya Rai was felicitated with the ‘Meryl Streep Award for Excellence‘ at the first edition of Women In Film and Television (WIFT).The award has been established to honour the best female talent in Bollywood and Hollywood.Filmmaker Zoya Akhtar received the ‘Wyler Award for Excellence in Direction‘ at the same event.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. ICICI Bank launches overdraft facility : ICICI Bank announced a new overdraft facility for Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME) based on their GST returns.The facility is known as ‘GST Business Loan’ and it would be available to any such business, including non-customers of the bank.The overdraft amount could range between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore and would be up to 20% of the turnover reported in the GST return.

SPORTS:

1. Ankur Mittal wins double trap gold in World Championship : Ankur Mittal has won the men’s double trap gold medal in the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championship in Changwon, South Korea.The multiple World Cup medallist shot 140 out of 150 to go into a shoot-off for gold with China's Yiyang Yang and Slovakia's Hubert Andrzej.Ankur also won the team bronze in the event along with compatriots Md. Asab and Shardul Vihaan, their tally of 409 points putting them behind China's 410 and the gold-winning team Italy's tally of 411.India has also secured two Olympic quotas, making it the country's best performance ever at the World Championship

2. Luka Modric wins 'UEFA men's player of the year award : Real Madrid's Luka Modric  has been named the 2017-18 UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award.Modric surpassed former Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.Modric's Madrid team-mates Keylor Navas and Sergio Ramos won the best goalkeeper and defender awards respectively

Daily GK Updates - 9th September, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Rajasthan CM announces a 4-pc reduction in VAT on petrol, diesel : Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has announced a 4% reduction in valueadded tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel (around 2.50 Rs. Per liter) VAT on petrol will be reduced from 30 to 26 percent and on diesel from 22 to 18 percent.The decision will cost the exchequer 2,000 crore rupees.

2. Iconic 'Hazratganj Chauraha' of Lucknow city to be renamed as 'Atal Chowk' :The Iconic 'Hazratganj Chauraha' of Lucknow city (Uttar Pradesh) will be renamed af bter former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as 'Atal Chowk'.The State Government has also announced to convert Vajpayee's ancestral house in Bateshwar (Agra) into a memorial and develop a tourist circuit there.

3. Bengaluru to host Aero India 2019 in February : According to Defence Ministry (MoD), The 2019 edition of Aero India will be held in Bengaluru, Karnataka from 20 to 24 February next year.This five-day event will combine a major trade exhibition for the aerospace and defense industries with public air shows.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Nepal won’t join 1st BIMSTEC Military Exercise : The Nepal Government has confirmed that they will not join the first ever BIMSTEC military exercise in Pune, Maharashtra.The field training exercise will be conducted between September 10 and 16 at the Foreign Training Node at Aundh in Pune.The BIMSTEC is a regional group comprising of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan, and Nepal.

2.  Switzerland planning to install a statue of veteran Hindi film actor late Sridevi : The Switzerland authorities are planning to install a statue of late Sridevi (Hindi film actor) whose superhit movie "Chandni" was shot at the country's picturesque locations.The statue of the renowned filmmaker, Yash Chopra is already there.1989 blockbuster 'Chandni' had also put Switzerland on center stage as almost half the song and dance sequences in the film had a Swiss backdrop.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.  Axis Bank appoints HDFC’s Amitabh Chaudhry as MD & CEO :Amitabh Chaudhry  has been appointed as its managing director & CEO of the Axis bank for a period of three years (from 1^stJanuary 2019).Mr. Chaudhry has been associated with HDFC Life since January 2010.He will take the charge at India’s third largest private sector bank after incumbent Shikha Sharma steps down on December 31, 2018.

SPORTS:

1.  Novak Djokovic wins 2018 US Open men's title : Serbia’s Novak Djokovic  defeated Argentine’s Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 to claim US Open Men’s tennis tournament - 2018 in New York (USA).It was Djokovic's 14th Grand Slam title and the third US Open title.Japan’s Naomi Osaka  has lifted the Women's singles title of US Open 2018.She won the Grand Slam defeating Serena Williams of US in straight sets 6-2, 6-4.It was the first time a Japanese tennis player claimed the Grand Slam title. 

2.  Triple jumper Arpinder Singh has become the first Indian to win a medal in IAAF Continental Cup : Triple jumper Arpinder Singh (25-year) has become the first Indian to win a medal (bronze medal) in the IAAF Continental Cup at Ostrava in the Czech Republic.No Indian has ever won a medal in the Continental Cup which was known as the IAAF World Cup before 2010.Two top athletes from the four regions of Europe, Americas, Africa, and Asia-Pacific were taking part in each of the 36 events in men and women sections taken together.

Daily GK Updates - 8th September, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Assam govt makes Hima Das as Sports Ambassador of state :Assam govt. has made Asian Games medalist Hima Das as the Sports Ambassador of the state.Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal handed over a cheque of 1.6 crore rupees to Hima at a function in Guwahati.Recently, Hima won 3 medals in concluded Asian Games.

2.  Piyush Goyal launches 'AAPOORTI' app of ‘ Indian Railways E-procurement system : Ministry of Railways & Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) has organized a seminar on “Leveraging IT for Mobility” in New Delhi. Shri Piyush Goyal (Minister of Railways & Coal) graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.Shri Goyal also launched a new app – “AAPOORTI’ mobile App of ‘Indian Railways e-procurement system’ (IREPS).This App provides information and data related to e-tendering and e-auction related activities of Indian Railways.

3. Centenary of the Battle of Haifa Celebrated : The Embassy of India held a ceremony in Haifa to mark the Centenary of the Battle of Haifa.The ceremony was attended by a delegation from India led by Maj Gen VD Dogra and included personnel from the 61st Cavalry.The Battle of Haifa was fought on 23 September 1918 towards the end of the Battle of Sharon which together with the Battle of Nablus formed the set piece Battle of Megiddo.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.International Literacy Day being observed today : The International Literacy Day (ILD) is being observed on 8th September every year throughout the world to raise public awareness to eradicate illiteracy and create an environment in favor of adult education programs.This year’s theme is ‘Literacy and skills development.’This year's theme explores integrated approaches that simultaneously support the development of literacy and skills, to ultimately improve people’s lives and work and contribute to equitable and sustainable societies.

2. The U.S. returns two antique statues stolen from India : Two antique statues worth hundreds of thousands of dollars (USD 225,000) stolen from India and displayed at two American museums have been repatriated to India by the US.The first statue, ‘Lingodhbhavamurti’, a 12th-century granite sculpture depicting an iconic representation of Lord Shiva, dates back to the Chola dynasty.It was stolen from Tamil Nadu and was on display at the Birmingham Museum in Alabama.

3. 'Gold' becomes first Bollywood film ever to release in Saudi Arabia : Indian movie 'Gold' has become the first Bollywood film ever to release in Saudi Arabia.The film Gold is a fictional re-telling of India's iconic win at the 1948 London Olympics.This film is only the second movie after Rajnikanth's social drama "Kala" to hit the theatres in the Gulf country.Saudi Arabia had held a private screening of international cultural phenomenon, "Black Panther" in May this year to herald the launch of movie theatres in the kingdom and opening them to the public.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. SBI appoints Anshula Kant as Managing Director : The Union Government has appointed Anshula Kant as the Managing Director of the State Bank of India (SBI).Currently, she is the Deputy Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of SBI.With this appointment, SBI has four MDs - PK Gupta, DK Khara and Arijit Basu.

SPORTS:

1. Saurabh Chaudhary clinches gold in ISSF World C'ship : India's Saurabh Chaudhary (16-year) clinched the 10 meters Air Pistol Junior gold at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Shooting World Championship in Changwon, South Korea.Arjun Singh Cheema claimed bronze in the same event with a score of 218 while Korea’s Hojin Lim clinched silver.India also picked up a silver medal in the junior men's trap team competition.

Daily GK Updates - 7th September, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Prime Minister Modi inaugurates India's first Global Mobility Summit 2018

 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated India's first Global Mobility Summit ‘MOVE’ at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi to make Indian cities pollution free.The objective of the summit is on raising awareness about various aspects of Mobility and bringing various stakeholders involved in enhancing mobility across different platforms.The mobility conference is a huge opportunity to leapfrog as there is an inevitable global disruption through electric mobility.

2.  Rajnath Singh inaugurates Defence & Homeland Security Expo and Conference, 2018 : The Union Home Minister ‘Shri Rajnath Singh’ has inaugurated the three days Defence & Homeland Security Expo and Conference – 2018 in New Delhi.The Union Home Minister ‘Shri Rajnath Singh’ has called upon the law enforcement agencies to adopt new technologies to enhance their capacities to contain terror and to counter the emerging challenges to homeland security.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1 .India and US agree on strengthening cooperation in International fora to fight terrorism : India and the US have agreed to deepen cooperation in international fora like the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force to fight against terrorism.According to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, the two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation. She said counter-terrorism cooperation between the two sides has acquired a new qualitative edge and purpose.According to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) was signed between the two sides.

2. Vice President to visit the US to participate in 2nd World Hindu Congress : The Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu will be on a three-day visit to the United States.Mr. Naidu will address the special session of 2nd World Hindu Congress at Chicago on the occasion of 125th Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s Historic Speech at the Parliament of the World's Religions in 1893.

3. 87th Izmir International tradeshow begins in Turkey : India is the Partner Country in the 87th Izmir International tradeshow in Izmir, Turkey.India will also launch a mega business pavilion ‘Source India’ hosting 75 Indian companies with the aim of tie-ups in order to increase India’s exports to Turkey and other neighbouring countries.India has the capacity to increase its export in this sector as it is currently exporting USD7.3 billion worth of cereals to the world

4. India-Sri Lanka joint exercise SLINEX-2018 begins in Sri Lanka : India & Sri Lanka joint naval exercise ‘SLINEX-2018’ started at Trincomalee, Sri Lanka (7-13 September).Earlier, SLINEX exercise held once in two years and now it has been converted to annual event this year onwards.

5.  President Ram Nath Kovind to meet the Czech Republic, President Milos Zeman : President Ram Nath Kovind will hold discussions with the President of the Czech Republic Milos Zeman in Prague to take forward the bilateral relations, particularly.President Kovind has called upon the Czech Republic to partner with India in its national programs like Make In India, Digital India and Start-up India.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1.  Facebook to build the first Asian data centre in Singapore : According to Facebook, it will pour in more than USD 1.4 billion to construct its first data centre in Singapore (first in Asia).It will be located at Tanjong Kling (formerly known as Data Centre Park) in the west of Singapore, will span 170,000 sq m.The facility was expected to open in 2022 depending on the speed of construction.Facebook has number of data centres in the United States as well as Ireland and Sweden, and it is building a facility in Denmar

SPORTS:

1. Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore rewards Govindan Lakshamanan with Rs 10 lakh : The Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has rewarded Indian athlete Govindan Lakshamanan with 10 lakhs to encourage the athlete to keep doing the hard work and strive for the medals.Earlier, Lakshamanan (long distance) runner's performance in the 10,000 metres race in which he was dramatically disqualified after finishing third.

Daily GK Updates - 6th September, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 6th edition of Bengaluru Space Expo inaugurated : ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) Chairman Dr.K Sivan has inaugurated the 6th edition of the biennial Bengaluru Space Expo.The Indian Space Research Organisation wants to offer manufacturing of PSLV and small satellite launch vehicles along with small satellites to private industries.Sum of 10,400 crore rupees is earmarked for manufacturing of PSLV launch vehicle out of which 9000 crore rupees worth production will be given to private industries.

2. SC decriminalises homosexuality, partly strikes down Section 377 : The Supreme Court partly struck down Section 377, the penal provision which criminalised gay sex.The Court termed part of IPC's Section 377, which criminalises consensual unnatural sex, irrational, indefensible and manifestly arbitrary.The Supreme Court, other aspects of Section 377 dealing with unnatural sex with animals and children remain in force.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Dr Poonam Singh nominated for 2nd term as Regional Director WHO South-East Asia : Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh unanimously re-elected as Regional Director for another five-year termbeginning February 2019.The elections were held at the ongoing regional committee meeting of WHO South-East Asia.Dr Singh is the first woman to have been elected to the position of Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region after an illustrious career in the Indian civil service, World Bank and WHO.

2. India-US 2 plus 2 dialogue underway in New Delhi : The first ever India-US two plus two dialogue is underway in New Delhi. Sushma Swaraj (External Affairs Minister) and Nirmala Sitharaman (Defence Minister) are holding the dialogue with Michael Pompeo (US Secretary of State) and James Mattis (US Defence Secretary).Issues like enhancing trade, ways to counter terrorism and India's concerns over the Trump administration's decision to make changes to the H1B visa programme will be the focus of the talk.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. NABARD sanctioned Rs. 335 Crore to West Bengal : The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 335 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) to West Bengal.The fund would be used for 158 minor irrigation projects and 23 flood protection projects.

DEFENCE:

1.  IAF & French Airforce Conduct basic training in India : Indian Air Force (IAF) has participated in Exercise Pitch Black 2018 at Darwin, Australia.Sixteen different nations from across the globe, including French Air Force (FAF) participated in this exercise.On the return leg, Rafale fighter aircraft and transport aircraft of FAF staged through Air Force Station, Gwalior and Air Force Station, Agra from 01 – 04 Sep 18

SPORTS:

1. Indian Shooter Om Prakash bags gold at ISSF World Championship : Indian Shooter Om Prakash Mitharwal  picked up his maiden gold medal at the International Shooting Sport Federation World Championships in Changwon, South Korea.He claimed the gold medal in the 50 metres pistol event.

Daily GK Updates - 5th September, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Arif Alvi elected new Pakistan president : Dr. Arif Alvi (69-year) defeated Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Aitzaz Ahsan and Maulana Fazl ur Rehman (Pakistan Muslim League-N nominee) to become the 13th president of Pakistan(take the oath of the office on September 9.)Alvi received 212 votes of the 430 votes cast via a secret ballot in the National Assembly and Senate.In 1981, he was Chairman of the first Pakistan International Dental Conference and was elected Chairman of the 28th Asia Pacific Dental Congress.

2.  5th September: National Teachers' Day : Teachers' Day is being celebrated throughout the country on the birthday (5th September 1888) of educationist and former President Bharat Ratna Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.Dr. Radhakrishnan was India's first vice president and second president.Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu gave away the National Awards to 45 Teachers in New Delhi, on the occasion of Teachers' day.The award is given as public recognition to meritorious teachers working in primary, middle and secondary schools.

3. Suresh Prabhu launches Technology Initiatives for Coffee Stakeholders : The union minister Suresh Prabhu has launched Coffee Connect - India coffee field force app and Coffee KrishiTharanga - digital mobile extension services for coffee stakeholders at a function.The mobile app Coffee Connect has been developed to ease the work of field functionaries and to improve the work efficiency.The objective of the Coffee KrishiTharanga services to provide customized information and services to increase productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability.

4. Piyush Goyal along with CM Yogi launches official website of Kumbh Mela :Piyush Goyal (Rail Minister) along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the official website of Kumbh Mela, 2019 in Lucknow.The website  kumbh.gov.in provides detail about location, trains, accessibility, weather and accommodations which will be a great help for pilgrims.

5. India to generate 100 GW solar energy by 2022 : According to Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, demand for energy will increase due to rapid development taking place in India.Fossil fuel is not going to last forever and therefore there is a need for renewable energy.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indo-Kazakhstan Joint Exercise KAZIND 2018 : Indo-Kazakhstan Joint Army Exercise 'KAZIND' will be conducted between the two countries in Otar region, Kazakhstan (10 – 23rd Sep 2018)This is the third joint military exercise between the two countries which have a history of extensive cooperation in the defence arena.The objective of the exercise is to build and promote bilateral Army to Army relations and exchange skills and experiences between Kazakhstan Army and the Indian Army.

2. International Aviation Summit held in New Delhi : The Union Minister for Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu has inaugurated the International Aviation Summit in New Delhi, India.The seminar has been jointly organised by the Airports Authority of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation and International Air Transport Association (IATA).

3. Typhoon Jebi leaves trail of destruction across Japan : In Japan the worst storm ‘Typhoon Jebi’ to hit the country in 25 years.jebi has left a trail of destruction across the west of the country, hitting major cities like Kyoto and Osaka. Evacuation advisories have been issued for more than 1.2 million people.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1.Young Indian shuttlers win titles in Ukraine : Young Indian shuttlers clinched the mixed doubles and men's doubles titles at the RSL Kharkiv International challenge in Kharkiv, Ukraine.The duo of Anoushka Parikh and Saurabh Sharma defeated Poland's Pawel Smilowski and Magdalena Swierczynska, in the mixed doubles summit clash.The pair of Krishna Prasad Garaga and Dhruv Kapila outwitted Germany's Daniel Hess and Johannes Pistorius 21-19 21-16 in Men's Doubles event.

OBITUARIES:

1. Noted Gujarati author, journalist & poet Bhagwati Kumar Sharma passes away : Noted Gujarati author, journalist and poet Bhagwati Kumar Sharma (84-year) passed away in Surat.Shri Bhagwati Kumar Sharma had received Sahitya Academy award for his Gujarati novel Ashuryalok.Mr Sharma received Gujarati literature awards Ranjitram suvarna chandrak and Kumar paritoshik.He was also honoured by Gujarat Gaurav award, Sahitya Ratna award and Vali Gujarati Ghazal Puraskar.