Daily GK Updates - 9th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi unveiled a statue of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram in Rohtak, Haryana : Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 64-Feet tall statue of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram (messiah of farmers) at Sampla in Rohtak district, Haryana.PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of the Rail Coach Repair Factory at Badhi in Sonepat district.Prime Minister also visited the museum set up in memory of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram which depicts and gives glimpses of his life.

2. EC establishing 500 pink booths in Madhya Pradesh for the assembly election : According to an official of election commission, the Madhya Pradesh election commission will establish 500 pink booths in the state for the assembly election.These polling booths will run by only women officers and workers.Elections will be held on 28th November and counting will be held on 11th December 2018.Similarly, only disabled employees will ensure election process at 20 to 25 polling stations of the state.

3. Jharkhand to become partner state at Goa International Film Festival : Jharkhand state has become the partner state at 2018 Goa International Film Festival to showcase its culture and favourable filmmaking incentives.This year Goa International Film Festival from 20th to 28th of November.It was also decided to organize Jharkhand Film Festival, under Indian Panorama, in two towns of Jharkhand in the first month of 2019.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.William Nordhaus & Paul Romer win 2018 Nobel prize for economics : The 2018 Nobel prize for economics has been awarded to William Nordhaus and Paul Romer of the United States for their work on sustainable growth.The research of the two US economists focuses on how climate change and technology have affected the economy.Prof Nordhaus (from Yale University) was the first person to create a model that described the interplay between the economy and the climate

2. World Post Day is being observed today : World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9th October, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern.It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969.Since then, countries around the world participate annually in the celebrations.

3. Srinivasan Swamy becomes the new chairman of International Advertising Association : Indian advertising veteran and RK Swamy Hansa Group chairman Srinivasan Swamy took over as the new chairman of the International Advertising Association (IAA).He is the first Indian to hold the prestigious seat at the 80-year old institution, which is considered the world's most influential network of marketing and communication leaders.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1.  IMF predicts 7.3% growth rate for India in the current fiscal year : International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts a growth rate of 7.3% for India in 2018 and 7.4% in 2019. In China, growth is projected to 6.6% in 2018 and 6.2 % in 2019.In 2017, India had recorded a 6.7 per cent growth rate.According to IMF study, Gender diversity is likely to boost productivity growth including in countries like India, because women bring new skills to the workplace.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.  The Union Govt. decides to start issuing Sovereign Gold Bonds 2018-19 from this month : The union govt. in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds 2018-19.The Sovereign Gold Bonds will be issued every month from October 2018 to February 2019.The 2018-19 Series II tranche will be issued on 23rd of this month and the period of Subscription is 15th to 19th of this month.

SPORTS:

1.Asian Para Games: Ekta Bhyan wins club throw gold for India : Ekta Bhyan won India's fourth gold at the Asian Para Games by topping the women's club throw event in Jakarta.Bhyan produced her best throw of 16.02m in her fourth attempt to win the F32/51 event.Bhyan had come into the competition on the back of a gold in the Indian Open Para Athletics Championship earlier this year.India also secured three bronze medals courtesy Jayanti Behera, Anandan Gunasekaran and Monu Ghangas.

Daily GK Updates - 8th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi inaugurates Uttarakhand investors summit : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the first Uttarakhand Investors Summit in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.All the leading business firms and industrial houses participated in the two-day event to explore investment opportunities in the hill state in 12 major sectors, including tourism and hospitality. Uttarakhand has already received investment proposals worth over Rs 70,000 crore during the run-up to the event.

2.  Sumitra Mahajan inaugurated Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference of Indian Region in Guwahati : Sumitra Mahajan (Lok Sabha Speaker) formally inaugurated the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPA) of Indian Region (Zone III) in Guwahati, Assam.The Executive Committee meeting of the Conference is being held tonight.Speakers and Deputy Speakers of state assemblies and MPs from the North-East states are taking part in the conference.

3. The exhibition “Revisiting Gandhi: The Art of Shelly Jyoti” : The Union Minister of Textiles Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani has inaugurated the exhibition “Revisiting Gandhi: The Art of Shelly Jyoti” at IGNCA, New Delhi.The exhibition organized as part of Gandhi Parv realizes what Gandhi inspired and put into action, self-ransformation, with the ultimate goal of the total transformation of society.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. President Ram Nath Kovind in Tajikistan on a three-day visit : President Ram Nath Kovind has reached Tajikistan on a three-day visit to Central Asian Country.He will meet his Tajik counterpart Emamoli Rahmon.Kovind will also visit the Tajik National University where he will deliver an address on 'Countering Radicalization: Challenges in Modern Societies'.He will address the members of the Indian diaspora in Tajikistan during his three-day visit.

2. Bilateral Maritime Exercise between Japan and India to Commence at Visakhapatnam : The Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), Escort Flotilla-4 (CCF-4) and Inazuma – a Guided Missile Destroyer arrived at Visakhapatnam to participate in the third edition of Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) with the ships of Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy (IN).JIMEX-18 is aimed to enhance interoperability, improve understanding and imbibe the best practices of each other.The Indian Navy (IN) will be represented by three indigenously designed and built warships and a Fleet Tanker.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE:

1. Indian Air Force celebrates the 86th anniversary : Air Force Day 2018 is being observed annually on 8th October across India.Today, the Indian Air Force is celebrating its 86th Anniversary.The Indian Air Force has displayed various Aircraft at Air Force Station Hindan air base near Delhi with parade and air display.

SPORTS:

1. Keerthana Pandian wins girls' title in IBSF World U-16 Snooker Championships : India's Keerthana Pandian has won the girls' title in the IBSF World Under-16 Snooker Championships, in St Petersburg, Russia. Keerthana outclassed her Belarussian rival Albina Leschuk 3-1.

2.  India wins Under-19 Asia Cup 2018 title : India beat Sri Lanka by 144 runs to clinch the Under-19 Asia Cup 2018 title (7th edition) in Dhaka, Bangladesh.I ndia outplayed Sri Lanka in all departments by first scoring an imposing 304 for 3 after skipper Prabh Simran Singh won the toss and elected to bat. For his consistency (318 runs in the tournament), Jaiswal was adjudged man-of-the-tournament.

OBITUARIES:

1.  Gandhian Natwar Thakkar passes away : Noted Gandhian, Natwar Thakkar (86-years) passed away in a private hospital after a brief illness in Guwahati.Mr.  Thakkar (Padma Shri awardee) hailed from Maharashtra but made Nagaland his home ever since he had landed in the state in 1955.Thakkar had founded the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram at Chuchuyimlan

Daily GK Updates - 7th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Country’s biggest skill competition ‘India Skills 2018’ concludes : The country’s biggest skill competition, ‘India Skills 2018′ has concluded in New Delhi. The 164 winners were awarded by Minister of State for Skill Development and   Entrepreneurship Anant Kumar Hegde. India Skills 2018 was the second edition of the nationwide competition organized by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to identify, recognize, promote and reward the best talents in various skills.

2. Srinivasan Swamy appointed as chairman of International Advertising Association : Srinivasan Swamy, chairman of marketing communications firm RK Swamy Hansa Group, has been unanimously elected as the chairman and world president of International Advertising Association, for a period of two years.He takes over the reins from legendary advertising professional Felix Tataru from Romania. He becomes the first Indian to hold the position.

3. Sudha Menon’s Book “Feisty At Fifty” Released : The book “Feisty At Fifty” authored by Sudha Menon, was released at the Pune International Literary Festival recently. It has been published by Pan Macmillan India. The books speaks about different phases of a woman’s life

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India-Japan maritime exercise commences at Visakhapatnam : JIMEX-18, a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Japan, began in Visakhapatnam. The nine-day event is aimed at enhancing inter-operability, improving understanding and imbibing the best practices of each other.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Flipkart Forays Into Insurance With Bajaj Allianz : E-commerce major Flipkart has partnered Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to offer customised insurance solutions to power its mobile phone protection programme for all leading mobile phone brands that are sold on its platform.Under the programme, it will offer both cash payout option or free pick up, service and drop convenience to customers.The insurance offering will be available from October 10, the start of Flipkart’s The Big Billion Days (TBBD).

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBI approved formation of ‘Kerala Bank’ having Rs 650 bn in deposits : BI approved the proposal of Kerala government for the formation of Kerala Bank. RBI approved formation of ‘Kerala Bank’ having Rs 650 bn in deposits. The decision was taken by special task force headed by Chairman M S Sriram. The bank will be formed by consolidating State Cooperative Bank and the 14 district cooperatives.It will have a net deposit amount of Rs 650 billion. It will provide modern facilities to the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS). The unification will be completed by March 2019.

2. Government appoints former Canara Bank MD Rakesh Sharma as IDBI MD : The government appointed former Canara Bank managing director Rakesh Sharma as head of IDBI Bank for a period of six months.This comes after the tenure of B Sriram who was appointed as the chief executive of IDBI Bank for three months ended in September 2018.

SPORTS:

1. India beat Sri Lanka to lift U-19 Asia Cup trophy : India clinched the Under-19 Asia Cup, beating Sri Lanka by 144 runs in the final. This is India’s sixth title in seven editions of the U-19 continental tournament.India and Sri Lanka both came into the final as unbeaten but it was India who kept the winning streak going.

2. Lewis Hamilton wins Japanese Grand Prix : Lewis Hamilton won the Japanese Grand Prix in a Mercedes one-two to take a 67-point lead in the Formula One hampionship. Finland’s Valtteri Bottas secured the Mercedes one-two with second place while Verstappen finished third.

Daily GK Updates - 6th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Justice Surya Kant sworn in as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh HC : Justice Surya Kant sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.He was administered the oath of office by Governor Acharya Devvrat in a ceremony held at Raj Bhawan.

2.  S Railway becomes unmanned level crossing free zone : The Southern Railway has become Unmanned Level Crossing (UMLC) Free Zone, eliminating over 1,000 such level crossings.Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai Divisions became UMLC free during the first quarter of the current year.The elimination of all 1054 UMLCs was done by offering alternate modes of crossing the track by the provision of subways, diversion to adjacent manned level crossings, subways, the road under bridges and outright closure due to low road traffic.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Pankaj Sharma appointed India’s Ambassador to UN conference on disarmament : Pankaj Sharma has been appointed as the ambassador and India’s permanent representative to the United Nations Conference on Disarmament (UNCD) in Geneva, Switzerland.Mr Sharma will replace Amandeep Gill.Currently, He is the joint secretary (Disarmament and International Security Division) in the Ministry of External Affairs.

2. Denis Mukwege & Nadia Murad win 2018 Nobel Peace Prize : Nadia Murad (Human rights activist- Yazidi-Kurdish) and Denis Mukwege (Physician) have won 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.Murad was captured by ISIS militants in 2014 and has spoken out about the abuse she suffered at their hands.In November 2017 Murad published her story in The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State.Mukwege has spent his life working with victims of sexual violence in The Democratic Republic of the Congo.

3.  India moves up to 28th rank in govt e-payment adoption : India's overall ranking on the government's adoption of e-payments has moved up to 28th in 2018 (36^th in 2011).The country holds the top ranking on B2G and G2B transactions and comes third on C2G transactions jointly with Argentina.Norway leads the pack in the 73-country ranking, followed by France and Denmark.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Govt appoints Rakesh Sharma as IDBI chief : The union government has appointed Rakesh Sharma as managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of IDBI Bank for a period of six month.Mr. Sharma is the former MD and CEO of Canara Bank (till July 2018) and was among the few bankers hired in 2015 from the private sector to lead big state-run banks.He will have the task of ensuring a smooth transfer of majority ownership from the government to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).

DEFENCE:

1. India & Russia seal USD 5 Billion S-400 missile air defence deal : India and Russia seal defense deal of USD 5 billion for S-400 air defence system deal during the annual bilateral summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House.The two countries are also expected to seal the number of pacts in key sectors such as space and energy.India wants to procure the long-range missile systems to tighten its air defence mechanism, particularly along the nearly 4,000-km-long Sino-India border.

SPORTS:

1. Sultan of Johor Cup Junior Men's Hockey tournament begins in Malaysia :The Sultan of Johor Cup Junior Men's Hockey tournament 2018 (eighth edition) begins in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.This is the tournament in which a total of six teams will compete for the title.United States (competed previously) is not taking part this year, replaced by New Zealand.

2. Youth Olympic Games 2018 begins in Argentina : The 3rd Youth Olympic Games has officially begun at Buenos Aires, Argentina. (6 to 18 October 2018) India is represented with a contingent of 68 members will compete in 13 sports during the prestigious event.Indian sport shooter Manu Bhaker (16-years) is leading the Indian team in the opening ceremony as the flag-bearer of the Indian contingent for the games.With over 200 countries taking part, the event marks the start of young athletes’ career before they go on to bigger and better things.The event will see thousands of athletes (aged 15-18) compete in various categories.

Daily GK Updates - 5th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.India’s first dolphin research centre to come up soon in Patna : The National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC), India’s and Asia’s first, would be set up in Patna (Bihar).The NDRC is likely to be set up next month on the banks of the Ganga river in the Patna University premises.It will play an important role in strengthening conservation efforts and research to save the endangered mammal.

2.The Union Cabinet approves Bhopal & Indore Metro Rail Project : The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved implementation of Bhopal Metro Rail Project and Indore Metro Rail Project. Bhopal Metro Rail Project comprising two corridors of total length 27.87 Km, Karond Circle to AIIMS (14.99 Km) and Bhadbhada Square to RatnagiriTiraha (12.88 Km).Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Co Ltd. (MPMRCL) has been constituted for implementation of the Bhopal Metro Rail Project. Bhopal Metro Rail Project will be partly from GoI and GoMP on an equal equity basis and partly as a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

3.Assam govt to provide 1 lakh shallow tube wells to farmers :  According to the Assam’s Agriculture Director M S Manivannan, the state government will provide 1 lakh shallow tube wells to small and marginal farmers to help in irrigating farmland.11 thousand solars, 60 thousand diesel and 30 thousand electric shallow tube wells to be distributed within this year.These shallow tube wells would help in irrigating farmland.The Assam government decided to give the premium of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna on behalf of the farmers.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Indian International Science Festival begins in Lucknow : A four-day Indian International Science Festival (IISF)2018 has started at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh).The theme of this year's festival is ‘science for transformation’.Around ten thousand scientists and experts, including science teachers and students, are participating in the event.IISF 2018 is being organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences in association with Vijnana Bharati.The 1st IISF was held at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) New Delhi in December 2015.

2. 5th October: World Teachers’ Day : The World Teachers’ Day (WTD) 2018 is being observed across the world on 5th October (since 1994) to honors educator's associations around the world.For 2018, the UNESCO adopted the theme: "The right to education means the right to a qualified teacher.”According to UNESCO, World Teachers' Day represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding, and appreciation displayed for the vital contributions that teachers make to education and development.

3. Sanjay Verma appointed as India's Ambassador to Spain : According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Senior diplomat Sanjay Verma (Indian Foreign Service officer -1990) has been appointed as India's Ambassador to Spain.Currently, He is Additional Secretary in the ministry.Arindam Bagchi (IFS official -1995 batch) has been appointed as the next Indian Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBI allows state-owned oil companies to borrow long-term working capital from overseas :  The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed state-owned oil companies to borrow long-term working capital from overseas.RBI relaxed the policy on borrowing up to 10 billion US dollar from the overseas by the state-owned fuel retailers.Earlier, oil marketing companies including Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd, were not allowed to raise external commercial commercial borrowing (ECB) for working capital needs on a long-term basis.

2.Chanda Kochhar quits ICICI Bank : ICICI Bank managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) Chanda Kochhar (56-year) quit the bank. She quit the post six months before her current tenure was to end (31^stMarch 2019).ICICI Bank board has elevated Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sandeep Bakhshi as the new managing director and CEO for five years (until 3rd October 2023). There are allegations of involvement of Kochhar and her family members in a loan provided to Videocon group on a quid pro quo basis borrowing (ECB) for working capital needs on a long-term basis.

SPORTS:

1. Manipur clinch Women’s National Football Championship crown : Manipur claimed victory in the final of the 24th Senior Women's National Football Championships, defeating Odisha (hosts) in the summit clash by a 2-1 margin, at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha.The result marked the 19th occasion that the state from the northeast of India won the trophy.

Daily GK Updates - 4th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Swachh Survekshan Grameen awards 2018 announced : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the top-ranked State, District, and State with maximum citizen participation based on the National Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018 at Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre in New Delhi.Haryana state was ranked as the best State while Satara District (Maharashtra) was ranked as the best district as per the ranking undertaken by Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018.

2. 2nd IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting and 2nd ‘Global RE-Invest’ Meet and Expo : Both event is also inaugurated with the side line of first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi.The Government of Haryana announced solar award in partnership with ISA in memory of Kalpana Chawla.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Arnold, Smith, Winter win 2018 Nobel Chemistry Prize : Two American scientists (Frances Arnold & George Smith) and a British researcher (Gregory Winter) have won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for evolution research.Arnold (California Institute of Technology) was recognized for performing the first-ever "directed evolution" of enzymes.George P. Smith (University of Missouri, Columbia, USA) and Sir Gregory P. Winter (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK) for the phage display of peptides and antibodies.The scientists have been awarded for harnessing the principles of evolution to develop proteins used to make everything from biofuels to pharmaceuticals.The award is presented in Stockholm at an annual ceremony on 10^thDecember, the anniversary of Nobel's death.

2. 4^th October: World Animal Day : The World Animal Day is celebrated annually on 4^th October to raise the status of animals in order to improve welfare standards around the globe.The World Animal Day was originated by Heinrich Zimmermann, organized the first World Animal Day on 24 March 1925 at the Sports Palace in Berlin, Germany.

3. Russian President Vladimir Putin reached New Delhi : Russian President Vladimir Putin reached New Delhi on a two-day visit to India.During the visit, several agreements are expected to be signed after the talks between PM Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind.Mr. Putin will also address the India-Russia Business Summit and interact with a group of talented children.In May 2018, Mr. Modi had traveled to Russian coastal city of Sochi for an informal summit with Mr Putin during which they discussed a range of crucial issues.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. The union Cabinet hikes MSP of Rabi crops : According to Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all Rabi crops for the current financial year.The MSP of wheat has been raised by 105 rupees per quintal, Safflower by 845 rupees per quintal, Barley by 30 rupees a quintal, Masur by 225 per quintal, Gram by 220 per quintal & rapeseed and mustard by 200 rupees per quintal.The decision will give additional return to the farmers of 62,635 crore rupees by way of increasing the MSP of notified crops to at least 50% return over cost of production.

2.  GST collection rises to Rs 94,442 crore in September : GST Revenue collection has gone up last month and shows an upward trend as compared to August this year.It has crossed Rs 94,000 crore compared to Rs. 93,690 crores in August this year.The total gross GST revenue collected in September is Rs. 94,442 crores & Central GST of Rs. 15,318 crores.State GST is 21,061 crore rupees while Integrated GST is over Rs. 50 ,000 crore.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. SIDBI launches a national level entrepreneurship awareness campaign : Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has launched a six-days national level entrepreneurship awareness campaign ‘Udyam Abhilasha’ in 115 aspirational districts, identified by NITI Aayog in 28 States reaching to around 15,000 youth.SIDBI will join to contribute to the transformation mission unleashed for the districts.It would create and strengthen cadre of more than 800 trainers to provide entrepreneurship training to the aspiring youths, encouraging them to enter the admired segment of entrepreneurs.SIDBI is the principal financial institution for the promotion, financing and development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise sector.

Daily GK Updates - 3rd October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. National Khadi Festival 2018 inaugurated : A month-long National Khadi Festival 2018 has been inaugurated on 2 Oct 2018, by Union MSME minister, Shri Giriraj Singh.The fest is being organized by Khadi and Village Industries Commission at Mumbai.Various types of Khadi products of different states would be available at the festival.Around 100 institutions from all over of the country are participating in the exhibition.

2. N. Ravi elected as PTI chairman : N. Ravi, Publisher and former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, was unanimously elected Chairman of the Press Trust of India (PTI).Mr. Ravi succeeds Viveck Goenka, chairman and managing director of the Express Group.Also, Vijay Kumar Chopra, Chief Editor of the Punjab Kesari Group of newspapers, was elected as Vice-Chairman.

3. Justice Ranjan Gogoi sworn in as 46th CJI : Justice Ranjan Gogoi was sworn-in as the 46th Chief Justice of India on 3 October 2018.He was administered the oath by President Ram Nath Kovind.CJI Ranjan Gogoi is the first Chief Justice of India from the north-east and his tenure will end in November 2019.Justice Gogoi started his career as a Permanent Judge of the Gauhati High Court in February 2001.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Mount Soputan erupts in Indonesia : Indonesia’s Mount Soputan volcano erupts on the tsunami-hit island of Sulawes.The authorities raised the volcano’s status to Level III of the four-level national alert system.It is about 1,000 km from the town of Palu where a 7.5 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami.Indonesia is situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where frequent quakes and volcanic activity strikes.

2. PM Modi received UNEP Champions of the Earth : PM Narendra Modi received the United Nations highest environmental honour, the UNEP Champions of the Earth award at New Delhi.The award is presented by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.The award was announced on 26th Sept, on the sidelines of 73rd UN GA in New York.The annual prize is awarded to leaders from government whose actions had a positive impact on the environment.

3. Japan space probe launched new robot : A Japanese probe launched a new observation robot towards an asteroid.The Hayabusa2 probe launched the French-German Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout (MASCOT), towards the Ryugu asteroid’s surface.MASCOT’s launch comes after the Hayabusa2 dropped a pair of MINERVA-II micro-rovers on the Ryugu asteroid.MASCOT can take images at multiple wavelengths and measure magnetic fields.

5. Stamps on International Day of Non-Violence : The UN postal agency issued a new collection of stamps in commemoration of the International Day of Non-violence, marked on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary.Stamps feature artisticinterpretation of ‘The Knotted Gun’, an iconic global sculpture.The sculpture was created by the Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswrd as a tribute to  Beatles member John Lennon after his murder.

6. Barham Salih as new president of Iraq : Iraq’s Parliament has elected a veteran Kurdish Politician Barham Salih as the country’s new President.Salih is a former prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government.He has named Shiite Adel Abdul Mahdi as Prime Minister of the country.The move will pave the way to form a new government, nearly five months after national elections.

7. Ashkin, Mourou, Strickland won Nobel prize : Scientists Arthur Ashkin, Gerard Mourou and Donna Strickland won the 2018 Nobel Prize for Physics.They were awarded for their work in the field of lasers used for surgery as well as scientific study.Ashkin invented optical “tweezers” that could grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells.Mourou and Strickland separately created the shortest and most powerful laser pulses ever.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. SIDBI launched ‘Udyam Abhilasha’ campaign : Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), had launched a National Level Entrepreneurship Awareness Campaign, Udyam Abhilasha on 2 October 2018.The campaign was launched in 115 Aspirational Districts identified by NITI Aayog.The campaign would create and strengthen cadre of more than 800 trainers to provide entrepreneurship training to the aspiring entrepreneurs.

SPORTS:

1. Lilima to receive Ekalabya Puraskar, 2018 : Hockey player Lilima Minz from Odisha has been selected for the prestigious Ekalabya Puraskar, 2018.The annual award is instituted by the charitable wing of Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys (IMFA) comprises of a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh along with a citation.Ekalabya Puraskar has been instituted to promote literature, sports, the arts, culture, and other socially meaningful activities.

2. Manipur clinch National Football Championship : Manipur claimed victory in the final of the 24th Senior Women’s National Football Championships, defeating hosts Odisha by 2-1.It was the 19th occasion when a state from the northeast of India won the trophy.Manipur captain Bala Devi scored the first goal in the 45th minute.The final match was held at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, Odisha.