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

Daily GK Updates - 27th August, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. A Report on ‘The Urban Commute and How it Contributes to Pollution and Energy’ : Centre for Science and Environment-(CSE) has analysed 14 cities of India in pollution and energy consumption from urban daily commute in a report.Bhopal is on the lowest in overall emissions.Delhi and Hyderabad are at the top of the list.

2. Krishi Kumbh 2018 : UP Government to organise global farmers meet ‘Krishi Kumbh’ on October 26-28.It will incorporate all aspects of rural economy such as agriculture, horticulture, dairy, pisciculture, beekeeping, food processing, animal husbandry.

3. Atal Ji Ne Kaha- A Book : Narendra Modi has launched a book on former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee:-‘Atal Ji Ne Kaha’.It has been written by Brijendra Rehi.

4. India’s first inter state connected wind power project : Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has commissioned the auction for a 126 MW wind power capacity project ((ISTS)) in Bhuj,Gujarat.Ministry of New Renewable Energy or MNRE is a ministry of the Government of India. The ministry is currently headed by R. K. Singh, a Minister of State-In Charge.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indra Nooyi honoured with Asia Game Changer of the Year award 2018 : India-born PepsiCo’s Chairman & CEO Indra Nooyi will be honoured with the 2018 Asia Game Changer of the Year award by global cultural organisation Asia Society.The 2018 Asia Game Changer Awards will be given to the individuals or institutions who have broken barriers and in inspired their fellow citizens of the world.Nooyi would be stepping down as CEO of PepsiCo after 12 years at the helm.

2. Ferrari 250 GTO-Most Expensive Car : The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO was sold for Rs 338 crore.It is the world record for the most expensive car sold at an auction.A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold this weekend at the RM Sotheby’s auction at Monterey, California, for a world record auction price of $US48.4 million ($66m)

3. BeiDou - A Twin navigation satellite : It was launched by China from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.The rocket used for this purpose is Long March-3B carrier carrier used to power navigation and communications satellites into high-altitude orbits

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.  ICICI Bank with Manchester United : ICICI Bank is in agreement with Manchester United to issue a range of co-branded credit and debit card.Bank will offer two types of credit card – Manchester United Platinum Credit Card and Signature Credit Card.

SPORTS:

1. Asian Games 2018 Athletics : Neeraj Chopra won historic javelin gold medal.Dharun Ayyasamy won silver medal in men’s 400m hurdles.Sudha Singh won silver medal in women’s 3000m steeplechase.

Daily GK Updates - 26th August, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. G Satheesh Reddy appointed the chairman of DRDO : The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed Dr G Satheesh Reddy (Scientific Advisor of Defence Minister) as Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development & Chairman of Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) for a period of two years.His appointment will be effective from the date of assumption of charge.DRDO was formed in 1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production with the Defence Science Organisation.

2. U K Varma appointed ASSOCHAM Secretary General : The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has appointed former bureaucrat Uday Kumar Varmaas its new Secretary General.He succeeds DS Rawat.He has extensive administrative experience at the highest levels of administration both in the Madhya Pradesh government and central government.Mr Varma retired from the position of Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India in 2013.

3. 26^th August: Sanskrit Divas : The Sanskrit Divas is observed every year on Shravan Purnima (26^thAugust 2018).The Special functions are being organised in different parts of the country to mark the day.Special programmes and different competitions on Sanskrit are being organised at Lal Bahadur Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth New Delhi.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Sushma Swaraj inaugurates 3rd Indian Ocean Conference in Hanoi : The union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has inaugurated the two- day 3rd Indian Ocean Conference in Hanoi (capital of Vietnam).This conference will serve as a platform to the countries to come closer and exchange better views on the economic & strategic importance of the region and neighbourhood.The theme for the year is “Building Regional Architectures”.This year around 43 countries are participating while 28 ministers and officials are set to address the event.

2. Fourth Asian electoral stakeholder forum (AESF-IV) begins in Colombo : The fourth Asian electoral stakeholder forum (AESF-IV) has begun in Colombo (Sri Lanka) to discuss the state of elections and democracy in the region.The two-day forum is being held for the first time in South Asia with support from the Election Commission of Sri Lanka and the Asian network for free elections (ANFREL).The AESF will be attended by more than 250 delegates from 45 countries.The theme is, 'Advancing Election Transparency and Integrity: Promoting and Defending Democracy Together'.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.  Punjab National Bank gets top rank in digital transaction : According to Punjab National Bank (PNB), a Department of Financial Services report has rated it as number one state-owned bank in terms of digital transactions.The Nirav Modi scam-hit bank is also rated as the sixth overall amongst all banks in India for digital performance.

SPORTS:

1. Tejinder Pal Singh Toor wins a Gold medal in Shot-Put : India's Tejinder Pal Singh Toor (23-year) wins the Gold medal in Men's Shot Put at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.He won the event with an Asian Games record throw of 20.75 meters.It's the eighth men's Shot-Put gold for India in Asian Games history.

OBITUARIES:

1. US Senator John McCain passes away : US Senator John McCain (81-year) passed away after losing a battle with brain cancer.McCain was also a Republican presidential nominee in 2008. A fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, he spent more than five years as a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down.While in the custody he suffered torture that left him with lasting disabilities.

Daily GK Updates - 25th August, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. U K Varma appointed ASSOCHAM Secretary Gen : Industry chamber ASSOCHAM appointed former bureaucrat Uday Kumar Varma as its new Secretary General.He succeeds DS Rawat who held the position for nearly 14 years.Varma retired from the position of Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India on June 30, 2013.

2. A book on Atal Bihari Vajpayee launched : A book on the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has been launched.The title of the book is “Atal Ji Ne Kaha“.The book has been authored and compiled by Brijendra Rehi.The book is a rich repository of the former Prime Minister’s select speeches and photographs besides having three interviews by the author.

3. 1st cruise line service to begin on 1st Oct : The maiden sail of the country’s first luxury cruise line service between Mumbai and Goa will begin on October 1 2018.The Ministry of Shipping is investing Rs 1,000 crore to build a cruise terminal in the Mumbai port area on the east coastline.The name of the cruise liner is ‘Angriya‘ and was build in 1997.

4. WB launches world’s first blockchain bond : The World Bank (WB) has launched a blockchain-only bond.Named bond-i, or Blockchain Offered New Debt Instrument, the bond will be created and managed with distributed ledger technology.The World Bank mandated Commonwealth Bank of Australia to arrange the world’s first blockchain bond.The World Bank bonds carry an AAA rating.

5. Released a report on pollution : Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released a report on air and travel-related pollution loads caused by urban transport.The report, titled “The Urban Commute,” was released on 24th August 2018.The report made an assessment of the 14 most populous cities of India.Among the 14 cities, Bhopal has the lowest particulate matter, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide load.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Sushma Swaraj to visit Vietnam and Cambodia : External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will leave for a four-day visit to Vietnam and Cambodia on 27th August 2018.In Vietnam, the Minister will co-chair the 16th meeting of the Joint Commission along with her Vietnamese counterpart.She will also inaugurate the 3rd edition of the Indian Ocean Conference.It will be the Minister’s first official visit to Cambodia

2. 2nd Protocol Amending CECA Signed : India and Singapore signed the Second Protocol amending the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).The signing of the Second Protocol, amending CECA, will boost bilateral trade between India and Singapore.CECA was the first comprehensive agreement covering trade in goods, services and investments, which India had signed.The CECA was signed on 29th June, 2005.

3. Exercise SCO Peace Mission 2018 begins : Exercise Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Peace Mission 2018, formally started on 24 August 2018 at Chebarkul, Russia.India is participating in the drill for the first time since becoming a full member of the SCO in June 2017.The SCO was established in Shanghai in 2001, with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as founding members.

OTHER UPDATES:

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

1. INS Vikramaditya will be upgraded : INS Vikramaditya is going to be fitted with marine hydraulic system for the first time as part of its upgrade that will give an edge to the air-capable wing of the ship.It is India’s only aircraft carrier.The marine hydraulic systems are used for refuelling, cleaning and pressurization of hydraulic systems of aircraft and helicopters.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Prasar Bharati & Mizzima Media signed MoU : Prasar Bharati and Mizzima Media of Myanmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 24th August 2018.The Agreement will realize cooperation and collaboration in various fields of broadcasting.It also envisions sharing covering a wide range of genres, including culture, entertainment, education, science, news and sports.

SPORTS:

1. Joshna won bronze medal medal in squash : Joshna Chinappa bagged bronze medal in squash women’s singles at the Asian Games 2018 after losing her semi-final tie.She was defeated by Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam.It is the first individual medal for Joshna at the Asian Games.Joshna secured a medal despite losing her match as both the losing semi-finalists in squash get the bronze medal without any bronze medal play-off.

2. Dipika won bronze in women’s squash : India’s squash player Dipika Pallikal won a bronze medal at the Asian Games on August 25, 2018.She was defeated by Malaysia’s Nicole David.Dipika had won a bronze at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.This was her second medal at the Asian Games.

Daily GK Updates - 24th August, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Odisha Cabinet gives approval for LC : The Odisha government approved a proposal for setting up a Legislative Council (LC) in the state.The proposed Legislative Council will have 49 members.As per article 171 clause (1) of the Indian Constitution, the total number of members in the Legislative Council of a state shall not exceed one-third of the total number of the members in the Legislative Assembly of that state.

2. UIDAI makes facial recognition mandatory : UIDAI has made facial recognition mandatory for every authentication that requires Aadhaar.This will come along with the process that identifies an individual based on fingerprints or iris scans.Services like purchasing a new mobile SIM, bank account opening, the public distribution system, which commonly uses Aadhaar authentication will now have to implement this added security feature.

3. NITI Aayog launched 5 Thematic Reports : NITI Aayog released five thematic reports on Sustainable Development in Indian Himalayan Region.The themes include Inventory and Revival of Springs in the Himalayas for Water Security, Sustainable Tourism, Transformative Approach to Shifting Cultivation, Strengthening Skill and Entrepreneurship Landscape in the Himalayas.The reports lists challenges in all 5 thematic areas.

4. Train 18 goes for testing from September : The Indian Railways will start the testing of the indigenously built semi-high speed “Train 18” from September 2018.Train 18 will be the first engine-less train of Indian Railways meant for inter-city travel.It is being manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.Train 18 series will replace existing fleet of the Shatabdi Express trains.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Scott Morrison is Australia’s new PM : Scott Morrison will be Australia’s new Prime Minister.Scott Morrison has served as treasurer since 2015.Scott Morrison will be the sixth politician to serve as the country’s Prime Minister since 2007 after ousting incumbent Malcolm Turnbull.Scott Morrison entered parliament in 2007 and has since held three key ministerial portfolios.

2. NASA will launch laser satellite : NASA will be launching a laser satellite that will measure changes in the heights of Earth’s polar ice to understand what is causing ice sheets to melt fast.The name of the satellite is ‘Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2)‘.ICESat-2 will measure the average annual elevation change of land ice covering Greenland and Antarctica.

3. ‘Mountain Echoes Literature Festival’ began : In Bhutan, the ninth edition of Mountain Echoes Literature Festival began in Thimphu.The festival is an initiative of the India-Bhutan Foundation and India’s leading literary agency, Siyahi.The 2018 edition of the Festival will celebrate 50 years of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. India to grow at 7.5% in 2018, 2019 : According to the Moody’s Investors Service’s report, the Indian economy is expected to grow by about 7.5% in 2018 and 2019.The title of the report is ‘Global Macro Outlook‘ for 2018-19.The economy is expected to be largely resilient to external pressures like those from higher oil prices.India’s GDP grew by 7.7% in the first quarter of 2018-19 financial year.

SPORTS:

1. Jhulan Goswami retires from Twenty20 Int : Jhulan Goswami has announced her retirement from Twenty20 Internationals (T20I).In her T20I career she took 56 wickets from 68 matches at an average of 21.94.She made her T20I debut in August 2006 against England.She is the first woman to take 200 wickets in the 50-over format.

2.Dushyant won bronze medal in rowing : Dushyant Chauhan won the bronze medal in the Men’s Lightweight Single Sculls at the Asian Games in Jakarta.Korea and Hong Kong won the gold and silver medals respectively.Dushyant’s previous international medals for India were silver and a bronze in Italian Regatta Championships in 2014.

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.

Daily GK Updates - 22nd August, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Kaptan Singh to be new Tripura Governor : Incumbent Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki has been named as the new Governor of Tripura.Tathagata Roy, who was appointed as the governor of Tripura in 2015, would be the new Governor of Meghalaya.Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad has been transferred and appointed as the Governor of Sikkim.

2. Odisha to launch Hockey World Cup campaign : Ahead of the 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup Tournament in the state, Odisha government has decided to launch a build-up campaign in 17 cities from August 29, 2018.Odisha is organising the Men’s Hockey World Cup tournament for the first time.The tournament will begin on November 28, 2018, and will continue till December 16, 2018, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

3. NCRB to track plaints on sexual violence : The Government of India has designated National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) as nodal agency for monitoring the complaints received on a government portal that records child sexual violence videos.The NCRB would coordinate with service providers such as Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp ask them to block malicious videos and contents.NCRB is a crime record agency of Government of India.

4. Naya Raipur to be named Atal Nagar : The Government of Chhattisgarh decided to name Naya Raipur, the upcoming capital city of the Chhattisgarh, as ‘Atal Nagar‘ in memory of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.Besides the capital, several other government institutions and projects will be named after Vajpayee.Atal Bihari Vajpayee served three terms as the Prime Minister of India.

6. Satya Pal Malik appointed J&K Governor : Satya Pal Malik is set to become the new Jammu and Kashmir Governor and will replace N N Vohra.At present, Satya Pal Malik is the governor of Bihar.Lal Ji Tandon has been appointed as the Governor of Bihar replacing Malik.Satya Pal Malik will be the first career politician to be appointed as governor of the Jammu and Kashmir.

7. Prez to inaugurate “Int Buddhist Conclave” : The President of India Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate the “International Buddhist Conclave (IBC), 2018” in New Delhi on 23rd August, 2018.The Conclave is being organized by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the State Governments of Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.The theme of the International Buddhist Conclave 2018 is “Buddha Path – The Living Heritage”.

8. Cyclone Warning Centre to be set up in Kerala : The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has announced it will set up a cyclone warning centre in Kerala and boost weather forecasting in the state with another Doppler radar.The new centre will be set up in Thiruvananthapuram.At present, India Meteorological Centre (IMD) has cyclone warning centres only at Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Esala Maha Perehera Festival : Esala Maha Perehera Festival has begun in Kandy ,Sri Lanka.It is one of the oldest Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka, featuring dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers and lavishly decorated elephants. This ritual is performed by carrying the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha through the streets and is considered as one of the most beautiful pageants in Asia.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Reliance Jio tops Fortune list : Reliance Jio has been ranked number one on Fortune’s global list for rapidly expanding access to the Internet.The ‘Change the World’ list, which includes for-profit companies that help tackle social problems, was released on 20th August, 2018.It ranked Jio ahead of pharma giant Merck and Bank of America and Chinese billionaire Jack Ma-led Alibaba.

SPORTS:

1. Rahi Sarnobat won gold in shooting : Rahi Sarnobat won the gold medal in in Women’s 25m Pistol shooting at the Asian Games 2018.She also became the first Indian woman shooter to win an Asian Games gold medal.Sarnobat won bronze in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.In the Commonwealth Games, she has won three medals till date – gold (2010, 2014) and silver (2010).

2. FIFA takes charge of Uruguay FA : Football’s world governing body FIFA has taken control of the Uruguayan Football Association (UFA)The FIFA committee would be responsible for managing the affairs of the UFA through to February 28, 2019 and would revise the organisation’s statues and arrange new elections.Uruguayan football has been in crisis since July 30, after the sudden resignation of its chief.

3. V.V.S. Laxman’s autobiography to be out soon : A book titled ‘281 and Beyond‘, which has been written by VVS Laxman, will be published on 20 November 2018.The title has been borrowed from the match in which he made 281 runs against Australia at the Eden Gardens in 2001.Laxman made his debut for India in 1996 in a Test match.Laxman announced his retirement from international cricket in 2012.

4. Shane Warne to come out with autobiography : Shane Warne will come out with his autobiography “No Spin” in October 2018.The autobiography is written with cricketer and TV presenter Mark Nicholas.Shane Warne is widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers in the history of the game.He played his first Test match in 1992 and took over 1,000 international wickets.