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Monthly GK and Current Affairs Capsule–September 2017

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Monthly GK and Current Affairs Capsule – September 2017

CONTENTS

S. No Topics Page No.

1. Important Days 2

2. Important State Wise National News 3

3. Important Ministry Affairs 10

4. Important Banking & Economy Affairs 15

5. Important International News 24

6. Important Appointments 36

7. Important Awards and Honors 40

8. Important Business News 42

9. Important MoU and Agreements 43

10. Important Schemes, Programs, Conference 53

11. Important Mobile App and Web Portal 55

12 Important Defence News 56

13. Important VIP’s Visit to India 60

14. Important Ranking and Indexes 61

15. Important Science and Technologies News 61

16. Important Sports News 61

17. Important Obituaries 69

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IMPORTANT DAYS 02nd September: World Coconut Day Theme – Coconut for Family Nutrition, Health and Wellness 04th September: World Chocolate Day 05th September: National Teachers Day 05th September: International Day of Charity 07th September: World Forgiveness Day 08th September: International Literacy Day Theme – Literacy in a digital world 10th September: World Suicide Prevention Day Theme – Take a minute, change a life 12th September: United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation 13th September: World First Aid Day 14th September: World Fraternity and Apology Day 14th September: Hindi Day 15th September: International Day of Democracy Theme – Democracy and Conflict prevention 15th September: Engineers Day Theme – Role of Engineers in a developing India 16th September: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer Theme – Caring for all life under Sun 20th September: International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 20th September: RPF Foundation day 21st September: Alzheimer’s Day Theme - Dementia: Can we reduce the risk? 21st September: International Day of Peace Theme – Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All 22nd September: World Cancer Free Day or Rose Day 23rd September: International Day of the Deaf 26th September: World Contraception Day, 27th September: World Tourism Day Theme – Sustainable Tourism – a Tool for Development 28th September: International Day for Universal Access to Information, 28th September: World Rabies Day Theme – Rabies: Zero by 30 28th September: World Maritime Day Theme – Connecting Ships, Ports and People 29th September: World Heart Day 29th September: World Heart Day






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Theme- Creating Heart Healthy Environments 29th September: World Coffee Day 30th September: International Translation Day Theme – Translation and Diversity 30th September: International Translation Day 30th September: World Deaf Day

STATE WISE NEWS Andhra Pradesh

State – Andhra Pradesh; Capital – Amaravati; CM – N. ChandrababuNaidu; Governor – E S L Narashiman Andhra Pradesh CM Chandra babuNaidu announced scheme forbrides of poor families • Andhra Pradesh ChiefMinister N. ChandrababuNaidu announcedthe launch of PelliKanuka(marriage gift), a schemeaimed at helping families ofbrides belonging to the poorand disadvantaged sectionsof society. • Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu declared the year of 2017 as e-Pragati year • Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu declared the year of 2017 as e-Pragati year. The flagship program will help the government to make real-time governance.The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Andhra Pradesh Sports Policy 2017.

Assam State – Assam; Capital – Dispur; CM – Sarbananda Sonowal; Governor – Banwarilal Purohit Assam govt sets up DBT cell for implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer scheme • In Assam, the state govt. has set up a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Cell for implementation of DBT across schemes in the Country. It helps in coordinating efforts at the State Level in taking the DBT initiative forward with immediate effect.It will closely monitor & evaluate the progress of various Departments on DBT related indicators.

Chhattisgarh State – Chhattisgarh; Capital – Raipur, Bilaspur (Judiciary); CM – Raman Singh; Governor - Balram Das Tandon Chhattisgarh: ‘Ye India ka time hai’ event organized at NIT Raipur • ‘Ye India ka time hai’ event was organized at National Institute of Technology, Raipur yesterday evening. The event was held as per the directives of HRD ministry to mark India's 70 years of independence and 75 years of the Quit India movement.AIR correspondent reports that On the occasion of ‘Ye India ka time hai event’, students of NIT Raipur participated in a brainstorming session on 'New India Manthan' and discussed their views on ‘what kind of India do they imagine for the year 2022’.

Delhi New Delhi CM – Arvind Kejriwal; Governor – Anil Baijal Delhi LG Anil Baijal bans dumping of solid waste at Ghazipur • Garbage dumping in Ghazipur has been banned with immediate effect and the landfill site is likely to be cleared within two years, Lt Governor Anil Baijal's office said. A day after a portion of the waste dump, estimated to be as high as a 15-storey building, collapsed, killing two persons, Baijal held a meeting to take stock of the situation.He directed that traffic be diverted on the road adjoining the landfill for proper vehicular movement."National Highways Authority of






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India (NHAI) assured the LG that it will begin the process of lifting, segregating and processing of the solid waste by November 2017, for its use in road construction".

Goa State – Goa; ; Capital – Panaji; CM – ManoharParrikar; Governor - MridulaSinha Goa: CM Parrrikar launches online Public Grievance Redressal System • Goa chief minister ManoharParrrikar launched an online Public Grievance Redressal System at the state secretariat. It is a single window online portal for citizens to register grievances towards any state government department.

Gujarat State – Gujarat; Capital –Ahmedabad; CM – Vijay Rupani; Governor – Om PrakashKohli President of India – Ram NathKovind Ram NathKovindlaid the foundation stone of the second phase of SAUNI Yojana • President Ram NathKovindlaid the foundation stone of the second phase of link IV pipeline canal of Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana in Rajkot, Gujarat.The Scheme aimed to fill up about 115 dams by the overflowing waters of SardarSarovar Dam on Narmada River. The entire project will benefit more than 2 lakh acres of farm land and more than 900 villages of 7 districts of Saurashtra.The first phases of link I, II, and III of the SAUNI Project have been inaugurated by Prime Minister NarendraModi. The project is aimed at bringing the waters of Narmada River to the reservoirs of parched Saurashtra region. President Kovind was on a two- day visit to Gujarat. Gujarat government launches ‘Gyankunj Project ‘in schools • Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has launched “Gyakunj e-class project” from Shahpur primary school in GandhinagarUnder this initiative, interactive e-class will be launched with smart board. In the first phase, 550 schools will be covered under the ‘Gyankunj Project’ and gradually standard 5th to 9th of every schools of the state will cover under the project. ’Gyankunj Project’ covers under total worth of Rs. 35.85 crore. The objective of the project is to produce world-class students. The project is launched at expenditure of Rs. 222,000/- per school. India’s First Lithium-Ion Battery Unit in Gujarat • Suzuki Motor will invest more thanRs 1,150 crorealong with Japanese partners Toshiba and Denso to set up India's first lithium-ion battery facility in Gujarat.The announcement by the parent of the country's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki is a major boost to the government's ambitious vehicle electrification and Make in India initiatives. In the battery venture, Suzuki will hold half the stake, while Toshiba will own 40% and Denso the remaining 10%. Japan PM Shinzo Abe in Ahmedabad for India-Japan Annual Summit • Prime Minister NarendraModi received his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe at Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Mr. Abe is in India on a two-day visit to attend the India-Japan annual summit meeting.The 12th edition of the summit will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The two leaders will review the recent progress in the multifaceted co-operation between India and Japan under the framework of their ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’. They will also attend a function to mark the commencement of work of India’s first high-speed rail project between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Useful Info Country – Japan Capital – Tokyo Currency – Japanese Yen






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Shinzo Abe Gujarat Visit: India's First Bullet Train Project Inaugurated • Prime Minister NarendraModi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe laid the foundation stone of the 508-km long Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail in Ahmedabad. This is the fourth summit meeting between Modi and Abe.The two leaders visited the Sabarmati Ashram after Abe’s arrival in Gujarat. The Japanese Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to Gujarat. He will also attend the 12th Indo-Japan Summit. PM Modi inaugurates country's biggest dam, SardarSarovar Dam, Called 'Gujarat's Lifeline' • Prime Minister NarendraModi launched the SardarSarovar Dam - the world's second biggest - on the river Narmada in Gujarat.The 1.2-km-long dam, which is 163 metres deep, will irrigate over 18 lakh hectares in the state, according to officials; the water from Narmada will flow into over 9,000 villages through a canal network, SardarSarovar Nigam Limited (SSNL).After inaugurating the dam, PM Modi will head to Sadhu Bet, an island in the river Narmada where a 182-metre-tall statue of SardarVallabhbhai Patel - called the 'Statue of Unity'. Dharmendra Pradhan to host first LPG Panchayat in Gandhinagar • Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas DharmendraPradhan will inaugurate one of the ambitious programmes of the Centre — LPG Panchayat, aimed at encouraging rural communities to turn to clean fuel.The Centre plans to organise one lakh LPG Panchayats across the country, where discussions will take place between officials of fuel companies and villagers on awareness and uses of the LPG. The First LPG Panchayat will be held in Gandhinagar, where Pradhan will preside over the interaction between women using LPG under the PradhanMantriUjjawalaYojana (PMUY) and the companies.According to data shared by the oil marketing companies, so far three crore connections have been allotted under the PMUY against the target of five crore by 2019. Useful Info Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas - DharmendraPradhan Constituency – RajyaSabha, Bihar Kandla Port Renamed as Deendayal Port • The Kandla Port, one of the top 12 major ports in the country, has been renamed as Deendayal Port in the name of Hindutva icon Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. Kandla Port, located on the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, is one of the twelve major ports in the country

Himachal Pradesh State – Himachal Pradesh; Capital – Shimla; CM – Virbhadra Singh; Governor - AcharyaDevVrat Himachal Pradesh, First State to Launch Electric Bus Service in India • The Himachal Pradesh government on launched first-of-its-kind electric bus service in the 51km-long stretch road between Manali and Rohtang Pass. The bus service was flagged off by State Transport Minister GS Bali.The move was made amidst concern over increasing environmental degradation in the Rohtang Pass area due to plying of diesel taxis. With this initiative, the state has become the first in the world to ply electric buses at an altitude of 13 thousand feet.

Jammu & Kashmir State – Jammu & Kashmir; Capital – Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter); CM – Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed Governor – NarinderNathVohra Jammu and Kashmir government to set up Eco-Park in Rajouri district






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• The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to set up an Eco-Park on over 34 acres of land retrieve from encroachers in the state’s Rajouri district.The park is a first-of-its-kind project in the region. It will have a botanical garden, a cactus garden, a cafeteria and other amenities. Jammu and Kashmir governor N NVohra inaugurated the second International Yoga Festival • Jammu and Kashmir governor N NVohra inaugurated the second International Yoga Festival and International Yoga Sports Championship 2017 in which about 300 people from across the world are participating.The festival is being organized by the Yoga Society of Kashmir at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre. About 300 participants from various parts of India, Vietnam, Taiwan, Canada, Bulgaria, USA, and Nepal are participating in the festival. Useful Info The first International Yoga Festival was held in Uttarakhand Bilal Dar from Srinagar becomes an ambassador for Swachhata Hi Seva • Bilal Dar, a young boy from Srinagar has become the brand ambassador for Srinagar Municipal Corporation. Dar has been contributing to the ‘SwachhtaAbhiyan’ since the age of 12.'Swachhta Hi Sewa’ campaign has turned out to be monetarily beneficial for residents and scrap buyers/dealers, besides helping in enhancing preventive measures against vector-borne diseases.

Karnataka State – Karnataka; Capital – Bengaluru; CM – Siddaramaiah; Governor – VajubhaiRudabhaiVala Karnataka to give free education to all girls till graduation • Karnataka government has decided to make education free for all girls from Class 1 to graduation level in all public and aided private schools and colleges, barring only professional institutions, from the next academic year. “We expect around 18 lakh students whose parents' income would be less than Rs 10 lakh to opt for this scheme and are planning to earmark Rs 110 crore," higher education minister BasavarajRayareddi said, hoping only the poor would avail of the scheme. Karnataka, 1st Indian State to Approve e-vehicle Policy • Karnataka is the first state to roll out an Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Policy that looks not only at boosting sales of Electrical Vehicles, but also setting up charging infrastructure and special manufacturing zones.Karnataka is looking to attract investments to the tune of Rs 31,000 crore from companies looking at R&D and manufacturing of electric vehicles in the state. Karnataka Government has launched 'Vision-2025' project across the state • Karnataka Government Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has launched 'Vision-2025' project across the state. It aimed at evolving a draft policy for development of the state in next seven years by seeking the opinion of the public.Under the project, the government would seek public opinion on how they want their dream state to be in the next seven years. The CM has also launched the website 'www.navakarnataka2025.in'.

Kerala State – Kerala; Capital – Tiruvanandapuram; CM – Vijay Rupani; Governor - PSathasivam Kochi to Host Coastal Shipping and Inland Water Transportation Summit • Kochi will host the fifth edition of the ‘Coastal Shipping and Inland Water Transportation Business Summit 2017’. The summit will be an initiative to explore the immense potential of coastal shipping and waterways as well as an effort






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to build a shared commitment and decipher the role that each stakeholder will have to play in integrating the coastal and waterways transport infrastructure.Kerala Governor P Sathasivam will present the India Seatrade Award for Excellence in Coastal Shipping & Inland Water Transportation.

Madhya Pradesh State – Madhya Pradesh; Capital – Bhopal; CM – Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor - Om PrakashKohli Madhya Pradesh has won the ‘Best Tourism State’ national award for the third consecutive year • Madhya Pradesh has won the ‘Best Tourism State’ national award for the third consecutive year. President Ram NathKovind handed over the award, named as ‘Hall of Fame Award’, to Minister of State for Tourism SurendraPatwa at a ceremony held at VigyanBhawan in New Delhi.The state bagged total 10 awards in this programme, organised on the occasion of World Tourism Day (27 September). Madhya Pradesh also received a national award for Film Promotion Policy in the category of Best Film Promotion Friendly State/Union Territory.

Maharashtra Capital – Mumbai; CM – Devendra Fadnavis; Governor – Vidyasagar Rao

Sachin Tendulkar Launches Mission 24 • Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar launched -Mission 24 for Mumbai's M east ward which is known to have one of highest slum population's in the city. The project by NGO Apnalaya and Mumbai first plans to work along with the BMC -as the principal stakeholder over the next 24 months to improve the quality of lives of people living in M east ward of Mumbai.

Manipur Capital – Imphal; CM – Nongthombam Biren Singh; Governor - Najma A. Heptulla Nungthaang Tampak becomes North East’s first 100 % computer literate village • Manipur’s Nungthaang Tampak village has emerged as the ‘100% computer literate’ in the entire North East. The villagers were taught how to surf, compose text, save them, photoshop, send e-mail, store data and get print outs, etc. The village, about 65 kms south of Imphal, is located in Saikot Assembly constituency of Churachandur district. Useful Info Nungthang Tampak has become India’s second 100% computer literate village in India. Kerala’s Chamravattom village is the country’s first 100% computer literate village.

Nagaland State – Nagaland; Capital – Kohima; CM – T. R. Zeliang; Governor – Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya Nagaland to implement DBT under MGNREGA • Nagaland will start implementing Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under MGNREGA beginning from the current financial year.Secretary of Rural Development KeleiZeliang said, to ensure transparency and check corruption at all levels, wages of the MGNREGA workers will be directly credited to the individual accounts of the jobcardholders through National Electronic Fund Management System or Public Financial Management System.

Odisha






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State – Odisha; Capital – Bhubaneshwar; CM – Naveen Patnaik; Governor – Senayangba Chubatoshi Jamir Odisha CM inaugurates fourth Govt medical college in koraput • Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated the SaheedLaxmanNayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in the tribal-dominated district of southern Odisha. The admission process in SLNMCH is already completed. A total number of 100 students have been admitted to the first year MBBS course and the classes for the commencement of its first academic session began from the day of inauguration.

Rajasthan State – Rajasthan; Capital – Jaipur; CM – VasundharaRaje; Governor – Kalyan Singh Union Textiles Minister SmritiIrani Inaugurates 'VASTRA' Fair in Jaipur • Union Textiles Minister SmritiIrani and Rajasthan Chief Minister VasundharaRajeinaugurated the 6th edition of the four-day international textile and apparel fair, 'VASTRA' in Jaipur.FDI in textiles industry has tripled in 2016-17. Mudra Yojna has benefited the weavers community and their incomes have shown a tremendous increase within 60 days from the date of loan availed. Skill development has also enhanced the quality of placements in the textile industry. Useful Info Union Textile Minister - SmritiIrani Constituency – Gujarat, RajyaSabha

Telangana State – Telangana; Capital – Hyderabad; CM – K. Chandrashekar Rao; Governor – Ekkadu Srinivasan Lakshmi Narasimhan Amazon opened its largest fulfillment centre in Hyderabad • Amazon opened its largest fulfilmentcentre in India on the outskirts of Hyderabad, near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad. The 400,000 sq feet centre with close of 2.1 million cubic feet of storage space is the 5th such centre in Telangana. With this, the US major has ramped up its storage capacity to 3.2 million cubic feet in the State alone.The centre will enable sellers to use local infrastructure, save capital and help them grow their businesses. The centre will work closely with local communities, create numerous skilling and employment opportunities for thousands of youth. With more than 10,000 sellers in Telangana, the selection offered by sellers in the State for immediate delivery has grown more than 120 per cent this year as compared to last year. First water ATM has been inaugurated in Hyderabad • The First water ATM has been inaugurated by Telangana State Home Minister N Narasimha Reddy at Nalgonda X Roads. A total of 200 ATMs will be set up to reach a targeted 150,000 people. In the first phase, 50 water ATMs will be operationalized by 2018.Safe Water Network, an international NGO has partnered with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to launch water ATMs. It will provide affordable, 24×7 safe water access in Hyderabad.These water ATMs use a seven step treatment process to purify water that adheres to national norms.They are connected via cloud-based technology for real-time monitoring and analyses operational parameters, thereby minimising downtime. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) is supplying raw water for these ATMs. India's First Centre for Animal Law Set up at NALSAR • India's first Centre for Animal Law has been established at the city-based NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, Telangana. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi inaugurated the centre.HSI-India






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Managing Director N G Jayasimha has been appointed as the honorary director of the Centre. The Centre will create curriculum on animal welfare laws, including developing topics for research. Useful Info Union Minister for Women and Child Development -Maneka Gandhi Constituency – Pilibhit (uttarpradesh)

Tripura State – Tripura; Capital – Agartala; CM – ManikSarkar; Governor - Tathagata Roy A new underground water treatment plant has been commissioned at Sadhutilla, Agartala • In Tripura, a new underground water treatment plant has been commissioned at Sadhutilla in the southern part of Agartala. The plant has fulfilled the need for drinking water free from iron and other contamination.The plant has started functioning with supply of quality treated water initially to 565 households through pipeline. It has treatment capacity of 4 point 8 million litre per day. It has two Over Head Storage Reservoirs with capacities of 1,130 Kilo Liter and 450 Kilo Liter.The specialty of the plant is that it would be treating water at higher standards with minimizing turbidity and iron in water.The built-up cost of this water treatment plant was Rs. 4 crore 99 lakh.It has been funded jointly by the Asian Development Bank with 70% share of assistance and the Union Government with 30 % share of assistance. Tripura has become the first state in the country to set up family welfare district committees • Tripura has become the first state in the country to set up family welfare district committees to examine the complaints of women against their husbands and in-laws and find an amicable solution. Tripura High Court is the first high court among 24 high courts of the country that has constituted the family welfare district committees. The new system would be valid for the next six months and after that National Legal Services Authority (NLSA) would submit a report of its performance to the apex court, on the basis of which a new course of action would be decided.

Uttar Pradesh State – Uttar Pradesh; Capital – Lucknow; CM – Yogi Adityanath; Governor – Ram Naik Rajnath Singh, Yogi Adityanath to flagged off Lucknow Metro • In Uttar Pradesh, The first commercial run of Lucknow metro rail starts. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and governer Ram Naik will flag off the maiden run of first phase of Lucknow Metro.The 8.5-km-long 'Priority Corridor' from Transport Nagar to Charbagh, which is part of the Phase 1 of the project, and has 8 stations in between will be operational for the public from 6 am to 10 pm everyday. Cost of this phase is around 2600 crores and it took almost 3 years to complete. People of the city are so excited to travel in metro that after sell of smart cards started by LMRC last Friday more than 3000 had already purchased them. Government aims to provide Housing to all by 2022: PM Modi • Prime Minister NarendraModi said the government has decided to give a house to each and every homeless family by 2022. He was addressing a public meeting at Shahanshahpur in Varanasi district. MrModi distributed allotment letters to the beneficiaries of PradhanMantriAwasYojana both for rural and urban areas.About 10 thousand beneficiaries were given allotment letters during the function.

West Bengal State – West Bengal; Capital – Kolkata; CM – Mamata Banerjee; Governor – KeshariNathTripathi Gobindobhog Rice from Burdwan district of West Bengal Gets Geographical Indication Status






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• Gobindobhog rice, a speciality from Burdwan district of West Bengal, has got the geographical indication (GI) status.The state government had applied for GI status for Gobindobhog rice on August 24, 2015. The region of Burdwan (now divided into the districts of east and west Burdwan) is known as the rice bowl of Bengal. India’s First Advanced Homoeopathy Virology Lab in Kolkata • India’s first State of art virology laboratory at Dr Anjali Chatterjee Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy in Kolkata was inaugurated by ShripadYessoNaik, Union Minister of State for AYUSH.This laboratory has been established to develop new drugs and technologies in Homoeopathy to combat emerging challenges of viral diseases. The laboratory, established at a cost of Rs. 8 crore is the only one in India for conducting basic and fundamental research in Homoeopathy for viral diseases like influenza, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya and swine flu.

MINISTRY AFFAIRS

Cabinet Reshuffle: Kalraj Mishra resignes from Modi's Cabinet • Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Kalraj Mishra has resigned ahead of the Cabinet Reshuffle tomorrow. Earlier Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Minister of State for Water Resources Sanjeev Balyan, Minister of State for Human Resources Development Mahendra Nath Pandey and Minister of State for Health Faggan Singh Kulaste had resigned from their posts. There are reports that some more ministers will resign before tomorrow's reshuffle. Nine new Ministers of state were inducted into the Union Council of Ministers • Nine new Ministers of state were inducted into the Union Council of Ministers. Four Ministers of state were elevated to the cabinet rank. They are Minister of State for Commerce and Industries Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State For Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines, Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office and secrecy to them at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The portfolios of the Ministers will be announced later. Here is the 9 New Ministers, who take oath- 1. Former IFS officer Hardeep Puri 2. Former Mumbai Police chief Satyapal Singh 3. Former IAS officer Alphons Kannanthanam 4. Lok Sabha MP's from Madhya Pradesh Virendra Kumar 5. From Karnataka Anant Kumar Hegde 6. From Rajasthan Gajendra Singh Shekhawat 7. From Bihar Ashwini Kumar Choubey 8. From Bihar Raj Kumar Singh and 9. Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh Shiv Pratap Shukla Here is the Full list of Portfolios of changed Ministers

Minister Portfolio Previously held portfolio

Dharmendra Pradhan Cabinet Minister Skill Development and

Petroleum Minister MoS (independent charge) Oil Natural

Gas and Petroleum Ministry






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Piyush Goyal Cabinet Minister Railway Ministry MoS (independent charge) Power Ministry

Nirmala Sitharaman Cabinet Minister Defence Ministry MoS (independent charge) Commerce

and Industry Ministry

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Cabinet Minister Minority Affairs Ministry MoS (independent charge) Minority Affirs

Suresh Prabhu Cabinet Minister Commerce and Industry

Ministry Railway Ministry

Uma Bharti Drinking Water and Sanitation Water Resources, River Development

Ganga Rejuvenation.

Ashwini Kumar Choubey MoS Health & Family Welfare -

Virendra Kumar MoS Women and Child Development and

Minority Affairs -

Anantkumar Hegde MoS Skill Development and

Entrepreneurship. -

Raj Kumar Singh MoS (independent charge) Power -

Hardeep Singh Puri MoS (independent charge) Urban

Development -

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat MoS Agriculture and Farmers Welfare -

Satya Pal Singh MoS Human Resource Development and

MoS Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

-

Alphons Kannanthanam MoS (independent charge) Tourism and MoS

Ministry of Electronics & IT -

Shiv Pratap Shukla MoS Finance Ministry -

Santosh Kumar Gangwar MoS (independent charge) Labour and

Employment MoS Finance Ministry

Government has issued an alert on the spread of new malware 'Locky Ransomware' • The government has issued an alert on the spread of new malware 'Locky Ransomware' that can lock computers and demand ransom for unlocking them. Electronics and IT Additional Secretary Ajay Kumar tweeted that an alert regarding spam spreading Locky Ransomware was issued by Indian Computer Emergency Response Team. Ransomware is a malicious software and the Locky Ransomware is learnt to be demanding the ransom of half Bitcoin, which at present rate is equivalent to over Rs 1.5 lakh. Useful Info Union Minister for Electronics and IT – Ravi Shankar Prasad Constituency – Bihar, Rajya Sabha Malware – software which is specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain authorized access to a computer system • Bitcoin – a type of digital currency in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds, operating independently of a central bank.






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‘Prakriti Khoj’- An Environment Quiz on Teachers’ Day • The Union Environment Ministry launched an environment awareness initiative on the occasion of Teachers’ Day. Under the initiative, an online environmental quiz competition named Prakriti Khoj will be conducted at the national level. Useful Info Union Minister for Environment – Harsh Vardhan Constituency – Chandni Chowk (Delhi) NITI Aayog sets up task force on employment, export • NITI Aayog has constituted an Expert Task Force to provide a major thrust to job creation by enhancing India’s exports. It will be headed by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Dr. Rajiv Kumar. Members of the Task force include CEO, NITI Aayog, Secretaries of Departments of Commerce, Industrial Policy and Promotion, Economic Affairs and Textiles. Leading economists and industry experts are also members of the Task Force, which will submit its report by November 2017. The government stated that the steps outlined by the task force to create well-paid jobs in the formal sector include preparing a comprehensive plan of action to generate employment and alleviate under-employment in both goods and services sector and low wages by boosting exports in labour intensive industries. Useful Info NITI Aayog Chairman – PM Modi Vice Chairman – Rajiv Kumar On 1 January 2015, a Cabinet resolution was passed to replace the Planning Commission with the newly formed NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India). Govt to start School Chalo Abhiyan from next year for students not going to schools: Javadekar • International Literacy Day is observed every year on 8th September to emphasize the importance of literacy to individuals, society and communities. The theme of this year's International Literacy Day, is ‘Literacy in a Digital World’. The 2017 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes awards ceremony will also take place to recognize and reward excellent literacy practices from around the world in connection with this year’s theme. Useful Info Union HRD Minister – Prakash Javadekar Constituency – Rajya Sabha, Madhya Pradesh Kiren Rijiju attended the first National Canine Seminar organized by National Security Guard (NSG) • The Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju attended the first National Canine Seminar organized by National Security Guard (NSG), in NSG Campus, Manesar (Gurugram), Haryana. The theme of the two days National Canine Seminar is ''Canine as Tactical Weapon in Fight against Terrorism'' with an objective to discuss and deliberate on the techniques of dog training and strategies of deploying the dogs in Counter Terrorism/Counter Insurgency scenario. Shri Kiren Rijiju also flagged off "the NSG's Motorcycle Expedition, 2017" from NSG Campus, Manesar. It commemorate the NSG’s 33 years service to the nation. The Expedition team will traverse major cities of the country including NSG's regional hubs at Gandhinagar/Mumbai/Chennai/Hyderabad/Kolkata to cover a distance of 7000 kms with an objective of spreading a message of collective responsibility towards the fight against terrorism. Useful Info






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Minister of State for Home Affairs - Shri Kiren Rijiju Constituency – Arunachal West State – Haryana Capital – Chandigarh CM – Manohar Lal Khattar Governor – Kaptan Singh Solanki The NSG is popularly known as "The Black Cats" of the country. Vice President lays foundation Stone of Greenfield Smart City at Ranchi, Jarkhand • Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu laid the foundation stone of Greenfield Smart City at Ranchi in Jharkhand. The Vice President laid the foundation stones for its three buildings- Urban Civic Center, Convention Center and Jharkhand Urban Planning Management Institute. Chief Minister and other important dignitaries were present at the occasion. The proposed smart city will be spread over 656 acres in HEC area. The Greenfield Smart City will cost ten thousands crore rupees and will also have 16 thousand residential flats for 70 thousands residents. The smart city will have modern transport system, world class education hub, 24 hours water and electricity, wi-fi, public toilets at every 200 meters and will be carbon free zone. Useful Info State – Jharkhand Capital – Ranchi CM – Raghubar Das Governor - Droupadi Murmu SIM Cards not Linked to Aadhaar to be Deactivated after February 2018 • The government is moving ahead with linking Aadhaar with mobile SIM cards and all unlinked phones will be deactivated after February 2018. Aadhaar mobile linkage is being done as per the orders of Supreme Court passed in February 2017 in Lokniti foundation case and all SIM cards have to be verified with Aadhaar within a year from the date of judgement, with all unlinked phones to be deactivated after February next year. So criminals, fraudsters and terrorists cannot use the issued SIMs. Remove all unmanned rail crossings within a year, orders Piyush Goyal • Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has asked the railways to remove all unmanned level crossings within a year, instead of the initial goal of doing it in three years. Addressing a function at IIM in Kolkata, he said around 5,000 unmanned level crossings, which account for nearly 30-35 per cent of total rail accidents, need to be removed in the next one year. Mr Goyal also advocated the use of technology to reduce manual maintenance of rail tracks, as it entails huge manpower. The minister said that the RailTel corporation has already prepared the optic fibre network for improving communication. Useful Info Union Railway Minister – Piyush Goyal Constituency – Maharashtra, Rajya Sabha National Pension Scheme Upper Age Limit Raised to 65






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• The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) announced that the upper age limit for joining the National Pension Scheme (NPS) had been raised to 65 years, from the current 60. NPS is currently open for people between 18 and 60, and the Board has approved raising the age limit for joining to 65. Useful Info PFRDA – Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Chairman – Hemant G. Contractor DD & All India Radio to spread information about rights of Divyangs: I&B Minister Smriti Irani • Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani said Doordarshan and All India Radio will give information to Divyangs regarding their rights and several schemes which are being run by the Centre. Addressing a function in New Delhi, Mrs Irani said people should be sensitive towards the rights of Divyangs. The Minister said, the education standards for Divyangs should be raised and they must be informed about their career prospects. Useful info Union Information and Broadcasting Minister - Smriti Irani Constituency – Gujarat, Rajya Sabha Government Launches Wood is Good Campaign • Environmental Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated a two-day conference on “Sustainable landscapes and forest ecosystems: Theory to Practice”. Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched the “Wood is Good” campaign on the occasion. Wood is a climate-friendly material, as it is a renewable resource, having zero carbon footprint. Useful Info Union Minister for Environment - Dr. Harsh Vardhan Constituency – Chandni Chowk (Delhi) Cabinet Approves Revamped Khelo India Program at a cost of Rs.1,756crore • The Union Cabinet has approved the revamped Khelo India program at a cost of Rs.1,756crore for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20. This marks a watershed moment in the history of Indian sports, as the Programme aims at mainstreaming sport as a tool for individual development, community development, economic development and national development.This is the first time ever that a long-term athlete development pathway would be made available to gifted and talented youngsters to excel in competitive sports. Useful Info Sports Minister of India –Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore Constituency –Jaipur, Rajasthan President Ram Nath Kovind’s First Foreign Trip will be to Ethiopia and Djibouti • President Ram Nath Kovind will make his first foreign trip as head of state to the strategically-significant African continent in the first week of October. The President will visit to Ethiopia and Djibouti. Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia is the seat of African Union, had hosted the first India-Africa summit outside India in 2012. There are more than 540 Indian firms in Ethiopia. Useful Info Country – Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopian birr Country – Djibouti, Djibouti, Djiboutian franc TRIFED Organised National Workshop on Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce






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• Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram inaugurated the National Workshop organized by TRIFED on “Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produces (MFP) scheme – Taking it to the next level for a Fair and Equitable Deal to the Tribals”. This scheme is already implemented in 9 States and now it is expanded nationwide. TRIFED has also signed MoU with Amazon for the marketing of tribal handicrafts scaled-up for the empowerment of tribals. Useful Info Minister of Tribal Affairs - Jual Oram Constituency – Sundargarh, Odisha Minister of Communication Shri Manoj Sinha Launched First Ever India Mobile Congress 2017 • The Minister of Communication Shri Manoj Sinha launched DoT’s first ever Mobile, Internet and Technology event in India – India Mobile Congress 2017 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Led by Department of Telecom as the nodal ministry, the India Mobile Congress is being organised by Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). The largest and first ever event also has the support of the other ministries like the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Skill Development and Entrepreneurship amongst others. Useful info Minister of Communication - Manoj Sinha Constituency – Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh

BANKING & ECONOMY

RBI RBI to Introduce Rs 100 Coin to Mark MG Ramachandran’s Birth Centenary • As per the notification of Finance Ministry, the Reserve Bank of India will introduce 100 rupees coin to mark the birth centenary (hundredth anniversary) of AIADMK founder Late Dr. M G Ramachandran. On the obverse, the face of the coin will bear Lion Capitol of Ashoka Pillar in the center with Satyamev Jayate inscribed below on it in Devanagari script. It will also bear the rupee symbol and denominational value of 100. On the reverse side, the portrait of Dr. MG Ramachandran will be in the center. The standard weight of the coin will be 35 grams. Useful Info Dr. MG Ramachandran – Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu RBI – Reserve Bank of India HQ – Mumbai Present Governor – Urjit Patel India’s Forex Reserves Top $400 billion for the First Time • According to the RBI Data, India’s foreign-exchange reserves rose past $400 billion for the first time ever, strengthening policy makers’ buffers ahead of an expected reduction in US stimulus. The stockpile stood at $400.7 billion. With the Federal Reserve set to shrink its balance sheet—details of which could be announced recently, the holdings may help the rupee withstand any volatility even if global funds turn away from India’s slowing economy. RBI announced that Masala bonds will be treated as External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that Masala bonds will be treated as External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) from 3rd October 2017 thereby freeing up more investments by FPIs. Masala bonds are rupee-denominated






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overseas bonds. Currently, the limit for investment by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in corporate bonds is Rs 2,44,323 crore. This includes masala bonds of Rs.44,001 crore. Useful Info Present & 24th governor of RBI - Urjit Patel Almost 99% of demonetised notes back in system: RBI report • The Reserve Bank of India today in its annual report confirmed that almost 99 per cent of banned Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes that were demonetised last November have returned to the system. In the report for 2016-17, the RBI said that out of 632.6 crore pieces of Rs 1,000 currency notes in circulation, 8.9 crore have not been returned post the note ban last November. RBI included HDFC Bank in the list of 'too big to fail' lenders • RBI included HDFC Bank in the list of 'too big to fail' lenders, referred to as D-SIB or domestic systemically important bank. India's largest lender SBI and private sector major ICICI Bank were classified as D-SIBs in 2015. With the inclusion of HDFC Bank in the list, there will now be three 'too big to fail' financial entities in the country. Useful Info HDFC Bank Headquarters – Mumbai CEO – Aditya Puri Tagline – We Understand your World

SBI SBI Life Insurance Gets SEBI approval for Rs 8,400 crore IPO • SBI Life Insurance has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India for an IPO (Initial Public Offering) of up to Rs 8,400 crore ($1.3 billion). The IPO will involve 120 million secondary shares or 12 per cent of the insurer's equity capital. State Bank of India which currently owns 70.1 per cent of the insurer, will sell 80 million shares and BNP Paribas Cardif, holder of a 26 per cent stake, will sell 40 million. Useful Info SEBI – Securities and Exchange Board of India Headquarters of SEBI – Mumbai Chairman of SEBI – Ajay Tyagi MD & CEO of SBI Life Insurance Co. Ltd - Arijit Basu SBI Card to offer pre-approved cards to SBI customers • SBI card is all set to offer pre-approved cards to customers of its parent State Bank of India. It has entered into a tripartite agreement with SBI and India’s first credit bureau TransUnion CIBIL to offer pre-approved cards to eligible customers. The agreement will allow the credit bureau to check the credentials of SBI customers and SBI Card to leverage the data. SBI launches Indian bond index series in London • State Bank of India (SBI) has launched the FTSE SBI Bond Index series in partnership with global index provider FTSE 100, which will give tools to investors from India, the UK and globally to analyse India’s government bond market, and drive growth in this market. This index, launched in collaboration with the London Stock Exchange, will ensure that






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international investors have an international benchmark that is transparent, that is well governed and that is something they can easily rely on. State Bank of India (SBI) is India’s most trusted and most popular bank • State Bank of India (SBI) is India’s most trusted and most popular bank according to a survey conducted by Brand Finance, a business valuation and strategic consultancy headquartered in London. On the trust charts, SBI is followed by HDFC Bank and Central Bank of India whereas on the popularity charts, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank take the second and third spots respectively. SBI Launches Chatbot to Help Customers in Banking Activities • Artificial intelligence banking platform Payjo has launched an AI-powered chat assistant for State Bank of India to addresses customer enquiries. The chat assistant, known as SBI Intelligent Assistant, or SIA, will help customers with everyday banking tasks just like a bank representative.

Asian Development Bank ADB Lowers India Growth Forecast for this Fiscal • Asian Development Bank (ADB) has downgraded India’s growth projection to 7 percent for the current fiscal while lowering its forecast for the next financial year as well. India’s GDP growth is downgraded to 7 percent in the financial year 2017-18, a 0.4 percentage point drop from the April forecast. In the financial year 2018-19, the forecast is adjusted down to 7.4 percent, from 7.6 percent, according to the Asian Development Outlook 2017 update. Useful Info ADB - Asian Development Bank Headquarters - Manila, Philippines President - Takehiko Nakao ADB to Increase Annual Lending to India to $4 billion • The Asian Development Bank will increase its annual lending to India to a maximum of $4 billion between 2018 and 2022 to help fasten inclusive economic transformation towards upper middle-income status. The proposal was endorsed at new ADB Country Partnership Strategy for 2018- 2022. The new lending programme, which includes private sector operations, is much higher than the average $2.65 billion a year in loans extended during 2012 and 2016. $80-Million ADB loan to Himachal Pradesh • Multilateral lending agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of $80 million (about Rs 524 crore) for the modernization of Himachal Pradesh’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions. The total cost of the project is $100 million, with the Centre contributing $20 million. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. Asian Development Bank (ADB) to Provide $152 Million Fund to Nepal • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a USD 152 million to Nepal for the implementation and enhancement of its power transmission and distribution. ADB and Nepal’s Ministry of Finance signed the loan agreement in Kathmandu. The aid will be granted to the Power Transmission and Distribution Efficiency Enhancement Project (PTDEEP) which supports the expansion of the transmission lines in various areas of Nepal. West Bengal Gets $300 Million Asian Development Bank (ADB) Loan






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• Multilateral funding agency ADB has sanctioned a USD 300 million loan facility for carrying forward fiscal reforms in West Bengal. The board of Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a loan of USD 300 million to continue a comprehensive series of fiscal reforms in West Bengal. West Bengal, for the first time in 2012 had received a USD 400 million from ADB, its first policy based lending with an aim to create a fiscal space necessary to sustain higher public investment in the eastern India.

DBS Bank DBS Bank Gets RBI Nod for Subsidiary in India • DBS Bank India, part of Singapore-based financial services group DBS Group Holdings, has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to convert its existing India franchise to a locally incorporated wholly-owned subsidiary (WOS) in India. In its guidelines, the RBI had pointed out that the WOS model for foreign banks in India would involve local incorporation, a local board of directors, and a ring-fenced capital and assets profile that would not be affected by the impact of global events on its parent. Piyush Gupta said that the WOS model was important for the bank to grow its domestic franchise and maintain a deep presence here. He said this would go towards supporting its small and medium enterprise (SME) strategy, which was constrained by the lack of presence so far. Useful Info Headquarters of DBS Bank - Wognum, Netherlands MD & CEO of DBS Group - Piyush Gupta

ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Launches ‘Cashback’ Home Loans • India’s largest private sector lender, ICICI Bank announced a new home loan scheme that offers borrowers the benefit of 1% cashback on every EMI, for the entire tenure of the loan. The offer will be valid for home loans with a minimum tenure of 15 years and maximum tenure of 30 years. Customers can choose to adjust the cashback against principal outstanding of their home loan. The cashback will start to accrue from the first EMI itself. It will first get credited to the customer after completion of the 36th EMI. Useful Info ICICI Bank Headquarters – Mumbai MD & CEO of ICICI Bank - Chanda Kochhar ICICI Lombard Gets SEBI Nod for IPO • ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company has got capital markets regulator SEBI's go-ahead for its estimated Rs 6,000 crore initial public offer (IPO). ICICI Lombard is a joint venture between ICICI Bank and Canada-based Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.

IDBI Bank IDBI Bank Launches ‘Project Nishchay’ for Turnaround • IDBI Bank has launched ‘Project Nishchay’ in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to accelerate its turnaround program and improve financial performance. The project will be led by senior management at IDBI Bank along with BCG. BCG will assist the bank to identify areas for cost containment and revenue maximization leading to sustainable growth and profitability of the Bank. Useful Info






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Headquarters of IDBI Bank – Mumbai Managing Director and CEO of IDBI Bank - Mahesh Kumar Jain

Syndicate Bank Syndicate Bank Cuts Savings Account Interest Rate by 0.5% • Public sector Syndicate Bank has cut savings account interest rate by 0.50 percent to 3.50 percent for deposits up to Rs 25 lakh. The bank has revised rate of interest on savings bank deposits with effect from October 10 to 3.50 percent from 4 percent existing rate. For the deposits above Rs 25 lakh, the interest rate is unchanged at 4 percent. With this, Syndicate Bank has joined over two-dozen banks, both from the public and private sector, who have cut the interest rate on deposits in various quantum. Useful Info Syndicate Bank HQ – Manipal, Karnataka MD & CEO of Syndicate Bank - Melwyn Rego Tagline – Your faithful and friendly financial partner

IndusInd Bank Private sector lender IndusInd Bank and Bharat Financial Inclusion Sign Exclusivity Agreement for Merger • Private sector lender IndusInd Bank and India's second largest Microfinance company Bharat Financial Inclusion have signed a confidentiality agreement for the proposed merger between them. The Hinduja Group controlled bank has informed the exchanges about an ‘exclusivity agreement’ with the micro lender to explore merger or expansion plans. The deal between the two companies may formalise after due diligence, definitive documentation and their shareholders, regulatory, NCLT and other third-party approvals, as applicable. Useful Info Chairman of IndusInd Bank - R. Seshasayee Headquarters – Mumbai

HDFC Bank HDFC Bank Becomes 2nd Most Valuable Company on BSE • HDFC Bank surpassed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to become the country’s second most valued firm in terms of market valuation. Shares of HDFC Bank gained 0.93 per cent to Rs. 1,840 (its 52-week high) on the BSE. Reliance Industries Ltd is the country’s most valued firm with a market cap of Rs. 5,33,818.72 crore followed by HDFC Bank and TCS in top three list. Useful Info HDFC Headquarters – Mumbai CEO of HDFC Bank - Aditya Puri HDFC Bank is India’s Top Brand: BrandZ Top 50 Report • India’s second largest private sector bank HDFC Bank topped the list of the country’s top 50 brands according to a report released by marketing and advertising conglomerate WPP Plc and Kantar Millward Brown. The bank has retained the top slot for the fourth year in a row. Banks and telcos dominate the listing, WPP’s BrandZ Top 50. Airtel is at 2nd spot and State Bank of India is at 3rd. According to the report, consumption of packaged consumer goods fell 4.2% and 2.4% year on year in November and December 2016 respectively, but recovered 0.6% in March this year and 3.9% in April.






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Useful Info Top three rank Holders 1st – HDFC Bank 2nd – Airtel 3rd – State Bank of India

Other Banking News Five banks of the BRICS Bank Cooperation Mechanism have agreed to establish credit lines • Five banks of the BRICS Bank Cooperation Mechanism have agreed to establish credit lines in the national currencies and cooperate on credit ratings. The agreement to this effect was signed ahead of the BRICS Summit in China’s Xiamen city. Brazilian Development Bank, Vnesheconombank, Export-Import Bank of India, China Development Bank and Development Bank of South Africa signed the agreement in Beijing. Ahead of the BRICS summit, the New Development Bank (NDB) of the BRICS countries has approved 1.4 billion US dollar loans for sustainable development projects in India, Russia and China. Useful Info BRICS Countries Brazil – Brasília, Brazilian real Russia – Moscow, Russian Ruble India – New Delhi, Indian Rupee China – Beijing, Renminbi (Yuan) South Africa – Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Currency - South African Rand China is hosting the 9th BRICS Summit. The theme of the 9th BRICS Summit is "Stronger Partnership for a better future". IBBI Registered National E-Governance Services Ltd as Information Utility • The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) registered National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL) as an Information Utility (IU) under the IBBI (Information Utilities) Regulations, 2017. With this NeSL has become the first IU registered by the IBBI and the registration is valid for five years from the date of registration. Information Utility stores financial information that helps to establish defaults as well as verify claims expeditiously and facilitates completion of transactions under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code in a time-bound manner. Useful Info IBBI - Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India Chairperson of IBBI - M. S. Sahoo Stock markets falls across globe, Sensex slumps 240 points • Stock markets have fallen across the globe, today. At home, after a weak opening, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange lost considerably more ground, and had slumped 240 points, or 0.8 percent, to 31,653 a short while ago. The Nifty at the National Stock Exchange had dropped 83 points, to 9,891. Useful Info Indian Stock Exchanges BSE – Bombay Stock Exchange






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NSE – National Stock Exchange Other Important Stock Exchanges in the world New York Stock Exchange Hong Kong Stock Exchange Tokyo Stock Exchange London Stock Exchange Shanghai Stock Exchange US banking regulators ordered Pakistan’s Habib Bank to shutter its New York office • US banking regulators ordered Pakistan’s Habib Bank to shutter its New York office after nearly 40 years, for repeatedly failing to heed concerns over possible terrorist financing and money laundering. The state’s Department of Financial Services, which regulates foreign banks, also slapped a 225 million Dollars fine on the bank. In 2006, it was ordered to tighten Habib Bank's oversight of potentially illegal transactions but failed to comply. Useful Info Country – Pakistan Capital – Islamabad Currency – Pakistani Rupee Fiscal deficit touches 92.4% of budget estimates at July-end • India’s fiscal deficit at July- end touched 92.4 % of the budget mainly because of front loading of expenditure by various government departments. In absolute terms, the fiscal deficit- difference between expenditure and revenue - was Rs 5.04 lakh crore during April- July 2017-18, according to the data of Controller General of Accounts (CGA). During the same period of last financial year, 2016-17, it was 73.7 % of the target. For 2017-18, the government aims to bring down the fiscal deficit to 3.2 % of the GDP. Last fiscal, it had met the deficit target of 3.5 % of the GDP. 21st GST Council meeting underway in Hyderabad • The 21st meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has begun under the chairmanship of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Hyderabad. The day-long meeting will discuss several aspects relating to the implementation of the GST including the IT systems of the Goods and Services Tax Network, the problems being encountered during the tax return filing process and the difficulties faced by industry in filing GST returns. GST council will also take a final call over the demands raised by several states like Telangana to further reduce the GST on public interest projects like irrigation and road development. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Constitutes GoM to Monitor IT Challenge in GST • Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi to monitor and resolve the IT challenges faced in the implementation of GST. The GoM will be assisted by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN). Besides, a Committee on Exports has also been constituted under the convenorship of the Revenue Secretary Dr.Hasmukh Adhia to look at the issues of export sector and to recommend the GST Council suitable strategy for helping the export sector in the post-GST scenario. Useful Info Union minster for Finance – Arun jaitley Constituency – Gujarat, Rajya Sabha






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Tech giant Google is announced to unveil a digital payment service in India • Tech giant Google is announced to unveil a digital payment service in India that has been developed for the local market. In July, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) had stated that Google had completed the testing of its UPI payment service and was awaiting Reserve Bank of India’s approval to launch its service in the country. Google is looking at launching a payment service ‘Google Tez’, which will include support for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as well as mobile wallets like Paytm and MobiKwik. Useful Info Google HQ – Mountain View, California, United States Google CEO – Sundar Pitchai Peer-to-peer Lending Platforms to be Treated as NBFCs • After a year or more of due-diligence, the RBI has notified that peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms need to be regulated and treated on par with non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).The final regulatory framework for P2P lenders is still awaited. Few important P2P lending platforms in India are LenDen Club, Faircent, Qbera, Lendbox, Rupaiya Exchange and Monexo. Useful Info NBFC - Non-banking financial companies Fino Payments Bank Launches Mobile Banking App • Fino Payments Bank has launched its mobile banking app called BPay. Fino aims to make banking easy for millions of underbanked people in India. The upgraded BPay app is available on Android at present. The mobile banking app enables simple, paperless and convenient banking that allows customers to make bill payments, recharges, fund transfers and buy insurance. An interesting feature of the mobile app is that it allows customers to seamlessly access wallet as well as savings account, with a single login and interface. Useful Info Headquarters of FINO PayTech- Mumbai MD & CEO - Rishi Gupta World Trade to Grow at Higher 3.6% in 2017: WTO • World trade in goods is estimated to grow at a higher 3.6 percent in 2017 compared to 1.6 percent increase in 2016, according to revised estimates circulated by the World Trade Organisation. Growth in global trade was earlier projected at 2.4 percent in 2017 by the WTO, which attributed the improved outlook to a resurgence of Asian trade flows. This was mainly due to intra-regional shipments picking up and a recovery in import demand in North America. Useful Info WTO – World Trade Organisation Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland Director-General of the WTO - Roberto Azevêdo India growing pretty robustly: World Bank President • World Bank President Jim Kim has said India has been growing pretty robustly. Speaking at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum meeting in New York , Kim said Japan, Europe and the US along with India were growing and there was a levelling-out in developing countries. He called for more cooperation among the multilateral system, private sector and the governments to take advantage of the current win-win situation.






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Useful Info World Bank HQ – Washington D.C President of World Bank – Jim Kim Government Keeps Interest Rates Unchanged on Small Savings Schemes • Ahead of monetary policy review, the government has kept unchanged the interest rates on small savings schemes like PPF, Kisan Vikas Patra and Sukanya Samriddhi for October-December quarter. Investments in the Public Provident Fund (PPF) scheme will fetch annual rate of 7.8 percent while Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) investments will yield 7.5 percent and mature in 115 months. The one for girl child savings, Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme will offer 8.3 percent annually. Similarly, the investment on 5-year Senior Citizens Savings Scheme will yield 8.3 percent. The interest rate on the senior citizens scheme is paid quarterly. Useful Info Sukanya Samriddhi Account can be opened up to age of 10 years only from the date of birth. The normal Premature closure will be allowed after completion of 18 years provided that girl is married under the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme. Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) Account- An individual of the Age of 60 years or more may open the account. National Savings Certificates (NSC) Scheme specially designed for Government employees, Businessmen and other salaried classes who are Income Tax assesses. Govt to exempt small exporters from furnishing bank guarantee for shipping goods & services • Government has decided to exempt small exporters from furnishing bank guarantee for shipping goods and services. In a statement, Finance Ministry said that to facilitate exports under GST, it has been decided that the facility of furnishing Letter of Undertaking, in place of a bond, for exporting goods and services shall be allowed to exporters and no bank guarantee will be required. The decision comes a day after exporters met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for resolution of GST-related problems to boost overseas shipments. Useful Info Union Minister for Finance - Arun Jaitley Constituency – Gujarat, Rajya Sabha World's Biggest Wealth Fund Hits $1 Trillion Value For First Time • Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the largest in the world, reached the value of $1 trillion for the first time. This amount equals nearly $189,000 (157,000 euros) for each of the 5.3 million people living in Norway. The fund mainly invests in stocks (accounting for 65.1 per cent of the portfolio at the end of the second quarter), but also in bonds and real estate. With stakes in nearly 9,000 companies, it owns 1.3 per cent of the world's market capitalization, and 2.3 per cent in Europe. Useful Info Country – Norway Capital – Oslo Currency - Norwegian krone

SEBI Markets regulator SEBI barred Orion Capital as well as Orion Broking from Markets for 10 years






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• Markets regulator SEBI barred Orion Capital as well as Orion Broking and their partners from the securities markets for 10 years for failing to redress several investor grievances pertaining to non- settlement of funds due to the clients. The nature of investor complaints received against both the firms are predominantly on non-settlement of the funds and securities and balances due to their clients. The claim amount is more than Rs 6 crore against Orion Capital and over Rs 4 crore against Orion Broking. Useful Info SEBI – Securities and Exchange Board of India Headquarters – Mumbai Chairperson – Ajay Tyagi SEBI Advisory Committee to Discuss Trading Hours Extension • An advisory committee of the Securities and Exchange Board of India is likely to discuss a proposal for extending stock market trading hours. The stock market in India currently opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 3.30 p.m., but there is a view, including among stock exchanges, that the trade hours could be extended till up to 7.30 p.m. to better align domestic trading with global markets. The 19-member committee is led by Jayanth R Varma, professor, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. The move to extend trading timings will only serve to push up costs and will hurt small and medium brokers the most. SEBI Allows Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to Issue Bonds • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to raise capital by issuing debt securities. The move will help attract investors to the capital-starved property sector. In addition to allowing bond issuances, SEBI also introduced the concept of strategic investor for REITs, similar to InvITs.

INTERNATIONAL Sushma Swaraj meets Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo to discuss bilateral issues • External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo and discussed bilateral issues. Foreign Secretary Dr. S. Jaishankar along with a delegation of other senior officials were present in the meeting. The minister, on a two -day official visit to Sri Lanka to participate in the second Indian Ocean Conference-IOC 2017, also met her Sri Lankan counterpart Tilak Marapana before leaving back home. Useful Info Union External Affairs Minister – Sushma Swaraj Constituency – Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh Country – Sri Lanka Capital – Colombo, Currency – Sri Lankan Rupee Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been ranked 9th in the world • India's largest autonomous public organisation Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been ranked ninth in the world. The institute has been ranked ninth amongst a total of 1,207 government institutions, according to the Scimago Institutions ranking World Report 2017. It is the only Indian organisation which has found






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place amongst the Top 100 Global Institutions. The ranking (Government Institutions) was topped by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Useful Info CSIR - Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Director General of CSIR - Girish Sahni World's Highest Sandcastle Built in German City • The world's highest sandcastle is now standing 16.68 meters tall in the German city of Duisburg. A German travel operator organized the construction of the mammoth sandcastle, bringing in 3,500 tons of sand over the past three and a half weeks to the site at a former steelworks in the inland city. It takes the title from a 14.84-metre sandcastle built early this year in India by sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik. Useful Info Country – Germany Capital – Berlin Currency – Euro Chancellor - Angela Merkel Indian Sand Artist - Sudarsan Pattnaik Death toll in Mexico from tropical storm Lidia rises to 7 • The death toll from Tropical Storm Lidia that swept across Mexico's Baja California peninsula has risen to seven. Officials said five of the deaths occurred at the resort town of Cabo San Lucas. According to the United States' National Hurricane Center, Lidia is advancing over the peninsula, home to a swank strip of beach resorts, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometres per hour. Useful Info Country – Mexico Capital – Mexico City Currency - Mexican peso 9th BRICS Summit has started in Xiamen, China • The 9th BRICS Summit has started in Xiamen, China with a group photograph of leaders of the five countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and was preceded by a warm handshake between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping. Useful Info Country – China President – Xi Jinping BRICS Countries Brazil – Brasília, Brazilian real Russia – Moscow, Russian Ruble India – New Delhi, Indian Rupee China – Beijing, Renminbi (Yuan) South Africa – Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Currency - South African Rand The theme of the 9th BRICS Summit is "Stronger Partnership for a better future".






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Arun Jaitley will attend key security dialouge with Japan today • Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will attend a key security dialouge with Japan today. Mr Jaitley said he will hold a bilateral dialogue with his Japanese counterpart, ahead of a visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to India later this month. He added, that it is a very important security dialogue between the two countries. Useful Info Country – Japan Capital – Tokyo Currency – Japanese Yen Union Finance Minister – Arun Jaitley Constituency – Gujarat, Rajya Sabha State of emergency declared in Los Angeles • A state of emergency has been declared in Los Angeles as the city battles the worst wildfires in its history. Hundreds of homes have been evacuated around the Glendale and Burbank suburbs. The fires, covering about 5,000 acres, started in La Tuna Canyon on Friday and have sent plumes of smoke over the city. At least three homes have already been destroyed and a major road, the 210 Freeway, closed. China Announced $80 Million Funding Plan for BRICS • China will give 500 million yuan ($76.4 million) for a BRICS economic and technology cooperation plan, and another $4 million for projects at the BRICS countries' New Development Bank stated Chinese President Xi Jinping. The announcement came amid questions over the relevance of BRICS and China's commitment to its New Development Bank (NDB) in light of the Belt and Road initiative and the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Useful Info Country – China Capital – Beijing Currency – Renminbi (Yuan) President – Xi Jinping Astronaut Peggy Whitson returned to Earth • Astronaut Peggy Whitson returned to Earth. Finishing a 288-day mission that put her over the top as the American who has spent the most cumulative amount of time in space. Peggy Whitson, 57, is also the oldest female astronaut in the history of space exploration, was the first female International Space Station commander, and holds the record for number of spacewalks by a woman. China Bans Raising Funds Through Cryptocurrencies • China has banned individuals and organizations from raising funds through Initial Coin Offerings (ICO), or launches of digital currencies, saying the practice constituted illegal fund-raising. ICOs have become a bonanza for digital currency entrepreneurs, globally and in China, allowing them to raise large sums quickly by creating and selling digital “tokens” with little or no regulatory oversight. The popularity of coin offerings has surged in China this year. In July, the state news agency Xinhua said there had been 65 ICOs so far during the year raising a combined 2.62 billion yuan ($394.6 million) from 105,000 individuals in the country. Useful Info






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Country – China Capital – Beijing Currency – Renminbi (Yuan) President – Xi Jinping Sushma Swaraj arrives in Russia on three-day visit • External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Russian port city of Vladivostok on a three-day visit to attend the third Eastern Economic Forum which will deliberate on pressing issues relating to global trade. She will also hold bilateral talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. The Eastern Economic Forum is considered as the biggest international communication platform for cooperation between businesses leaders and senior government representatives from Russia, the Pacific Region and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Delegates from at least 24 countries including the US, Japan, China, Australia, Canada, Britain and Germany are attending the gathering, as per Russian media reports. Useful Info Country – Russia Capital – Moscow Currency – Russian Ruble Union Minister for External Affairs – Sushma Swaraj Constituency – Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh UJALA Scheme Launched in Melaka, Malaysia • Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under Ministry of Power, Government of India has launched UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable Lighting for All) Scheme in the State of Melaka, Malaysia. The Scheme was launched by Chief Minister of Melaka Datuk Seri Utama Ir. Hj. Idris Bin Hj. Haron. Under this scheme, each household in Melaka will get 10 high-quality 9-watt LED bulbs. Useful Info Country – Malaysia Capital – Kuala Lumpur Currency – Malaysian ringgit PM Modi on January 5, 2015, had launched the world's largest, and most extensive LED distribution program, UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable Lighting for All). Hurricane Irma set to hit Florida keys, Tampa in US; 6.3 million people evacuated • Hurricane Irma is expected to hit the coast of Florida, in the US, but the outer bands are already affecting the south of the state and central Miami is being lashed by heavy rain. National Hurrican Centre reports that with sustained winds at 200 kilometres per hour, Irma has slowly began turning from Cuba's northern coast up into the Florida Strait. The storm is expected to strengthen again and remain a powerful hurricane when it reaches Florida. Useful Info Country – United States of America Capital – Washington D.C Currency – US Dollar President – Donald Trump






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Second Indian Workers’ Resource Centre Inaugurated in UAE • Indian Ambassador in UAE Navdeep Singh Suri inaugurated the second Indian Workers’ Resource Centre (IWRC) in UAE to provide support and counseling to Indians in distress. IWRC provides counseling and support to the overseas Indian Community on legal, personal and financial matters, free of cost. IWRC will provide support and guidance to any member of the Indian community in any such distress situation. Members of the Indian Community can call this centre from anywhere in UAE through a toll free number 800 INDIA or 80046342. The helpline will work 24×7 and will have multi lingual facility to help the Indian diaspora staying in UAE. Useful Info UAE – United Arab Emirates Capital – Abu Dhabi Currency – United Arab Emirates dirham Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Indian Ambassador to UAE - Navdeep Singh Suri Prince Charles Becomes Longest-Serving Prince of Wales • Prince Charles, the heir to Britain’s throne, became the longest-serving Prince of Wales in history. The 68-year-old broke the record of Queen Victoria’s oldest son Albert, who went on to become King Edward VII after holding the title of Prince of Wales for more than 59 years before becoming monarch. Prince Charles is the 21st Prince of Wales in the current line. Prince Charles was created Prince of Wales when he was nine years old on July 26, 1958. He has now held the title for more than 59 years. British Parliament Passed EU Withdrawal Bill • The Government’s bid to extract the UK from EU law in time for Brexit has passed its first Parliamentary test. The EU Withdrawal Bill was backed by MPs by 326 to 290. The bill, which will end the supremacy of EU law in the UK, now moves onto its next Parliamentary stage. Previously referred to as the Great Repeal Bill, the EU Withdrawal Bill overturns the 1972 European Communities Act which took the UK into the then European Economic Community. It will also convert all existing EU laws into UK law, to ensure there are no gaps in legislation on Brexit day. Useful Info Country – United Kingdom Capital – London Currency – Pound Sterling Facebook fined €1.2 mn by Spain data watchdog • Spain’s data protection watchdog has slapped a fine of €1.2 million euros (9 crore rupees) on Facebook for failing to prevent its users’ data being accessed by advertisers. Facebook collected personal data from its users in Spain without obtaining their “unequivocal consent”, the Spanish Data Protection Agency said. Useful Info Facebook headquarters – Menlo Park, California, United States Country – Spain Capital – Madrid Currency - Euro London- World's Top Financial Center






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• London retained its crown as the world’s top financial center in a ranking that surveys industry professionals, extending its lead over New York and Hong Kong despite ongoing uncertainty about the implications of Brexit. The U.K. capital fell only two points in the latest Global Financial Centres Index published by Z/Yen and the China Development Institute, the smallest decline among the top 10 centers. New York held on to second place. In Asia, Hong Kong leapfrogged Singapore into third place. Useful Info Country – United Kingdom Capital – London Currency – Pound Sterling Global Human Capital Index: India at 103, Norway Tops • India has been placed at a low 103 rank, the lowest among BRICS economies, on the World Economic Forum's Global Human Capital Index. The list has been topped by Norway. The list takes into account "the knowledge and skills people possess that enable them to create value in the global economic system" to measure the 'human capital' rank of a country. India is ranked lower than its BRICS peers, with Russian Federation placed as high as 16th place, followed by China at 34th, Brazil at 77th and South Africa at 87th place. The report measures total 130 countries. Useful Info Top 5 countries in the list are- 1. Norway (Oslo, Norwegian krone) 2. Finland (Helsinki, Euro) 3. Switzerland (Bern, Swiss Franc) 4. United States (Washington D.C, US Dollar) 5. Denmark (Copenhagen, Danish krone) India ranked - 103rd India has started 'Operation Insaniyat' to provided assistance to Bangladesh • India has started 'Operation Insaniyat' to provided assistance to Bangladesh in response to the humanitarian crisis being faced on account of the large influx of Rohingya refugees into that country from Myanmar. The first tranche of India’s relief aid for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh arrived and was handed over by the Indian envoy Harsh Vardhan Sringla to the General Secretary of ruling Awami League, Obaidul Quader. Useful Info Country – Bangladesh Capital – Dhaka Currency - Bangladeshi taka Three Indians Among World's '100 Greatest Living Business Minds' • Three Indian entrepreneurial legends, Ratan Tata, Lakshmi Mittal and Vinod Khosla have been included in Forbes’s special list of the world’s ‘100 Greatest Living Business Minds. Some of the notable honorees alongside Blank are- Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch, Donald Trump and more India to Conduct the First ‘BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise- 2017’ • The First ‘BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise- 2017’ (BIMSTEC DMEx-2017) will be conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as the lead agency from October 10-13, 2017 in Delhi and the National






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Capital Region (NCR). This Exercise will be a platform for sharing Best Practices on all aspects of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), strengthening regional response and coordination for Disaster Management among the BIMSTEC member countries. Useful Info BIMSTEC - Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation BIMSTEC Nations - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand First ever National Conference on 'Mission Mode to address Under-Nutrition' held in New Delhi • The Ministry of Women and Child Development holds the first ever National Conference in New Delhi on Mission Mode to address Under-Nutrition in the country. This conference is being organized keeping in mind the goal of “Malnutrition Free India-2022”. The National Conference, first of its kind, aims at bringing convergence at District/Block levels of the three key Departments (Health & Family Welfare, ICDS/Social Welfare and Drinking Water and Sanitation) wherein a roadmap would be drawn to evolve an appropriate strategy in tackling the problem of stunting, under-nutrition and wasting comprehensively and conclusively. Useful Info CM of New Delhi - Arvind Kejriwal Governor of New Delhi – Anil Baijal Minister of Women and Child Development – Menaka Sanjay Gandhi Constituency – Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) Government to launch mobile app for retiring government staff • Government will launch a mobile application for central government employees to help them to monitor the progress of their pension settlement cases. Retired employees will also be able to assess their superannuation funds and record complaints through the pension calculator. Minister of State for Public grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh will launch the app in New Delhi. Useful Info Minister of State for Public grievances and Pensions - Dr Jitendra Singh Constituency – Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir Three Indians Among World's '100 Greatest Living Business Minds' • Three Indian entrepreneurial legends, Ratan Tata, Lakshmi Mittal and Vinod Khosla have been included in Forbes’s special list of the world’s ‘100 Greatest Living Business Minds. Some of the notable honorees alongside Blank are- Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch, Donald Trump and more India to Conduct the First ‘BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise- 2017’ • The First ‘BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise- 2017’ (BIMSTEC DMEx-2017) will be conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as the lead agency from October 10-13, 2017 in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This Exercise will be a platform for sharing Best Practices on all aspects of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), strengthening regional response and coordination for Disaster Management among the BIMSTEC member countries. Useful Info BIMSTEC - Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation BIMSTEC Nations - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand






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First ever National Conference on 'Mission Mode to address Under-Nutrition' held in New Delhi • The Ministry of Women and Child Development holds the first ever National Conference in New Delhi on Mission Mode to address Under-Nutrition in the country. This conference is being organized keeping in mind the goal of “Malnutrition Free India-2022”. The National Conference, first of its kind, aims at bringing convergence at District/Block levels of the three key Departments (Health & Family Welfare, ICDS/Social Welfare and Drinking Water and Sanitation) wherein a roadmap would be drawn to evolve an appropriate strategy in tackling the problem of stunting, under-nutrition and wasting comprehensively and conclusively. Useful Info CM of New Delhi - Arvind Kejriwal Governor of New Delhi – Anil Baijal Minister of Women and Child Development – Menaka Gandhi Constituency – Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) Government to launch mobile app for retiring government staff • Government will launch a mobile application for central government employees to help them to monitor the progress of their pension settlement cases. Retired employees will also be able to assess their superannuation funds and record complaints through the pension calculator. Minister of State for Public grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh will launch the app in New Delhi. Useful Info Minister of State for Public grievances and Pensions - Dr Jitendra Singh Constituency – Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir 13th Inter-Governmental Commission Meeting in Kazakhstan • Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan is in Astana, Kazakhstan to co-chair the 13th Meeting of Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) with Kazakhstan. Mr Kanat Bozumbayev, Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan will co-chair the meeting from Kazakhstan side. The IGC meeting aims to follow up on the agenda set between India and Kazakhstan during the two visits of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Kazakhstan. Useful Info Country – Kazakhstan Capital – Astana Currency – Kazakhstani tenge Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship - Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Constituency – Rajya Sabha, Bihar 40 million people trapped in modern slavery: UN report • United Nations said, an estimated 40 million people, mostly women and girls, are trapped in modern slavery and 152 million children are subject to child labour. According to a UN report published during the UN General Assembly among 40 million people trapped in modern slavery, 29 million are women and girls. The report said one in four victims of modern slavery are children and about 52 million children are subject to child labour, accounting for almost one in ten children around the world. The largest part of them are living in Africa followed by Asia and the Pacific. Over 70 per






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cent of the child labourers remain in agriculture, while 17 per cent work in the services sector and almost 12 per cent in industry, the report said. The data was developed jointly by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Walk Free Foundation and the International Organisation foAr Migration (IOM). Useful Info ILO - International Labour Organisation Headquarters of ILO - Geneva, Switzerland IOM - International Organisation for Migration Headquarters of IOM - Geneva, Switzerland India has replaced China as the top retail destination in 2017 • India has replaced China as the top retail destination in 2017 as part of the global retail development index. The change in ranking was an outcome of four factors including increased consumer spending beyond essentials, rising mobile and internet penetration, favorable foreign investment climate and bold action on cashless transaction and GST.In addition to the bigger retailers and brands, the mid-size brands from across the world are also looking to cash on the relaxed retail policy in India. Useful Info Country – China Capital – Beijing Currency – Renminbi (Yuan) President – Xi Jinping Union Minister of Finance –ArunJaitley Constituency –Gujarat, RajyaSabha WHO Grants $175,000 for 'Vulnerable Population' of Bangladesh • The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first tranche of emergency funding of $175,000 to provide life-saving healthcare to the "vulnerable population" in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar.The WHO South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) grant will support 20 mobile medical teams to provide essential services for at least two months. The grant is also being used to procure essential medicines and medical supplies to be distributed to pre-existing health facilities in Cox's Bazar area. Useful Info WHO – World Health Organization Headquarters of WHO – Geneva, Switzerland Director General of WHO–TedrosAdhanomGhebreyesus Country – Bangladesh Capital – Dhaka Currency –Bangladeshi Taka Fifty countries have signed a treaty to ban nuclear weapons • Fifty countries have signed a treaty to ban nuclear weapons, a pact that the world’s nuclear powers spurned but supporters hailed as a historic agreement nonetheless.More than 120 countries approved the new nuclear weapons ban treaty in July 2017 over opposition from nuclear-armed countries and their allies, who boycotted negotiations. Among 50, Brazil was the first country to sign onto the ban, followed by nations from Algeria to Venezuela.






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Useful Info UN – United Nation Headquarters - New York, United States World’s Fastest Commercial Bullet Train in China • China restored the maximum speed of bullet trains on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway line to 350 kilometres per hour, making it the fastest commercially run train, six years after it reduced the speed due to a fatal accident. The speed was reduced to 300 kilometres per hour following the deadly accident in July 2011 that killed 40 people. Useful Info Country – China Capital – Beijing Currency – Renminbi (Yuan) President – Xi Jinping Uber Stripped of its Licence to Operate in London • London's transport regulator stripped Uber of its licence to operate, affecting over 40,000 drivers in a huge blow to the taxi app. The final day of Uber's licence will be on September 30. In London, Uber has faced criticism from unions, lawmakers and traditional black cab drivers over working conditions. Useful Info Country – United Kingdom Capital – London Currency – Pound Sterling CEO of UBER - Dara Khosrowshahi India Gets its First High Horsepower Locomotive from France • India has received its first High Horsepower Locomotive with the bodyshell of 12000 HP loco from Alstom France at Kolkata port. This first-of-its-kind high-power electric locomotive will be used to haul freight trains at twice the existing speed by 2018. This is the first major FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) project in the rail sector. The first such locomotive is estimated to cost about Rs 30 crore. The Indian Railways is currently using 6,000HP locomotives for freight services. The locomotive will run at a speed of up to 120 km/h. Useful Info Union Railway Minister - Piyush Goyal Constituency – Rajya Sabha, Maharashtra Country – France Capital – Paris Currency - Euro China's Hui Ka Yan Becomes Asia's Richest Man according to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List • Hui Ka Yan, the chairman of big China real estate developer China Evergrande Group, has become Asia’s richest man according to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List. Among mainland Chinese, Hui’s estimated fortune of $42.2 billion puts him ahead of Tencent Holdings Chairman Ma Huateng ($39.1 billion), Alibaba Group Chairman Jack Ma






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($38.9 billion), and Wanda Group Chairman Wang Jianlin ($30.4 billion). Ma Huateng currently ranks second in Asia and Jack Ma third. Useful Info Forbes – Forbes is an American business magazine Country – China Capital – Beijing Currency – Renminbi (Yuan) President – Xi Jinping MC Mary Kom, First Indian to be AIBA Representative at IOC Athletes’ Forum • Five-time world champion and Olympic bronze-medallist M C Mary Kom has become the first Indian to be picked as the International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) representative for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Forum. The event, however, overlaps with the Asian Championship in Vietnam, which is scheduled from November 2 to 12. If Mary Kom is selected for the tournament after trials, her participation at the IOC event would become uncertain. Useful Info AIBA - International Boxing Association’s Headquarters - Lausanne, Switzerland Angela Merkel Wins 4th Term as Chancellor of Germany • Angela Merkel won a fourth term as chancellor in Germany elections that lifted the far-right party Alternative for Germany into parliament for the first time since the immediate aftermath World War II. Merkel’s Christian Democrat-led bloc took 32.5% to defeat Martin Schulz’s Social Democrats, whose 20% is its worst result since the war, the exit polls for national broadcasters ARD and ZDF showed. Useful Info Country – Germany Capital – Berlin Currency - Euro WEF’s Global Competitiveness Rankings: India Ranks 40th, Switzerland Tops • India remains the most competitive country in South Asia, appearing at No. 40 in the global competitiveness ranking of 137 countries by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The ranking is one lower than last year. According to WEF, India’s score is its highest ever according to the current methodology, which ranked Switzerland as the world’s most competitive economy. Useful Info World’s top three competitive economic countries 1st – Switzerland (Bern, Swiss franc) 2nd – United States of America (Washington D.C, US Dollar) 3rd – Singapore (Singapore, Singapore Dollar) 40th - India India ranks 3rd among BRICS nations China (27th) and Russia (38th) outshine India among the BRICS group of large emerging markets. ’Incredible India’ Campaign Launched in Cairo, Egypt






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• India launched a campaign to woo Egyptian travellers and make them aware of magnificent holiday options in the country. The month-long "Incredible India!" campaign has been organised by the Embassy of India in Cairo. As a part of the campaign, 12 buses of transport authority will showcase various tourist destinations in India, including culture, festivals, monuments, landscape, wildlife, people and food. Useful Info Country – Egypt Capital – Cairo Currency – Egyptian pound Two Indians on Fortune's List of 'Most Powerful Women in International Business' • Two Indian women have featured on Fortune's list of Most Powerful Women in business outside the US. Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar was ranked fifth and Managing Director and CEO of Axis Bank Shikha Sharma was ranked at 21. Group Executive Chairman of Spain's Banco Santander Ana Botín topped the list. The 50 global businesswomen represent 17 countries and many industries. Useful Info Top three Most Powerful Women in business in the List are- 1st Ana Botin (Spain) 2nd Emma Walmsley (UK) 3rd Isabelle Kocher (France). 5th Chanda Kochhar (ICICI Bank CEO) 21st Shikha Sharma (Axis Bank CEO) Two US Lawmakers Introduce Legislation in House of Representative to Support India’s Permanent Membership to UNSC • In the United States, two influential Democratic lawmakers have introduced a legislation in the House of Representative to support India’s permanent membership to the UN Security Council. Introduced by Congressman Ami Bera and Congressman Frank Pallone, the resolution would put the House officially on record in support of India’s bid. Ami Bera, Vice Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and longest serving Indian-American in Congress stated that securing a permanent spot for India on the UN Security Council would strengthen democracy around the world. Useful Info UN – United Nation Headquarters of UN – New York Twitter Announces Test Project Allowing Tweets to be Expanded From 140 to 280 Characters • Twitter has announced a test project allowing tweets to be expanded to 280 characters, double the existing limit in the latest effort to boost flagging growth at the social network. It aims to address a major cause of frustration for many users. Twitter, which became a public company in 2013, has never reported a profit even though it has built a loyal base of celebrities, journalists and political figures. Useful Info Twitter HQ - San Francisco CEO of Twitter - Jack Dorsey






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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has issued a decree allowing women to drive for the first time • Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has issued a decree allowing women to drive for the first time. The order will be implemented by June 2018. The royal decree will implement the provisions of traffic regulations, including the issuance of driving licences for men and women alike. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world to forbid women from driving. Saudi women remain largely under the whim of male relatives due to guardianship laws. Useful Info Country – Saudi Arabia Capital – Riyadh Currency - Saudi riyal

Appointments (National& International) in September 2017: National Appointments in September 2017:

New Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)

Rajiv Mehrishi Useful Info:

New CAG – Rajiv Mehrishi Preceded by – Shashi Kant Sharma New Home Secretary – Rajiv Gauba

Preceded by – Rajiv Mehrishi

New Election Commissioner of India Sunil Arora Useful Info:

Chief Election Commissioner of India – Achal Kumar Joti

first brand ambassador of tyre maker Bridgestone India

PV Sindhu Registered Office of Bridgestone India Private Limited is in

Pune, Maharashtra Useful Info:

State – Maharashtra Capital – Mumbai

CM – Devendra Fadnavis Governor – Vidyasagar Rao

new Chairperson of Central Board of Secondary Education, (CBSE)

IAS officer Anita Karwal Preceded by – Rajesh Kumar Chaturvedi Director General

of the National Skill Development Agency.

MD & CEO of Vijaya Bank

Sankara Narayanan (He has taken over the reigns of the bank from Kishore Sansi, who reached superannuation on

August 31. He joined Bank of India as a direct recruit officer in 1983 and has headed various branches.)

Useful Info: Vijaya Bank HQ – Bengaluru






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MD & CEO - R A Sankara Narayanan Tagline Line – A Friend you can bank on.

Chairman of Press Trust of India

Viveck Goenka (Chairman and Managing Director of the Express Group) he succeeds Riyad Mathew.

N. Ravi, former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu has been elected as the Vice Chairman of PTI. Mr. Ravi succeeds

Mr. Goenka as Vice Chairman.

New Coach of Indian Men's Hockey Team Sjoerd Marijne (He has replaced Roelant Oltmans.)

interim chairman of the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN)

A.B. Pandey (CEO of UIDAI) Pandey was given additional charge days after GSTN’s first chairman Navin Kumar

completed his term on 29 August.

new president of the automobile industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM)

Abhay Firodia (Force Motors Chief) Useful Info:

SIAM - Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers SIAM is headquartered in New Delhi

New President of SIAM - Abhay Firodia

New CMD of United India Insurance Co. Ltd (UIIC)

M. Nagaraja Sarma (Sarma is at present the general manager, Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd.)

Useful Info Head Office of United India Insurance Co. Ltd. is in

Chennai

Chairman and Managing Director of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Ltd

Mahendra Pratap Mall Useful Info:

Corporate Office of IRCTC is situated at New Delhi

chief of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Y.C Modi (Senior IPS officer) He will take over from

Sharad Kumar after he completes his tenure on October 30.

Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Rajni Kant Misra (Mr. Misra is at present the Additional Director General in the Border Security Force (BSF).)

India’s New High Commissioner to Pakistan

Ajay Bisaria Useful Info:

Country – Pakistan Capital – Islamabad

Currency – Pakistani Rupee

New Chairman of NHPC Balraj Joshi Useful Info:

NHPC Headquarters – Faridabad, India

Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of ONGC Shashi Shankar (He will replace Dinesh K Sarraf)

New CEO of Tata Capital Rajiv Sabharwal (He will be joining Tata Capital in January






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2018 and would be taking over from the company's current Managing Director & CEO Praveen P Kadle.)

Useful Info: N Chandrasekaran is the Chairman of Tata Sons

Resignation

Infosys Senior Vice President Sanjay Rajagopalan has resigned from his post.

List of New Governor of Indian States:

State New Governor Preceded

Tamilnadu Banwarilal Purohit Vidyasagar Rao

Assam Prof Jagdish Mukhi Banwarilal Purohit

Bihar Satya Pal Malik Keshari Nath Tripathi

Meghalaya Ganga Prasad Banwarilal Purohit

Andaman and Nicobar Devendra Kumar Joshi Jagdish Mukhi

Important International Appointments:

New High Commissioner of India to Cyprus R.K. Raghavan Useful Info: Country – Cyprus Capital – Nicosia Currency – Euro, Cypriot pound

New head the US space agency NASA James Bridenstine Useful Info: Country – United States of America Capital – Washington D.C Currency – US Dollar President – Donald Trump

U.S Ambassador to India Kenneth I. Juster

the first Indian woman ambassador in 'Friends of Australia' (FOA) advocacy panel by Tourism Australia.

Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra Useful Info: Country – Australia Capital – Canberra Currency – Australian Dollar

8th President of Singapore Halimah Yacob (She became the country’s first female President and the first in five decades to come from the Malay ethnicity.) Useful Info: Country – Singapore Capital – Singapore City






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Currency – Singapore Dollar

Newly elected as Chair of Ethics Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Ban Ki-moon (Former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General) Useful Info: IOC - International Olympic Committee Headquarters of IOC – Lausanne, Switzerland President of IOC - Thomas Bach

new Prime Minister of Peru Mercedes Araoz Fernandez (He replaced Fernando Zavala, who lost the vote of confidence by lawmakers on 15 September 2017.) Useful Info: Country – Peru Capital – Lima Currency – Sol New Prime Minister - Mercedes Araoz Fernandez

Uttarakhand Swachh Bharat Mission Brand Ambassador Akshay Kumar (Bollywood actor) Akshay was also appointed as the brand ambassador for the cleanliness campaign in Uttar Pradesh in August 2017 and his film "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha" was made tax-free in the state. Useful Info: State – Uttarakhand Capital – Dehradun CM - Trivendra Singh Rawat Governor - Krishan Kant Paul

New President of Angola Joao Lourenco (He is first new President of the country in 38 years) Useful Info: Country – Angola Capital – Luanda Currency - Angolan kwanza

Resignation

Prime Minister of Iceland Mr. Bjarni Benediktsson has resigned from the post Useful Info: Country – Iceland Capital – Reykjavik Currency – Icelandic króna






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Awards and Honours- September 2017

Awards Winners

Prestigious Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Award

The Reliance Foundation (Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) also received the Rashtriya Khel Protsahana

Purushkar for its ‘Identification and Nurturing of Budding and Young Talent’ (IDCO) program.)

Useful Info: Nita Ambani is the chairperson and founder of Reliance

Foundation and a non-executive director of Reliance Industries

National Award for ‘Excellence’ in Energy Management

Hyderabad International Airport Ltd Useful Info:

State – Telangana Capital – Hyderabad

CM – K. Chandrashekar Rao Governor – Ekkadu Srinivasan Lakshmi Narasimhan

Winner of ‘best bank’ award among small banks

Karnataka Bank (for the use of technology for financial inclusion at the 13th IDRBT Banking Technology

Excellence Awards 2016-17.) Useful Info:

Karnataka Bank Headquarters in Mangaluru MD & CEO - Mahabaleshwara M.S

PLuS Alliance Prize N R Narayana Murthy (Infosys co-founder) and Veena

Sahajwalla (Mumbai-born scientist)

First life time award by Badminton Association of India (BAI)

Prakash Padukone (The renowned Indian Badminton legend, he won the 1980 All England, besides bagging a

bronze at the 1983 World Championship in Copenhagen.) Useful info:

Mr. Himantha Biswa Sarma is the President of Badminton Association of India.

Prestigious N R Madhava Menon Best Law Teacher Award 2017

Tahir Mahmood (He is a Eminent jurist awarded for his distinguished services to legal education and the legal

profession on the occasion of Law Teachers' Day celebrations)

National level Rajbhasha Keerti Award The Marine Products Export Development Authority

(MPEDA) (This award has been given to MPEDA for the best Implementation of Official language in






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the organization.) Useful Info:

MPEDA Chairman- A Jayathilak Vijaya Bank has bagged the first prize under

the Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar (Region C) for the year 2016-17

Prestigious ANR National Award

S S Rajamouli (film-maker) Useful Info:

Vice President - M Venkaiah Naidu S S Rajamouli – Film Maker

Recent Movie of S S Rajamouli – Bahubali

UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) 2017 Nansen Refugees Award

Zannah Mustapha (He is the Director of Future Prowess Islamic Foundation School. Mr. Mustapha is the first

Nigerian recipient of the award.) Useful Info:

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was created in 1950.

In 1954, UNHCR won the Nobel Peace Prize for its groundbreaking work in Europe.

FilippoGrandi is the 11th United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Prestigious Von Hippel Award Professor C.N.R Rao (Eminent scientist) (The award is

the US-based Materials Research Society’s (MRS) highest honour. Mr Rao is the Bharat Ratna awardee.)

Gentlemen’s Quarterly Actor of the Year Award

Rajkummar Rao (GQ (Gentlemen’s Quarterly) magazine conducted the GQ Men of the Year Awards for 2017, in

Mumbai. Woman of the Year award was won by Anushka Sharma.)

69th Emmy Awards: Complete List of Winners

SNo Award Winner

1. Outstanding Comedy Series Veep

2. Outstanding Drama Series The Handmaid's Tale

3. Outstanding Variety Talk Series Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

4. Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Saturday Night Live

5. Outstanding Limited Series Big Little Lies

6. Outstanding Television Movie Black Mirror: "San Junipero"

7. Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Donald Glover as Earnest "Earn" Marks on Atlanta






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Series

8. Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy

Series Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer on Veep

9. Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama

Series Sterling K. Brown as Randall Pearson on This Is Us

10. Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama

Series Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne / Offred on The Handmaid's Tale

11. Outstanding Directing for a Comedy

Series Atlanta (Episode: "B.A.N."), Directed by Donald Glover

12. Outstanding Directing for a Drama

Series The Handmaid's Tale (Episode: "Offred"), Directed by Reed Morano

13. Outstanding Writing for a Comedy

Series Master of None (Episode: "Thanksgiving"), Written by Aziz Ansari and

Lena Waithe

74th Venice Film Festival Awards 2017

Golden Lion - Best Movie The Shape of Water, directed by Guillermo del Toro

Grand Jury Prize Foxtrot, directed by Samuel Maoz

Silver Lion - Best Director Xavier Legrand (for Jusqu’à la Garde)

Volpi Cup - Best Actress Charlotte Rampling (for Hannah)

Volpi Cup - Best Actor Kamel El Basha (for The Insult)

UNESCO Announced Winners of Literacy Prizes

The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 Awards) AdulTICoProgram (Columbia), FunDza Literacy Trust (South Africa) and The Citizens Foundation (Pakistan)

The King Sejong Literacy Prize The Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance (Canada) and the We Love Reading programme (Jordan).

BUSINESS NEWS

Bharti Airtel, has launched Airtel GST Advantage • Airtel Business, the B2B arm of telecom major Bharti Airtel, has launched Airtel GST Advantage - a solution designed to enable small businesses and start-ups to file their GST returns “accurately, securely and seamlessly.” Launched in partnership with ClearTax, Airtel GST Advantage is being offered free to all existing Airtel Business customers. Airtel GST Advantage offers a three-pronged solution to customers, they can get free and secure access to the GST Network via Clear Tax. Useful Info Director & CEO of Airtel Business - Ashok Ganapathy Samsung’s Bixby Voice now works in India






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• Bixby takes some initial setting up, requiring users to input their voice, reading commands and sentences and trying out a few tasks. Bixby is meant to do additional and on-phone tasks which Samsung hopes will make getting things done faster and easier. Bixby Voice can be triggered by saying “Hi Bixby” to a sleeping device also. Useful Info Samsung HQ – Seoul, South Korea Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is the world’s third-biggest energy company • Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is the world’s third-biggest energy company behind Russian gas firm Gazprom and German utility E.ON, according to Platts Top 250 Global Energy Company Rankings. State-owned Indian Oil Corp (IOC) climbed to 7th position in the 2017 ranking, up from 14th rank in 2016. Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) was placed at 11th position in 2017 as against 20th in 2016. Coal India Ltd, the world’s largest coal producer, was the only Indian firm to have slipped in the ranking - 45 in 2017. Useful Info Russia’s Gazprom snagged the number 1 spot, ending US oil and gas giant ExxonMobil’s 12-year reign at the top of the list.

MoU and AGREEMENT India and Switzerland signed two MoUs in the field of Railways • India and Switzerland signed two MoUs in the field of Railways. The two MoUs were signed between Ministry of Railways and Swiss Confederation after high-level talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Doris Leuthard, President of Swiss Confederation during her visit to New Delhi. First MoU • The MoU was signed between Ministry of Railways and Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, and Communications of the Swiss Confederation for technical cooperation in Rail Sector. The MoU aims at cooperation in the following areas: 1. Traction Rolling stock 2. EMU and Train sets 3. Traction Propulsion Equipment 4. Tilting Trains Second MoU • The second MoU was signed between Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich. The MoU aims to help the Konkan Railway in establishing the George Fernandes Institute of Tunnel Technology (GFITT) at Goa, especially for assimilation and dissemination of knowledge in the field of tunneling. Useful Info Union Minister for Railways – Piyush Goyal Constituency – Maharashtra, Rajya Sabha Country – Switzerland Capital – Bern Currency – Swiss Franc Swedish defence major SAAB announced its tie-up with Adani Group






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• Swedish defence major SAAB announced its tie-up with Adani Group to manufacture the Gripen E fighter jets in India under the Defence Ministry’s $10 billion single-engine fighter jet procurement programme. The announcement comes within months of US’ Lockheed Martin announcing its joint venture with Tata Advanced Systems for producing the latest version of F-16 in India. Useful Info Chairman and Founder of the Adani Group – Gautam Adani Country – Sweden Capital – Stockholm Currency - Swedish krona Nepal has signed a USD 635 million UN assistance package for 2018-2022 • Nepal has signed a USD 635 million UN assistance package for 2018-2022 to lay out the country’s development strategy for the next five years. The package involves 26 individual UN agencies. The National Planning Commission, apex advisory body of the Government of Nepal, and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Nepal signed the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). Useful Info Country – Nepal Capital – Kathmandu Currency – Nepalese Rupee United Nations Secretary-General - Antonio Guterres India, Myanmar sign eleven MoUs in a range of sectors • India and Myanmar have signed 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) agreements in a range of sectors, including one on maritime security cooperation. The MoUs were signed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Nay Pyi Taw. • Besides the MoU to strengthen maritime security cooperation, the countries also signed an agreement for sharing white shipping information to improve data sharing on non-classified merchant navy ships or cargo ships. • The 11 MoUs also include one between the Election Commission of India and Union Election of Myanmar, the national level electoral commission of Myanmar. An MoU was also signed to organise cultural exchange programme for the period 2017-2020, according to a statement issued by Ministry of External Affairs. • The two countries also signed agreements on cooperation between Myanmar Press Council and Press Council of India, extension of agreement on the establishment of India-Myanmar Centre for Enhancement of IT skill. • They also signed agreements to cooperate in 'Medical Products Regulation' and in the field of health and medicine. They also signed an MoU on enhancing the cooperation on upgradation of the women's police training centre at Yamethin in Myanmar. Useful Info Country – Myanmar (Burma) Capital – Naypyidaw Currency - Burmese kyat Agreement between State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) US-based networking solutions provider Coriant to chart the path to 5G






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• State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) entered into an agreement with US-based networking solutions provider Coriant to chart the path to 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) in India. The MoU was signed between BSNL and Coriant for laying the foundation for innovation in network architectures and services leveraging 5G, IoT, Software Defined Networking/Network Functions Virtualisation (SDN/NFV), and mobile edge computing technologies. Useful Info Chairman & Managing Director of BSNL is Shri Anupam Shrivastava Internet of Things – the interconnection via the Internet of computing devices embedded in everyday objects, enabling them to send and receive data. Ashok Leyland Inks Pact with Rosoboronexport, ELCOM • The defence entity of Hinduja Group flagship company Ashok Leyland had signed an MoU with Rosoboronexport, Russia, to supply tracked vehicle solutions to the armed forces. Rosoboronexport (ROE) is the only State organisation in Russia for export of the entire range of military products and technologies. Ashok Leyland signed another MoU with ELCOM Group which is also emerging as a significant player in strategic electronics, avionics and tactical communication globally. Useful Info Country – Russia Capital – Moscow Currency – Russian Ruble Rosoboronexport represents Russian companies engaged in the manufacturing of main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and is currently working with the Indian Army. Exide Life Insurance has announced a partnership with Punjab & Maharashtra Co-operative Bank (PMC Bank) • Exide Life Insurance has announced a partnership with Punjab & Maharashtra Co-operative Bank (PMC Bank) to offer its protection and savings products to the latter’s customers. PMC Bank is a multi-State scheduled urban cooperative bank with 127 branches spread across Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Exide Life Insurance works with around 50 banks. Useful Info Exide Life Insurance Company Limited Headquarter – Bengaluru MD and CO of Exide Life Insurance - Kshitij Jain List of MoUs Signed During Visit of PM Modi to Myanmar After attending the BRICS Summit in China, PM Modi left for his three-day visit to Myanmar. He was received by the Myanmar President Htin Kyaw. Following set of agreements were signed between the two nation. • MoU on Maritime Security Cooperation • Cultural Exchange Programme for the year 2017-2020. • MoU on Enhancing the Cooperation of the Upgradation of the Women's Police Training Centre at Yamethin, Myanmar. • MoU for Sharing White Shipping Information between the Indian Navy and Myanmar Navy • Technical Agreement for providing Coastal Surveillance System






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• MoU between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry Of Health and Family Welfare of the Republic of India and Food and Drugs (FDA), Ministry of Health and Sports of Myanmar on Cooperation in Medical Products Regulation. • Exchange of Letter for Extension of MoU on the establishment of MIIT • Exchange of Letter for Extension of MoU on the establishment of India-Myanmar Center for Enhancement of IT-Skill • MoU in the field of elections between the Election Commission of India and The Union Election Commission of Myanmar. • MoU on Cooperation between Myanmar Press Council and the Press Council of India. Useful Info Country – Myanmar (Burma) Capital – Naypyidaw Currency - Burmese kyat Andhra Pradesh government has signed an MoU with Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) • The Andhra Pradesh government has signed an MoU with the US-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT)to build India's first Hyperloop system. The planned project is aimed at connecting cities Amaravati and Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, supposedly covering the distance of over 35 km in just five minutes. The AP Economic Development Board (AP-EDB) and HTT signed the MoU in Amaravati. Under the MoU, a six-month feasibility study would be conducted from October. Useful Info State – Andhra Pradesh Capital – Amaravati CM – N. Chandrababu Naidu Governor - E. S. L. Narasimhan BSNL and Punjab National Bank (PNB) Join Hands for Mobile Wallet Speedpay Rollout • Punjab National Bank and state-run firm BSNL teamed up to roll out open mobile wallet Speedpay across 10 states in the country. PNB Speedway wallet will operate like any other mobile wallet for paying bills, recharging phone besides its users will be able to deposit and withdraw money from authorized retail outlets. Under the agreement, BSNL will expand Speedpay services in Punjab, Chandigarh(UT), Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand. Useful Info PNB – Punjab National Bank Headquarters – New Delhi Tagline – The name you can bank upon MD & CEO of Punjab National Bank - Sunil Mehta Chairman & Managing Director of BSNL - Shri Anupam Shrivastava India and Afghanistan exchanged four pacts in areas of health, transport, space • India and Afghanistan exchanged four pacts in areas of health, transport, space and new development partnership. The agreements were exchanged after delegation level talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and






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Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani in New Delhi. Mr. Rabbani was on the three-day visit to India. India will supply wheat to Afghanistan in coming weeks through Chahbahar port. Useful Info Country – Afghanistan Capital – Kabul Currency - Afghan afghani Union Minister for External Affairs – Sushma Swaraj Constituency – Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Government and Mother Dairy have signed a lease agreement to set up a processing plant • The Maharashtra Government and Mother Dairy Fruit and Vegetable Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) have signed a lease agreement to set up a state-of-the-art milk and milk products processing plant. As per the MoU, a dairy development initiative will begin in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions to provide access to milk producers to markets in Nagpur and Mumbai. Useful Info State – Maharashtra Capital – Mumbai CM – Devendra Fadnavis Governor – Vidyasagar Rao Paytm Payments Bank (PPB) has partnered with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) • Paytm Payments Bank (PPB) has partnered with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to launch a RuPay-powered digital debit card. With the PPB Digital debit card, customers will now be able to transact at all merchants who accept credit and debit cards. Existing Paytm users need to complete a KYC process to become an account holder with PPB. Following this, they will be issued a free digital RuPay card. Useful Info NPCI - National Payments Corporation of India Paytm founder - Vijay Shekhar Sharma Ten MoUs have been signed between India and Belarus • Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Belarus President Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko in New Delhi and discussed various issues of mutual interest of both countries. A number of agreements were signed in several areas after the talks. Mr. Lukashenko’s visit was significant as it took place in a year when Belarus and India are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Following are the 10 Agreements/MoUs were signed: • MoU between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus • MoU between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of the Government of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Education of the Government of the Republic of Belarus for Cooperation in the Field of Vocational Education and Training • Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation between Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus






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• MoU between Indian Council of Agricultural Research, India and Belarusian State Agricultural Academy, Gorki, Belarus for Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Education • Protocol amending the Agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Belarus signed on April 16, 2007 • Programme of cooperation between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of Republic of Belarus in the field of culture for 2018-2020 • MoU between M/o Petroleum & Natural Gas of the Republic of India and Belarusian State Concern of Oil and Chemistry in the Oil and Gas Sector • MoU between JSV "Belzarubezhstroy” and National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd. • MoU between JSC Belarusian Potash Company (BPC) and Indian Potash Ltd (IPL) • Agreement on the implementation of MoU signed between OJSC Minsk Tractor Works and Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd. India in Pune Useful Info Country – Belarus Capital – Minsk Currency – Belarusian Ruble Payment gateway provider PayU has announced its collaborations with the IRCTC • Payment gateway provider PayU has announced its collaborations with the IRCTC to provide users a safe and secure option to pay for rail tickets booked via the IRCTC website. PayU will now be available as a payment option under the Multiple Payment Services (MPS) option on the IRCTC website at the payment stage of booking an e- ticket. Clicking on this option will enable users to make a safe and secure transaction via various payment options like internet banking, debit/credit card and e-wallet. Useful Info Union Minister for Railways – Piyush Goyal Constituency – Rajya Sabha, Maharashtra Bharti Airtel and SK Telecom of Korea have announced a strategic partnership • Telecom services provider, Bharti Airtel and SK Telecom of Korea have announced a strategic partnership under which Airtel will leverage the latter's expertise to build advanced telecom network in India. SK Telecom is Korea’s largest telecommunications company with more than 29 million mobile subscribers, which accounts for around 50 percent of the total market. The two companies will also collaborate on an ongoing basis to evolve standards for 5G and Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV). Useful Info Bharti Airtel is Headquartered in New Delhi. Gopal Vittal is the MD & CEO (India and South Asia) of Bharti Airtel Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC)Ties-up With Sa-Dhan • Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) has entered into an agreement with microfinance industry association Sa-Dhan to develop digital ecosystem for India's unbanked segment. The bank will provide technical expertise to train and educate microfinance consumers at the grassroots level and introduce digital banking to promote easier and time-efficient financial transaction among the so-called bottom-of-the-pyramid customer.






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Useful Info HSBC - Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Headquarters of HSBC – London Corporate Affairs Ministry and Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has signed an MoU • Corporate Affairs Ministry and Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has signed an MoU for automatic and regular exchange of information to curb the menace of shell companies, money laundering and black money in the country. The MoU will enable sharing of specific information such as PAN number data in respect of corporates, Income Tax returns of corporates, financial statements filed with the Registrar by corporates, audit reports, and statements of financial transactions received from banks relating to corporates. Useful Info Union Minister for corporate affairs – Arun Jaitley Constituency – Gujarat, Rajya Sabha Sushil Chandra is the Chairman of CBDT Force Motors, Rolls-Royce Power Tie up • Pune-based auto firm Force Motors Ltd has entered into a non-binding joint venture agreement with Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG to produce engines for power generation and rail application and complete power generation systems, including spare parts, for Indian and global markets. The joint venture with Rolls-Royce will be the company’s first step towards diversifying into the non-auto segment. In the joint venture, Force Motors will hold a 51% stake and Rolls-Royce the rest. Useful Info Rolls-Royce is a luxury car and aero engine manufacturing company that headquarters in United Kingdom. Country – United Kingdom Capital – London Currency – Pound Sterling India signed a loan deal worth $76 million with Japan • The Government of India signed a loan deal worth $76 million with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a project to upgrade the environment management plan at Alang-Sosiya ship recycling yards. The total cost of the project will be $ 111 million, out of which $76 million will be provided as a soft loan from JICA. Out of the remaining amount, $25 million as taxes and fees will be borne by Government of Gujarat and the balance $10 million will be shared by Ministry of Shipping & Government of Gujarat. The project will be executed by Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) and is likely to be completed by 2022. Useful Info Country – Japan Capital – Tokyo Currency – Japanese Yen India and Japan signed an Open Sky agreement to operate unlimited number of flights between the two countries • India and Japan signed an agreement that will allow their airlines to operate unlimited number of flights between the two countries. It opens skies between India and Japan ie. Indian and Japanese carriers can mount now unlimited number of flights to the selected cities of each other's countries. The National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016, allows the






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government to enter into an 'open sky' air services agreement on a reciprocal basis with SAARC nations as well as countries beyond a 5,000 kilometre radius from New Delhi. Useful Info Country – Japan Capital – Tokyo Currency – Japanese Yen Amazon Ties up With Bank of Baroda To Offer Micro-Loans To Sellers • Amazon has tied up with Bank of Baroda for the loans, which can go up to Rs. 25 lakh. The Indian arm of the US e-commerce giant, Amazon plans to provide unsecured micro-loans, as low as 1 lakh, at interest rates as low as 10.45-11 per cent at a short span of 3-5 days. With the Bank of Baroda tie-up, the company wants to cater to every strata of sellers. Useful Info Amazon HQ – Seattle, Washington, United States Bank of Baroda HQ – Vadodara Tagline of Bank of Baroda – India’s International Bank Ola Ties Up With Karnataka Tourism Dept • In line with United Nations’ theme for this year’s World Tourism Day, cab aggregator Ola kicked off a tourism campaign in the state. The campaign is being carried out in association with Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation to promote and raise awareness about responsible tourism named “GhoomoResponsibly”. Tourism and IT-BT Minister Priyank M. Kharge flagged off this campaign in Bangalore. Useful Info State – Karnataka Capital – Bengaluru CM – Siddaramaiah Governor – Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala CEO of Ola - Bhavish Aggarwal Tata Steel, Thyssenkrupp Sign MoU for European Steel JV • Tata Steel and Thyssenkrupp of Germany have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a deal that is poised to create one of Europe's largest steel companies. The two partners have been in merger talks for more than a year.They will form a 50:50 joint venture to create a powerful No. 2 in the European steel market. The merger will lead to substantial cost savings for both steel players. Useful Info NatarajanChandrasekaran is the Chairman of Tata Steel. Dr. Heinrich Hiesinger is the CEO of Thyssenkrupp. Britain and Saudi Arabia Sign Military Cooperation Deal • Saudi Arabia and Britain signed a framework deal for military cooperation. The agreement came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed security ties with visiting British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah. The agreement comes as Britain seeks to explore lucrative trade deals outside Europe, including energy-rich Gulf monarchies, after voting to leave the European Union.






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Useful Info Country – Saudi Arabia Capital – Riyadh Currency – Saudi riyal Dabur India Ties Up with Amazon for Ayurveda Marketplace • Dabur India has tied up with e-commerce major Amazon for an online ayurveda marketplace which will house all ayurvedic brands and products of the country. The company will also offer consumers an insight into various ayurvedic medicines for treating a variety of ailments. The exclusive ayurveda e-marketplace has been hosted by Amazon India and the content is developed by Dabur India. Useful Info Amazon HQ – Seattle, Washington, United States Founder of Amazon - Jeff Bezos Maharashtra government has signed a MoU with South Korea • The Maharashtra government has signed a MoU with South Korea for increased co-operation in infrastructure projects like development of smart cities, roads, airports and metros on the first day of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ visit to that country. This MoU is to help with implementation strategy, legal systems, policies, technologies and information in infrastructure development. Fadnavis embarked on a three-day tour to South Korea and Singapore. Useful Info Country – South Korea Capital – Seoul Currency – South Korean Won Russia, US Partner to Build 1st Ever Space Station Near Moon • Russian and US space agencies, Roscosmos and NASA, have agreed to jointly build a "deep space gateway", the first-ever astronaut-tended space station around the Moon. The gateway would help prepare for manned missions to deep space destinations including Mars. NASA and Roscosmos are two of the major partners in the $100-billion Earth-orbiting International Space Station (ISS). Following in the footsteps of the International Space Station, the moon ship would be open to astronauts and cosmonauts from around the world. Useful Info Roscosmos – Russian Space Agency NASA – American Space Agency Country – Russia Capital – Moscow Currency – Russian Ruble Country – United States of America Capital – Washington D.C Currency – US Dollar Air India has tied up with public sector lender PNB and private lender IndusInd Bank • Air India has tied up with public sector lender PNB and private lender IndusInd Bank to secure loans to the tune of over Rs 3,000 crore for meeting working capital requirements. Recently, the disinvestment-bound Air India had floated






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tenders for availing Govt. guarantee backed INR short-term loans totalling up to Rs 3,250 crore in the first phase to meet its urgent working capital. Useful Info PNB – Punjab National Bank Headquarters of PNB – New Delhi Chairman and Managing Director of Air India Ltd - Rajiv Bansal India and Norway have extended bilateral cooperation in the health sector • India and Norway have extended bilateral cooperation in the health sector through the Norway-India Partnership Initiative for a period of three years starting 2018. A letter of Intent was signed to this effect in New Delhi between the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Partnership Initiative now extends to Jammu and Kashmir and four other States- Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are already covered under it. Useful Info Country – Norway Capital – Oslo Currency – Norwegian krone Telecom equipment and solutions provider VNL has signed an MoU with BSNL • Telecom equipment and solutions provider VNL has signed an MoU with BSNL to provide solutions for disaster management. The 'Relief 123' service will restore connectivity at disaster sites, help locate the affected and integrate information across platforms to enable informed decision-making for quick relief. The service is an integrated disaster response solution for first responders and public safety agencies. The solution is designed and manufactured by VNL and the backhaul connectivity will be provided by BSNL. Useful Info Chairman & Managing Director of BSNL - Anupam Shrivastava Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has signed an MoU with Chinese gear maker ZTE • Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese gear maker ZTE. Both the parties will work together and prove key technologies like Pre5G and 5G wireless systems to make virtual network architecture of a 5G ecosystem for research and commercialization in India. Useful Info Country – China Capital – Beijing Currency – Renminbi (Yuan) President – Xi Jinping Aeris Communications partners BSNL for IOT solutions • Aeris Communications has entered into a partnership with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to provide packaged Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services to small, medium businesses and public sector undertakings (PSUs) in India. The company will leverage BSNL's wide network coverage, to provide a comprehensive, end-to-end IoT services platform for enterprises, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and service providers. Useful Info






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Chairman & Managing Director of BSNL - Anupam Shrivastava President of Aeris Communications India - Rishi Bhatnagar India, US, Afghanistan Join Hands for 1st Trade Show in Delhi • For the first time, India, US and Afghanistan will hold a joint trade and investment show in Delhi, as New Delhi steps up to its role of being a bigger development partner to Afghanistan. The trade event, sponsored by the US and hosted by India, will be inaugurated by Afghan CEO Dr Abdullah. Abdullah's visit will follow the first visit to India by US defence secretary James Mattis who will be holding high level talks with India on the Trump Administration's new South Asia policy. Useful Info Country – Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghan afghani Country – United States of America, Washington D.C, US Dollar Union Minister of External Affairs – Sushma Swaraj Constituency – Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh

SCHEMES, PROGRAMS AND CONFERENCE Modi inaugurated the two-day annual conference, Rajaswa Gyan Sangam, 2017 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi • PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the two-day annual conference, Rajaswa Gyan Sangam, 2017 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The conference, jointly organized by the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the Central Board of Excise and Customs. The main objective of the conference is to enable a two-way communication between the policy-makers and senior officers in the field offices with a view to increase revenue collection and facilitate effective implementation of law and policies in key result areas. Useful Info New Delhi CM – Arvind Kejriwal Governor – Anil Baijal Nestle Sets up First Food Safety Institute in India • The new FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal inaugurated the Nestle Food Safety Institute in Manesar, Gurugram. It will provide guidance and training on food safety. The FSSAI has been working with Nestle India for setting up the institute at Manesar. While this is the first such institute in India, Nestle already runs a similar Institute each in China and Lausanne, Switzerland. Useful Info FSSAI – Food Safety and Standards Authority of India CEO of FSSAI - Pawan Kumar Agarwal President Kovind launched nationwide campaign: "Swachhata Hi Sewa" • President Ram Nath Kovind launched a nation-wide campaign Swachhata Hi Sewa from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He will administer nation-wide Swachhta Hi Seva pledge initiating parallel action in all the two lakh 50 thousand plus Gram Panchayats and cities in India. The fortnight long campaign will conclude on 2nd of October, Gandhi Jayanti. Eminent personalities, community organizations and private sector organizations will undertake shramdaan activities. The






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objective of the campaign is to mobilise people and reinforce the Jan Aandolan for sanitation to contribute to Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a Clean India. Useful Info State – Uttar Pradesh Capital – Lucknow CM – Yogi adityanath Governor – Ram Naik Present President of India – Ram Nath Kovind Dr. Harshvardhan Launches Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Vigyan Gram Sankul Pariyojana • Dr. Harshvardhan launched “Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay Vigyan Gram Sankul Pariyojana” which will experiment and endeavour to formulate and implement appropriate S&T Interventions for Sustainable Development through cluster approach in Uttarakhand. Department of Science and Technology is implementing several initiatives for upliftment and economic development of rural areas in the country. Useful Info Union Minister for Science & Technology – Dr Harshvardhan Constituency – Chandni Chowk (Delhi) Govt Launches Campaign to Sensitise Women About Cancer • Minister of State Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel launched a nationwide health campaign to sensitise women about the early screening and the preventive care for cancer. Themed 'Nurturing the Nurturer', the campaign was launched by FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) in partnership with the Apollo Hospitals group. Useful Info Minister of State Health and Family Welfare - Anupriya Patel Constituency – Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh Narendra Modi launched - Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana ‘Saubhagya’ • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched - Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana ‘Saubhagya’ to provide electricity connections to over 4 crore families in rural and urban areas by December 2018. In India, four crore out of 25 crore families do not have power connection even after 70 years of independence. Power Minister R K Singh stated that India will achieve the target of power for all by December 2018, while all villages will be electrified by the end of 2017. • The Saubhagya scheme basically means Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, • It aims to provide access to electricity to all families in India, • The Saubhagya scheme will provide free electricity connection to poor families of India, • The total outlay for Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana is pegged at Rs 16,320 crore, • The Centre will provide largely funds for the scheme to all States/UTs, Saubhagya Yojana will give access to electricity to all ‘willing’ households in India






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WEB PORTAL AND MOBILE APP Google Tez UPI-Based Digital Payments App Launched in India • Google Tez has become the latest UPI-based payments app in the country. The new Google Tez app can be used to pay for movie tickets, utility bills, and make other transactions online. Tez means fast in Hindi, which the company stated was one of the selling points of its new app. Google Tez is a standalone payments app, available on Android and iOS, and is powered by UPI, a payments protocol built by government-backed organization NPCI. The company has partnered with HDFC Bank, ICICI, and State Bank of India for backend processing. Useful Info Google HQ – Mountain View, California, United States Google CEO – Sundar Pitchai Rajnath Singh has launched first Intelligence Wing of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Welfare & Rehabilitation Board (WARB) App • Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has launched first Intelligence Wing of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Welfare & Rehabilitation Board (WARB) App in New Delhi authorized to Protect the shared borders of India with Nepal and Bhutan. The intelligence wing will gather actionable information in a bid to enhance operational efficiency. WARB app comprises features to facilitate retired CAPFs and Assam Rifles personnel to get their grievances redressed, seek skill development and other relevant and important information. Useful Info Union Minister of Home Affairs – Rajnath Singh Constituency – Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) Rajni Kant Misra is the Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Government Launches Hackathon to Promote App Ideas • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched a nationwide Hackathon ‘OpenGovDataHack’ to support and showcase potential ideas/talent from inner India. As part of the start-up eco-system development program, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) have collaborated to conduct the Hackathon at Jaipur, Chennai, Noida, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Hyderabad and Surat. Useful Info Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology – Ravi Shankar Prasad Constituency – Rajya Sabha, Bihar Ram Vilas Paswan Launched “Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (e-NWR) System” • Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution launched the Web Portal of Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) & “Electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (e-NWR) System” in New Delhi. e-NWRs have no chances of any tempering, mutilation, fudging, loss or damage and with no possibility of any multiple financing. These initiatives would revolutionise the marketing of agricultural commodities and help farmers realize better price for their produce which will be a step towards doubling the farmers’ income by 2022 as well as Digital India mission. Useful Info Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution - Ram Vilas Paswan Constituency – Hajipur (Bihar)






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Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour (PENCIL) Portal Launched • The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh launched the Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour (PENCIL) Portal at the National Conference on Child Labour organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The PENCIL is an electronic platform that aims at involving Centre, State, District, Governments, civil society and the general public in achieving the target of child labour free society. Shri Rajnath Singh also launched the Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the enforcement of legal framework against child labour. Useful Info Union Minister for Home Affairs – Rajnath Singh Constituency – Lucknow, Rajya Sabha Minister of State for Labour and Employment (I/C) - Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar Constituency – Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh

DEFENCE NEWS 12th edition of India-Nepal joint military exercise- Surya Kiran XII was held at Nepal • The 12th edition of India-Nepal joint military exercise- Surya Kiran XII was held at Nepal Army Battle School (NABS) in Saljhandi, Nepal. The 14 day exercise focused on skills required counter-terrorism and counter-terror, forest fighting and natural disaster management operations. The Surya Kiran series of bilateral military exercises are conducted bi-annually, alternatively in India and Nepal. It is largest exercise in terms of troop’s participation in series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries. Useful Info Country – Nepal Capital – Kathmandu Currency – Nepalese Rupee President - Bidhya Devi Bhandari 13th Edition of joint military Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2017 between India & US • A joint military training, Exercise Yudh Abhyas-2017 will be conducted at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, USA from 14 to 27 September 2017 between India and the USA. Exercise Yudh Abhyas is one of the largest joint running military training and defence corporation endeavors between India and USA. This will be the 13th edition of the joint exercise hosted alternately between the two countries. Useful Info Country – United States of America Capital – Washington D.C Currency – US Dollar President – Donald Trump India and Japan have agreed to collaborate closely in defence production • India and Japan have agreed to collaborate closely in defence production, including on dual-use technologies. The two countries resolved to ramp up overall military engagement under the bilateral special strategic framework. Union Defence Minister and his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera signed the agreement during India-Japan annual defence ministerial dialogue in Tokyo. The two sides also agreed to ramp up counter-terror cooperation, besides deepening engagement among navies, air forces and ground forces of the two countries.






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Useful Info Union Defence Minister – Nirmala Sitharaman Constiturncy – Rajya Sabha, Karnataka Country – Japan Capital – Tokyo Currency – Japanese Yen India and Sri Lanka Begin Joint Naval Exercise SLINEX 2017 • Indian Navy and Sri Lankan Navy has begun the 2017 Sri Lanka-India Exercise (SLINEX) at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The exercise will conclude on till 14 September 2017. SLINEX 17 aims at reinforcing strong neighbourly ties between both countries underscored by extensive maritime interaction and improved understanding. The exercise will commence with a Harbour Phase, during which, the participants will engage in professional, cultural and social interactions. Useful Info Country – Sri Lanka Capital – Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Currency – Sri Lankan Rupee DRDO Carries Out Successful Tests of Nag Missile • India's indigenously developed third generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) Nag has been successfully flight tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in deserts of Rajasthan, marking the completion of development trials. According to the defence ministry, Nag has been successfully flight tested twice by the DRDO against two different targets in Rajasthan. The missile can hit a target up to seven km. Useful Info DRDO - Defence Research and Development Organisation Headquarters – New Delhi Present Chairman - S Christopher Shaheen VI: China-Pakistan Air Forces Joint Exercise • The air forces of China and Pakistan began a joint training exercise named "Shaheen VI" and deployed their latest fighter jets and AWACS aircraft. China has dispatched J-11 fighters, JH-7 fighter-bombers, KJ-200 AWACS aircraft and ground forces including surface-to-air missile and radar troops. The exercise will run in China. AWACS is Airborne Warning And Control System, a mobile, long-range radar surveillance and control centre for air defence. Useful Info Country – China Capital – Beijing Currency – Renminbi (yuan) Country – Pakistan Capital – Islamabad Currency – Pakistani Rupee Turkey Signs Deal to Buy Russian S-400 Missile Systems






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• Turkey has signed a deal with Russia to buy S-400 missile defence systems in its first major weapons purchase from Moscow, according to the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The accord for the surface-to-air missile defence batteries is Ankara's most significant pact with a non-NATO supplier. Useful Info Country – Turkey Capital – Ankara Currency – Turkish Lira IAF Completes Development Trials of Astra air-to-air Missile • Final development trials of indigenous beyond visual range air-to-air missile Astra were successfully concluded into the Indian Air Force. The trials were conducted over the Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast at Chandipur, with the missile being test-fired from a Su-30 fighter aircraft. The missile has been designed to be capable of engaging high-speed targets at short range, up to 20 km in tail-chase mode and long range, up to 80 km in head-on chase mode. Useful Info DRDO – Defence Research and Development Organisation Headquarters of DRDO – New Delhi Chairman of DRDO - S. Christopher Indigenous Artillery Gun Sets New World Record in Range • An indigenous artillery gun, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has set a new world record in range by hitting targets at a distance of 48 km. During trial firings at Pokhran ranges, ATAGS registered the longest ever distance of 48.074 km, surpassing the maximum range of 35-40 km fired by any artillery gun system in this category. US Army and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) inaugurated a permanent base In Israel • The US Army and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) inaugurated a permanent base In Israel. This is the first time that a permanent American base has been opened in the Middle Eastern country. The base represents the long-standing partnership, the strategic commitment between the armies and the militaries of the United States of America and Israel. Several dozen American soldiers will be stationed at the base in Israel’s south. Useful Info Country – United States of America Capital – Washington D. C Currency – US Dollar Country – Israel Capital – Jerusalem Currency – Israeli new shekel US and UAE Joint Military Exercise named Iron Union 5 • The US and UAE's ground forces had begun a joint military exercise in Abu Dhabi, as part of efforts to consolidate their bilateral relations and exchange training and military expertise. Code-named Iron Union 5, the drill is an extension of a series of Iron Claw exercises. The exercise aims to upgrade and boost the readiness of the UAE's armed forces and to allow both armies to promote their international co-operation in joint military operations. Useful Info






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Country – United Arab Emirates Capital – Abu Dhabi Currency - United Arab Emirates dirham First Scorpene Submarine INS Kalvari Delivered to Navy • The first of the Scorpene class submarines, INS Kalvari, was delivered to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The submarine will soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy. Similarly, other Scorpene class submarines Khanderi and Karanj are undergoing trials and development. The delivery of a submarine means that its trials are over and the navy has accepted the boat. Commissioning is a ceremony that officially makes it part of the navy’s fleet. Useful Info Union Defence Minister – Nirmala Sitharaman Constituency – Rajya Sabha, Karnataka Chief of Naval Staff of Indian Navy – Sunil Lanba Indian Army organized Operation Sadbhavana for National Integration • The Indian Army has organized Operation Sadbhavana for National Integration. These operations are carried out by Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir and North East states respectively. Under this, army undertakes various civic action programmes which aimed at winning hearts of the people and integration of the people with the nation. The Sadbhavana tour was organised by the 109 Infantry Brigade of the Indian Army. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) Signs Contract for Supply of MRSAM to Indian Army • Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has signed a contract with Research Centre Imarat (RCI) for the supply of Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) to Indian Army. The contract was signed to facilitate production, deliveries and product support of MRSAM system for the Indian Army. Useful Info BDL – Bharat Dynamics Limited Headquarters of BDL - Hyderabad CMD of BDL - V. Udaya Bhaskar INS Tarasa Commissioned into Indian Navy • INS Tarasa, a Water Jet Fast Attack Craft intended for extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrolling, was commissioned into the Indian Navy. Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Girish Luthra has commissioned the vessel. The vessel has been built in Kolkata. It is the fourth and last of the Water Jet FACs built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata. The first two, INS Tarmugli and INS Tihayu were commissioned in 2016 and are based in Vishakhapatnam. The third, INS Tillanchang, was commissioned in March 2017 and is based in Karwar. Useful Info Union Defence Minister – Nirmala Sitharaman Constituency – Rajya Sabha, Karnataka Present Chief of Naval Staff of Indian Navy – Sunil Lanba Defence minister flags off women's circumnavigation expedition • Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman flagged off Navika Sagar Parikrama in Goa, a circumnavigation programme by women naval officers. This is the the first Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew. The project will






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be a milestone in promoting ocean sailing activities by the Indian Navy. The expedition is aimed at promoting women empowerment in the country. Under the project, a team of six women officers of the Indian Navy would circumnavigate the globe on India-built sail boat INSV Tarini. Useful Info Union Defence Minister – Nirmala Sitharaman Constituency – Karnataka, Rajya Sabha Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to visit Siachen base camp • Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, will today visit the Ladakh region where she will take stock of the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The defence minister will also visit Siachen base camp. Interacting with the troops on the first day of her visit, the Defence minister appreciated the effectiveness of the intelligence and operational grids and commended the troops for the excellent operational successes which had contributed significantly towards a secure environment in the state. Ms Sitharaman also complimented the army commanders for the high level of synergy achieved with the state police and Central Armed Police Forces. Defence Minister accompanied by Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat visited the Chinar Corps in Badami Bagh Srinagar. Useful Info Union Minister for Defence – Nirmala Sitharaman Constituency – Karnataka, Rajya Sabha Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat

VIP’S VISIT TO INDIA: President of Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard is on the three-day visit to India • President of Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard is on the three-day visit to India. A number of agreements are expected to be signed in several areas after the talks. India and Switzerland enjoy robust economic ties, with Switzerland being seventh largest trading partner and eleventh largest foreign investor for India. Useful Info Country – Switzerland Capital – Bern Currency - Swiss franc Belarus President Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko met PM Modi in New Delhi • Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Belarus President Aleksandr Grigoryevich Lukashenko in New Delhi to discuss various issues of mutual interest of both countries. A number of agreements are expected to be signed in several areas after the talks. Mr. Lukashenko’s visit is significant as it taking place in a year when Belarus and India are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Useful Info Country – Belarus Capital – Minsk Currency – Belarusian Ruble






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RANKING AND INDEXES India Jumps to 14th Rank as Best Country for Expats: HSBC Survey • India leapt up the global rankings by 12 places to take the 14th spot in terms of best country for expats to live and work in, according to the HSBC survey. The list has been topped by Singapore. The list is part of HSBC's latest 'expat explorer survey' that covered 27,587 expats from 159 countries and territories in March and April 2017. According to the survey, about 71 percent expats in India reported high levels of confidence in the local economy, while 58 percent exuded optimism on political stability. Useful Info 1st in the List – Singapore 14th – India HSBC Headquarters - London, United Kingdom

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission Completes 3 Years in Orbit • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) stated that its Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) which has completed three years in its Martian orbit is in good health and continues to work as expected. On the occasion of completion of three years in its Martian orbit released MOM second-year science data from September 24, 2014, to September 23, 2016. The 450-crore rupees MOM mission aims at studying the Martian surface and mineral composition. It will also scan its atmosphere for methane which is an indicator of life on Mars. Useful Info ISRO - Indian Space Research Organisation Headquarters of ISRO – Bengaluru Chairperson - AS Kiran Kumar

SPORTS NEWS Hockey

Hockey India has sacked national coach Roelant Oltmans • Hockey India has sacked national coach Roelant Oltmans after a string of unimpressive outings at the international level. High-Performance Director David John will be in charge till a suitable replacement is found for a smooth transition of the men’s team. The decision was taken during the three-day meeting of the Hockey India High Performance and Development Committee, which concluded. Useful Info Major Dhyan Chand is the legendary Indian Hockey Player. The National Sports Day in India is celebrated on 29 august every year. This day marks the birthday of Dhyan Chand.

Tennis US Open Tennis Tournament 2017 Complete List of Winners • The 2017 US Open was the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the year. It was held on outdoor hard courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, USA. The tournament is an event run by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Rafael Nadal was the winner of Men's Singles. With this win, Nadal captured his






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third US Open title and his 16th Grand Slam title overall. Sloane Stephens was the winner of Women's Singles. The 83rd-ranked Stephens is only the second unseeded woman to win the tournament in the Open era. Here is the complete list of winners/runner-ups of the Tournament:-

S. No. Event Winner Runner-Up

1. Men's Singles Rafael Nadal Kevin Anderson

2. Women's Singles Sloane Stephens Madison Keys

3. Men's Doubles Jean-Julien Rojer / Horia Tecau Feliciano Lopez / Marc Lopez

4. Women's Doubles Chan Yung-jan / Martina Hingis Lucie Hradecka / Katerina Siniakova

5. Mixed Doubles Martina Hingis / Jamie Murray Chan Hao-ching / Michael Venus

Here is the name of players and the country from which they belong to:-

S. No. Name of Player Winner/Runner-Up Country

1. Rafael Nadal Spain

2. Kevin Anderson South Africa

3. Sloane Stephens USA

4. Madison Keys USA

5. Jean-Julien Rojer Netherlands

6. Horia Tecau Romania

7. Feliciano Lopez Spain

8. Marc Lopez Spain

9. Chan Yung-jan Taiwan

10. Martina Hingis Switzerland

11. Lucie Hradecka Czech Republic

12. Katerina Siniakova Czech Republic

13. Jamie Murray United Kingdom

14. Chan Hao-ching Taiwan

15. Michael Venus New Zealand

Sloane Stephens wins US open Women's Singles Title • Unseeded American Sloane Stephens lifted the US Open women's singles title. Sloane ranked 83rd completed a spectacular return from injury to beat 15th seed Keys 6-3, 6-0 in the finals. The 24-year-old was ranked as low as 957th six weeks ago went on to become only the fifth unseeded woman to win a major title in the Open era. Sloane stunned Venus Williams in the semifinal. Useful Info US open Women’s Single Winner - Sloane Stephens Country – United States of America Capital – Washington D.C Currency – US Dollar;President – Donald Trump






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Cricket BCCI Nominates MS Dhoni for Padma Bhushan Award • The Indian cricket board, BCCI has nominated Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the country's third highest civilian award - the Padma Bhushan, for his contribution to the game.A senior BCCI official confirmed that the Board has only sent one name for the Padma awards this year and it was a unanimous decision to nominate India's most successful captain. ICC Launches Anti-Corruption Probe into Sri Lanka Cricket • The International Cricket Council (ICC) has launched an anti-corruption investigation in Sri Lanka. The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) officers had recently visited the country as part of the probe. The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit works to uphold integrity in cricket and this includes conducting investigations where there are reasonable grounds to do so. Useful Info ICC – International Cricket Council Headquarters of ICC – Dubai, United Arab Emirates ICC Announces Major Changes in Cricket Rules • The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced several changes to the existing template of how the sport of cricket is played. All the new rules will be implemented from September 28. The new rules incorporate bat thickness, player conduct, DRS, run outs and catches. Here are the major excerpts from the release: 1. To maintain the balance between bat and ball, the playing conditions now restrict the size of the edges of the bats as well as their thickness. The restriction on the length and width of bats remain unchanged but the thickness of the edges can’t be more than 40mm and the overall depth can be 67 mm at the most. 2. In a new playing condition pertaining to players’ conduct, a player can now be sent off the field for the rest of the match for any serious misconduct, meaning it will apply to Level 4 offences while the Level 1 to 3 offences will continue to be dealt with under the ICC Code of Conduct. Threatening to assault an umpire, making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire, physically assaulting a player or any other person and committing any other act of violence all constitute Level 4 offences. 3. The above changes will be applicable across all formats, as will be a change in the DRS rules by which a review will now not be lost in case of a decision that remains unchanged, solely as the result of an ‘umpire’s call’. As for DRS in Test matches, there will be no more top-up reviews after 80 overs of an innings, meaning that there can only be two unsuccessful reviews in each innings, while the DRS will now also be allowed to be used in T20Is. 4. An important change with respect to run outs is that if a batsman is running or diving towards the crease with forward momentum, and has grounded his/her bat behind the popping crease but subsequently has lost contact with the ground at the time of the wickets being put down, the batsman will not be run out. 5. For boundary catches, airborne fielders making their first contact with the ball will need to have taken off from within the boundary, otherwise, a boundary will be scored. Also, a batsman can now be out caught, stumped or run out even if the ball bounces off the helmet worn by a fielder or wicket-keeper. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, 1st Wicketkeeper to Effect 100 Stumpings • Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the first wicketkeeper in world cricket to effect 100 stumpings in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Dhoni achieved the feat in his 301st ODI in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 36-year-old Dhoni






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has also taken 281 catches apart from scoring 9,657 runs so far. In 90 Tests, Dhoni has taken 256 catches and effected 38 stumpings. In T20 Internationals, Dhoni has taken 43 catches and affected 23 stumpings. Useful Info Former Sri Lankan Skipper Kumar Sangakkara is on second position with 99 Stumpings on his name. Sri Lanka qualify for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 • Sri Lanka has qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 after West Indies lost the first ODI against England at Old Trafford. The 1996 world champions have become the eighth and last team to qualify directly, joining Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa. Useful Info Country – Sri Lanka Capital – Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Currency – Sri Lankan Rupee Star India secure the Indian Premier League's media rights • Star India edged out Sony Pictures to secure the Indian Premier League's media rights with a bid of Rs 16,347.50 crore. The bidding for various media rights of the cash-rich league was held in Mumbai for a five-year period from 2018-2022. The winning bid will allow Star India to air content on their properties for a period of five years (2018-2022). The second highest bid was made by Sony, who bid Rs. 11,050 crores, for the rights. However, Sony’s bid was for the Indian region only as compared to Star’s bid which is global. Useful Info In 2008, Sony Pictures Network won the IPL media rights for a period of 10 years with a bid of Rs 8200 crore.

Boxing Indian women's boxing's first foreign coach, Stephane Cottalorda, has resigned • Indian women's boxing's first foreign coach, Stephane Cottalorda, has resigned after just one month of appointment, alleging delay in salary and other payments. Cottalorda has claimed in his resignation letter that he hasn't been paid his salary for the first month in full and has also cited 'lack of professionalism' on part of Boxing Federation of India (BFI) as his reasons for not coming back to India. India to host South Asian boxing Championship in Guwahati • India will host the South Asian Boxing Championship for the first time in Guwahati from December 6 to 10. Boxing Federation of India (BFI) after its executive committee meeting, stated that the country will also host the ‘India International Open tournament’ in New Delhi in the third week of January. RK Sacheti has been unanimously elected as the new Executive Director of the federation. For the first time, it will initiate a grading system as well on the lines of AIBA’s star rating qualifications for coaches, referee judges. Useful Info State – Assam Capital – Dispur CM – Sarbananda Sonowal Governor – Banwarilal Purohit






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Badminton PV Sindhu becomes the first Indian to win the Korea Open • PV Sindhu becomes the first Indian to win the Korea Open Superseries with an outstanding 22-20, 11-21, 21-18 win over Nozomi Okuhara in the much-talked-about women's singles final in Seoul. Olympic silver medallist shuttler P V Sindhu beat world champion Nozomi Okuhara in a thrilling final to clinch the women's singles title at the Korea Open Super Series. Useful Info Country – South Korea Capital – Seoul Currency – South Korean Won PV Sindhu - Olympic silver medallist shuttler (India) Sports Ministry Recommends P.V. Sindhu for Padma Bhushan • Olympic silver medallist shuttler P.V. Sindhu has been recommended for the prestigious Padma Bhushan, country’s third highest civilian award, by the Sports Ministry. She is two-time bronze medallist at World Championship. In March 2015, Sindhu was awarded India’s fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri. For the First Time, Five Indian Shuttlers in Top-20 of BWF Men’s Rankings • For the first time, Five Indians are in the top-20 of the BWF men’s singles rankings with H S Prannoy being the biggest gainer after his quarterfinal showing at the Japan Open. Prannoy has jumped four places to be world no.15. The 5 Indian Shuttlers in the top 20 BWF men’s singles rankings are- 1. Kidambi Srikanth (8th) 2. HS Prannoy (15th) 3. B Sai Praneeth (17th) 4. Sameer Verma (19th) 5. Ajay Jayaram (20th)

Foot Ball Official Slogan and Emblem of FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 launched • The official emblem and slogan for FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 were unveiled in Paris, France. The emblem features the competition trophy wrapped in blue and white, with eight shards of light around football at the top of the trophy symbolizing the eighth edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup.The slogan of the tournament "Dare To Shine" reflects the development of football, especially women's football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and French Football Federation (FFF) President Noel le Graet attended the unveiling event. Useful Info Gianni Infantino is the President of FIFA Eighth edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 – France Slogan of the tournament "Dare To Shine" First Indian team for FIFA U-17 World Cup announced • The first ever Indian squad to participate in the a FIFA World Cup, U-17 World Cup Squad has been announced. The 21 players who will participate in the World Cup Squad include Dheeraj Singh, Prabhsukhan Gill, Sunny Dhaliwal Boris Singh, Jitendra Singh, Anwar Ali, Sanjeev Stalin and Hendry Antonay. FIFA U-17 World Cup is scheduled to start






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in Panaji from 6 October. India will take on USA on 6 October, followed by Colombia and Ghana on 9 and 12 October respectively at New Delhi.

Basketball

Amritpal Singh, First Indian to be Signed by Australian Basketball Team • Captain of Indian basketball team Amritpal Singh created history by becoming the first Indian player to be signed by an Australian Basketball team. He will be a part of the Sydney Kings during their pre-season tour where they will also take on the game against Utah Jazz side. Born in a village of Punjab, Singh initially played for the Pune Peshwas in the Indian Basketball League. Useful Info Country – Australia Capital – Canberra Currency – Australian Dollar India Win 2nd South Asian Basketball (SABA) U-16 Championship • India has won 2nd South Asian Basketball, SABA, Under - 16 Championship. India defeated Bhutan by 131-50 in its last league match at Kathmandu in Nepal. India remained unbeaten in its all four matches and accumulated 8 points. Bangladesh finished second and host Nepal third. The championship was played in a round robin league format. India has now qualified for 2017 International Basketball Federation, FIBA, Under-16 Asian Championship to be played in Malaysia later this year. Useful Info 1st Place – India (New Delhi, Indian Rupee) 2nd Place – Bangladesh (Dhaka, Taka) 3rd Place – Nepal (Kathmandu, Nepalese Rupee)

Shooting India Finishes 5th at Moscow Shotgun World Championships • India has finished fifth in the medals tally with one gold and two silver medals at the Moscow Shotgun World Championships. Only 16 of the 76 participating nations got amongst the medals and Italy topped the tally with nine gold medals for a total of 17 medals in all. Both their Olympic skeet champions Gabrielle Rossetti and Diana Bacosi were also crowned world champions in the process. The USA stood second with five gold medals for a total of 12. Hosts Russia were third in the overall tally with two golds for a total of eight. Useful Info Country – Russia Capital – Moscow Currency – Russian Ruble 1st in the list – Italy(Rome, Euro) 5th in the list – India

Wrestling India Wrestler Sonam Malik won a gold medal in Cadet World Wrestling Championship






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• India Wrestler Sonam Malik won a gold medal by defeating Japanese Wrestler Sena Nagamoto by 3-1 points on the fourth-day of Cadet World Wrestling Championship in Athens. The other female Wrestler Neelam also bagged Bronze Medal in 43-kilogram weight category. Wrestler Anshu will fight for Gold Medal with Japanese Wrestler Naomi Ruike in 60-kilogram weight category. Useful Info World Wrestling Championship 2017 – Athens Country – Greece Capital – Athens Currency – Euro Gold Medal - Sonam Malik India to Host Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in 2019 • India will host the 2019 edition of the Commonwealth (Youth, Junior and Senior) Weightlifting Championships. The Executive Board of Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation met at Gold Coast, Australia and decided to allot the 2019 edition of the competitions to India. The current edition of the tournament is being held at the Gold Coast, Australia.

Athletic Asian Indoor Games: Purnima Wins Gold in Pentathlon • India won its first athletics gold, through Purnima Hembram in women’s pentathlon, in the fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games at Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. India also got two silvers, through Sanjivani Jadhav in women’s 3000m and Tejinder Singh Toor in men’s shot put, and a bronze through Kerala’s V. Neena in women’s long jump. Useful Info Country – Turkmenistan Capital – Ashgabat Currency – Turkmenistan manat G. Lakshmananand P. U. Chitra won gold medals in the athletics events • Asian champions G. Lakshmanan and P. U. Chitra won gold medals in the athletics events of the fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.Tamil Nadu’s Lakshmanan won the men’s 3000m while Kerala’s Chitra, who was not cleared by the national body Athletics Federation of India for the recent World Championships in London despite making the cut, took the women’s 1500m title. Useful Info Fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Country –Turkmenistan Capital –Ashgabat Currency –Turkmenistan manat Lakshmanan Wins 5,000m gold in Athletics Nationals • Reigning Asian champion Govindan Lakshmanan of Services cruised to victory in the men’s 5000-metre race on the opening day of the 57th National Open Athletics Championships at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai. Lakshmanan has recently won gold in the 3,000m event at the Asian Indoor Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Olympic News Paris Officially Awarded 2024 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles Gets 2028






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• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has formally announced that Paris has been awarded the 2024 summer Olympics and Los Angeles has been given the 2028 edition. There were no other candidates for either of the Games and the two cities had worked out a deal in advance. Paris, which has hosted two previous Olympics, will stage the event 100 years after its last Games in 1924 while Los Angeles will also organise its third Games after 1932 and 1984. Useful Info 2024 Olympics host – Paris 2028 Olympics host – Los Angeles IOC - International Olympic Committee Headquarters of IOC - Lausanne, Switzerland President of IOC - Thomas Bach IOA formally awarded to Goa the rights to host the 36th National Games • The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formally awarded to Goa the rights to host the 36th National Games. The announcement was made by the state sports minister Manohar Ajgaonkar. Ajgaonkar stated that IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, in a letter to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, had formally conferred the rights to the state to host the sporting event in November 2017. Useful Info State – Goa Capital – Panaji CM – Manohar Parrikar Governor - Mridula Sinha

Others Lewis Hamilton Wins Singapore Grand Prix • Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton won the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, in Singapore. Hamilton’s rival Sebastian Vettel withdrew in the middle of the race due to his damaged Ferrari car. Useful Info Lewis Hamilton is a Formula one Racer He drives for Mercedes. Cyclist Mark Beaumont has broken the world record • Mark Beaumont has broken the world record for cycling around the world - by 44 days. The 34-year-old, from Perthshire, arrived in Paris one day ahead of schedule having cycled the 18,000-mile route in 79 days. He set a new world record of 194 days in 2008. Since then it has been broken by other riders, with the previous record set at 123 days. He was on his bike for more than 16 hours a day and only slept for five hours each night. India bags 4 more Medals at 5th Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan • In the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games at Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, India bagged four medals. Sajan Prakash of India finished second with the silver medal in the Men's 100-metre butterfly event. Divya Gurling Shilwant and Pratiksha Chandrakant Parhar bagged a bronze each in women's Alysh classic in 70 kg and 75 kg categories in the Belt Wrestling Discipline. Wrestler Keduovilie Zumu from Nagaland won the bronze medal in the 90 kg category of Kazakh Kuresh style belt wrestling. Meanwhile, Sourav Kothari assured himself of a medal after winning his semifinal






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contest in men's billiards singles against Thailand's Thawat Sujaritthurakaran 3-0. India is at 11th spot in the medals tally with 5 gold, 7 silver and 7 bronze. Useful Info Country – Turkmenistan Capital – Ashgabat Currency – Turkmenistan manat

OBITUARY Pulitzer-Prize Winning Poet John Ashbery Passes Away • Pulitzer-prize winning poet John Ashbery, a post-modern American trailblazer, has passed away at age of 90 in Hudson, New York. His 1975 collection "Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror" made history when he became the lone writer to earn three major accolades the same year for the same work: the Pulitzer in addition to a National Book Award and a National Book Critics Circle Award. Useful Info In 2012, Ashbery received the National Humanities Medal from then-president Barack Obama. Frank Vincent, Veteran Actor Passes Away • Frank Vincent, who played tough guys and mobsters in "The Sopranos" and a number of director Martin Scorsese movies, died at age 80. In 2006, Vincent wrote the nonfiction book 'A Guy's Guide to Being a Man's Man'. "The Death Collector," was his debut movie. The sole Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh, passed away • THE sole Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh, passed away at the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital. He was 98 years old. Arjan Singh had the honour of leading the fly-past of more than a hundred IAF aircraft over the Red Fort on India’s first Independence Day, August 15, 1947. In 2002, on the occasion of Republic Day, he was granted the honorary rank of Marshal, the highest military rank attainable, which before him only two Army chiefs, K M Carriappa and Sam Manekshaw, had achieved. For his meritorious services during the 1965 Indo-Pak War, Arjan Singh was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan. He became the first officer of the IAF to be promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal, at par with a General. He also served as a member of the Minorities Commission and as the Lt Governor of Delhi. Useful Info Present Defence Minister of India – Nirmala Sitharaman Constituency – Rajya Sabha, karnataka World's oldest person Violet Mosse-Brown from Jamaica has died at the age of 117 • The world's oldest person Violet Mosse-Brown from Jamaica has died at the age of 117. She was born on March 10, 1900, in Jamaica. The prime minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, informed about Mosse-Brown's death. Brown had been given the honor in April 2017 when Italy's Emma Morano died, also at the age of 117. With the death of Brown, Japanese 117-year-old Nabi Tajima is now the known oldest human on the planet. Useful Info Country – Jamaica Capital – Kingston Currency - Jamaican dollar






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Jake LaMotta, former boxing champion Passes Away • Jake LaMotta, former boxing champion whose life of violence in and out of the ring was portrayed in the movie "Raging Bull," passed away in Miami. He was in his 90s and died of complications of pneumonia. Fighting mostly as a middleweight and known as the "Raging Bull" and "Bronx Bull," LaMotta finished his 13-year career with 83 victories (30 by knockout), 19 losses and four draws. He was ranked 52nd in the list of 80 best fighters in the year 2002. Yesteryear actor Shakila Passes Away • Yesteryear Bollywood actor Shakila, known for her work in films like Aar Paar and CID, died after a heart attack. She was 82. She was famous after the song “Baabuji dheere chalna...” World's Richest Woman Liliane Bettencourt Passes Away • Liliane Bettencourt, heir to the French L’Oreal hairspray empire and the world’s wealthiest woman, has died aged 94. She was from France. Bettencourt, whose net worth was estimated at about €33bn (£29bn) this year, was the face of one of France’s biggest cosmetics conglomerates and had once captured the public’s imagination as the nation’s poor little rich girl. Playboy magazine Founder Hugh Hefner Passes Away • Playboy magazine founder and sexual revolution symbol Hugh Hefner has passed away. He was 91. He died at his home of natural causes. He founded the magazine in 1953. Hefner built a brand that defined the sexual culture of the second half of the 20th century. Veteran actor Tom Alter dies at 67 • Veteran film, television and theatre actor and Padma Shri Tom Alter has died at aged 67. The renowned actor and one-time sports writer and author had been battling stage four skin cancer. Alter acted in over 300 movies apart from numerous TV shows, most famously as the gangster Keshav Kalsi in the hit soap opera Junoon which ran for a record five years during the 1990s. In addition to acting, Alter also ventured into direction and was a sports journalist in the 80s and 90s. He was the first person to interview Sachin Tendulkar for TV when the cricketer was yet to debut for India. Alter has written three books, one non-fiction and two fiction, and in 2008 was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the Indian government in recognition for his services to the field of arts and cinema.




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