1) Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee Passes Away
•Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has passed away aged 93 in Delhi. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was three times Prime Minister of India. First Term: May 1996, Second Term: 1998-1999 and Third Term: 1999-2004.
•A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vajpayee served as the eleventh Prime Minister of India. He headed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the Indian Parliament, and became the first Prime Minister unaffiliated with the Indian National Congress to complete a full five-year term in office.
2) PM Modi announces manned space mission taking Indian astronauts to space on board 'Gaganyaan' by 2022
•Saying that the space agency had already developed the necessary technology, he added that the Human Spaceflight Programme is achievable. Dr. Sivan informed that infrastructural facilities for the manned mission will be developed in a time bound manner within the deadline set by the Prime Minister.
•Mr Sivan said, prior to the actual launch by 2022, the ISRO will have two unmanned missions and spacecraft will be launched using GSLV Mark-III. He pointed out that GSLV Mark III launch vehicle will be fully equipped with crew module and life support system for manned mission in the next two years.
3) On Independence Day, PM Modi Announces Jan Arogya Abhiyaan For Affordable Health
•Government will launch the ambitious Jan Arogya Abhiyaan (Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme) on 25th September 2018, the birth anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhaya.
•The scheme aims at benefiting 50 crore Indians. The scheme aims to provide a coverage of Rs five lakh per family annually, benefiting more than 10 crore poor families.
4) Paraguay: Mario Abdo BenÃtez sworn in as new President
•In Paraguay, Mario Abdo BenÃtez has been sworn in as the new President after defeating his liberal rival in April elections.
•Mr Abdo BenÃtez is the son of a close aide to ex-military dictator Alfredo Stroessner, and has faced criticism for defending the former leader's record. He replaces Horacio Cartes.
•The 46-year-old Mario says he will take a law-and-order stance and implement business-friendly policies. Paraguay has enjoyed strong economic growth in recent years
5) BSNL Launches VOIP Based WINGS Service
•Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has launched BSNL WINGS a VOIP based service. In WINGS, there is no SIM or cable wiring as is a VOIP service through an app. The WINGS service offers unlimited free audio/video calling for one year. The service can be activ BSNL WINGS a VOIP ated with a one-time fee of Rs. 1,099 (Rs 1,297 with GST).
•Calls can be made using any data connection such as wired broadband, Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G network of any any operator.
6) Nihal Sarin Becomes 53rd Chess Grandmaster From India
•International Master Nihal Sarin became the 53rd Grandmaster of India despite losing his final round game to Richard Rapport of Hungary in the ninth and final round of Abu Dhabi Masters.
•The 14-year-old Nihal tallied 5.5 points out of a possible nine and the final GM norm came the Kerala boy’s way with one round to spare.
