Daily Current Affairs : 18th & 19th August 2013

1. Today is World Humanitarian Day. This day is observed on the 19th of August every year to recognise those people who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. The theme for this year is - The World Needs More.

2. World Photography Day Celebrated Across the Globe. The French government announced 19 August as the World Photography Day.

3. First BRICS Business Council meets will be held in South Africa on monday to identify specific measures to eliminate barriers to growing trade and investment.

4. The insurance arm of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group has announced its entry into India's agriculture insurance business, saying it would offer farmers insurance cover for their crops against adverse weather conditions.

5. Shri Ratan Thiyam has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National School of Drama Society. The President of India has appointed Shri Thiyam for a period off our years as per the relevant Rules and Regulations of the Society.

6. India and Bangladesh today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further enhance cooperation in the textiles sector.

7. Professor of economics, conservationist and mountaineer Harshwanti Bisht was selected on 12 August 2013 to receive the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal.

8. Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions by former President of India, Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (APJ Abdul Kalam, for short) was launched in the month of August 2013 by the Rupa Publication.

9. In Nepal, the private sector power promoters, Independent Power Producers Association (IPPAN) is to host the Power Summit 2013 on the 26th and 27th of this month.

10. India's Satywart Kadian has won a bronze medal in the 96-kg freestyle category at the World Junior Wrestling Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

11. Second seed Victoria Azarenka defeated World No. 1 Serena Williams to win her first Western and Southern Open tennis title.

12. At least 35 pilgrims were killed and over a dozen injured on Monday when they were run over by a speeding train in Bihar's Khagaria district.

13. The Indian space agency Monday called off the launch of its heavy rocket geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-D5) due to leak in the second-stage engine.

14. UP govt to provide educational assistance to the girls of minority communities under its scheme “Apni Beti-Uska Kal”.

15. World Athletics C'ships: Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt equals world record of eight Gold medals after he anchored his country's 4x100m relay team to victory. He has now joined Allyson Felix, Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson. In the event beside The Jamaican relay team winning Gold,The US claimed Silver, while Bronze medal went to Canada.

16. Well aware that it is its last chance to qualify for next year’s World Cup, the Indian men’s hockey team on Friday left for Ipoh, Malaysia to participate in the eight-nation Asia Cup to be held from August 24 to September 1.

Note : If any important news left. You may add on in comment :)