1. Bangladesh first country to get UN funds for solar home systems 

(i) On August 20th, Bangladesh became the first country to receive
funds from the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) for
its fast-growing solar home systems.

(ii)

The systems enable people to cut carbon
emissions by reducing use of kerosene, especially in rural areas. Use of these systems is widespread in Bangladesh. Around 6 million systems have been installed in the country covering over 10% of its 160 million population.

(iii) This initiative is being supported by various international organisations like the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and World Bank. 

2. Government approves plan for 50 solar cities in India

(i) On August 23, the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy approved of  a master plan to develop 50 solar cities, including three in the national capital region (NCR).

(ii) As per information on the ministry website, out of the proposed 60 solar cities, sanctions have been issued for 50 cities including New Delhi, Agra, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Amritsar, New Town (Kolkata), Howrah, Madhyamgram, Kochi and Bhopal.

3. Infosys launches new services collectively named Aikido

(i) Infosys the country’s second-largest software services firm announced three new services under the name Aikido.

(ii) The new services will centre on Artificial Intelligence, Knowledge-based IT, and Design Thinking. This initiative is a part of Infosys’ effort to be back as the firm with high growth numbers in the IT industry.

(iii) CEO and MD of Infosys Vishal Sikka, informed that the company is working on a strategy about the duality of “renew and new” in the last thirteen months or so. The announcement of the new service coincides with the birthday of Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy.

4. Union Government launches web portal for students seeking education loan

(i) In keeping with his promise Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced a web portal viz. www.vidyalakshmi.co.in/Students/ for poor and middle class students seeking a loan for higher education.

(ii) Through this facility, students wanting loans can apply to several banks by filling a single form. They can also check status of their applications and learn about loan schemes offered.

(iii) So far, thirteen banks, including the State Bank of India, IDBI Bank, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of India and Punjab National Bank, have registered with the portal to offer loans.

5. Aditi Ashok first Indian to win Ladies British Amateur Golf championship

(i) On August 22, Bengaluru’s Aditi Ashok became the first Indian
to have won the Ladies British Amateur stroke-play golf championship at UK’s Moortown
Golf Club.

(ii) She beat 39 players to emerge victorious,
thereby claiming ‘The Nicholls Trophy’ and the ‘Dinwiddy Trophy’ as she secured
the lowest score for an under-18 player.

(iii) This feat also makes the youngest-ever winner of the tournament.

(iv) Her previous records include her victory at the St. Rule Trophy at St. Andrews in July 2015 and she finished second at the 2015 European Women’s Amateur Championship. 

6. Federer and Serena win at Cincinnati Masters 

(i) Swiss tennis star Roger Federer won the Cincinnati Masters men’s singles title 2015 by defeating Serbian player, Novak Djokovic.

(ii) Roger Federer defeated the reigning world champion 7-6, 6-3 to win the title for a record seventh time, having previously won in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2014. 

(iii) The Cincinnati Masters women’s singles title 2015 was won by World Number 1 Serena Williams. She defeated Simona Halep of Romania. It was Serena’s second consecutive Cincinnati Masters title. 

7. Kumar Sangakkara retires from his 15-year test series career 

(i) Sri Lankan cricketer, Kumar Sangakkara played his final test innings in international cricket on August 23, 2015, wherein he was out for 18 in the second test against India, in Colombo.

(ii) Sangakkara began his test series career in 2000 and ended it with his 134th test match.

8. Bolt wins gold in 100 m at World Athletics Championships

(i) Jamaican runner, Usain Bolt, clinched gold by crossing the finishing line in 9.79 seconds, just .01 seconds ahead of his American rival Justin Gatlin at the World Athletics Championships in China, on August 23.

(ii) However, his score is far from his fastest. The results of the 100 m men’s final are  1. Usain Bolt (Jam) 9.79s, 2. Justin Gatlin (U.S.) 9.80, 

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