Current Affairs Topics | General Studies Topics | General knowledge | 20th April 2018

1. India demands legal action against flag desecration in UK
2. India has demanded legal action against those behind the desecration of the Indian flag at Parliament Square here during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UK visit.
3. Pacquiao says age no barrier to success
4. Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao insisted today that his advancing years were no barrier to success as he gears up for a showdown against world champion Lucas Matthysse.
5. Myanmar police ordered set up of Reuters journalists: testimony
6. A Myanmar police chief ordered officers to set up a Reuters reporter by handing over sensitive documents to him in a sting operation that also ensnared his colleague, a police official told a court today.
7. Amorous couples, sex workers whipped in Indonesia's Aceh
8. A group of amorous couples and alleged sex workers were publicly whipped for breaking Islamic law in Indonesia's Aceh today, just a week after the province pledged to move the widely condemned practice indoors.
9. WWII bomb forces mass evacuation in central Berlin
10. German police began evacuating thousands of people around Berlin's central railway station today, as bomb disposal experts prepare to move in to defuse an unexploded World War II explosive unearthed on a building site.
11. No room for error as Barca face Sevilla in Copa del Rey final
12. Barcelona and Sevilla will know the success of their respective seasons is on the line when they go head to head in the Copa del Rey final tomorrow.
13. Russia sees 'solid foundation' for extending oil alliance
14. Russia said there was a "very solid foundation" for extending cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC countries at a meeting Friday of oil producers in Saudi Arabia.
15. Saudis intercept ballistic missile from Yemen: coalition
16. Saudi air defences intercepted a "ballistic missile" fired by Yemeni rebels at the kingdom's southern coastal city of Jizan, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the rebels said.
17. Romanian president slams plan to move Israel embassy
18. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis today sharply criticised plans announced by the head of the ruling party to move the country's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
19. Meghan Markle will be a princess for the people: Priyanka Chopra
20. Priyanka Chopra believes Meghan Markle has the power to change the world.
21. Zimbabwe parliament summons Mugabe on May 9: lawmaker
22. A Zimbabwe parliament committee has summoned former president Robert Mugabe to give evidence on May 9 to a probe into diamond corruption, a lawmaker told state media today.
23. Chip-based cancer test may replace painful bone biopsy
24. Scientists have developed a low-cost, reliable blood test for multiple myeloma that uses a small plastic chip about the size of a credit card, which could make painful bone biopsies a relic of the past.
25. US wants to work on economically-sensible projects in Indo-Pacific region: official
26. The US, India and Japan intend to work together on high-standard projects in the Indo-Pacific region "that make economic sense" amidst China's "predatory" economic behaviour, according to a senior Trump administration diplomat.
27. Record IMAX Signings in India Continue as NOX Leisure Ltd. Adds Five New IMAX  Theatres to Circuit
28. Intl community should support Pak on counter-terrorism efforts: China on Modi's 'terror export factory' remarks
29. China today backed its all-weather ally Pakistan and called on the international community to support its counter terrorism efforts after Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the neighbouring country as a "terror export factory".
30. Anupam Kher to star in BBC One's 'Mrs Wilson
31. Taking his foreign endeavours a step further, Anupam Kher has joined the cast of BBC One's drama "Mrs Wilson".
32. North and South Korea open hotline between leaders: Seoul
33. The two Koreas opened a hotline between their leaders today, Seoul's presidential office said, a week before a summit between North Korea's Kim Jong Un and the South's President Moon Jae-in in the Demilitarized Zone.
34. Vitamin D deficiency may up diabetes risk: study
35. People deficient in vitamin D may be at a significantly greater risk of developing diabetes, a study has found.
36. Natalie Portman cancels Israel trip to accept Genesis Prize
37. Hollywood star Natalie Portman has cancelled her trip to Israel where she was set to receive the Genesis Prize as she "disagrees with the policies of the government of Israel.
38. Plane skids off runway in Nepal; close shave for 139 on board
39. All 139 people on board a Malaysian passenger plane had a miraculous escape when the Kuala Lumpur-bound flight skidded off the runway and got stuck in mud while attempting to take off from Nepal's only international airport here, officials said.
40. India to double contribution to Commonwealth technical cooperation fund
41. India will double its contribution to the Commonwealth fund for technical cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced as he vowed to provide tailor-made developmental assistance to small island states.
42. India can become powerhouse economy if policies managed well: IMF
43. India can become a powerhouse economy if policies are managed well and reforms are supportive of inclusive growth, a top IMF official has said.
44. North and South Korea open hotline between leaders: Yonhap
45. The two Koreas opened a hotline between their leaders today, the South's Yonhap news agency reported, citing Seoul's presidential office.
46. Scientists find way to bend, stretch diamond
47. In a first, scientists have found that diamond can bend and stretch much like rubber, and snap back to its original form when grown in extremely tiny, needle-like shapes.
48. Trump reduces hurdles for sale of military drones to allies
49. US President Donald Trump has ordered government agencies to expedite and expand arms sales abroad, including exports of advanced drones to reinforce allied armies, the White House has said, a move expected to be helpful to countries like India.
50. UK authorities apologise after protesters tear tricolour during Modi's visit
51. The British authorities have apologised over an incident in which an Indian flag in Parliament Square here was pulled down, torn and stomped on by groups protesting against atrocities in India during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
52. Cow may be biggest mammal if humans keep up extinctions: study
53. The domestic cow may be the largest land mammal on Earth in 200 years, if the loss of large-bodied and currently threatened animals continues in the future, according to a study.
54. Comey memos on Trump released to Congress
55. A series of explosive memos prepared by former FBI director James Comey detailing US President Donald Trump's alleged efforts to influence the bureau's expanding investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 elections have been submitted to Congress.
56. Dozens suffer minor injuries in Salzburg train accident
57. Police say dozens of people suffered minor injuries in a train accident in the Austrian city of Salzburg.
58. Ahead of summits, North Korea's ruling party calls meeting
59. North Korea's ruling party was scheduled to convene a meeting of its full Central Committee today to discuss what state media are calling a "new stage" of policies.
60. China's ZTE vows to fight US supplier ban
61. Chinese telecom giant ZTE vowed today to fight back against a US order banning it from purchasing and using US technology for seven years, a move that has angered Beijing.
62. Liverpool goal ace Salah in no mood to slacken off
63. Mohamed Salah has made clear to Jurgen Klopp he wants as many games as possible to try to create Liverpool goalscoring history as they prepare to travel to bottom of the Premier League table West Bromwich Albion.
64. Man Utd, Spurs seek FA Cup success as last chance for silverware
65. Manchester United head into tomorrow's FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur needing to keep their hopes of silverware alive to save their season.
66. Trade tensions erodes investors' confidence: Lagarde
67. Trade tensions and frictions could inflict long-term damage on investment by eroding the confidence of investors, IMF chief Christine Lagarde has said amid widespread concerns about a potential trade war brewing between the US and countries like China.
68. US Senate narrowly confirms Trump's new NASA chief
69. The US Senate has narrowly confirmed President Donald Trump's pick to head the space agency NASA, over objections from Democrats who warned he lacked a technical background.
70. Nepal's only international airport closed after plane skids off runway
71. Nepal's only international airport has been closed after a Kuala Lumpur-bound flight with 139 people on board skidded off the runway while attempting to take off, officials said.
72. Kim Kardashian West announces All DASH stores are closing
73. Reality TV star Kim Kardashian West has announced that she and her siblings -- Kourtney  and Khloe -- have decided to close all of their DASH storefronts.
74. Half a billion pounds: Report reveals record Premier League club profits
75. English Premier League clubs enjoyed record profits last season, according to a report published today by financial consultants Deloitte.
76. Michelle Williams to star in 'After the Wedding' remake
77. Actor Michelle Williams is set to star opposite Julianne Moore in "After the Wedding" remake.
78. Juventus, Napoli clash in Serie A title blockbuster
79. Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri warned his side are heading to Turin on Sunday determined to end Juventus' long reign as the kings of Italian football.
80. Chelsea keep Champions League hopes alive at Burnley
81. Chelsea kept their outside chances of chasing down Tottenham Hotspur for a place in next season's Champions League alive as a much-changed side secured a 2-1 win at Burnley.
82. Lance Armstrong to pay $5m settlement in US fraud case: lawyer
83. Lance Armstrong has agreed to pay $5 million in order to settle the looming federal fraud case stemming from his drug-fuelled reign as king of the Tour de France, it was confirmed.
84. India's reforms bearing fruits, make case for more steps: IMF
85. The reforms carried out by India has been bearing fruits and benefiting people, making a strong case for more steps, a top IMF official has said.
86. Juanmi double blows hole in Atletico title hopes
87. A brace from late substitute Juanmi sealed a precious 3-0 win for Real Sociedad to virtually end Atletico Madrid's fading hopes of challenging for the Spanish league title.
88. Digital technologies offer hope in fight against corruption: World Bank chief
89. Digital technologies offer a hope in the fight against corruption which is a problem in every single country of the world, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim has said.
90. Drama series 'Jett' featuring Carla Gugino green lit
91. Jett", starring Carla Gugino, has been given a straight-to-series order by Cinemax.
92. Taron Egerton to play Elton John in biopic 'Rocketman
93. Actor Taron Egerton has been roped in to star as Elton John in "Rocketman," the biopic about the legendary singer.
94. David Leitch to direct Jessica Chastain, Jake Gyllenhaal in 'The Division
95. Deadpool 2" helmer David Leitch has been roped in to direct "The Division" starring Jessica Chastain and Jake Gyllenhaal.
96. Six Senses Announces Innovative 17-Apartment oncept in Crans-Montana
97. Guillermo del Toro signs with DreamWorks animation
98. Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has signed an exclusive deal with DreamWorks animation to write, produce and direct animated family films for the studio.
99. Rapper-singer Kanye West has announced two new albums both releasing in June.
100. Alabama executes 83-year-old pipe bomb killer
101. Alabama has executed Walter Moody, an 83-year-old man convicted of murdering a US judge and an attorney with pipe bombs, officials said.
102. First Wives Club' TV reboot lands series order