- On August 23, 2019, Moody’s Investors Service reduced India’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth forecast for 2019 calendar year to 6.2% from the previous estimation of 6.8% as the weaker global economy has stunted Asian exports and the uncertain operating environment has weighed on investment.
- On August 22, 2019, the Time magazine published its second annual list of the “World’s Greatest Places” with total of 100 places in the list. India’s Statue of Unity in Gujarat and ‘Soho House‘ in Mumbai featured in this year’s list. The list is a compilation of 100 new and “newly noteworthy destinations to experience right now”.
- On August 23, 2019, Smriti Irani, Women, and Child Development (WCD) Minister stated that the government has set a target to connect 44 crore people through Poshan Abhiyan to tackle malnutrition, at a function in New Delhi. She also gave away the Poshan Abhiyan Awards for 2018-19 in different categories to the States, Districts, blocks and Anganwadi Workers for their valuable contributions in promoting the mission and ensuring that it reaches every household in the country.
- Forbes magazine’s Worlds Highest-Paid Actors Of 2019 list was released on August 23, 2019. The list was topped by American actor, producer and former wrestler Dwayne Johnson (also known as The Rock) with worth $89.4 million followed by Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr in the second and third spot respectively.
- Forbes magazine’s Worlds Highest-Paid Actors Of 2019 list was released on August 23, 2019. Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar ranked in the 4th position on the list with worth $65million.
| Rank | Actor | Earnings |
| 1 | Dwayne Johnson | $89.4 million |
| 2 | Chris Hemsworth | $76.4 million |
| 3 | Robert Downey Jr. | $66 million |
| 4 | Akshay Kumar | $65 million |
| 5 | Jackie Chan | $58 million |
- 18th meeting of Conference of Parties to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) held in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Biologist, author and wildlife conservationist, Vivek Menon, head of Delhi-based Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), a leading Indian nature conservation organisation committed to the service of nature, was awarded the prestigious Clark R Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Award for the year 2019 at 18th meeting of Conference of Parties to CITES held in Geneva, Switzerland.
- On August 20, 2019 economist Abdalla Hamdok took charge as the new prime minister (15th) of Sudan embarking three year transition to civilian rule after military authoritarian Omar al-Bashir was forced to step down from president post by rage protests. The chief justice of Sudan Abbas Ali Babiker administered the swearing-in ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Khartoum. He succeeded Mohamed Tahir Ayala.
- As per the Appointments Committee of the cabinet, Government of India (GoI), Ajay Kumar Bhalla(1984-batch Assam-Meghalaya cadre IAS officer)has been appointed as the new Union home secretary with fixed two-year tenure till August 2021. He succeeds Rajiv Gauba, who was appointed as the new cabinet secretary.
- On August 22, 2019, proposal to declare ocean energy as renewable energy was approved by R K Singh, Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister. According to the proposal, all forms of ocean energy, such as tidal, wave, ocean thermal energy conversion, will now be considered as renewable energy and also be eligible for meeting non-solar renewable purchase obligations (RPO).
- The Iranian Defense Ministry has unveiled its new home-grown air defence system called “Bavar-373” at a time of increasing tensions between Iran & United States(US) since US President Donald Trump in 2018 withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal -2015 and reimposed sanctions on Iran.
- On August 22, 2019, Russia launched its first unmanned rocket carrying a life-size humanoid robot named ‘Fedor’ (Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research) in Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft from Russia’s Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It will spend 10 days learning to assist astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS).
- On August 21, 2019, The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rahul Johri announced that Paytm will continue as the title sponsor of the Indian cricket board’s domestic and international matches for the next five years i.e till 2023. The bid from One 97 Communications, holding company of Paytm, was the winning bid for Rs 326.80 crore. At Rs 3.80 crore per match, Paytm’s bid was at 58% incremental value in comparison to the previous per match value of Rs 2.4 crore.
- The 28-member Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of sports minister Kiren Rijiju was formed for Fit India Movement which aims to encourage people to inculcate physical activity and sports in their everyday lives. It will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 29, 2019.
- Former opener Vikram Rathour, aged 50, was appointed as India’s new batting coach. He succeeds Sanjay Bangar. Bharath Arun and R Sridhar retained as bowling and fielding coaches respectively. The senior national selection committee headed by MSK Prasad recommended 3 names each for all the support staff positions and the top names in each category will be appointed after the formalities with regards to Conflict of Interest declaration is complete.
- The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is observed every year on August 23. This day is observed as a remembrance of people involved in the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade. The theme for the year 2019 is “Remember Slavery: The Power of the Arts for Justice“. This Day also marked the 25th anniversary of “UNESCO’s Slave Route Project: Resistance, Liberty, Heritage”
