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AUGUST 2009
 		Did you know?

Who built the Bandra-Worli sea link?

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) was the nodal agency for the project and the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) executed the project. A skilled team comprising the best engineers from India, as well as other countries including Britain, Canada, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines, Serbia, Singapore and Switzerland took part in the project.

Bhutan's new king
28-year-old Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, an Oxford-educated bachelor, is Bhutan's fifth king and the world's youngest-reigning monarch. He was crowned king on November 6, 2008 at Tashichho Dzong Palace in Thimpu. Bhutan also has the distinction of being the world's youngest democracy, having held parliamentary elections in March 2008 for the first time ever.
The 'Mozart of Madras'
Winner of a BAFTA award, a Golden Globe and two Oscars for his music in Slumdog Millionaire, saw A. R. Rahman nicknamed the 'Mozart of Madras' by TIME magazine which also placed him in the TIME 100 of the 'World's Most Influential People'.

Which is the tallest pillarless dome in Asia?

The center of the Global Vipassana Pagoda in Gorai, Mumbai contains the world's tallest stone dome built without any supporting pillars. The height of the dome is approximately 29 metres, while the height of the building is 96.12 meters. Designed as a replica of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda of Yangon, Myanmar, it is expected to exist as a beacon of peace and harmony for the next 1000 years.

What is the G8 Summit?

The G8 summit is an annual meeting attended by the main industrialised countries — Canada, Russia, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. Leaders freely and vigorously exchange opinions on a variety of issues facing the global community centering on economic and social problems. The 2009 Summit is being held in L'Aquila, Italy — the country that currently holds the G8 Presidency — from July 8-10.
Over the years, the G8 duty Presidencies have begun inviting a number of emerging countries to specific sessions of talks, as the emerging economies' increasing weight on the world scene has made it necessary to involve them in identifying solutions to the major global challenges. The Group of Five (G5) comprises Brazil, People's Republic of China, India, Mexico and South Africa.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo was signed by Real Madrid from Manchester United for a world record fee of 93.9 million Euros and a salary of 13 million euros per season, making him the world's most expensive and highest earning player.

  • With his win at Wimbledon, Roger Federer beat the Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam titles, and is one of only six male players to achieve a career Grand Slam (wining all 4 Grand Slam tournaments).

  • Saina Nehwal, the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament after clinching the Indonesia Open in June 2009, is now ranked No. 6 in the world.
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