NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
DRDO Successfully Test Fires First Pinaka Rockets Produced by Private Sector: The Indian Army
successfully test-fired the first ever privately manufactured Pinaka rockets
recently from the firing range in Pokharan, which achieved the desired results
by accurately hitting targets. The rockets have been manufactured by Economic
Explosives Ltd (EEL) and are the first ammunition of its kind made by the
private sector in India. Six Pinaka rockets were test fired as part of the
final developmental trials. This development will enable Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) to do away with its single source dependency on
Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) for the rockets and also boost Make in India
initiative.
2.
“Ek Sankalp-Bujurgo ke naam” campaign in Madhya Pradesh: The Chhatarpur
Police of Madhya Pradesh has been running a campaign “Ek Sankalp-Bujurgo ke
naam” in the midst of corona infection in the state. “Ek Sankalp-Bujurgo ke
naam” i.e. ‘a commitment for elders’ is proving to be a boon for the elderly
and helpless people living alone in homes during the global pandemic COVID-19.
Under this campaign, the police personnels are taking care of the elderly
people from the food to their health. This campaign is in line of the motto of
Madhya Pradesh Police i.e. “Desh Bhakti-Jansewa”. Under this, 3000 senior
citizens of district have been selected by the Chhatarpur police whose children
are away from them and they are living alone in the home.
Note: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh:
Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Anandiben Patel.
3.
IIM Kozhikode signs MoU with Switzerland-based HELP Logistics: A Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) has been signed by the Indian Institute of Management
Kozhikode (IIM-K) with the Switzerland-based HELP Logistics. The partnership
between the two entities seeks to produce humanitarian logistics in India and
the region by offering consulting services as well as logistics training for
the humanitarian community such as United Nations bodies, government
institutions and non-governmental organisations. The partnership will also work
towards improving regional knowledge on humanitarian logistics matters as the
two entities will together carry out activities that integrate efforts to shape
supply chains that benefit humanity during a humanitarian crisis.
Note: Switzerland Currency: Swiss franc;
Capital: None (de jure), Bern (de facto)
4.
Ministry of Skill Development partners with Ministry of Shipping: Ministry of Skill
Development has inked an MoU with Ministry of Shipping to promote skill
development in port and maritime sector. The partnership between the two ministries
seeks to skill, re-skill and up-skill the manpower for the growing maritime
industry as well as development of coastal community. The Memorandum of
Understanding will offer extensive employment opportunities to the youth of
coastal areas. It will also strengthen the commitment of Coastal Community
Development under Sagar Mala programme launched by the Ministry of Shipping. It
will work towards nurturing the skilled manpower for the development of ports
as well as maritime sector of India and globally.
Note: Union Minister for Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship: Mahendra Nath Pandey.
Ministers of State (I/C) of Shipping:
Mansukh L. Mandaviya.
5.
Rajiv Kumar appointed as new Election Commissioner: The Government of
India has appointed Rajiv Kumar as the new Election Commissioner of India.
Rajiv Kumar will be appointed as the election commissioner “with effect from
the date he assumes the office. He will succeed Ashok Lavasa who has submitted
his resignation to the Indian President. Rajiv Kumar is a 1984-batch IAS
officer from Jharkhand cadre. He was designated as finance secretary in July
2019 and during his tenure he played a major role in merging 10 public sector
banks into four. He has also served as establishment officer (EO) in the
personnel ministry.
6.
MeitY launches “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge”: “Swadeshi
Microprocessor Challenge– Innovate Solutions for #Aatmanirbhar Bharat” has been
launched by the Union Minister of Law & Justice, Communications and
Electronics & Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad. It aims to
invite innovators, startups and students to use two microprocessors namely
“SHAKTI (32 bit) and VEGA (64 bit)” to develop various technology products.
SHAKTI & VEGA microprocessors have been developed by IIT Madras and Center
for Development of Advance Computing (CDAC) respectively. The Swadeshi
Microprocessor Challenge will provide momentum to the strong ecosystem of
Start-up, innovation as well as research in India. The challenge has been made
open to students at all levels and startups.
7.
Bhagat Singh Koshyari took additional charge as Goa Governor: Bhagat Singh
Koshyari (78 years) has been sworn in as Governor of Goa at a ceremony held at
Raj Bhavan, Panaji. He was administered the oath by Chief Justice of Bombay High
Court Justice Dipankar Datta. He is the Governor of Maharashtra and will
continue to be in position, along with additional charge of Goa. He succeeded
Satya Pal Malik who was transferred from Goa and appointed Governor of
Meghalaya.
Note: Goa’s Chief Minister: Pramod Sawant
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Francisco Asue reappointed as PM of Equatorial Guinea: Francisco Pascual
Eyegue Obama Asue was reappointed as the Prime Minister of the Republic of
Equatorial Guinea for 3rd consecutive term. On 14th August 2020, The Asue
government tendered the resignation to President Teodoro Obiang, following the
criticism of the president. The government was dissolved to resolve the
economic situation. Francisco Asue was first appointed as the Prime Minister of
Equatorial Guinea on 23rd June 2016. Equatorial Guinea, a central African oil
producer, has suffered double economic shock due to the COVID-19 pandemic and
the drop in the price of crude, which is the source of three-quarters of the
state’s revenue. According to the International Monetary Fund figures, the
country’s economy is expected to contract by 5.5% in 2020.
Note: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
President: Teodoro Obiang; Republic of Equatorial Guinea Capital: Malabo;
Republic of Equatorial Guinea Currency: Central African CFA franc.
2. US
Senator Kamala Harris nominated as US Democratic Party candidate: US Senator Kamala
Harris becomes first Indian American to accept nomination for the US vice
Presidential candidate for Democratic Party. She is an American politician and
lawyer who have served as the junior United States senator from California
since 2017. She is the first Asian-American, and the third female vice
presidential candidate. 2020 United States presidential election (the 59th
quadrennial presidential election) is scheduled to be held on November 3, 2020
3.
International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on
Religion or Belief: 22nd August: The second annual International Day
Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief is
being observed on 22 August 22, 2020. The international day aims to remember
the victims and survivors of evil acts on the basis of or in the name of
religion or belief. It aims to spread awareness that international communities
must work together to achieve justice for the survivors of past abuses by
holding perpetrators accountable, and demonstrating to governments that action
must be taken to ‘never again’ tolerate genocide or other atrocities. The day
was adopted at the 73rd UN General Assembly on 28 May 2019 as proposed by
Poland.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Ronnie O’Sullivan wins World Snooker Championship 2020: Ronnie O’Sullivan
defeated Kyren Wilson with a score of 18-8 to win the World Snooker
Championship 2020. He has claimed his sixth World Championship title at
Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. Witch his victory, Ronnie O’Sullivan has also
become the oldest winner of World Snooker Championship since Reardon, who was
45 in 1978. He has also advanced to the second spot in the world rankings
behind last year’s champion Judd Trump.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
HSBC India launches “Green Deposit Programme”: A “Green Deposit
Programme” has been launched by the HSBC India. The “green deposit programme”
has been launched exclusively for corporate clients. Under this programme, the
bank will use the deposits to finance green initiatives and environment
friendly projects. With this, the deposit scheme launched by the HSBC India
will provide its corporate clients stable and pre-agreed returns along with the
same protection as a normal bank deposit does. The deposit under the “Green
Deposit Programme” will come in the form of a term deposit with higher
interests as compared to savings deposits. The scheme will finance eligible
businesses and projects that encourage the transition to a low-carbon, climate
resilient and sustainable economy. Under this, the clients will also receive
quarterly reports comprising portfolio-level information about the use of the
deposited funds.
Note: HSBC Headquarters: London
HSBC India CEO: Surendra Rosha;
Headquarters: Mumbai
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
CCI approves proposed acquisition of C&S Electric by Siemens: The proposed
acquisition of C&S Electric Limited by Siemens Limited has received the
approval of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The proposed combination
envisions acquisition of 100% of the share capital of C&S Electric Limited
(C&S) by Siemens Limited (Siemens India). Siemens India supplies smart
mobility solutions for rail as well as road transport, including infrastructure
solutions for Smart Cities. It focuses on the areas of power generation and
distribution along with intelligent infrastructure for buildings and
distributed energy systems. While, C&S Electric Limited is engaged in the
manufacturing of a range of electrical switchgear, power protection and
electrical distribution products. It is also indulged in electrical contracting
business which performs turn key solutions for industrial and commercial
electrification, substations and power plants.
Note: Chairperson of Competition Commission of India: Ashok Kumar Gupta.
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