CURRENT AFFAIRS
08 August 2020
NATIONAL NEWS:
A) Air India plane overshoots runway in Kozhikode.
An Air India Express flight from Dubai skidded off the runway and broke up into two while landing at the Karipur airport in Kozhikode on the night of 7 August. The flight — IX 1344 was landed at the airport at around 7.40 p.m. No fire was reported at the time of landing. There were 174 passengers, 10 Infants, 2 Pilots, and 5 cabin crew onboard the aircraft.
B) Kerala landslide claims 11.
About 11 people were killed and several feared trapped in a major landslip at the Nayamakkad estate in Pettimudi near Munnar, Idukki district, on 7 August. The State Government has dispatched a 50-member team of the Fire and Rescue Services to the region for stepping up rescue operations. In all, 12 people have been rescued so far. While the State Government has requested the Indian Air Force (IAF) for assistance, inclement weather in Idukki would create difficulties for helicopters to operate in the region at the moment.
C) After the Beirut explosion, alarm bells in TN over a big stock of ammonium nitrate.
Days after a massive explosion caused by stockpiled ammonium nitrate killed over 100 and left thousands injured in Beirut, alarm bells have started ringing over 740 tonnes of the same explosive chemical stored at a container freight station at Manali near Chennai port. The Beirut explosion had been caused by an estimated 2,750-tonne stockpile of ammonium nitrate stored for over six years in a port warehouse. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) acted swiftly, directing the Commissioner of Customs to immediately clear the stash of ammonium nitrate.
D) COVID Watch: Numbers and Developments
The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 20,79,484 with the death toll at 42,515. India on Friday recorded 62,538 new cases. The RBI on 6 August set up an expert committee under veteran banker K V Kamath to suggest financial parameters for the resolution of pandemic-related stressed assets. The committee will submit its recommendations to the RBI, which will notify them along with modifications, if any, in 30 days.
E) NEP lays the foundation of New India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at an event on 7 August that the National Education Policy (NEP) lays the foundation for the ‘New India’ of the 21st century, by emphasizing the shift away from rote learning and towards a focus on creative and innovative thinking. Addressing a Conclave on Transformational Reforms in Higher Education under the NEP, the Prime Minister said that there had been no major changes in the education system for many years, resulting in the promotion of a “herd mentality” in Indian society. “So far, the focus has been on ‘what to think’. The NEP emphasizes a shift in approach to focus on ‘how to think’ instead.
SPORTS NEWS
A) 4 players of the Indian hockey team tested corona positive.
Captain of India’s national hockey team Manpreet Singh and three other players have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the national camp in Bengaluru. Besides Manpreet, defender Surender Kumar, Jaskaran Singh and drag-flicker Varun Kumar have also tested positive for the deadly virus.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
A) The U.S. also bans TikTok.
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed executive orders banning popular Chinese apps such as TikTok and WeChat, terming them a threat to national security and the country’s economy. The ban comes into effect in 45 days in his two separate executive orders signed on August 6. India was the first country to ban Tik Tok and WeChat over national security concerns. India has banned as many as 106 Chinese apps, a move welcomed by both the Trump administration and U.S. lawmakers.
B) Will close marines’ case only after ‘hefty’ compensation: SC.
The Supreme Court appreciated Italy’s efforts to prosecute its Marines accused of killing two fishermen off the coast of Kerala in 2012 but insisted that it will close their criminal trial in India only after the victims’ families are heard and paid a “hefty” and “adequate” compensation. Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde, heading a three-judge Bench, said while addressing the advocate Suhail Dutt, who was appearing for Italy. They appreciate the steps taken by Italy to prosecute the two Marines. But if they want the case closed here, they have to pay adequate compensation to the families.
C) Russia claiming to launch the vaccine first in the world.
Much of the media spotlight has been on vaccine development efforts in the U.S. and Europe, with China thought to be the dark horse in the race. Now Russia has stepped in, claiming that it is about to become the first country to approve a Covid-19 vaccine. The Associated Press is reporting that mass vaccinations have been planned as early as October, using shots that are yet to complete clinical trials, raising safety concerns. The vaccine has reportedly been developed jointly by the Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry and is set to be approved on August 12. Moscow is also looking at a Sputnik-like propaganda victory, recalling the Soviet Union’s launch of the world’s first satellite in 1957.
