CURRENT AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS : 12 AUGUST 2020
COVID-19 NEWS
(1.) Russia launches first vaccine against corona-virus :- Russia has developed the first vaccine against the corona-virus. The announcement was made by President Vladimir Putin during a televised video conference call with government ministers today. He said one of his daughters has already been inoculated. As the number of corona-virus cases continues to rise at an alarming rate across the globe, scientists and medical experts are making accelerated efforts to develop a vaccine fit for human use. Currently, there are more than 160 vaccine candidates in different stages of production and 27 of these have reached the human trials. While the vaccine created by Oxford University and drugmaker AstraZeneca is considered one of the frontrunners in the race to develop a corona-virus vaccine, Russia to day became the first country in the world to launch its very own corona-virus vaccine. Russia currently has two COVID-19 vaccine candidates in the race. Russia will reportedly begin producing the vaccine soon and already has plans for a massive, country-wide vaccine drive.
(2.) PM Modi calls for increased COVID-19 testing & contact tracing in states with high case load :- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed on the need to increase testing in states where testing rate is low and positive rate is high, particularly in Bihar, Gujarat, UP, West Bengal and Telangana. He was interacting with the Chief Ministers of 10 states through video conferencing today. Prime Minister said with the collective efforts, India will win the fight against covid-19. He said, the most important thing is that people’s confidence has also increased, and the fear has gone down. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said efforts to contain the COVID 19 pandemic are proving effective as the percentage of active cases has decreased and recovery rate has increased.
NATIONAL NEWS
(1.) Education Minister launches Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations, 2020 :- Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today virtually launched the Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations, 2020 in New Delhi. Addressing the participants, Mr Pokhriyal highlighted about unique architectural beauty of India, its monuments and temples. He said that Council of Architecture should draw inspiration from the present and past treasures of Architecture and bring a paradigm shift in the field of Architecture to make India a world leader again.
(2.) Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches ‘Krishi Megh’ :- Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today virtually launched the Krishi Megh (National Agricultural Research and Education System – Cloud Infrastructure and Services). Speaking on the occasion, Mr Tomar said, Krishi Megh is a step forward towards digital agriculture of New India. He said, Government of India and World Bank have funded National Agricultural Higher Education Project. The project is designed for strengthening the national agricultural education system in the country with the overall objective to provide more relevant and high-quality education to the agricultural university students.
(3.) Tribal Affairs Ministry develops nine ‘Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums :- Tribal Affairs Ministry is developing “Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums dedicated to the contributions of the tribal people in India to the freedom struggle. Out of nine sanctioned museums, two museums are near completion and remaining seven are at different stages of progress.The Ministry said that by the end of 2022 all the museums will come into existence.
(4.) DAC approves procurement proposals worth over Rs. 8,722 crore including 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft for IAF :- Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) today approved procurement proposals worth over Rs. 8,722 crore including 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft for Indian Air Force.The decision has been taken during the DAC meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi to strengthen the Armed Forces by relying on indigenous capability to take forward the initiative on Atmanirbhar Bharat. With HAL having successfully developed Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) Prototypes and certification process underway, the DAC approved procurement of Basic Trainer Aircraft from HAL to address the basic training requirements of the Indian Air Force. Post Certification 70 Basic Trainer Aircraft will be initially procured from HAL and balance 36 after operationalisation of HTT-40 fleet in IAF.The DAC also approved procurement of an upgraded version of Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) which is fitted as the main gun onboard Navy and Indian Coast Guard warships from BHEL to improve the fire power of Indian Navy.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
(1.) EU to give 1.65 million euro to flood hit people in South Asia :- The European Union today said it is providing 1.65 million euro in humanitarian aid in response to severe flooding that has affected South Asia-most notably Bangladesh, India and Nepal. The funding comes on top of the 1.8 million euro announced earlier this year to support families affected by a series of disasters, including Cyclone Amphan that ravaged India and Bangladesh in May. In a statement, EU’s European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) said, this brings the total EU support to victims of disasters in the region to 3.45 million euro.
(2.) Lebanon’s PM Hassan Diab resigns following public outrage over major blast in Beirut last week :- Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab has resigned from his post in the wake of major blast in Beirut that has triggered public outrage. In a brief televised speech after three of his ministers resigned, Mr Diab said he is taking a step back so he can stand with the people and fight the battle for change alongside them. The Prime Minister’s resignation follows a weekend of anti-government protests after the August 4 explosion in Beirut’s port that decimated the facility and caused widespread destruction, killing more than 160 people and injured about six thousands.
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
(1.) Nitin Gadkari calls upon AEPC for taking measures to target doubling exports of apparels :- Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari has called upon Apparel Export Promotion Council for taking measures to target doubling exports of apparels. He also emphasized on technology upgradation and research to improve quality and remain cost competitive in the global market. Inaugurating the virtual workshop- A Joint initiatives of Apparel Export Promotion Council and MSME Ministry through Video Conference, Mr Gadkari said, government is providing support through package announced recently for liquidity, stress management in the MSME sector.
OBITUARY
(1.) Renowned lyricist & poet Rahat Indori passes away :- In Madhya Pradesh, noted Urdu poet and lyricist Rahat Indori died of cardiac arrest in Indore today. He was also tested positive for COVID-19. The 70-year-old poet was undergoing treatment at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences in Indore. AIR correspondent reports, Rahat Indori had been admitted to the hospital yesterday after he tested positive for the COVID-19. With a 50-year career in poetry, Indori was known for the lyrics of hit films like Munnabhai MBBS, Kareeb, Ghatak and Ishq.
Thanks for Reading Current and Corporate Affairs : 12 August 2020
Compiled By : CS Surbhi Saxena
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