Current Affairs (August – 2020)

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This post contains important current affairs of 7 August 2020. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 7 August 2020. We have collected the latest current affairs and compiled them date wise. These current affairs are important for all competitive exams like bank, ssc, ibps, sbi exams. The GK current affairs will help you score more in these competitive exams. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 7 August 2020 Current affairs test.

International Beer Day
International Beer Day is observed on the first Friday of August. Originally it was started in Santa Cruz, California in 2007.

Haryana govt to bring ordinance to prevent fraudulent land registries
Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said that the state government is going to bring an ordinance to amend an act related to registration of lands to prevent fraudulent registries. This ordinance will help keep a check on fraudsters. The state government has given serious consideration to the complaints of malpractices that exist in the current mechanism for registration of deeds for the transfer of land.

Delhi notifies policy to have 25% registration coming from electric cars by 2024
The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government notified the Electric Vehicle Policy which aims to reduce pollution and generate employment opportunities in the national capital. The policy, which was approved by the Cabinet in December, will be in force for three years. The state government will incentivise purchase of electric vehicles with benefits of up to ₹30,000 for two-wheelers. A state electric vehicle board is being created which will be chaired by the transport minister.

Delhi high court allows Delhi University to conduct online open-book exams
The Delhi high court allowed Delhi University to conduct online open-book examinations (OBE) for final-year students as per schedule. The court passed a slew of directions to address concerns raised by students. The online OBE are slated to begin from 10 August. Students had pleaded that final-year exams should be cancelled and the results should calculated on the basis of internal assessment.

West Bengal observes death anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore
West Bengal observes the death anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore today . Tagore died on this day in 1941. Special prayer meeting was held at Viswa Bharati in Shantiniketan this morning to observe the day where Vice – Chancellor Prof Bidyut Chakraborty , noted Physician Dr. Sushovon Banerjee and others were present.

Maharashtra govt announces partnership with Google for introducing digital education tools in schools across state
The Maharashtra government has announced a partnership with Google for introducing digital education tools in schools across the state. It will enable 2.3 crore students and teachers to access the technology giant’s blended learning programmes that combine classroom approach with online learning. As part of the tie-up, which has come at a time when online classes have become a norm due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Google will deploy free tools like G Suite for Education, Google Classroom and Google Meet to facilitate remote learning.

Delhi government launches electric vehicle policy, announces incentives of up to ₹1.5 lakh
The Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi launched the Electric Vehicle Policy for the national capital under which the AAP government will waive registration fee, road tax, and provide an incentive of up to ₹1.5 lakh for new cars. Delhi government will give incentive of up to ₹30,000 for two-wheelers, autos, e-rickshaws and freight vehicles while for cars, it will provide an incentive of up to ₹1.5 lakh.

Delhi airport develops online portal for international passengers
The Delhi international airport has developed an online portal that will allow international arriving passengers to fill a mandatory self-declaration form and eligible passengers to apply for exemption from compulsory institutional quarantine for coronavirus. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said the portal will make passengers’ journey contactless as they won’t have to fill physical copies of a self declaration form and a quarantine exemption form at the time of arrival in India.

PM Modi to inaugurate Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra, (RSK) tomorrow. The Kendra is an interactive experience centre on the Swachh Bharat Mission, which was first announced by Mr Modi on the occasion of centenary celebrations of Gandhiji’s Champaran Satyagraha in 2017. The Swachh Bharat Mission has transformed rural sanitation in India and has changed the behaviour of over 55 crore people from open defecation to using a toilet.

PM to inaugurate submarine Optical Fibre Cable connecting Chennai and Port Blair
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and dedicate the submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connecting Chennai and Port Blair to the nation on Monday through video conferencing. The submarine cable will also connect Port Blair to Swaraj Dweep, Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Kamorta, Great Nicobar, Long Island and Rangat.

Shipping Minister virtually launches online exit exam for seafarers
Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya virtually launched an online exit examination for the seafarers. Seafarers can now appear in the exam from their homes during this unprecedented pandemic period.

Textiles Minister Smriti Irani inaugurates Celebration of 6th National Handloom Day 2020
Textiles Minister Smriti Irani today inaugurated the Celebration of 6th National Handloom Day 2020. She also launched Mobile app and a portal to propagate the handloom industry. Mrs Irani said, government is aiming to connect weavers and other stakeholders digitally. She said, through this Handloom portal people can get information regarding programmes launched by the textile Ministry. The Minister also launched India’s first Handloom Craft Village Sharan in Himachal Pradesh.

Arjun Munda flags off “Medicine Van” for Bihar flood victims
Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda flagged off “Medicine Van” for flood victims of Bihar. The medicine support of 15 Lakh rupees has been provided by the Thakurdwara Trust, of Jorbhag Delhi. Around two thousands volunteers are working on ground to serve the flood victims.

Western Railway refunds ₹400 crore through cancelled tickets amid coronavirus
After bearing revenue loss of ₹2,026 crores, the Western Railway has refunded over ₹400 crore upon cancellation of tickets during the COVID-19-induced lockdown. Till now, 63.13 lakh passengers have canceled their tickets over the entire Western Railway. They have received their refund amount accordingly, the Western Railway said.

Bangladesh to construct memorial for Indian soldiers martyred in 1971 liberation war
Bangladesh will construct a memorial for the Indian soldiers martyred during the country’s liberation war in 1971. The memorial will be constructed coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Bangladesh, said the Minister of Liberation War Affairs of Bangladesh AKM Muzammel Haq. High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das had called on the Minister for Liberation War Affairs and discussed issues of mutual interest and the upcoming 50 year anniversary of Liberation War.

Jaishankar discusses covid challenges with FMs of US, Australia, Israel, Brazil
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held a meeting with his counterparts from US, Australia, Israel, Brazil and South Korea and discussed challenges related to coronavirus.

WHO appeals for $15-mn aid for Lebanon after Beirut blast
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is appealing for $15 million to cover emergency health needs in Lebanon following the Beirut port explosion that hit amid an economic crisis and rising coronavirus cases. The blast, which killed more than 150 and injured more than 5,000, also destroyed 17 containers holding WHO medical supplies including personal protective equipment.

RBI forms five-member expert committee to oversee one-time debt recast
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the formation of a five-member expert committee to recommend parameters related to the debt recast window and vet resolution plans of ₹1,500 crore and more. Headed by veteran banker KV Kamath, the committee will have four other members – Diwakar Gupta, whose term will be effective 1 September, after the completion of his term as vice-president, ADB.

Banks will not open current accounts for those with cash credit, overdraft
RBI said rather than opening a new current account, all transactions should be routed through Cash Credit or OverDraft account. With a view to improve credit discipline, the Reserve Bank on Thursday barred banks from opening current accounts for customers who have availed cash credit or overdraft facilities, stressing that there is a “need for discipline” on this front.

Facebook employees to work from home until July 2021, to get additional $1,000
Facebook Inc will allow employees to work from home until July 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak and will give them $1,000 for home office needs. The company joins other big technology firms that have taken similar steps recently. Facebook said that the company will continue reopening offices in a restricted capacity where government guidance permits.

OYO, FICCI develops online certification course for hospitality industry
Industry body FICCI and hospitality firm OYO said that they have joined hands to develop and design an online training and certification course specifically for the hospitality industry. OYO has developed and designed the course materials for the programme. The course will help budget, mid-segment and boutique hotels and homestays in India as well as hospitality professionals.

India accounts for second largest visitor base for Zoom
India accounts for the second largest number of visitors for Zoom, behind only the United States (US), said Eric S. Yuan, chief executive officer (CEO) of the hugely popular video collaboration platform. Yuan was speaking at the India Internet Day event organised by non-profit organization The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE).

Dr. Pradeep Kumar Joshi takes oath as Chairman of UPSC
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Joshi took oath as Chairman of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Prof. Joshi joined the Commission as a member in the year 2015. He served as Director of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration. During his career, Dr. Joshi taught more than 28 years at post-graduation level and held many important positions in various policy making, academic and administrative bodies.

GC Murmu appointed as CAG
Girish Chandra Murmu, who resigned as the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been appointed as the central government’s statutory auditor, said a government official. Murmu was appointed as the first Lt Governor of J&K when the union territory was carved out of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Astronauts for India’s first manned space mission Gaganyaan complete training
The four astronauts-elect for India’s first manned space mission Gaganyaan have completed training in Russia on crew actions in the event of an abnormal descent module landing, Glavkosmos. The astronauts were in good health and determined to continue their training, Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of Russian space organisation Roscosmos said. The Indian astronauts are undergoing training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC).

BCCI suspends title sponsorship deal with Vivo for upcoming IPL
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended the title sponsorship deal with Chinese mobile phone company Vivo for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. The BCCI in a statement said that Vivo will not be associated with the IPL this year. VIVO had won the IPL title sponsorship for five years from 2018 to 2022 for a reported sum of 2190 crore rupees. The IPL this year has been shifted to the UAE because of the prevailing COVID-19 situation in India. The tournament will be held from September 19 to November 10 amid COVID-19 protocols laid down by the ICC and BCCI.

Veteran CPIM leader Shyamal Chakraborty dies of Coronavirus
Veteran CPIM leader and former West Bengal Minister Shyamal Chakraborty died of Corona infection in Kolkata. He was 77. Shyamal Chakraborty was elected four times consecutively in the State Assembly since 1981. He was Transport Minister in the Jyoti Basu cabinet in the State. He was also elected in Rajya Sabha.