Current Affairs Daily Digest – August 17 2020
1. USFDA clears simple Saliva test called “SALIVA DIRECT” to detect COVID-19
The United States Food and Drugs Administration authorised the emergency use of saliva based diagnostic test for COVID-19. This is to be a game changer as it provides the results rapidly. The testing method has been named “SALIVA DIRECT”.
Saliva Direct testing method is simpler and is less expensive as compared to traditional method called the Nasopharyngeal swabbing. The test method is to be used to test players and staffs in National Basketball Association.
2. PM Modi to inaugurate Atal Tunnel by September 2020
The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minsiter Jai Ram Thakur announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate “Atal Tunnel” by the end of September 2020. The tunnel is being built under Rohtang Pass in the Pir Panjal range on the Leh-Manali highway. It is located at 3,100 metres above the sea level. The length of the tunnel is 8.8 kilo metres.
3. Taiwan purchases F-16 jets from US
Taiwan recently signed an agreement to buy 66 of the latest F-16 jets from the US. This is expected to escalate the tensions between US and China further. This is the first purchase of Taiwan from the US since 1992. Though the deal was planned and talks were finalised a year ago, the move is likely to be denounced by Beijing. The sale of jets to Taiwan is to be completed by the end of 2026.
4. India ranks first in Organic Farming
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare recently announced that India ranks first in Organic Farming. Also, India ranks ninth in terms of areas under Organic Farming.
Sikkim was the first state in the world to become completely organic. The other states that have similar targets include Uttarakhand and Tripura.
5. Puducherry celebrates its 59th ‘De-Jure’ day
The Union Territory of Puducherry has celebrated its 59th anniversary of the “De-Jure” day on 16th August. The Puducherry administration organized a function at the Keezhoor memorial where the referendum was signed to mark the occasion. So on that day, the “De-Jure” (The Legal Merger of the UT with the Indian Union) was effected.
6. Kaushik Khona becomes new CEO of GoAir
Kaushik Khona has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of GoAir Airline. He will replace Vinay Dube. GoAir is an Indian low-cost airline based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is owned by the Indian business conglomerate Wadia Group.
7. Nagaland Govt launches “YellowChain” centralized e-commerce platform
Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio has launched “Yellow Chain” a centralized e-commerce system to provide the people of the state integrated platform to build sustainable businesses either in products or services from their own locations for sustainable economic activity.
8. PM Modi announces “One Sun, One World, One Grid” initiative
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the “One Sun, One World, One Grid” (OSOWOG) plan. Under this, there will be a trans-national electricity grid, for supplying solar power across the globe.
As per the draft plan prepared by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the OSOWOG will connect 140 countries through a common grid that will be used to transfer solar power. “The vision behind the OSOWOG mantra is “the Sun never sets” and is a constant at some geographical location, globally, at any given point of time.
9. Lewis Hamilton wins F1 Spanish Grand Prix 2020
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) has won the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix 2020 held at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain. This was his 4th win of the season and the 88th win of his career. Max Verstappen (Red Bull–Netherlands) came second followed by Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Finland) at third.
10. Indian Idol Fame Shahzan Mujeeb signed as first ever National Brand Ambassador of Aligarh Municipal Corporation
Aligarh Municipal Corporation (AMC) has recently roped in Indian Idol Season 11 Finalist and Oscar Nominated Playback Singer Shahzan Mujeeb as its First Ever National Brand Ambassador for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Campaign at National and International level.
