Current Affairs Daily Digest – August 11 2020
1. SURAKHSYA: National Portal of “Project Elephant” launched
On August 10, 2020, the Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar launched National Portal on Human Elephant conflict called “SURAKHSYA”. The portal aims to collect real time information and will also manage conflicts on real time basis.
2. Russia becomes 1st country to register COVID-19 Vaccine
Russian President, Vladimir Putin has announced that a COVID-19 vaccine named “Sputnik V” developed in the country has been registered for use. Russian Ministry of Health has given regulatory approval for what it claims is the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine, developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute. Russia is the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine.
3. Walter Roger Martos Ruiz becomes new PM of Peru
The former defence minister and retired army general, Walter Roger Martos Ruiz becomes new Prime Minister of the country. His appointment was confirmed by President of Peru, Martin Vizcarra. Ruiz will succeed Pedro Álvaro Cateriano Bellido. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Government Palace in Lima.
4. Mohamed Ould Bilal becomes new Prime Minister of Mauritania
Mohamed Ould Bilal has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Mauritania. The appointment was made by the Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. Mohamed Ould Bilal is a veteran public administrator and has served as the head of the country’s national water agency, a presidential aide and a cabinet minister.
5. Max Verstappen wins 70th Anniversary Grand Prix
The Red Bull racer, Max Verstappen has won the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix. Mercedes racer Lewis Hamilton finished the race at second postion while another Mercedes racer Valtteri Bottas finished third. This was Red Bull’s first victory at Silverstone since 2012.
6. Belarusan President Alexander Lukashenko wins sixth term
President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko has won his sixth consecutive term with 80.23 per cent of the vote at the country’s presidential election. A former English teacher Svetlana Tikhanouskaya, who emerged as Lukashenko’s main rival at the elections gets 9.9 per cent of the vote.
7. National Infrastructure Pipeline Online Dashboard launched
The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) Online Dashboard has been inaugurated by the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman. The newly launched platform “NIP” will act as one stop solution for all stakeholders seeking for information on infrastructure projects in New India.
The platform is being considered a step towards the vision of an Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. It will attract investors for PPP projects and also ensure easy accessibility to updated project information.
8. Renowned Poet and Lyricist Rahat Indori passes away after testing positive for Coronavirus
Renowned Urdu Poet and Lyricist Rahat Indori passed away on August 11, 2020. He was 70. He had tested positive for COVID-19. “The popular poet suffered two heart attacks and could not be saved. He was admitted to hospital, after testing positive for Covid-19.
9. Daughter entitled to equal property rights even if born before 2005 amendment to Hindu Succession Act: SC
The Supreme Court on August 11, 2020 ruled that daughters are entitled to equal property rights even if they were not born at the time of the 2005 amendment to the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 or irrespective.
The apex court ruled that daughters would have equal coparcenary rights in Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) properties. This would hold irrespective of whether the father was alive or not at the time of the amendment.
