Current Affairs - August 24, 2020 Current Affairs

While Rohit has been selected for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award -- country's highest sporting honour, Test fast bowler Ishant Sharma is set to receive Arjuna Award.

Former finance secretary Rajiv Kumar, who retired earlier this year, was appointed election commissioner on Friday. Kumar will be the chief election commissioner (CEC) in the next general election in 2024, going by the seniority convention.

HSBC India on Thursday launched its 'Green Deposit Programme' for corporate clients. Under this new initiative bank will finance green initiatives such as renewable energy, clean transportation, pollution prevention and control, green building, sustainable water, waste water management and others, providing a simple way for companies to support environmentally-beneficial projects.

Aditi is one among the 27 Arjuna awardees and the sole golf player on the list. The 22-year old was the first Indian to clinch a Ladies European Tour title when she won the 2016 Hero Women's Indian Open and also featured at the Olympics in the same year.

The Government of India has proposed stricter norms to ensure greater safety on highways. It includes features such as machine mounted audible travel alarms, requirements for operator station, non-metallic fuel tank, operator visibility for construction equipment machinery. Highlights There are safety requirements for Construction Equipment Vehicles in Central Motors Vehicles rules, 1989

Table tennis player Manika Batra, who will be conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award this year, on Saturday said that the accolade would be an added responsibility for her to bring more laurels for the country.

Myanmar has pushed back against China after trying to widen its influence through China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). The decision was influenced from the experience of Pakistan in China Pakistan Economic Corridor and with Sri Lanka being pushed towards debt trap. Highlights China proposed the CMEC as a part of the BRI initiative.

World championships bronze medallist and Asian Games and Commonwealth Games champion wrestler Vinesh Phogat is thrilled to be recommended for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award and feels that the national honour will motivate her to shine in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The Uttar Pradesh and Israel governments on Thursday signed a 'plan of cooperation' to resolve water crisis in Bundelkhand region. Alok Sinha, UP agriculture production commissioner and Israeli ambassador to India, Ron Malka, signed the agreement here on behalf of their governments. The India -Israel - Bundelkhand Water Project comprises three key components including water conservation, water efficient transportation and advanced water practices for agriculture.

Ronnie O'Sullivan won his sixth world title, defeating Wilson 18-8 in the final. This was O'Sullivan's 37th ranking event win of his career, the highest of any player. Higgins made a maximum break in the 12th frame of his second-round loss to Kurt Maflin.

On August 21, 2020, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the discovery of large natural gas reserves in the Black Sea coast. According to the announcement made by the President, 320 billion cubic metres of natural gas has been discovered. Highlights Turkey is to start using the discovered natural gas by 2023.

On August 22, 2020, the Power Ministry announced that the Generating Companies and the Transmission Companies have been advised to charge Late Payment Surcharge at a rate not exceeding 12% per annum. With this, the financial burden on Discoms is to ease out.

On August 23, 2020, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation announced that around 412 infrastructure projects each of worth Rs 150 crores have been hit with cost over run of Rs 4.11 lakh crores. Highlights The original cost of implementation of these projects were Rs 20,65,336. Their completion cost is anticipated as Rs 24,77,167.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has prepared a draft standard for the supply of piped drinking water. It has been named "Drinking Water Supply Quality Management System-requirements for piped drinking water supply service".

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved proposed acquisition of C&S Electric Ltd by Siemens Ltd. The proposed combination envisages acquisition of 100 per cent of the share capital of C&S Electric Ltd (C&S) by Siemens Ltd (Siemens India).