Top GKToday’s News Headlines-3 August 2020

August 3, 2020

Here are Top GKToday’s News Headlines for August 3, 2020

India

Citizenship Amendment Act: Home Ministry seeks 3 more months to frame rules

The Home Ministry has sought an additional three months’ time for framing rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). CAA, which facilitates granting of Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, received President’s assent on December 12, 2019.

Allow COVID patients to use smartphones, tablet devices: Centre tells States/UTs

The Central government has directed all States and UTs to allow the use of smartphones and tablet devices for COVID-19 patients who have been hospitalised to ensure that they are able to stay connected with their families for psychological support during treatment.

UP: Cabinet minister Kamal Rani Varun dies at 62 from COVID-19

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet minister Kamal Rani Varun, who had tested positive for COVID-19 on July 18, died on August 2, 2020 at the age of 62 in Lucknow. She was the Minister of Technical Education and was elected from Ghatampur in Kanpur district in 2017 Assembly polls.

Rajasthan: State govt. to start Indira Rasoi Yojana in urban areas from Aug 20

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot directed officials on August 2, 2020 to start the Indira Rasoi Yojana in urban areas of Rajasthan from August 20. The poor would get food for just Rs 8. A menu of 100 grams of pulses, 100 grams of vegetables, 250 grams of chapati and pickles has been set.

Quarantine rules for international travellers eased; quarantine period halved

From August 8, passengers coming from abroad to India can seek exemption from mandatory institutional quarantine on arrival on grounds of “compelling reasons”, which include pregnancy, death in the family, and serious illness. Revised guidelines also halved the duration of quarantine from 14 days each of institutional quarantine and home quarantine to 7 days each.

Civil aviation regulator issues guidelines for drone operating systems

Aviation security regulator BCAS has issued guidelines for drone operating systems, which act like cockpits on the ground to remotely pilot the unmanned aerial vehicle. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has listed out rules that should be followed for cyber security, storage facility, training and background check of staff for drone operating systems.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tests positive for coronavirus

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 2, 2020 said he has tested positive for coronavirus and is getting admitted to a hospital following the advice of doctors.

Economy

Listed entities get 3 years to meet criteria of minimum 25% public shareholding

The government has notified changes in the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957, according to which companies will now get 3 years instead of 2 years to meet criteria of minimum 25% public shareholding after getting listed.

Khadi Agarbatti AatmaNirbhar Mission program of KVIC approved

Union MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari approved the Khadi Agarbatti AatmaNirbhar Mission program of KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission) to make India self-reliant in agarbatti production. KVIC will provide automatic agarbatti making machines and powder mixing machines to the artisans.

Grants given under Women Entrepreneurship & Empowerment cohort initiative

The Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment (WEE) cohort initiative helps women to take up entrepreneurship as a viable career option. The initiative is operated by IIT Delhi and sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology. The cash awards in the form of a grant totalling Rs 25 lakh were given to 11 Women entrepreneurs.

World

Facebook blocks accounts of 12 supporters of Brazil’s President on court orders

Facebook said on August 1, 2020 it has put a global block on certain accounts controlled by supporters of Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro implicated in a fake news inquiry, a day after it was fined for not complying with a Supreme Court judge’s order to do so.

Hurricane Isaias hits Bahamas, heads to Florida (US) as tropical storm

Hurricane Isaias weakened slightly to a tropical storm on August 1, 2020 after lashing the Bahamas, but forecasters warned it would likely grow into a hurricane again overnight as it approaches eastern Florida (US).

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2020