Japan commemorates 73rd Anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bombings
On August 6, 1945 at 8:15 a.m., the US B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped the 20 kiloton atomic bomb “Little Boy,” on Hiroshima, which devastated most of the city, killing 80,000 people instantly, leaving 12,000 missing and 40,000 wounded. On August 9, 1945, at 11:01 a.m., another US bomber dropped the 21 kiloton atomic bomb “Fat Man” on another Japanese city – Nagasaki – killing about 40,000 people and leaving 60,000 injured. Japan: ♦ Capital – Tokyo. ♦ Currency – Japanese Yen. ♦ Prime minister – Shinzo Abe (Since 2012)
UK announces new organ donation plan to address Indian origin shortages
The UK government has announced new plans to change the law for organ and tissue donation to address the urgent need for organs within the Indian-origin communities in the country. The proposed new system of consent for organ and tissue donation is expected to come into effect in England in 2020, as part of a drive to help black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people desperately waiting for a life-saving transplant.
World’s largest bird sculpture Jatayu sculpture will be inaugurated in Kerala
The Jatayu sculpture at the Jatayu Earth Center (JEC) at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district, Kerala, said to be world’s largest bird sculpture, will be inaugurated on August 17 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This Rs 100 crore-project is a creation by film director and sculptor Rajiv Anchal.
Germany’s Mario Gomez retires from International Football
Veteran German striker Mario Gomez (33-year-old), who made his debut for Germany in 2007, scored 31 goals in 78 international appearances. He represented his country at the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and 2018 and the Euro Cup in 2008 and 2012. He is now looking to pay his full attention to the domestic football league, Bundesliga.
Rafael Nadal Maintains Top Spot in ATP world Rankings
Spain’s Rafael Nadal maintained his lead in the men’s Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world singles rankings, with 9,310 average points, ahead of Switzerland’s Roger Federer. The current top 10 ATP rankings and point scores are as follows: ♦ 1. Rafael Nadal (Spain) 9,310 Points; ♦ 2. Roger Federer (Switzerland) 7,080; ♦ 3. Alexander Zverev (Germany) 5,665; ♦ 4. Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) 5,455; ♦ 5. Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) 4,610; ♦ 6. Kevin Anderson (South Africa) 4,355; ♦ 7. Marin Cilic (Croatia) 3,905; ♦ 8. Dominic Thiem (Austria) 3,665; ♦ 9. John Isner (USA) 3,490; ♦ 10. Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 3,355.
Goa becomes first state by starting its own app based taxi service
Goa CM Manohar Parrikar and Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar flagged off the Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s app-based taxi service called “GoaMiles”. A taxi owner did not have to pay anything and GTDC’s charges would be recovered from the consumer. GTDC will charge the consumer around Rs 20-80 as service fee. Customers will get honest service and will get to know the fare before the journey starts. There is a panic-cumemergency button available on the app.
NITI Aayog identified 117 districts as Aspirational Districts for RUSA Scheme
During the second phase of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), central assistance is provided for opening of new Model Degree Colleges (MDCs) in ‘Aspirational Districts’ identified by NITI Aayog and in unserved & underserved districts in North Eastern and Himalayan States. These districts have been selected on the basis of the composite index which includes published data of deprivation enumerated under Socio-Economic Caste Census, Health & Nutrition, Education and Basic Infrastructure.
Maitree 2018 Joint Military Exercise between India and Thailand held inThailand
Exercise ‘Maitree’ is a joint military exercise between Indian Army and Royal Thai Army and is running on in Thailand from 6 to 19 August 2018. Maitree 2018 was platoon level exercise that comprises of infantry component. Aim:- To develope mutual understanding and bonhomie between the two armies in order to counter terrorism.
UK rejects India’s request to ban pro Khalistan event in London
A US-based pro-Khalistan group ‘Sikhs for Justice’ (SFJ) will hold a so-called “London Declaration” to further its ‘Referendum2020’ agenda on August 12 at London’s Trafalgar square. On the same day, Indians based in London will gather to celebrate India’s 71st Independence Day at the venue. The group’s ‘Referendum2020’ calls for the people of Punjab to determine independence from India.
Five time Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi passes away
DMK chief, Muthuvel Karunanidhi, passes away at 94. He was made Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time in 1969. His five reigns as chief minister spanned from 1969-1971, 1971-1976, 1989-1991, 1996-2001 and 2006-2011. He also became a popular screenwriter for Tamil films. After independence, Periyar’s movement split into two. Karunanidhi followed Annadurai, establishing the Davidar Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1949. He was the party’s first treasurer and was elected to the assembly in 1957.
