CURRENT AFFAIRS AUGUST 29 ENGLISH

1. Russian humanoid robot Fedor arrives at International Space Station

An unmanned spacecraft carrying Russia’s first humanoid robot Fedor be sent into orbit successfully docked at the International Space Station.

• Fedor can be operated manually by ISS astronauts wearing robotic exoskeleton suits.
• Fedor stands 180 cm tall and weighs 160 kg.
• The name Fedor was an acronym standing for Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research.
• The robot will enable Russian astronauts to perform risky space experiments from a remote location.

2. Bangladesh HC allows setting up factories in ‘Ecological Critical Area’ around Sundarbans

High Court in Bangladesh has allowed setting up of factories near the Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) of Sundarbans.

• The court asked the government to provide environmental clearance to three companies for setting up LPG bottling plants in Mongla industrial area near the Sundarbans.
• An area of 10 kilometres within the world's largest mangrove forest at Sundarban was declared Ecologically critical area by the government in 1999 but many industries have come up in this area over a period of time.
• Sundarban is the world's largest mangrove area spread over 10 thousand square kilometres of which 60 per cent falls in Bangladesh and 40 per cent in India.
• The UNESCO has declared three sanctuaries in the Sundarbans as World Heritage Site in 1997.

3. National Sports Day: 29 August

National Sports Day is celebrated in India on August 29.

• It is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, a legendary Indian hockey player, who was also born on this day in 1905.
• This auspicious day is celebrated across the country to create and spread awareness about the importance of sports in everyone’s life.
• On this occasion, PM Modi also launched the ‘Fit India Movement’ at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.

4. Union HRD Minister launches Integrated Online junction for School Education ‘Shagun’

Union Human Resource Development Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched one of world’s largest Integrated Online Junction for School Education ‘Shagun’ in New Delhi.

• The app will provide all the details about the education system in the country as well as detailed information about schools with a feedback procedure structured for the parents.
• The portal seeks to connect approximately 92 lakh teachers and 26 crores, students.
• He also announced the setting up of the Integrated National School Education Treasury (INSET) which envisages a fully integrated, instantly accessible and seamless information network for all parameters relating to the students, teachers, and schools in the country.

5. IAF to get 'building blaster' Spice-2000 bombs by mid-September

In a major boost for India's aerial firepower, the Indian Air Force is set to receive the 'building blaster' version of the Balakot air strike-fame Spice-2000 bombs by mid-September.

• The Spice-2000 bombs are scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Israel around mid-September along with the Mark 84 warhead.
• The Indian Air Force had signed a contract with Israel in June this year for acquiring more than 100 Spice 2000 bombs under the emergency procurement powers of the services given by the Narendra Modi government.

6. 12 member delegation led by Attorney General of Nepal is on a 7-day observation visit to India

A twelve-member delegation led by Attorney General of Nepal, Agni Prasad Kharel is currently on a 7-day observation visit to India.

• The delegation comprises of senior attorneys from Federal Government and all Seven Provincial Governments.
• The Attorney General of Nepal, Agni Prasad Kharel also met the Attorney General of India K. K. Venugopal.
• The basic objective of the visit is to study the relationship between the Central and State judicial systems in India including the relationship between Attorney General of India and Advocates General of States.

7. India first In the world to launch facial biometric data based identity document

India has become the first country in the world to issue Biometric Seafarer Identity Document, BSID, capturing the facial biometric data of seafarers.

• Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya launched the project in New Delhi.
• He also handed over the new BSID cards to five Indian seafarers.
• The new facial biometric technology is a marked improvement over the two-finger or iris-based biometric data, with modern security features.

8. Govt permits 100% FDI in coal mining, associated infrastructure

The Union Cabinet has relaxed Foreign Direct Investment rule for foreign single-brand retailers and also permitted foreign investment in contract manufacturing and coal mining.

• Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that 100 per cent FDI under automatic route in coal mining and associated infrastructure has been approved.
• To boost domestic manufacturing, 100 per cent FDI in contract manufacturing under automatic route has been allowed.
• Mr Goyal said that 26 per cent FDI has also been allowed under government route for uploading and streaming of News and Current Affairs through Digital Media.

9. I&B Minister gives away excellence awards to community radio channels

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar gave away excellence awards to different community radio channels for their valuable contribution in sensitizing local people.

• Mr Javadekar was speaking on the Second Day of 7th National Community Radio Sammelan held in New Delhi.
• For the year 2019, Friends Radio, Tripura bagged the first prize in the thematic category and Salam Namaste, Uttar Pradesh got second prize in the same category.

10. Indian app Maitri, win tech prize in the US

Maitri application, that connects children at orphanages with senior citizens in old-age homes, won a bronze medal at global tech competition in the US.

• The app, called Maitri, is aimed at bringing together individuals suffering from loneliness and depression and those lacking the nurturing love of elderly role models.
• The app also allows users to volunteer and donate to old-age homes and orphanages through it.