NEWS 18-08-2021. NEWS FOR 20th-Aug (Friday) NATIONAL NEWS: 1. India has achieved a 100 GW Mile Stone of Installed Renewable Energy Capacity. India stands at 4th position in the world in terms of installed RE capacity, 5th in solar and 4th in wind in terms of installed capacity. 2. The India's GSLV-F10 took off at 5.43am on 12 Aug as scheduled, but after nearly four minutes after take off, the cryogenic stage did not ignite. This was a minor set back, however the Director Of ISRO confirmed that malfunctioning was detected & would be rectified. 3. The Indian Army has planned to construct a tunnel similar to the Atal Tunnel under the Brahmaputra river in Assam for unhindered movement of its vehicles. Its length is expected to be 12-15 kilometres. 4. A National Automobile Scrappage Policy was announced by the Govt. The aim of scrapping the vehicles in a scientific manner will not only remove the unfit vehicles in the country but also give a boost to the economy. 5. President Ram Nath Kovind has approved 144 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces, police and paramilitary personnel on the eve of Independence Day. 6. Indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC), INS Vikrant, has successfully completed its first sea voyage. 7. The 75th Independence Day was celebrated with patriotic fervor across the country. PM Modi hoisted the national flag on the 75th Independence Day and addressed the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort in New Delhi. 8. In the ongoing process of sorting out internal security problems in the State, the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has invited (ULFA-I) chief Paresh Baruah for peace talks. 9. The Union home ministry has for the first time awarded 20 personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) gallantry awards for showing exemplary bravery during clashes with Chinese troops in the Eastern Ladakh sector. 10. Three DHRUV MK-III Advanced Light helicopters (ALHs) manufactured by HAL were inducted into the stables of the Indian Coast Guard. INTERNATIONAL NEWS: 1. The 12th Edition of the Indo-Russia joint military exercise called ‘Exercise INDRA 2021’ was conducted from 01 to 13 Aug at, Volgograd, Russia. 2. India’s LCA Tejas Mk-1A to take first flight by March 2022 after having carried out requisite trials. HAL is also expected to sign a multimillion-dollar engine deal with US firm GE Aviation for 99 F404 engines to power India’s latest indigenous fighter. 3. The naval army of India and Saudi Arabia started their first-ever joint exercise on 12 Aug 2021, named the , ' Al-Mohed Al-Hindi ' Exercise. which is the sign of growing defence ties between the two nations. 4. The Indian Navy participated in the U.S. Navy-led Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) military exercise in Singapore, to demonstrate its maritime manoeuvres. 5. Taliban has taken over Afghanistan & is likely to declare Afghanistan as the 'Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan' from the presidential palace in Kabul which they captured on 15 Aug. SPORTS NEWS: 1. Indian men's cricket team defeated England at Lords in the ongoing test series to take a 1-0 lead. 2. The Indian contingent ended the Tokyo Olympics with their best ever medal tally i.e 7 medals in all (1 Gold, 2 Silvers & 4 Bronze. Sub Neeraj Chopra bagged gold in the track & field javelin throw event. < < Back