Current Affairs:
Fleet of 5 Rafale multi-role combat jets arrived in India A fleet of five French-manufactured Rafale multi-role combat jets arrived in India. Rafale Jets landed at the Ambala Air Force base after covering a distance of 7,000 km from the Merignac airbase in French port city of Bordeaux. Two Sukhoi 30 MKIs escorted the fleet of Rafale jets after they entered the Indian air space. The fleet, which comprises three single seater and two twin seater aircraft, would be inducted into the IAF as part of its Ambala-based No 17 Squadron, also known as the ‘Golden Arrows’. Government of India signed a Rs 59,000-crore deal with French aerospace major Dassault Aviation on September 23, 2016 to procure 36 Rafale jets. Rafale multi-role combat jets are considered one of the most potent combat jets globally and will provide India’s air power a strategic edge over its adversaries in the neighbourhood. The delivery of all 36 aircraft will be completed on schedule by the end of 2021.
IMF Grants $4.3 bn to South Africa to fight COVID-19 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved USD 4.3 billion to South Africa in emergency funding, the largest amount given to any country to fight the coronavirus pandemic. The funds “support the authorities’ efforts in addressing the challenging health situation and economic impact of the COVID-19 shock”. South Africa is the worst-hit country in the continent with over 4,50,000 cases.
IRCTC & SBI Card launches Co-branded Contactless Credit Card Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and SBI Card has launched a new Co-branded Contactless Credit Card on RuPay Platform. The card was revealed by Union Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal. The newly launched card aims to ensure a safe, convenient and improved travel experience for the rail passengers. The new RuPay credit card is empowered with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which will enable users to expedite their transactions at the POS machines by just tapping the card on the machines instead of swiping. The card will reward frequent railway travellers by offering them maximum savings proposition on their travel together with exclusive benefits.
MoES National Awards for excellence in Earth System Science The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has announced the winners of “MoES National Awards for excellence in Earth System Science”. With award, MoES aims to recognize the major scientific contributions made by eminent scientists/engineers in various fields of Earth System Science. It also seeks to encourage women and young researchers for coming into the mainstream of Earth System Science.
Here is the complete list of winners:
| Sr.No. | Award | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Life Time Excellence Award | Professor Ashok Sahni |
| 2 | National Award for Atmospheric Science & technology | Dr. S. Suresh Babu |
| 3 | National award for Geoscience & technology | N. V. Chalapathi Rao |
| 4 | National Award for Ocean Technology | Dr. M. A. Atmanand |
| 5 | Anna Mani award for woman scientist | Dr. Lidita D. S. Khandeparker |
| 6 | Young Researcher Awards | Dr. Indra Sekhar Sen |
| 7 | National Award for Ocean Science & technology | Dr. V. V. S. S. Sarma |
India’s first solar ferry “Aditya” wins Gustave Trouve Award India’s first solar-powered ferry, Aditya has won the prestigious Gustave Trouve Award for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating. The ferry was adjudged the world’s best electric boat in the category of ferries designed for paid passenger service. The Aditya, from Navalt Boats, is a sun-powered commuter ferry that is one of the great stories of the future of electric marine propulsion. The ferry belongs to the Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) and has been plying on the Vaikkom-Thavanakkadavu route in Alappuzha district since January 2017.
Stuart Broad becomes 7th bowler to take 500 Test wickets England cricketer, Stuart Broad becomes 7th bowler to take 500 wickets in Test cricket. Stuart Broad achieved an elusive milestone on Day 5 of the third Test against West Indies in Manchester. Kraigg Brathwaite became Stuart Broad’s 500th-Test wicket. Board is the second England bowler after Anderson and the 7th overall in the overall list of highest wicket-takers, which is led by Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan with 800 wickets.
Jamie Vardy wins Premier League’s Golden Boot award Leicester City striker, Jamie Vardy has bagged the Premier Leagues Golden Boot football award after netting 23 goals across the 2019/20 season. He beat Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (22 goals), Southampton Danny Ings (22 goals), and Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling (20 goals) to scoop the prestigious individual award. Jamie is the first Leicester City player to claim the award and is only the second Englishman after Harry Kane to take the crown in the last 20 years. Manchester City’s Brazilian keeper Ederson won the Golden Glove award after keeping his 16th clean sheet of the season against Norwich City to beat Burnley’s Nick Pope to the award.
Bangladeshi pacer Kazi Anik Islam gets 2-year ban for doping Bangladeshi pacer, Kazi Anik Islam has been handed a 2-year ban by the national cricket board for failing a dope test in 2018. Kazi, who was Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker in the 2018 U-19 World Cup, tested positive for Methamphetamine, a prohibited substance, during a National Cricket League game in the same year. The 21-year-old admitted to the offence. His two-year ban began on February 8, 2019.
History on this Date:
(1751) 1st international world title prize fight: Jack Stack of England, beats challenger M. Petit of France in 29 mins in England
(1928) Test footage first created for Walt Disney’s “Steamboat Willie” with Mickey Mouse