1. FM justifies price hike in Parliament: Defending price rise, FM Nirmala Sitharaman told the Parliament that despite the Pandemic waves, and the Russia-Ukraine war, the NDA government had been holding inflation levels at 7% or lower. She also quoted microdata to indicate that the country continues to be the fastest growing economy, and its economy is growing robust.
2. Chennai’s second airport to come up in Parandur: The Tamil Nadu government has shortlisted Parandur, some 70 km off Chennai city, along the Bengaluru Highway, for the city’s second airport. Airports Authority of India plans to build an airport with two parallel runways and terminals that can handle 20 million passengers a year. The complex will also house an aero city equipped with maintenance and repair facilities and host aviation ancillary units and other commercial establishments.
3. IMD’s prediction for the second half of the monsoon season: Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the second half of the southwest monsoon (Aug-Sep) is most likely to be normal across the country. However, below-normal rainfall in the east and northeastern states like Bihar has affected paddy sowing in the Indo-Gangetic plain. The region has recorded its lowest-ever July rainfall in over 122 years.
4. Eight people — including patients and hospital staff — killed in a Jabalpur private hospital fire accident: Blaze at the New Life Multispecialty Hospital in Jabalpur killed eight people and injured five. The hospital had no emergency exit and had only a four feet lift, leaving the victims trapped on the first floor of the two-storied building. Initial investigations have revealed that ‘sparking’ in the generator started the fire.
5. ISRO invites the public to witness the SSLV launch into space: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will launch the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) into orbit on Aug 7. The launch will begin at 9.18 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota. The SSLV will carry an Earth observer satellite and Azadisat, designed by 750 girl students from 75 schools across Indian states.
6. Maha Governor tenders apology: Maharashtra Governor Koshyari, who had remarked that if Gujaratis and Rajasthanis leave the state, particularly Mumbai and Thane, there would be no money left, has apologized for his statements. He said that he inadvertently committed a mistake and that the people of Maharashtra would display their ‘large heart’ and forgive him. He also added that he received immense love and affection from the people of Maharashtra in the last three years.
7. Heavy to extremely-heavy rainfall predicted in Kerala: Following the Met department’s prediction of Heavy to extremely-heavy rains, up to 200mm in 24 hours in most parts of Kerala, the state government has issued a Red alert in central and northern districts of Kerala. As a precaution, the government has instructed tourist destinations to close down and fishermen not to venture into the sea.
8. Pelosi’s US flight keenly watched as she is about to arrive in Taipei: China has warned the United States that it would “pay the price for undermining China’s sovereign security interests” if its House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan during her ongoing Asia trip. Amid the possibility of Pelosi heading to Taiwan from Kuala Lumpur, the US Air Force plane SPAR19 she is flying became the most tracked flight in Flightradar24.
9. Maldives President in India for bilateral talks: President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is in India on a four-day visit. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, and both leaders signed six pacts of mutual interest in cyber security, disaster management, capacity building, housing, and infrastructure. After the talks, PM Modi said India is extending an additional Line of Credit of $100 million to the Maldives.
10. Taliban condemns US drone strike in Kabul that eliminated Zawahiri: Taliban condemns US drone strike killing Al Queda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri as a “violation of international principles.” According to US officials, Zawahiri was hit with two Hellfire missiles when we came to the balcony of his safe-house in Kabul. The strike was reportedly planned over weeks.
Image: Indian Express