Top 5 Current Affairs: 31 August 2020

India records world’s highest single-day spike with 80,000 COVID-19 cases in a day

India has become the first country in the world to cross the mark of 80,000 COVID-19 cases in a day, even surpassing the United States, which is the worst affected nation so far. India set the record of the highest single-day spike by reporting 80,092 fresh cases on August 30, 2020. The Coronavirus outbreak has been on a constant rise in India, as the last week of August 2020 turned out to be one of the worst so far.

Prime Minister announces September to be observed as ‘Nutrition Month’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 30, 2020, announced that September will be observed as the ‘Nutrition Month’. He made the announcement in his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio program where he talked about the importance of a nutritious diet especially in children and students. He also encouraged listeners to play an essential role in increasing awareness regarding nutrition in children and pregnant women.

Unlock 4 guidelines announced, Delhi Metro to start from September 7, 2020

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on August 29, 2020, released Unlock 4 guidelines and permitted the resumption of Delhi Metro services from September 7. The new guidelines will come into effect from September 1. Along with it, the government has also extended the lockdown till September 30 in the containment zones. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had recently requested the Centre to allow the Metro services in the capital as the COVID-19 situation came under control in the city.

Mustapha Adib to be Lebanon’s new Prime Minister

Mustapha Adib, Lebanon’s Ambassador to Germany, is set to become the country’s next Prime Minister after he was named by four former Lebanon Prime Minister’s as their choice for the post. Under the sectarian system of Lebanon, the post of PM must go to a Sunni Muslim. Adib is set to be the designated PM of Lebanon on August 31, 2020, ahead of the two-day visit by President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

India, Russia announced to be the joint winners at FIDE Chess Olympiad

India and Russia were announced as the joint winners of the FIDE Chess Olympiad on August 30, 2020, after Nihal Sarin and Divya Deshmukh lost connection to their games in the second round and had to forfeit. Chess Olympiad was conducted online for the first time and initially, Russia was declared as the winner. But after an appeal filed by India for investigation, both India and Russia were announced to be the joint winners by the federation.