4 October 2020: Today’s News Headlines

• PM Modi inaugurates 9.02 km long Atal tunnel Rohtang in Himachal Pradesh
• Built in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas, the tunnel will ensure year-long connectivity between Manali and Lahaul-Spiti valley that was earlier cut off for about six months every year due to heavy snowfall
• The tunnel will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km and the travel time by four to five hours.

INDIA

• Surface-to-surface nuclear capable hypersonic missile ‘Shaurya’ test fired; strike range: 700-1,000 km
• Army builds memorial for its 20 personnel killed fighting Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15
• India, Bangladesh hold joint naval exercise ‘Bongosagar’ in Bay of Bengal
• Third edition of India Bangladesh Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) naval exercise to be held on 4-5 October

ECONOMY & CORPORATE

• Centre to waive compound interest on loans up to Rs 2 crores for a six-month moratorium period announced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC to buy 1.22% stake in Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL)

WORLD

•  S.S. Kalpana Chawla, a commercial cargo spacecraft bound for ISS (International Space Station), launched by NASA
• India-born US astronaut Kalpana Chawla had died with her six crewmates aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 2003
• EU imposes sanctions against Belarus; wants President Alexander Lukashenko to hold a fresh election
• Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ debut book ‘Unfinished’ to release in January

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2020