News Flash (11th January 2021): Top 10 Stories Of The Day

1. SC orders government to put the implementation of farm laws on hold

Reacting to the farmers’ protests against the center’s farm bills, the Supreme Court of India has warned the government to put a hold on its implementation. The court said, “Tell us whether you’ll put the laws on hold or else we’ll do it. What’s the ego here?” “Some people have committed suicide. What is happening?” SA Bobde, the Chief Justice of India said, further questioned stating that not a single plea has been filed supporting the farm laws.

2. Government most likely to impose COVID-19 cess on high-income earners

A report has mentioned that the finance ministry of the Indian government is planning to impose a coronavirus cess or surcharge on high-income earners to meet additional expenses incurred due to the pandemic and on the vaccines. The final decision on the implementation of this decision will be announced closer to the Budget. As per the experts’ estimation, the vaccine rollout may cost the country around ₹60,000-65,000 crore.

3. Bird flu makes its way into Delhi, Maharashtra. 800 dead birds test +ve in Maharashtra

After 8 states in India have confirmed the outbreak of bird flu, Maharashtra and Delhi too have joined the list. Deepak Muglikar, District Collector, Parbhani, said, “Three days ago, 800 chickens in Murumba village died…Reports confirm…bird flu,” From Delhi, the Animal Husbandry Department, Delhi, stated, “Bird flu has been confirmed in Delhi after testing eight samples from dead crows and ducks”.

4. Paytm CEO says WhatsApp & FB are abusing monopoly, urges all to move to Signal

Casting accusations on WhatsApp and Facebook, Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma on Monday has said that these two companies are “abusing their monopoly in India and taking away millions of users’ privacy “for granted”. “We should move on to the Signal app now…It is up to us to become victims or reject such moves,” Shekhar tweeted. He further added, “They say, the market has power. We are the largest market.”

5. Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma give birth to a baby girl

Actress Anushka Sharma and husband Virat Kohli, cricketer and caption of team India have given birth to a baby girl. Viral took to social media to inform their fans about this news. The couple had announced their news of the pregnancy in August last year. Both, the baby and Anushka are in good health. 

6. Air India’s all-woman pilot team flies over the North Pole, the longest direct route ever

Air India’s all-woman cockpit crew consisting flew Air India’s longest direct route flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru. The flight consisted of Captain Zoya Aggarwal, Captain Papagari Thanmai, Captain Akansha Sonaware and Captain Shivani Manhas. In its official statement, Air India informed that the crew operated the inaugural flight over the North Pole, covering a distance of 15,154 kilometres. Captain Zoya Aggarwal, proudly commented, “Today, we created world history.”

7. Hitting ₹12 lakh crore market cap, TCS becomes the 2nd Indian firm in the country

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has become the second Indian company to touch the mark of ₹12 lakh crore in market capitalisation after its shares shot to a 52-week high of ₹3,230. The rise in the share took place on the back of TCS’ strongest December quarter growth in nine years. 

8. Australian cricketer Steve Smith’s video of scuffing Rishabh Pant’s batting mark on pitch, goes viral

Steve Smith, Australian cricketer batsman was caught scuffing India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant’s batting mark on the pitch during the fifth day of the Sydney Test. A video of the same has now gone viral. “Doesn’t matter how many runs you score, but you’ll be remembered for doing such cheap tricks,” one of Pant’s fan tweeted. 

9. Commenting on the Indonesian plane crash, investigator informs, “ it possibly broke apart when it hit waters

Giving information about the recent Indonesian plane crash, an investigator with Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee has informed that the Sriwijaya Air jet that crashed into the Java Sea, possibly broke apart when it plunged into the waters. “We don’t know for sure, but if we look at the debris, they’re scattered in an area that’s not too wide. If it’d exploded midair, the debris would be distributed more widely,” the investigator said.

10. Saudi, the world’s top oil producer builds a city with no cars and roads

World’s largest oil producer, Saudi Arabia, announced the launch of an eco-city that has zero cars, zero streets, and zero carbon emissions. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman further informed that 170 kilometer-long development called ‘The Line’ will fall under the $500 billion project called ‘Neom’. The infrastructure is going to cost the nation $100 billion to $200 billion, the prince further informed.