News Flash (22th January 2021): Top 10 Stories Of The Day

1. Social media posts with ‘Defamatory, offensive’ content now a cybercrime in Bihar

The state administration has decided that from now on if anyone posts anything “defamatory and offensive comments” against Bihar on social media will end up in jail under the category of cybercrime. The Chief of the Economic Offences Wing, IG Nayyar Hasnain Khan wrote a letter to all secretaries of the state government that mentioned, “It has come to light that certain persons and organizations have been making defamatory and offensive comments on social media against the government, respected ministers, parliamentarians, legislators, and government officials. This is against prescribed law and comes under the category of cybercrime.”

2. BKU: Farmers to display tableaux of different states during Republic Day tractor parade

A Bhartiya Kisan Union leader has said that the farmers protesting against the new farm laws in Delhi plan on displaying tableaux of different states during their tractor parade which is going to take place on Republic Day in Delhi. In addition to this, another farmer leader also added, “We have assured the Police officers that we do not have any plan to interrupt the official Republic Day parade.”

3. Covishield vaccines sent to Mauritius, Seychelles, and Myanmar

On Friday, consignments of Serum Institute of India’s coronavirus vaccine Covishield were dispatched from India to Myanmar, Seychelles, and Mauritius. It is important to note that. Reports mention that the country does not have any plan to supply doses to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

4. Unscientific anti-COVID-19 claims in ads can result in up to 2-yr jail, ₹10L fine: CCPA

Advertisers have been warned by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) that any advertisements claiming the efficacy of products in protecting consumers from COVID-19 without the right authentic proof will be penalized. The warning mentioned, “False claims are made to mislead consumers for…products by taking advantage of the ongoing pandemic situation. Such advertisers will be liable for up to 2 years in jail or ₹10 lakh fine.”

5. UK flights banned in Portugal over new COVID-19 variant

Portugal has suspended all the flights flying to and from the UK from Saturday considering the spread of the new coronavirus strain. This step was taken to contain the spread of the virus, the PM of Portugal, Antonio Costa said. The new variant of the UK which is 70% more transmissible was first detected on 14th December. 

6. Maharashtra government panel recommends Metro car-shed at Kanjurmarg

The Maharashtra government that had appointed a nine-member committee recommended that the car-shed for Metro-3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) and Metro-6 (Swami Samarth Nagar-Vikhroli) can be built at Kanjurmarg and not Aarey colony. A report submitted before the deadline on 6th February carried this suggestion. The State chief secretary Sanjay Kumar said, “We were given a mandate and we have submitted the report,” and refused to comment further.  

7. PM Modi calls on youth to work for ‘New India’ through ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the youth to work for “New India” under the Atmanirbhar Bharat” campaign. While virtually addressing the 18th Convocation of Tezpur University in Assam, he said, “Our nation is entering the 75th year of independence. Innumerable people of Assam had contributed towards freedom. Several people had sacrificed their lives, their youth. Now you have to live for New India and Atmanirbhar India.” 

8. A mobile game about protecting the ozone layer to be launched by the United Nations

A mobile game aimed at Gen Z called ‘Reset Earth’ is soon going to be launched by the United Nations Earth Programme (UNEP). The game will assign tasks to the players of saving the ozone layer. The involves a user playing as three teenagers belonging to the year 2084 who have to travel back in time to make sure the signing of the 1987 Montreal Protocol takes place, preserves the ozone, and prevent the spread of the virus.

9. Art to be created from the waste collected in Mount Everest by Nepal

With the motive to highlight the issue of littering near the mountain, an art gallery of Nepal has planned to create art from the waste collected from Mount Everest. Tommy Gustafsson, co-founder of the Sagarmatha Next Centre said that the artists, foreign and local will be encouraged to create artwork from waste. The co-founder said, “We hope to change the people’s perceptions about the garbage and manage it.” 

10. NSE continues to be the world’s largest derivatives exchange for 2nd consecutive year

As per the Futures Industry Association (FIA), the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) continues to remain the world’s largest derivatives exchange for the second consecutive year in 2020 based on the number of contracts traded. The World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) for 2020 also ranked NSE fourth globally in cash equities by the number of trades.