News Flash (26th August 2020): Top 10 Stories Of The Day

1. NSUI members commence hunger strike demanding postponement of NEET-JEE exam

Neeraj Kundan, the president of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Delhi Wing, and Eight other people on Wednesday began an indefinite hunger strike demanding the postponement of the NEET-JEE and fee waiver for six months for students during the pandemic. NEET-JEE exams scheduled to be conducted in mid-September.

2. Russia In Touch With India To Manufacture COVID Vaccine Sputnik V: Health Ministry

Russia has expressed its willingness to the Indian government for collaboration in the manufacturing of Covid-19 vaccine – Sputnik V, Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary said. Russia successfully claimed to have tested Covid-19 vaccine earlier this month.

3. 4.1 magnitude earthquake hits Bengal’s Durgapur

A medium-intensity earthquake of magnitude 4.1 struck Durgapur in Paschim Bardhaman district of West Bengal on Wednesday morning, It had an epicentre at 110 km east-northeast of Durgapur, occurred at 7.54 am at a depth of 10 km according to National Centre of Seismology.

4. WHO Declares Africa Free Of Poliovirus

A landmark success achieved by a decade long eradication drive for polio virus in Africa, when UN WHO declared Africa continent as free from it. Poliovirus now joins smallpox in the list of viruses that have been wiped out in Africa, the WHO said.

5. Google releases mask song to spread awareness: When in public, wear a mask

Google released a mask song with a peppy and creative lyric to spread awareness about wearing face masks amid the coronavirus outbreak. The lyrics of the song go like, “When in public, wear a mask. Just a teeny-weeny task.” The tune of this song is similar to the nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

6. Holding NEET, JEE will risk exposing 28L students to COVID-19: Delhi Education Minister

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia pushed for postponement of NEET, JEE exams since there is high risk of exposure to COVID-19 to students and their families subsequently. There are around 28L students who are going to appear for these exams scheduled to be conducted in mid-September.

7. Facebook planning to launch news service in India, UK, Brazil

Facebook Inc said it has plans to launch its news service in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, India and Brazil in the coming months, after having introduced the feature in the United States last year.

8. Will have ‘India first’ policy, China port deal a mistake: Sri Lanka

Foreign secretary of Sri Lanka Jayanath Colombage has said, “President (Gotabaya Rajapaksa) has stated that in terms of strategic security, we will follow an ‘India first’ policy.” In his further remark he added that decision to give Hambantota port on a 99-years was a “mistake”. 

9. 16 Dead, 19 Missing In Maharashtra Building Collapse, Search Operation Continues

16 people have died till now after collapse of a five-storey residential building in Maharashtra’s Raigad district on Monday. Among those who lost their lives includes 7 males and 9 females. The rescue operation is still underway.

10. Rajnath Singh Launches Life Insurance Scheme For Over 10,000 Cantonment Employees

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a life insurance scheme to provide a cover of ₹ five lakhs each to more than 10,000 employees working in cantonment areas across India.

11. Criminal Appeal Cases Hearing At Bombay High Court To Begin From August 31

Bombay High Court will resume physical court proceedings with two benches in criminal appeal cases from 31^st August to 15^th September, over four months after virtual hearings in urgent matter began due to the coronavirus pandemic. While other Justices, including Chief Justice Dipankar Datta, will continue virtual hearings till September 15.

12. Floods in northern Afghanistan leave at least 70 dead

Heavy floods in the province of Parwan wreaked havoc by killing more than 70 people and heavy destruction to property. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani expressed his condolences for victims of calamity and ordered aid be delivered to Parwan and other provinces.

13. N Korea releases new pics of Kim Jong-un, busts rumors of him being in a coma

North Korea has released images of their dictator leader Kim Jong-Un as a response to unending speculation over his state of health. According to the reports by Korean Central News Agency, the North Korean dictator was shown chairing a meeting of the politburo of the Workers Party recently.