1. After the US and China, India becomes the world’s biggest military spender
India becomes the third biggest military spender in the world after the US, and China states a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report. India shares its borders with two of its biggest enemies, Pakistan and China, and hence feels the need to strengthen its military power. India’s military expenditure increased by 6.6.8 percent to $71.1 billion in 2019 as per SIPRO. Before 2019, Indian wasn’t among the biggest military spender, however, the changing times demanded the need for it.
2. ‘India-specific’ features added by Microsoft to its COVID-19 tracker
Microsoft recently added ‘India-specific’ feature to its Bing COVID-19 tracker. This tracker helps people track novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections across the globe and in India it helps in tracking it at a hyperlocal level. The new feature added has the integration of Apollo hospital bot, available in 14 Indian languages, for the purpose of self-assessment and provides users telemedicine support from reputed healthcare bodies. The tracker is also set to offer information and updates in 9 common Indian languages for people across the country to provide them critical pandemic related information in their preferred language.
3. Actor Akshay Kumar donates Rs 2 crore to Mumbai Police Foundation
Bollywood actor, Akshay Kumar has stepped forward and donated Rs 2 crore to the Mumbai Police Foundation to safeguard those personnel who are protecting the city in such challenging times by putting their own life at stake. In response to this, The Police Commissioner of Mumbai, via twitter thanked the actor for his generous contribution. The actor too replied to the tweet by paying tribute to the tribute to head constables Chandrakant Pendurkar and Sandip Surve, who succumbed to death after getting infected with the virus. In his tweet, he also added, “Let’s not forget we are safe and alive because of them.”
4. Amid lockdown, Google searches for ‘stress’, ‘therapy’ and ‘recipes’ surge in India
According to the Google Trends data, searched for words stress, therapy, and, recipe spiked significantly in India after the nation went on lockdown. This is indicative of the fact that the outbreak of Coronavirus, and to add to that, the decision of the government to undergo a nationwide lockdown has caused people of the country immense stress and as result made them feel the need for therapy as well.
5. Researchers create glow-in-the-dark plants with DNA from bioluminescent mushrooms
Russian researches in association with biotech startup Planta have created glow-in-the dark plants by inserting the DNA of Mushrooms that posses bioluminescence. These plants might soon make their way into our homes as a part of home decor. These plants were created in laboratories but without using any external chemicals. Karen Sarkisyan, one of the lead authors of a study published in the journal Nature Biotechnology told CNN, “We show that you can transfer four genes from these glowing mushrooms into the plants — and wire them into plant metabolisms — so that the plants start to glow in the dark.”
6. Photographer captures “glowing” dolphins surfing through bioluminescent water in US
A video of “glowing” dolphins was captured surfing through the Bioluminescent algae present in the waters of the US by Californian photographer Patrick Coyne. These dolphins were spotted off the coast of California’s Newport beach. Photographer Coyne said, “We were out for a few hours and on our final stretch back we finally had 2 Dolphins pop up to start the incredible glowing show. A few minutes later and we were greeted by a few more which was insane. I’m honestly still processing this all…”. In the coastal region, bioluminescence is caused by microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates. They produce two chemicals that create a glowing effect when they’re startled.
7. We have won the battle against COVID-19: New Zealand PM
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday claimed that the country had succeeded in stopping the spread of coronavirus and is not slowly easing the lockdown. After being on the maximum Level Four restrictions with only essential services operating, New Zealand has now moved to level three. Under this level, the government will allow some businesses, food outlets, and schools to reopen. “There is no widespread, undetected community transmission in New Zealand,” said Ardern. “We have won that battle,” she added.
8. COVID survivor, singer Kanika Kapoor offers to donate blood plasma
Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor, after recovering from COVID-19 has willingly stepped forward to donate blood plasma and offered to help another COVID-19 patient to recover from the virus. Kanika has also undergone testing for the same. If all ger reports come out normal, she will soon be called to donate her plasma.
9. Badminton: “Was trying to make it to top 15 this year,” says 18-year-old Lakshya Sen
After gaining 5 titles under his belt that include two BWF (Badminton World Federation) World Tour Super 100 top honours — SaarLorLux Open and Dutch Open, the 18-year-old shuttler Lakshya Sen was now aiming to enter the under the top 15 category this year. However, due to this pandemic, all tournaments stand postponed, and thus so does his aim of achieving the feat. He currently stands on the 27th position in the world rankings. “I was looking forward to play big tournaments, compete against better players, and try to make it to the top 15 this year. But then everything stopped suddenly, all tournaments suspended. Now I don’t know when they will resume,” Lakshya said to a correspondent of PTI.
10. Doodle game back on Google for users to play during COVID-19 times
Google has brought back its popular Doodle game for users to urge and encourage people to stay at home and help in curbing the spread of Coronavirus. Now users will be able to experience some of the most fun and interactive Google doodle games. The first doodle game that Google has brought back is the popular ‘Coding’ game from 2017 which was initially started to celebrate 50 years of Kids Coding.
11. Actor Dywane Jhonson spending quality time with his ‘ladies’, calls it a blessing
Hollywood actor Dywane Jhonson recently posted a video where he expressed feeling blessed to have gotten the chance to spend quality time with the two precious ladies in his life, his wife and his daughter. The video he posted for his fans showed the night ritual he performs for his two-year-old daughter Tiana of singing Maui”s rap on “You’ ‘re welcome” from “Moana”.
12. Actress Kate Winslet says “I cried after a man in India recognized me from Titanic”
The lead actress of Titanic, Kate Winslet admitted that she was overwhelmed when an Indian man from the Himalayas recognized her as Rose from her film Titanic when she had visited India. “Titanic was everywhere. A couple of years after it came out, I went to India. I was walking in the foothills of the Himalayas, just me with my backpack on my back and a man came towards me with a walking stick -He must have been 85 and was blind in one eye.
He looked at me and said, ‘You – Titanic.’ I said yes and he just put his hand on his heart and said, ‘Thank you’. I burst into tears. It really helped me understand how much that film had given to so many people,” confessed the actress while interviewing for a magazine.
